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brewcrew Ex Member	Re: Who is who here to the newcommers Reply #200 - Aug 28^th, 2006 at 2:05pm prcole18 wrote on Aug 2^nd, 2006 at 5:18pm: The first time I got a CH I dialled 999 for an Ambulance Well, no wonder....you have to dial "9-1-1" for an ambulance. Wait.......oh, you're from......nevermind. ;
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pharoah

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Re: Who is who here to the newcommers
Reply #201 - Aug 30^th, 2006 at 12:53am

HI all...My name is Dale, and i have been a CH sufferer since 1995. I am originally from st. louis, and have just returned here after an 8 year stint in the UK. While in the Uk, in 2000, i was diagnosed episodic CH and prescribed Maxalt, which had little to no effect. Fortunately i usually only get 1 cluster per year July - Sept, with episodes lasting little more than an hour, and in the middle of a monster now. I have been prescribed propanalol (rubbish), and sumitriptan, which i think helped a little, but couldn't really be sure if the beast rested, or i won...either way, it ended eventually. I was in the uk when this cluster began, and was usually about kip 5-7, but since i have come back here, i am 5 times a day @ kip 9+ with at least 1 lasting 2 hours or more, and not really sure what to do...i am not drinking, using the water treatment, and sleeping regularly (no naps), but still getting killers. Unfortunately, as i have just returned to the us, my heatlthcare has not kicked in yet, and cannot get any medical treatment as too expensive. I'm not real sure if there is anything else i can do, but start new job monday, and worried that i won't be able to hide these. Well, thanks for reading , and may you all have pian free nights and days.

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Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.”

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jodirtydoz CH.com Newbie Offline Posts: 6 x0\|norfolk\|USA\|\|0\|0\|CT,Connecticut Gender:	Re: Who is who here to the newcommers Reply #202 - Sep 2^nd, 2006 at 5:16pm ok total new to this started just 7 days ago having fun filled days of pain lol 15 to 20 attacks a day right now but im shure will get threw it i desirve it all lol good to meet ya all and see im not only 1 out there 42 year young and still going hehe havent fig out how to insert my pic so your all lucky so far
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E-Double

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Re: Who is who here to the newcommers
Reply #203 - Sep 2^nd, 2006 at 10:51pm

jodirtydoz wrote on Sep 2^nd, 2006 at 5:16pm:

ok total new to this started just 7 days ago having fun filled days of pain lol 15 to 20
attacks a day right now but im shure will get threw it i desirve it all lol good to meet ya all and see im not only 1 out there 42 year young and still going hehe havent fig out how to insert my pic so your all lucky so far

Sorry you are in pain!!!
A quick question..........
Has your doctor or you in your own research considered Paroxysmal Hemicrania.
It is a cousin of CH, however attacks come in higher frequency yet are shorter in duration.
They can be episodic (EPH) or Chronic (CPH) just like Clusters.
They are however near 100% responsive to indomethacin.
I ask this because if it is PH then relief is truly around the corner for you and fast!!!!!
Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

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I can't believe that I have to bang my Head against this wall again. But the blows they have just a little more Space in-between them. Gonna take a breath and try again.

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BB

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Re: Who is who here to the newcommers
Reply #204 - Sep 7^th, 2006 at 7:00pm

Hi everyone,

I guess its about time that I introduce myself properly.

My name is Annette and I have been registered on this Board since 03rd Aug. I dont have CH, my DH Daniel does. I have been very actively posting here and he hasnt because he has had blurry vision as side effects from the meds and found computer work difficult.

Some people may have wondered why I have been so active posting on the Board, even giving advices to people while being "only" a supporter. Well, thats because I am a doctor ( General Practitioner ) and giving medical advice is just 2nd nature to me. Tongue

I admit though that although I diagnosed my DH's condition on day 3 of his first real cycle ( We had only been together 1 month when his cycle started ) and that I have been working with his neurologists on his treatments but my original medical knowledge of CH was " CH is a rare condition, with XYZ symptoms, very difficult to treat, once suspect CH as a diagnosis refer to neurologist urgently" !

