Posted by Sonya Banna on September 03, 1998 at 01:37:33:
I'm in my cluster cycle. I am on verapamil and
it does most of the easing of pain. But I can still
feel them. On Saturday night, we were having a big
party at our home and my left foot and left leg went
to sleep. I thought I just sat funny and cut off the
circulation. By Sunday night, my whole left side
went numb. My face, tongue, arm, hand, leg, foot and
part of my back. And my voice became strange. They
took me to the hospital and check for heart problems
and did a cat-scan. I went back to my neuro who
did a complete blood test and exam. The conclusion was
that the right side which suffers the clusters - controls
your left side of your body. And I suffer so badly
that it causes this numbness. FREAKY! Anyway, he put
me on STERIODS to see if he can quicken the cycle because
it's taking a huge toll on my body. The verapamil does
work ... but we must still suffer these because I can
feel a "light" attack and it causes these additional
scary problems. Anyway, at least I don't have the huge
pain. I just wanted to share my additional experience.
Oh yeah, I have dizziness days after a 'light coated'
attack. The neuro said it was unfortunately due to my
brain having gone thru a cluster. Just hangin in there.
I am glad I'm on the steriods. My health hasn't been
so good because the clusters wear me out. NOw I feel
sort of human but cranky on the steriods. My wish is
that these end very quickly. They are suppose to "pop"
them out of your body. Oh yeah, he put me on DHE
Nasal spray because I've gone my limit on Imitrex.
Haven't needed it yet. But it's suppose to be good
stuff. He gave me 4 free samples to try. Nice doc.
Oh yeah, I love my Oxygen tank too! The things that
make us happy now - little or no pain days.
Just sharing my scare.