Posted by Bobbie on August 17, 1998 at 13:45:13:
In Reply to: Re: Ending with a BANG! posted by irene on August 14, 1998 at 10:00:22:
I too have had a migraine variant at the tail end of a cluster on the odd occasion. I have found that the prescription nasal spray Migranal works really well. (Somebody was asking about the nasal spray with ergotamine in it - I think this might be it. The active ingredient is dihydroergotamine mesylate.)
I was first diagnosed with clusters in 1986, and underwent the whole scenario of brain tumours and cat scans until an astute neurologist picked up on the clusters. Unfortunately(?), I was not in a cycle when I saw him and so he couldn't give me any ideas. I did not have another episode until 1994, but this one lasted about 4months with a few rollover migraines. Nothing seemed to work. I entered my third cycle on July 12th, 1998. When the cluster is full blown, I have been taking Advil (400mg)and this has actually been helpful. (But I don't like waking up at 2:15 and 5:25 every morning in excrutiating pain, grasping for a pill bottle.) The last rollover migraine I had, I was fortunate enough to get a sample of the Migranal nasal spray and within 5 minutes, I could feel the pressure lessening. I have been keeping a careful daily journal of what I have been eating and doing, to see if I could find a trigger. It seems that grapefruit juice is a real no-no for me, and yet when not in a cycle, I can drink it by the gallon. Anyway, I have not had the opportunity to try the Migranal on a full-blown cluster, as I think I am just about at the end of this cycle. Last full blown c/h was a week ago, just niggly little shadows for the last few days.
Thank God for this web site! I read it every morning when I log on, just to keep up with how everyone is doing. I agree with all of you who have mentioned how important family and work support is. I can't count how many times I have had to explain the difference between clusters and migraines and the countless number of doctors I have had to talk to. I am now seeing a doctor who cares and is willing to listen when I tell her that "doping myself up with pain killers is not an option".
PS. I wear contact lenses, and have done for 35 years. It would be interesting to see if there is some correlation there. Another item: I don't smoke, and would not consider myself a drinker - one glass of wine once a month at a Wine Club meeting. Another consideration might be air pollution - how many of us are living in close proximity to pulp mills, smoke stacks, industrial airborne particles, etc. Any thoughts?
I just want to say thank you for all the advice, support and just for being here to all of you.
Cheers,
Bobbie