We had less than 1 hr teaching at medical school on CH. I even remember the neuro lecturer telling us that CH is so rare that we are unlikely to come across 1 in our entire career! And I managed to marry one LOL ! Well, he is one rare gentleman to start with, I guess Wink

Anyway, after spending 5 weeks reading every day on the subject, both here and everywhere else, I have started to become a bit more educated on CH and thought that I may be able to offer some assistance to people in need.

I endeavour to embark myself on the journey learning as much as I can about CH both as a medical person as well as a supporter, and will work to bring more awareness of the condition to the Government, the general public as well as the medical profession. I have witnessed first hand how little people, including medical people, knows about CH and how this adversedly affects the level of care/treatment that CH sufferers receive.

I practice in Sydney, NSW, Australia and is now a member of the HeadacheAustralia Organisation and I would be most happy to help anyone in Australia regarding CH. You can contact me via email or PM.

I would be interested to know if there is any other medical persons on the Board?

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you think I may be able to help in any way. If I dont know the answer I will research to find it or bring it up with the neurologists.

Painfree wishes to all of us. God bless and Take care.

Annette

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chopmyheadoff CH.com Hall of Famer Offline Its only a headache, deal with it - SMACK Posts: 507 x1\|warrington\|United_Kingdom\|europe\|158\|187\| Gender:	Re: Who is who here to the newcommers Reply #205 - Sep 15^th, 2006 at 3:05am wow - our very own GP - glad to have you on board annette. I know we have spoken before but iv yet to welcome u to the site ; ; BTW this gal is a real star ladies and gents - top supporter
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BB Ex Member I love YaBB 1G - SP1!	Re: Who is who here to the newcommers Reply #206 - Sep 15^th, 2006 at 4:35am Awwwww... How very sweet of you Chop ! Thank you for welcoming me to the Board. HUGS Annette
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brewcrew

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Re: Who is who here to the newcommers
Reply #207 - Sep 16^th, 2006 at 8:40pm

chopmyheadoff wrote on Sep 15^th, 2006 at 3:05am:

BTW this gal is a real star ladies and gents - top supporter

BB wrote on Sep 15^th, 2006 at 4:35am:

Awwwww...

How very sweet of you Chop ! Kiss

Thank you for welcoming me to the Board.

HUGS

Annette

And, it appears, an outstanding human being. Wink

Welcome aboard.

Bill

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calisto

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Re: Who is who here to the newcommers
Reply #208 - Sep 19^th, 2006 at 9:57pm

Ive been using this site now for about 2 weeks and i thought it was time i introduced myself!! ; Grin

Sorry but i havent a clue on how to upload a pic!!

My names Simon,im 36 and i live in cannock in staffordshire,england.I live with and am engaged to sonia,an aussie teacher who is the absolute love of my life,my rock and my inspiration.

Ive been a sufferer of episodic cluster headaches since i was 20,finally diagnosed around 6 years ago.For ten years i was treated for migraine,sinus headaches and even hayfever of course non of these treatments ever worked.In a fit of desperation my mom wrote to the migraine trust,they sent their monthly magazine and in it were the symptoms for cluster headaches.I couldnt believe they matched mine completely!when they first started they were very mild in comparison to the head twisters i get now - regular kip 10's that can last for 3 hours!Thank god im only episodic - in cycle usually between sept and dec every 2 years.
Every cycle the intensity of the ch's increases - im dreading what they'll be like when im in my 60's!
Even after dr's agreed i had cluster headaches they wouldnt send me to a neuro,until the doc i see now did.Finally after 12 years i had some recommended treatment from a specialist.This you may think solved my woes - not on your life!!The only thing ive ever been given specifcally to relieve the ch is verapamil (which i cant take now because i take propranolol for something else.)Usually ive weathered the cycle and just taken the pain.Until that is i found this site!!When this cycle started i typed in cluster headaches and found you guys...and it has changed everything!!!
I now realise that i do not have to put up with this pain without any pain relief.I have to say a massive heartfelt thank you to helen (LeLimey) the advice she has given me has saved me from so much pain.She has made me see that i dont have to simply put up with it.I now use imigran injections and i have o2 being delivered tomorrow.I cant believe ive gone all these years,suffering this pain without any relief when there was relief to be had!!Im sorry to say that my faith in the medical profession here in the u.k. is not very high.Ive met far more aggresive and unsympathtic doctors than i have compationate ones.Only this week i had a doc at the surgery i use refuse to help ( i only saw him out of desperation)and i was having an attack right in front of him.He even raised his voice to me,usually a very bad idea but he caught me at my lowest!!luckily i managed to see my usual dr later on in the day.He doesnt know that much about the treatment of our complaint but he's at least open to suggestion and understands that just because he doenst know much about it doesnt mean that i dont!!I now go armed with my "cluster bible"- loads of printouts from this site!!

