So, we begin this again.... The devils nightmare shakes me awake, reminding me that i will never be free.  At first I think it will be ok, a little rub of the neck, walk around the room, maybe some frozen peas on the eye, and i'll be off to sleep i no time, but I couldn't have been more wrong.  This time it'll be a #8, no fries or drink though, just a full helping OH MY GOD's, and WHY ME's?  This time the Sumatriptran nasal sprays won't touch it, it's too strong.  No turning back now, time for the dance, up I go, upstairs, downstairs, kitchen, basement...there's nowhere to hide.  Maybe i can seek refuge in the bathroom, but the cool tiles only offer a brief respite.  Time to rock, if I get the rhythm just right, maybe I can shake this loose, and it helps, for a minute or two, but the next wave washes me back to the bed, where I can bounce, and rock this beast to sleep, where eventually, I finally collapse in a pile of pure exhaustion.  Finally at 2am, i find myself falling asleep.  I won't even begin to describe the 10 that followed an hour and a half later, i don't think there are words strong enough....

Sorry to hear your dancing again.Breakin 2 Electric Boogaloo style. Know that you are not dancing alone. Were like Turbo and Ozone trying to save Miracles. Wish we could tell him to take his parachute pants, cardboard and boombox elsewhere cuz breakin is out. Wishing PFDN to all us breakdancers.  I need sleep as you can tell my post are losing it!
BriBri

The nasal spray is the least effective form of Suma.

See the PDF file, below, and look over your options--both for a preventive as well as a abortive.

Are you working with a headache specialist?

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Hang in there pharoah, we understand your pain and can help you with support and advice if you want it!?

-Gregg in Las Vegas

Thanks for all the positivity and support, I am not working with anyone, I don't really know where to look to find a specialist here in St. Louis, any suggestions are welcome. Bri, love the way back, took me to my youth, and laughed my ass off. Gonna try, hopefully for a little, to get some rest....

LOCATING HEADACHE SPECIALIST

1. Yellow Pages phone book: look for "Headache Clinics" in the M.D. section and look under "neurologist" where some docs will list speciality areas of practice.

2.  Call your hospital/medical center. They often have an office to assist in finding a physician. You may have to ask for the social worker/patient advocate.

3. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE; On-line screen to find a physician.

4. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE Look for "Physician Finder" search box. They will send a list of M.D.s for your state.I suggest using this source for several reasons: first, we have read several messages from people who, even seeing neurologists, are unhappy with the quality of care and ATTITUDES they have encountered; second, the clinical director of the Jefferson (Philadelphia) Headache Clinic said, in late 1999, that upwards of 40%+ of U.S. doctors have poor training in treating headache and/or hold attitudes about headache ("hysterical female disorder") which block them from sympathetic and effective work with the patient; third, it's necessary to find a doctor who has experience, skill, and a set of attitudes which give hope of success. This is the best method I know of to find such a physician.

5. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE NEW certification program for "Headache Medicine" by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties, an independent, non-profit, professional medical organization.
        Since this is a new program, the initial listing is limited and so it should be checked each time you have an interest in locating a headache doctor.

St. Louis:
Dr. Juan C. Escandon

Multiple Physicians
Ryan Headache Center

These are the two docs listed for the Saint Louis area who other CH'ers have had success using. A good place to start. While you are waiting to see them, please go to the meds section of this board and read the link "123 pain free days and I think I know why" A simple vitamin/anti-inflammatory regimen that's providing relief for over 70% of the people who try it. Cheap, good for you even without CH, worth a shot.

JOe

pharoah wrote on Nov 13^th, 2012 at 12:26am:

Thanks for all the positivity and support, I am not working with anyone, I don't really know where to look to find a specialist here in St. Louis, any suggestions are welcome. Bri, love the way back, took me to my youth, and laughed my ass off. Gonna try, hopefully for a little, to get some rest....

Hi Pharoah,
Hope today is less painful than yesterday. ;) 

You really should go see a specialist and Joe gave you 2 recommended St. Louis resources familiar with CH's, here are 2 more as a backup...

Located in Ballwin, about 30 minutes from St. Louis...
Dr. Andrew Y. Chao (PCP)

Located in Hannibal, about 2 hours from St. Louis...
Dr. Brett D. Hosley at the Hannibal Clinic

Besides the 123 thread, you might consider reading about oxygen therapy; prescribed or welders.

There's alot to learn by reading from this website to better educate yourself and alot of wonderful supportive and understanding fellow sufferers to keep you up when you're feeling down.  Stick around, we'll show you the ropes. ;)

-Gregg in Las Vegas

Hi all, and thank you for the guidance.  I am trying to arrange an appointment with Dr. Juan C. Escandon, and hopefully get some relief.  Now i have had these for 18 years now, and for some reason, it seems different this year.  I am experiencing a little lightheadedness, and an almost constant pain behind my eye and ear, on the same side that i get CH...has anyone else experienced this, and if so, any advice, i am starting to get a little worried now.  Thanks
~Dale

pharoah wrote on Nov 15^th, 2012 at 2:33pm:

Hi all, and thank you for the guidance.  I am trying to arrange an appointment with Dr. Juan C. Escandon, and hopefully get some relief.  Now i have had these for 18 years now, and for some reason, it seems different this year.  I am experiencing a little lightheadedness, and an almost constant pain behind my eye and ear, on the same side that i get CH...has anyone else experienced this, and if so, any advice, i am starting to get a little worried now.  Thanks ~Dale

Lightheadedness may/not be directly related, could be another condition, could be fatigue from not sleeping normal, could be meds, change of diet, change of exercise routine, etc., etc.

Extremely common to experience pain in the eye, behind the eye, behind the ear, back of head, back of stiff neck, front and side temple; always one sided. 

Get on a worthy preventative right away and hyperventilate o2 at onset.  Good luck!

-Gregg in Las Vegas