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Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Getting to Know Ya >> newbie from New mexico http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1285145498 Message started by roughneckjdb on Sep 22nd, 2010 at 4:51am |
Title: newbie from New mexico Post by roughneckjdb on Sep 22nd, 2010 at 4:51am
Hi, I have been having these monsters now for two weeks every evening after work they have all been 8 on the kip scale untill finally a 10 and off to the ER i go. I laid on the bench with the corner of the seat cushion wedged in my eye socket for two hours and FINALLY the called me to the back and hooked a iv in the pain started to subside but still had alot of pressure the doctor didnt have a answer and the ct was negative he sent me home with loratabs,ibuprofin,and a weeks worth of methylprednisolone. I was free of the monster for 3 days and then last night it hit me again. I can feel it when it starts creeping up on me I have been trying the energy shots and drinks everynite after work I try and not think about it but the pain....well you know..Ive been thinking about what triggers it and it seems that my favorite drink might be one of the demons BEER. after just two I have a attack WHY???? Im 40 years old and have drank for years and years. In the days ahead im going to put it test NO ALCOHOL because as you all must know im willing to do anything to make it stop but why did it start in the first place
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Title: Re: newbie from New mexico Post by Kevin_M on Sep 22nd, 2010 at 5:39am
Too often the adventures with the in and out soup-line ER accommodations are ill-suited for CH. The pred may have been the short-extending helper. A good start is a diagnosis and oxygen.
Welcome. :) |
Title: Re: newbie from New mexico Post by Ginger S. on Sep 22nd, 2010 at 6:32am
Hi roughneckjdb and welcome to the board. Kevin gave you some excellent advice. You'll need to see a neuro or a headache specialist to get a diagnosis and get on a proper prevent and abortive if you have CH.
FYI Alcohol is a known trigger for CH'ers. Stay clear of it at least until you get a proper diagnosis. If it is CH you may have to kiss your beer drinking days goodbye. :-[ |
Title: Re: newbie from New mexico Post by roughneckjdb on Sep 22nd, 2010 at 6:59am
i have every symptom from my eye weeping like crazy the redness in the face the "dance" as u call it stuffy nose on the same side i even get nauseated and light hurts i thrash on the floor in my bathroom sweating like mad and looking for the spot to press on my head and face to make the pain go away why now what causes ch i mean ive read on how its caused but WHY?????????
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Title: Re: newbie from New mexico Post by roughneckjdb on Sep 22nd, 2010 at 8:28am
calling for apt to see a neru what can i expect?
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Title: Re: newbie from New mexico Post by Guiseppi on Sep 22nd, 2010 at 8:36am
Welcome to the club, the beer didn't cause your CH.....that's a slightly messed up hypothalamous you've had since birth....the beast just woke up! Now that the beast is awake, while you are on cycle, the beer WILL cause you to have attacks.
