Posted by Mike W (152.163.207.64) on December 15, 1999 at 04:27:55:
Just found this site... gotta tell ya, it brought a smile to my face. I was diagnosed with episodic
Clusters in 1981. I've been prescribed a wide array of treatments over the years, including Lithium, Oxygen and Prednisone; all with varying results.
Gotta tell ya, I was extremley frustrated with the treatments. Luckily my cycles have been growing farther apart as get older, I am currently 36. My last one was three years ago. My recent cycle began 3 weeks ago and I finally admitted to myself... that I needed some help.
A few friends mentioned Zomig (Zolmitripan). I figured ,what the hell. So, three days ago I started taking 1.5 mg when I feel a Cluster coming on, and so far... pretty happy. The atack has started to subside within an hour each time.
I have never been able to disable the Clusters the way I have with Zomig. I'm also being alot more diciplined with my diet. As I have gotten older I have also mellowed with my actions during the attacks.
I no longer scream, bite my knuckles or swear ( Oh, I still swear... just not during an attack). I have learned that the pain will subside, when it subsides and try to remain as calm as I can. I've learned to concentrate on my breathing, which puts me in a more relaxed state.
But I gotta tell ya, sometimes the pain is so bad, it don't matter what the hell I do. But I fight 'em, and won't let them win, ever. I am much calmer today as opposed to when I first got them. To this day I'm still patching up some of the holes in my walls.
It's very nice to finally have a place where people understand what I go through, Thank You -Mike-