Posted by Laurence on July 01, 1998 at 09:31:41:
Hi Everybody,
I thought one or two of you might just like to while away a moment or two by reading an update on my current cluster cycle.
I have been thinking for the past couple of days of different ways of putting this across. One thought that ran through my mind was to start the posting with a question: “Fat Lady in the Wings?” as this cycle seemed to be coming to an end. Another, stranger thought, was to ask, “Voodoo doll mislaid”?
When my monster gets out of his cave and makes me walk about, I always try and think about something, anything, which can take the pain off my mind. One thought that often pops up is that someone, somewhere, has made a voodoo doll image of me. As the headache starts to kick in, a needle is inserted and turned in the head of the doll. After a while another is put through the nose to start it running. To keep the interest up, another needle goes through an eye to start it tearing. If that doesn’t get my attention, another hot needle is put in the head and they are all twisted around at the same time. Every now and then for a change, the occasional needle will be shoved in the jaw, cheekbones, eye socket or whatever takes the fancy. I think you get the picture.
Oh dear, my imagination seems to be starting to run away here. Having read the connection between Sansert and LSD on this web site, I think I had better leave that stuff well alone. Moreover, if any shrink gets to reads this, they’ll surely want to sign me up for a long course of therapy.
Anyway back to the story, I seem to have been doing pretty well on the combined Prednisone and Lithium treatment (50mg of Prednisone and 800mg of Lithium). My monster has stayed lurking in his cave and only came out for a quick brain rampage in a couple of relatively short-lived attacks. Oxygen got him back in the cave within 10 to 15 minutes. As part of the Prednisone weaning process, I began reducing the dosage after 6 days by 10mg per day, cut out two tablets the first day, then another two the next. I was planning on carrying this on for the next few days when guess what, the monster got out again this morning. What a pain! I thought I might have had it licked. Although the attack was relatively mild, 15 minutes on the O2 got it under control, after almost seven days without a breakthrough attack, I thought that just maybe this bout was over.
After reading all the valuable information on this site, I realise of course that despite one mild attack this cycle may still be on its last legs. Alternatively, it may be ready to kick in again and I may yet be just another confirmation that Prednisone only provides temporary relief. I have a few more days with it, before going on to try Verapamil and Lithium. Ho, hum. Well, I suppose a few cluster-free days were still better than a few cluster-filled ones.
As for the side effects of Prednisone, we clearly all react differently but so far, touch wood; they have been relatively minor for me. It might just be keeping me awake a little more than usual, I have had the odd pang or two in my stomach and I seem to have put on a couple of pounds. My wife tells me I look better anyway with the extra weight.
Still we must all keep smiling, and my freezer is beginning now to look very tempting indeed. Cold air therapy next on stage?
Bye for now.
Laurence