Posted by Margi (207.148.145.87) on June 14, 1999 at 13:24:55:
In Reply to: NEW GUY (WAS RODNEYS POSTS) posted by Geoff on June 12, 1999 at 20:39:06:
Hi Geoff,
Have you read Vince's post? There ARE quite a few non-medicinal therapies that are working for some people here that won't interfere with your HIV meds.
To summarize.
1. Water Water Water - read Dr. Jerry's post further down the page.
2. Ice - my husband uses those gel-filled ice packs that you can stick in the cooler. He lays one on the back of his neck or puts it directly on his face -they are pliable and can conform to the shape of your cheekbone or fit in between your nose and your eye..
3. Oxygen - inhaling pure O2 at the onset of CH
4. Dramamine - yes, the motion sickness pill. Take 2 or 3 before bed - it will help you get to sleep but doesn't let you get into the REM phase of sleep where the Beast will attack you. Sleep deprivation is so destructive. Even just one or two nights good sleep can help you deal with everything better.
5. Multivitamins - can't help the CH but can't hurt you either and does add to your strength in fighting.
6. My husband has learned to work HARD to stay calm through an attack. He has found that if he lets himself get pissed off at the Beast, he will not win. If he stays calm (the ice helps him do this too), he can get the pain down to a 7 or 8 instead of a 10. Makes sense if you think about it - when you're upset your blood pressure elevates, increasing the throbbing, right?
Hope something give you relief soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Water Water Water
Margi