This cycle is a bad one,some days im getting as many as 12 hits - bad ones too.If it wasnt for the imigran i think i wouldve buckled,even with it im a little embarrassed to say its starting to get the better of me.Im only getting around one to two hours sleep a night,a hit comes pretty much every hour as soon as a go to sleep until i just give up and stay awake.....its easier.Ive got melatonin coming from the states,hopefully this will help a little and the o2 comes tomorrow,im praying im one of the lucky ones it works for.
So thats me.Thanks for taking the time to read this,it helps so much to be able to get this out to people who understand.

To helen (LeLimey),chopmyheadoff,and all the others who have given me valuable advice i would otherwise never have received i say thank you from the bottom of my heart.Youve given me the greatest gift you couldve given......relief from the beast and a realisation that i dont just have to take it.

Simon.

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hell hath no fury like a cluster headache ignored!!

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Fatcat

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Re: Who is who here to the newcommers
Reply #209 - Sep 21^st, 2006 at 7:31am

Hi all,

I'm not really a newcomer cos I used to visit the old site back in the day, but I haven't been about much until this week. I thought I'd deal with the formalities.

I come from Essex, UK. Had ECH from age 18 with annual bouts of around a fortnight. Then I had a remission of 18 months, followed by almost 2 years. That 6 week bout in 1999 was when I was diagnosed, also thanks to the Migraine Action Association in the UK. I had a 3 year remission following the 1999 bout, but it was punctuated with episodes of shadows and phantom attacks.

Somewhere between 2002 and 2003, my neuro thinks I went chronic. I've just gone thru an 18 month period where I've had nothing more than the occasional few weeks of shadows. In fact, there have been extended periods where I've been totally pain free, albeit while remaining on a mediocre dose of verapamil. I'd reduced from 600mg to 360mg. But 4 weeks ago, the beast came knocking again, quite by surprise. And now I have attacks breaking thru the verapamil, despite increasing to 560mg. Not sure what all this means. Am I really chronic? Is this latest episode a "bout" of sorts? I don't know.

Happy to say HELLO anyway ; Grin

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diggercop Ex Member	Re: Who is who here to the newcommers Reply #210 - Sep 25^th, 2006 at 3:03pm Thank goodness for this website. I thought I was the only one who was suffering and leaving weddings and other events early due to these headaches. Glad im not alnoe.....there has to be a cure? Right? diggercop/37/Chicagoland
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Richr8

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Re: Who is who here to the newcommers
Reply #211 - Sep 25^th, 2006 at 3:16pm

Quote:

Thank goodness for this website. I thought I was the only one who was suffering and leaving weddings and other events early due to these headaches.

Glad im not alnoe.....there has to be a cure?

Right?

diggercop/37/Chicagoland Embarrassed

Welcome!

Glad that you found us. You are not alone as you will soon see, but although there are no cures, this site will provide plenty of support and a community that understands what you are going through. Best thing that has happened to me since I got CH was finding this place and all of the knowledgeable caring folks.

Dig in, read all that you can, and ask any questions you might have. When you are feeling well enough jump in and support others.

Welcome

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pf wishes,&&&&Rich
&&&&&&

...because yesterday is history and you never know what tomorrow will bring.

&&"Med free"- A few seeds and lots of O2-LG but not great.&&

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Trond

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Re: Who is who here to the newcommers
Reply #212 - Sep 26^th, 2006 at 10:28am

Hi everybody.

