Posted by Donald (205.188.198.24) on July 31, 1999 at 02:09:34:
In Reply to: Claudette, people are too quick to recommend drugs posted by Michael on July 30, 1999 at 07:15:52:
Michael,
With all due respect, you do seem to have a kneejerk reaction to the drug talk. I totally agree with much of what you say. I am currently in a cycle and I am dealing with it with herbal supplements, Excedrin Migraine, antihistimine, Afrin nasal spray and ice. I've never tried Imitrex, Verapamil SR, Maxalt, Lithium or any of the others I've heard about. The idea of the side effects bothers me too much.
You also said "My goodness, we've got people on this board talking about how cocaine can help with CH." If I could get the cocaine eyedrops, with the knowledge that cocaine is a powerful vasoconstrictor, I would not hesitate to try it.
In the early 80's I used cocaine recreationally. I stopped because I saw it as a dead end road. No withdrawals, no addiction. Cocaine is a legitimate medicine, as is marijuana, and the political climate in the U.S. and elsewhere is such that these types of drugs, and others, are unavailable to people who could benefit from them because Big Brother has decided that he will make those decisions for US.
Years ago, my brother was in a plane crash and had his nose torn off. During surgery, he had to be kept awake for respiration purposes, and the doctors used pure pharmaceutical cocaine as an anaesthetic.
I am well aware of the horror stories about the misuse of cocaine and other drugs. I am a Vietnam Vet and have suffered from CH for 28 years.
The drug policies of the United States and other countries have created a "War on Drugs" that continues to perpetuate an urban mythology that "getting tough on drugs" will solve the problems. How many years, how many ruined lives, how much violence will it take to get people to realize that the efforts of law enforcement to force an end to drug use is creating the market for it? Duh? With the lead-time that is now required for bond issues, urban planning, zoning approval, etc, it takes about 12 to 15 years from inception to completion to complete a new prison facility. Which means, we need to make projections now for how many of our kindergarden kids that we're going to be locking up.
I know that I'm getting on my soap box, but this madness must stop, and the attitudes of so many well-meaning but misinformed people must change in order to make it stop. THE WAR MUST END.
Many people on this board have found some degree of relief from finding the appropriate medications. There are many problems to be dealt with, such as dosage, scheduling, contraindications, side effects, etcetera. This board is helping with the sharing of so much information. Your voice is one that needs to be heard, and I think it will be more effective if it is the voice of moderation. You've pushed a few buttons, including mine, and that is OK. But if your entire message is that "Drugs are Bad", then I will challenge you to not take your aspirin the next time that you have a 10.
Another issue that I have with you is that you have "accepted that CH is a part of your life". I have not accepted that. I want this thing researched, understood and cured. I've lost count of my bouts, but I know that there hasn't been one in which I didn't try to find some type of home remedy. I'm doing that now, I'm working full time as an electrician, and I'm not druged out.
Sincerely,
Donald