Posted by ROB on August 10, 1998 at 03:45:33:
In Reply to: Re: Need some advice.... posted by Jackie on August 06, 1998 at 10:00:28:
My name is ROB. And I am an Alcoholic. I had occasional clusters over the years and never knew what they were. I thought it was due to my drinking and a severe trauma to the head. I was lucky to get sober in the winter of 92'. In my 2nd week of sobriety I got hit with my first of many "Cluster bouts". They never lasted that long before. I thought it had something to do with my De-toxing. Was I in for a surprise. I had them for 5 months straight. Like clockwork every afternoon at 2:00 and again at 3:00am. sharp. I went to my Dr. and at first we tried Fiorinal. Then Fiorinal w/codein. I was'nt too thrilled with taking the painkillers. Finally we tried Imitrex injections. I could'nt believe the relief I got. The first time it took 8 min.'s for the pain to subside. Then the bouts stopped. The next time they came back 10 fold. I could'nt afford the shots, so he prescribed the pill form. I could'nt wiat for them to work. The bouts became so severe that he put me on VICODIN 750's. Again I really did'nt want to take them because of my Alcohol Addiction. It was either that or Suicide. I would chew 2 of the Vicodins at a time to get them into my bloodstream faster. I've made it through quite a few bouts since then. Everything I've been able to read about "Clusters" always say's something about alcohol. My advice to you is to stop drinking all Alcohol period. I'm not a anti-alcohol AA'er or anything. But I know what a "Cluster" is and anything I can do to prevent an attack you can be sure I'm gonna do. I've been sober for almost 6yrs now. And there have been times when I thought to myself that all the pain and suffering that I caused for others and myself was far better then the pain I endure with the "Clusters". I know those thoughts are wrong. With education and the "Grace of God" I can do this. And so can you. I would certainly see a Dr. about this. And read as much as you can about "Clusters", it helped me alot. KEEP the FAITH !