It's been a while since my last post, but I'm still regularely visiting the site.
I've found it back in 2001, and, thank's to DJ and friend's then got the right diagnose for my headache.

I'm 43 years old, married to a wonderful woman and have a 8 year old daughter. I work as a senior engineer at the University of Oslo.
I'm an hobby musichian, and work as an studio technician in my own sound studio.
I've been a CH for 25years, chronic since 2003.

This year the beast are more present than ever, and I haven't had more than 4 PF days since april.
They seem to break thru everything.
I'm currently using: 1200mg verap, 168mg lithium, 9mg melatonin, O2 and imitrex injections.
Hope to get better soon, but are a little bit down at the moment. Partly also because my best friend
(4 legs and tail) suddenly and unexpectedly died last week.

Okay, enough complaining........... Tongue

I wish you all PF days and night's and will assure all newcommers that this is the best CH site on the internet...ever.

Since my good friend Svenn started this thread, and since he calls himself "the mad viking" I will like to sign off with:
The SANE Viking ; Grin

Trond

Ps: Didnt figure out how to put in an picture so here's a link to one:
Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

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The Mad Viking

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Re: Who is who here to the newcommers
Reply #213 - Sep 26^th, 2006 at 10:45am

Quote:

Hi everybody.

It's been a while since my last post, but I'm still regularely visiting the site.
I've found it back in 2001, and, thank's to DJ and friend's then got the right diagnose for my headache.

I'm 43 years old, married to a wonderful woman and have a 8 year old daughter. I work as a senior engineer at the University of Oslo.
I'm an hobby musichian, and work as an studio technician in my own sound studio.
I've been a CH for 25years, chronic since 2003.

This year the beast are more present than ever, and I haven't had more than 4 PF days since april.
They seem to break thru everything.
I'm currently using: 1200mg verap, 168mg lithium, 9mg melatonin, O2 and imitrex injections.
Hope to get better soon, but are a little bit down at the moment. Partly also because my best friend
(4 legs and tail) suddenly and unexpectedly died last week.

Okay, enough complaining........... Tongue

I wish you all PF days and night's and will assure all newcommers that this is the best CH site on the internet...ever.

Since my good friend Svenn started this thread, and since he calls himself "the mad viking" I will like to sign off with:
The SANE Viking ; Grin

Trond

Ps: Didnt figure out how to put in an picture so here's a link to one:
Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

or

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

or

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Always Look on The Bright Side of Life&&

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Changeling_J CH.com Newbie Offline Posts: 13 x1\|Boise\|USA\|usa\|93\|99\|ID,Idaho Gender:	Re: Who is who here to the newcommers Reply #214 - Oct 2^nd, 2006 at 1:48am Hi, I'm Ellen (a.k.a. El), supporter and daughter of georgej. I was glad to know he found y'all and this site. I think it's helped him a lot. Usually I'll be found in the 'general posts' board, but I may look around here and there at others.
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psuet

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Re: Who is who here to the newcommers
Reply #215 - Oct 18^th, 2006 at 2:33pm

Hi everyone, I'm Paula.
new to the message thing. Hope I am in the right place.
I am 35 yr old mother of 4. Have been suffering with ch since summer of 1996. Some times are worse than others. I thought I was one of a very few of sufferers. My episodes are starting to last longer and I can't find any relief, not a lot of doctors diagnose properly. There was only one who put a specific name to this beast, he medicated me so heavily that I was barely moving, but still no relief from the episodes. Others just tell me it is caused by to much stress. My stress levels are the same day in and day out regardless of what time of the year it happens to be, but the episodes always seem to know it is summer time. I cope, uhappily, but cope thinking it will end some time soon. I've lost a good job over it, but that didn't seem to hold any baring on whether the ch came or not they don't care how much money I'm making. It is very hard to explain to people who do not suffer from this. My children try, and my fiancee is very sympathetic. He see's my pain in the middle of the night, my desperate search for comfort, and my episodes of wanting to blow my head off to get rid of the pain. I am going to suggest he visits this site and possibly become a member. I know it wears on him to see me in so much pain and not be able to help me. He travels for his job a lot, gone for 10 days to 2 or more weeks at a time. I am very lonely, in my suffering when he is not here. My friends would probably be really pissed if I called them at 2 am because I need to talk through the pain and turn my focus to some thing else. I have made a few calls, but they either don't answer or are half asleep. I am so glad I found the place. I am currently a student of massage therapy, and deeply interested in psychology. I am trying to find an answer within myself, by using meditation, massage, and guided imagery. I pulls me through the until the pain subsides some times, sometimes it is impossible to focus beyond the pain.

