Posted by Donald (152.163.194.214) on July 24, 1999 at 17:04:20:
In Reply to: Cluster Sufferer--your thoughts on Imitrex? posted by Bill on July 24, 1999 at 07:37:57:
In answer to your question, "Why don't people understand how this pain can literally make you suicidal?", I would say that with the exception of a small number of supportive spouses, children, other family members, friends, coworkers, bosses, and medical professionals, (God Bless Them All) that it isn't realistic to expect people in general to understand a type of agony that they have never experienced. CH's are very confrontational in that they are centered in the area of the body that we generally associate with our conscious awareness. Most of us humans tend to be very visually oriented, and when your eyeballs are swollen, bloodshot, teary, droopy, sinus stuffed, and tortured, it can be rather inconvenient to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
I don't really expect most people to understand, and I don't hold it against them. I usually avoid trying to explain my situation to most individuals in my life because I've had enough experience with giving them a long-winded explanation, only to have them reply with "It's probably just stress." !*?$&#>!<*"&!
Also, the people in my life who have been able to get a clue, are those that have been there to witness a full blown 10 as it comes on, and to see the transformation in me. I usually avoid those situations like the plague, because I don't like answering questions in mid-10, and I don't like to put well-meaning people through it. I'd rather crawl off to my room and "suffer in peace". (Oxymoron?)
Anyway, welcome aboard Bill, and you may want to check the archives for more info on Imitrex and other treatments.
Quiet nights to all,
Donald