A couple of reasons to get to a headache neuro. First off, you want to eliminate the rare but sinister causes of severe head pain. You don't wanna be masking the pain while something ugly grows! Rare, but you want to get it checked. More importantly, most GP's get wigged out over the stuff we use, Lithium, Verapamil at really really high doses, Topomax, Oxygen........you'll have a better shot at getting what you need with a neuro....but make sure he's a headache neuro as this is a unique specialty. Then you develop a treatment plan....here's mine, just as an example...there are as many variations as there are cluster heads!!! :) A cycle starts, I go on a 10 day prednisone taper to keep the beast at bay while I start up on my prevent, 1200 mg of lithium a day. (Don't let the Hollywood stereotype fool you if I didn't tell you I was taking it you'd never know!!) After I've been on Lithium about 10-14 days it'll block 60-70% of my attacks. Verapamil, at high doses, up to 960mg a day, is a very common first line prevent, Topomax has a pretty loyal following. An attack starts....now comes the abortives. Read the link Marc gave you, 32 years and 02 is still my first line abort. It's simple....a little green tank, a regulator and a mask. Huff 02 for 10 minutes and I am pain free. Imitrex injectables work as fast or faster then oxygen...BUT....they are expensive and there is growing opinion on the board that these and similar triptans actually extend cycles. Imitrex nasal sprays are popular, less expensive then the injectables. DO NOT let them give you the imitrex pills, they take too long to get into your system and don't work for most. Learn your triggers, mine are alcohol..a very common trigger, sleep disruptions, and sustained stress. Stress is a funny one. For many, when they relax from stress they get killed. Sounds like you may be one of those with the end of your work day hits. I'm the opposite, sustained stress gets me. And letting myself get really hungry. Batch explained once why that is but it can be a common trigger. That's a lot for now. You have much reading to do. You can't cure CH, but with a little bit of work and planning, you can sure reduce the negative impact it has on your life. Joe Edited to add: I see Bob jumped in while I was typing, great template for finding your neuro. |
Title: Re: newbie from New mexico Post by Kevin_M on Sep 22nd, 2010 at 8:46am roughneckjdb wrote on Sep 22nd, 2010 at 8:28am:
Ask about starting a headache log, or getting a template for one from them. |
Title: Re: newbie from New mexico Post by roughneckjdb on Sep 22nd, 2010 at 3:24pm
first of all thank you all of you for getting back to me i have told the guys what i have and get the oh its just a migraine but its not i have never felt anything like it. I find myself not wanting to go home after work cause im sitting there wondering with each min if the beast is going to fire up again. I took my referral and tried to set an appointment with the neuro they have nothing open untill december :-/ so now im heading to a family doc and hope to god he will know about ch and help... a heat pack and ibuprofin just aint gonna cut it im already on a mission to get o2 and have been taking energy drinks as soon as i get off work once again thank you all for helping
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Title: Re: newbie from New mexico Post by Guiseppi on Sep 22nd, 2010 at 4:16pm
You can print out a great deal of info on oxygen from the oxygen info link on the left. Might make your GP less nervous about prescribing it when he sees this is not some crack pot idea you just cooked up! ;)
Also, call the neuro's office every other day or so and check for cancellations.....might be able to sneak in a little quicker. Marc mentioned welding 02, same stuff as they put in med tanks and a lot of people here use it successfully. Joe |
Title: Re: newbie from New mexico Post by Ginger S. on Sep 22nd, 2010 at 5:32pm
Whilest you're waiting to get into the Neuro or your regular doc here are a few over the counter helpers:
4-Way Nasal spray or Dristan 12 Hour Nasal Spray helps with the annoying congestion. ** Note ** Do not use this more than 3 days in a row!! It can cause severe sinus problems. Taurine and Caffeine drinks (RedBull if you like it) to help prevent a hit when you feel one starting. Melatonin or an Allergy pill at night before bed to help avoid night time hits. The herb Kudzu has helped a few as a prevent. Deep breathing through the milder hits can help too. Hot/Cold Compresses Depending on your preference can help as well. Make sure you start a headache journal, you can make your own, here's what you will need to note on it. Date: Time of Day of CH hit: On pain Scale 1-10 10 being highest what is your pain at? Duration of Headache: Symptoms that come with your Headache: What, if anything you tried to get rid of HA: You can make up your own HA Journal and if you get more than one in a day use 1 piece of paper/page per day, or you can use MS Excel for this. |
Title: Re: newbie from New mexico Post by mikstudie on Sep 23rd, 2010 at 8:25am
I cannot touch a beer while in cycle,out of cycle no problems. One beer, boom a headache. Now that I think my cycle is over (20 days PF) i have had a couple beers and no issues. It was easy not having that beer when I seen it was triggering a headache.
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Title: Re: newbie from New mexico Post by LadyLuv on Sep 23rd, 2010 at 12:20pm Kevin_M wrote on Sep 22nd, 2010 at 5:39am:
The above advise is sound... Please get diagnosis by a neuro or headache specialist... |
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