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« Last Edit: Oct 18^th, 2006 at 2:39pm by psuet »

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winshots

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Re: Who is who here to the newcommers
Reply #216 - Oct 19^th, 2006 at 8:50am

Hello Clusterville... thanks for being here

My real name is Ton, I'm male, age 46, and a clusterhead since the early '90s. Some years the beast forgets about me, but this year he remembered and he's back with a vengeance... oh boy this is a bad episode.

I am totally new here. All these years I have been denying and ignoring the CH's so frantically that I never even bothered to google for it, even though I knew what it was. Now I can't keep up appearances anymore, it is devastating my life to such an extend that I've finally told my girl-friend and my co-workers. You know, not sleeping, totally drained of energy, looking like a bus has run over me... the news is out there now.

It saddens me to the absolute bottom of my heart to see how many people must endure these pains. This brings tears to my eyes, and this time for all the good reasons. Nobody deserves CH, it should not exist, it cannot be imagined by someone who is not a clusterhead (and that's a good thing). Dear Lord please give me the pain of them all, I can't get any worse anyhow so set them free and take me...

On the other hand, it is a good feeling to be surrounded by people who know what it is. I can cry, I can yell, I can bang my head against your shoulders... love you all for that. Let's stop eachother from hurting ourselves, right? You got me through last night's dance, thnx for that...

I'm sorry, as a newbie I don't know how to post a pic yet but I'll figure that out one of these days.
I'll stick around for a while if you don't mind...
cu soon and I wish you all a zillion PF days

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... untill it sleeps ...&&

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ktb

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Re: Who is who here to the newcommers
Reply #217 - Oct 20^th, 2006 at 11:47pm

Hi-
I'm Katie, and I can't figure out how to put in a picture, so here's a smiley face.... Roll Eyes

Anyway, I'm 40, and discovered this site a few years but never posted. I used it whenever I'm in a cycle and it just started a few days ago.

I suffered from migraines since I was 4 and when I was 16 my clusters started. Twice a year. In the last 10 years I'm down to 1 cycle a year that starts mid October and ends on January 7 (like clockwork). So its a good 3 months.

Its been 4 years since I've been able to use preventative drugs b/c I have been pregnant and or nursing. I did use imitrex injections quite regularly during my pregnancy, but luckily both my babies (1 & 3) are fine. I've got my fingers crossed that they won't have to suffer like me.

I feel very fortunate b/c I was diagnosed w/ch almost right away. A great doctor in Newport Beach (Dr. O'Carroll) knew he was outdone by me and sent me to see the legend himself,,, Dr. Kudrow. I owe him my life and my children. His staff is excellent too (they listen to me cry on the phone when the insurance company won't give me more meds). Hell, they do more then listen, they give me meds until I can get them myself.

I didn't mean to write a book. But a little off topic...My insurance company charged me $100 for imitrex injections (5 bottles) when last year I only paid $20. Does that seem right to anyone?

