Posted by CyndiS (205.188.199.24) on May 14, 2000 at 22:55:01:
In Reply to: Self control posted by sailpappy on May 14, 2000 at 21:03:58:
Sailpappy,
First off, let me say that it's good to see you posting again. I've missed you, hope all is well on the home front and hope that your wife's surgery on Thursday goes smoothly.
My CHs began at the age of 13 as chronic and thankfully now are episodic. At the age of 30 I got so sick of having to depend on meds that were supposed to abort or prevent the pain that I quit taking all of them.
For six months I quit drinking, smoking, tried to get more sleep, drank as much water as I could, stayed away from preservatives, fast food and ate lots of fruits, veggies, took vitamins religiously, got lots of exercise and took the best care of myself that I could.
When the CHs hit, they hit hard, they lasted longer and were more severe. The only thing I used for relief were ice packs. (Didn't know about O2 at that time) It was the toughest and most draining period in my history with CHs. I missed so many days of work, I was suspended for three days.
Maybe six months wasn't a long enough period of time to know if I could battle my CHs without the preventative, abortive or pain meds but after months of pain I was emotionally and physically drained and going down hill fast. If I continued to miss work, I would eventually be hurt financially or even worse, I would lose my job.
Sailpappy, I tried, I really did. I hate to depend on anyone or anything. I'd rather take on a task by myself and even though I may struggle and sweat, I know that I did it on my own. Stubborn? Yes! Too proud at times to ask for help? Usually!
Like everyone in this world, I have managed to survive family and personal illnesses, relationship problems, the deaths of friends and family members and all of the other traumas that life throws our way. When these things occurred, there were times that I wondered how or if I was going to make it through. Well, I'm here and I did.
I have tried to deal with CHs without meds and can't. I can only hope that someday, like you, I can.