Posted by Terrie on September 16, 1998 at 01:40:52:
In Reply to: Re: www.oprah.com Oprah's website posted by Bob G on September 15, 1998 at 20:33:37:
here is a message to her from me - I am trying to send it but am getting an internal error message.
Hope others can get through and she will read it here if I can't.
Dear Oprah
I am the wife of a cluster migraine suffer. These are very specific types of migraines, and those who live with them suffer a terrible agony. The constant pain robs them (and those around them) of their joy of living. Life becomes a struggle. A struggle against the pain, depression and shear hopelessness. I can not tell in you in words how I feel inside when I sit next to my husband while he cries in pain, and know that all I can offer is my quiet loving hand to hold.
There is a wonderful sight on the net dealing with this particular medical condition. I only stumbled across it yesterday, and when reading the message board I was moved by how much support these people offer one another.
Please check out http://www.clusterheadaches.com
One message in particular pulled at my heart. A woman who has suffered for years told how she felt she couldn't fight it anymore - her letter illistrated just how bleak a life filled with pain can be. But what came next was truly inspiring. People jumped on to leave her messages of encouragement and support.
Support and understanding is something these sufferers get precious little of.
Dr's tend to disregard you as a hypercondreic, and 'normal' people can not relate their own 'regular'headaches with the head pounding agony of a cluster.
Please take the time to find out about this subject. Just having you make the average people aware of this condition would be a great service. But the true service you would be doing is for those who live with these clusters everyday. As I said, support and understanding is desprately needed by those who have no hope. To know you are not alone and that others care, will help - believe me.
Thank you for your time.
Terrie
Post script to the board: I will post again and ask for your collective wisdom. Thank you