All this computer writing is going to trigger a HA. Can anyone tell me how to post a picture?
Thank you and good night.
k

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keithr1024

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Re: Who is who here to the newcommers
Reply #218 - Oct 28^th, 2006 at 10:10am

Hi all
My name is keith 33 yrs old and i've been a clusterhead for fifteen years now, still haven't found a 12 step to kick these things. Started getting clusters when i was 19,one year after a car accident that i recived a close head injury diagonised with ch 5 years ago and like many others was previously diagionoised with every thing eles but cluster. had first hit while sneaking a few brews with a buddy had one down then felt a twinge then some moments later KABLOOWEE i thought i was dying no joke. Going to try to keep this short , I'm so glad that i found this site and all you others out there when i first read the stories on the home page i got xtremly choked and yes did bring tears to my eyes.finally somebody who knew exactly what i was going through I tell everyone here is great from the sarcastic sob,s(were entiled to be a bit miffed once and a while) to the pepole who care about us. everyone of you are great thanks for all the info and support...keep on keeping on all you wacky little clusterheads

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G

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Re: Who is who here to the newcommers
Reply #219 - Nov 4^th, 2006 at 2:09am

Hello All,I am new to this site.I've had cluster headaches since i was about 18 yrs old, I am 35 single,no kids,never been married ,much to my dismay (.I don't know all your lingo ,but ...I get aura's all year long ,mood swings and can't think straight alot of the time ,mayby bipolar? I started getting the intense pain about a month or so ago and the severity and frequency are steadily getting worse,I can recall getting nauseas(spell check Sad

) mayby three times in all those years. although in the past week i've been sick over six times.I've been popping blood vessels left and right ,wich really has me concerned ,since they are not that bad yet.I was checking out the pain meter and a ten would mean an emergency visit ,i've already wanted to go twice with only about a eight or nine ,i'm not sure I can take much more,they are lasting about four to five hours a pop now,but not leaving ,they just sort of linger till my next,sort of a pre headache,that can commence at any time,I'm currently not taking any meds,but have taken many over the years ,but to no avail ,oxygen would work sometimes for minor ones,until i would knock over my tank or be forced to take my mask off and go nuts.They will most likely subside in february I'm hoping.Just want to say ...This is a great site and i'm sooo happy I found It !! It brought tears to my eyes just reading the page before i entered,chewing paste haha been there

although i would not advise smacking yourself in the temple with a phone ( or punching walls....it's hard to put your head in a vise with a broken hand ) my sentence structure was so much better before i took that english course at the local college this summer hehe ,take care all ,GOD IS GOOD !!!sincerly Gary

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AussieBrian CH.com Hall of Famer Offline CH - It's all in your head! Posts: 3851 Cairns, Qld, Australia Gender:	Re: Who is who here to the newcommers Reply #220 - Nov 4^th, 2006 at 2:29am G'day G, welcome to the nut-hut and don't worry about your English, we're pretty broad minded here. Have you tried the "Cluster Quiz" just over on the left? Give it a go and let us know how you get on. We're certainly not doctors here but we'll help you all we can. Nice to meet you, Brian.
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Charlie

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Re: Who is who here to the newcommers
Reply #221 - Nov 4^th, 2006 at 5:20pm

Welcome to the madhouse. Here is something to try that worked for me:

Dr. Wright’s Circulatory Technique:

I am not sure what mechanism is triggered by this but whatever it is, at least indirectly helps kill the pain. I do know that this technique has nothing to do with meditation, relaxation, or psychic ability. It is entirely physical and takes some work. It involves concentrating on trying to redirect a little circulation to the arms, hands, or legs. It can described as a conscious circulatory flexing. Increased circulation will result in a reddening and warming of the hands. Try to think of it as filling your hands with redirected blood. The important and difficult part is that it has to be done without interruption through the pain. Do not give up in frustration. It may not work on the first try. Every now and then it will work almost immediately. I lived for those moments. Try experimenting between attacks. You will find that it gets easier with practice.

I was given less than five minutes instruction in the use of method. The doctor, while placing his arm on his desk, showed me that he could slightly increase his arm and hand circulation. After several attempts, I was able to repeat this procedure and use it successfully. I have had about a 75% success rate shortening these attacks. My 20 minute attacks were often reduced to 10 minutes or less. Once proven that I had a chance to effectively deal with this horror, I always gave it a try as I had nothing to lose but pain.

