Posted by Don Pearson UK (195.92.67.36) on March 12, 2000 at 06:21:37:
In Reply to: Depression, Life, on top of it all Clusterheadaches!! posted by Doug L on March 11, 2000 at 16:08:07:
We are with you, Doug. Not just in US but around the world.
The depression which comes with CH makes the whole thing more difficult. In the past I became so overwhelmed by problems I did not know where to start - so I didn't. I would be awake half the night worrying about something that just needed a short letter to sort out. Then, the next day, I just couldn't write it. That's how I ended up in a court for repossession of my flat.
Some ideas which may help you:
The depression is not because you are not good at handling CH; it is probably, as for all of us, part of the illness - tied up with the serotonin fuck-ups that trigger the headaches as well.
I try to apply the "How do you eat an elephant? Start with the first bite" approach. Don't look at the big picture, just sort out the first simple thing that you can. Even doing something small can make you feel better enough to do the next thing.
Many of us here admit our weaknesses in the face of CH. Knowing that I am not alone in having doubts about coping with them helps me. We have already shown that we have inner strength, just keeping above water. You will swallow some and choke, sure, but you keep on swimming.
I have CH. Fact. They have a major effect on my life. Fact. I accept that. I don't get stressed because life without them would be better - of course it would be. I now enjoy, even more, those parts of my life which I can.
I am not going to let cluster headaches, or my reaction to them, fuck my life completely. I am sure that you won't either.
Keep faith with yourself.