Posted by Larry Rumming (139.142.112.190) on September 07, 2001 at 01:21:04:
In Reply to: please help ch sufferer debilitating, ruining my life posted by brian on September 06, 2001 at 22:16:58:
Brian
I have suffered with CH for 43 years. My episodes last 1 1/2 to 2 months and usually come once a year. For the first 22 years my life was like the second description on this website. My life was a living Hell.
I finally found a Doctor that knew what I had but still found no relief. Twelve years ago I read about Oxygen in a book by Seymour Diamond and decided to try it. For me this was the start of a new life!
I had been an experiment for drug companies for so long that I thought it was normal to not have a life for those 6 - 8 weeks. The Oxygen lessens the pain and the duration of the headaches dramatically about 80% of the time. I still have runaways and I am still very tired as I usually have 4 - 5 headaches a night. Using Oxygen, my mind is clear between headaches and during the day so, although tired, I can still work and function. I have to travel overnight ocaisionally so I have a portable tank I take with me with a backup cylinder.
My advice to anyone with clusters is to try Oxygen first before getting filled up with the drugs. I know of one sufferer who supplements the Oxygen with Ergotamine but 2 others I know just stick to the Oxygen.
I am into my second week of an attack now so the pain is fresh in my mind!
Take care Brian and hang in there!
Larry