Perhaps it will help if you think of it as trying to fill the arm as if it is were an empty vessel. I used to try to imagine I was pushing blood away from my head into my arm. Use your imagination. There is one man who wrote that his standing barefoot on a concrete floor shortened his attacks. This may be similar as it draws some circulation away from the head. Cold water, exercise, or anything affecting circulation, seems to be worth a try. My suggestion is to not let up immediately when the pain goes. Waiting a minute is probably a good idea. So long as you do not slack off, this has a chance of working.

This technique is very useful while waiting for medication to take effect or when none is available. It costs nothing, is non-invasive, and can be used just about anywhere. It is not a miracle but it helped me deal with this horror. It can be a bit exhausting but the success rate was good enough for me and a cluster headache sufferer will do just about anything to end the pain. It gives us a fighting chance.

Charlie

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There is nothing more satisfying than being shot at without result---Winston Churchill

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G

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what do you hear? what
do you say?

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x0|Euclid|USA||0|0|OH,Ohio

Re: Who is who here to the newcommers
Reply #222 - Nov 5^th, 2006 at 12:46am

Hi, Thanks for the warm welcome

,I took the cluster quiz and I am positive for clusters,except the one question on time,over the last month I would wake up at about the same time every night,but within the last week or so they pretty much come whenever they like,I was up most of the night on and off ,,,but they are with me all day as well,It's pretty funny ...I think they may be passing and will see my left eye still bloodshot and swollen as well as clear then bloodshot within a few minutes -odd-.Sometimes i will get hot flashes before they start ,mayby a shadow effect? when i try to recall my headaches through the years i would always be soaked from head to toe with persperation as well as steady drainage and tearing,I almost never get sick mayby two or three times in ten years or so.I've been lucky so far with the heavy persperation,just a little,but then I've been lucky so far with the severity,my headaches can get pretty intense but over the years I've gotten better at controlling them hahaha, in my own mind ; Grin

I try to get a breathing rythim going and I guess you can call it a meditative state,wich can be very difficult when I'm exhausted,I deal with the pain as best as i can ,I have not mastered the art of not screaming out when i get frustrated,that's when they are the worst ,when i've lost my control and they take over,after hours of flexing anything and everything to give me a few moments of relief .I become exhausted and lose it,and they become unbearable,add to that hour upon hour of pain,they will leave for a few moments and I sigh in relief only to have them come back more intense,my most difficult thing is dealing with them hour upon hour day after day,I get fatigued and lose control,that's about when i'll start balling and call EMS,they pretty much run my life now I can't hold a job let alone eat regularly,I had planned to finally eat around 2pm today,but I missed my window,when I woke up on the floor at 9:30 I was so relieved just to have shadows,so I ran my butt to the store lol,any ideas on food? as far as quick and easy and good for me ? I'm rambling ...sorry Undecided

thanks again ,Gary

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George

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Boise, Idaho USA
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Re: Who is who here to the newcommers
Reply #223 - Nov 5^th, 2006 at 1:15am

Gary, by your description, I'd say you've got 'em without question. But I'm not a doc--you absolutely must get a definitive diagnosis. I think it was the single bloodshot eye and the sweats you describe that really nailed it for me.

Try posting a new topic on this board as well, introducing yourself. Most of us read the posts from new people as seperate items, but we don't always check this thread. I think you might get more responses.

Welcome. Sorry you have to be here, but you've come to the right place.

Best wishes,

George

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"Whoever loveth me, loveth my hound." (Thomas More, author of "Utopia", and Chancellor of England. 1477-1535)

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AussieBrian

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CH - It's all in your
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Cairns, Qld, Australia
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Re: Who is who here to the newcommers
Reply #224 - Nov 5^th, 2006 at 1:18am

G'day Gary. and nice to see you again. Glad the cluster quiz was a help to you but please understand that it's not the be all and end all and a proffessional diagnosis is terrifically important.

Firstly to rule out certain other nasties that can mimic CH and will otherwise be going untreated, and secondly because some of the medications used for CH can be particularly dangerous if you don't have it.

Best bet is to find a doctor who has at least some understanding of headaches or ideally arrange to visit a neurologist. Either way, stay with us and keep asking questions because we're ever here to help.

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My name is Brian. I'm a ClusterHead and I'm here to help. Email me anytime at briandinkum@yahoo.com

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