Posted by Aussie David on February 04, 1999 at 21:06:57:
In Reply to: CHs ending -- final notes (long but worth it) posted by (Mr.) Andrea on February 04, 1999 at 15:13:31:
What did ananymous say that was so offensive to you ? (Anonymous 1, not anonymous 2. I would never critisise anyones spelling, mine is really attrocious/atrocus/ really bad.)
He merely asked if some of us needed our pain as part of our personality. He went on to say that certainly not all of us were in this situation.
While I would estimate that the number that "need the pain" are very small, even miniscule, I would like to bet that there are some who do fit. They would crave the attention and the feeling of being "special". I doubt that anyone like this would be using this message board, as they would not really be looking for a way to cure their headaches.
While it is difficult to believe that anyone could "need this pain", is it any harder than understanding how someone could mutilate themselves by gouging out there own eyes or other such acts to attract attention. Women have even been known to injure/kill their own children as they can then enjoy playing a grieving mother (Munchousens Syndrome, and if I have spelt that correctly it would be a miracle to rank alongside a cure for CH.) Unfortunately these things do happen, but in a very small percentage of people.
In conclusion, yes I believe there are some people that "need the pain", but I doubt they are the people on this board (and I am not just being diplomatic or cowardly) or that they are anything but a very small percentage of sufferers. On the other hand, I don't think that their need has produced the pain. The pain they feel is genuine, they just also have a severe personality problem as well.
P.S. Yes, I am a CH sufferer, but only fairly minor. Eposidic, 2-3 months per year, averaging 10-12 headaches per week. I control them purely with O2, diet and exercise, (plus just putting up with them, mine rarely last more than 2 hours)
P.P.S. I havn't supplied an e-mail address with this post, as my main e-mail is through work, and I doubt they would like receiving the fame that may come.