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Title: Hi, new here, but not to the pain Post by BenThurber on Mar 21st, 2006, 12:52pm Hello, I've been suffering from them since April 2002. At first, they misdiagnosed me from encephalitis (How many others had that?) to tendonitis. They tried all sorts of treatments, but the pain would NOT END. I lost my job, had to quit school, and ended up for a year in bed because of these things! Then, suddenly, the pain stopped. They all thought it was just in my head. Good to know it isn't! Two months later, it started again, and, being driven nearly insane with the thought that it was something else, I went to a headache specialist. That's when he diagnosed me with clusters. He told me that it was something that, at the time, couldn't really be helped. Good to know he was just a little early with that. With my current doctor, I have Maxalt, which is a variety of Immitrex, and am going to try beta blockers for the next period. The Maxalt helps, and I can manage. I am in a current period right now. Most of the time, it's just an annoyance, and I really feel empathy for those who suffer chronic ones. This time, though, it became much more serious. But the people at work know, and that makes the difference this time. It is a good thing, knowing that this board exists. I can relate my experiences, maybe offer some advice, and know that I'm not crazy (except that the pain still does drive me insane sometimes) and that I'm not alone in the suffering. I may even introduce my wife to this so she can see what other spouses have done. Thank you and God Bless You for doing this. |
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Title: Re: Hi, new here, but not to the pain Post by Bob_Johnson on Mar 21st, 2006, 1:34pm Start learning! Here is a link to read and print and take to your doctor. It describes preventive, transitional, abortive and surgical treatments for CH. (2002) http://www.brightok.net/~mnjday/chtherapy.pdf . MANAGEMENT OF HEADACHE AND HEADACHE MEDICATIONS, 2nd ed. Lawrence D. Robbins, M.D.; pub. by Springer. $59 at Amazon.Com. It covers all types of headache and is primarily focused on medications. While the two chapters on CH total 42-pages, the actual relevant material is longer because of multiple references to material in chapters on migraine, reflecting the overlap in drugs used to treat. I'd suggest reading the chapters on migraine for three reasons: he makes references to CH & medications which are not in the index; there are "clinical pearls" about how to approach the treatment of headache; and, you gain better perspective on the nature of headache, in general, and the complexities of treatment (which need to be considered when we create expectations about what is possible). Finally, women will appreciate & benefit from his running information on hormones/menstrual cycles as they affect headache. Chapter on headache following head trauma, also. Obviously, I'm impressed with Robbins' work (even if the book needs the touch of a good editor!) (Somewhat longer review/content statement at 3/22/00, "Good book....") HEADACHE HELP, Revised edition, 2000; Lawrence Robbins, M.D., Houghton Mifflin, $15. Written for a nonprofessional audience, it contains almost all the material in the preceding volume but it's much easier reading. Highly recommended. |
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Title: Re: Hi, new here, but not to the pain Post by Jasmyn on Mar 21st, 2006, 3:17pm Hi Ben. You are definitely not alone anymore and we are all here to support each other to get through this. There is a lot to read on the left hand side of the board that will be of great help to you. This is the best place, a bit crazy sometimes but then again no one here is totally sane, so welcome ;) |
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Title: Re: Hi, new here, but not to the pain Post by Richr8 on Mar 21st, 2006, 3:50pm Be sure to read up on Oxygen use (link on the left) as many sufferers benefit from it's use as an abortive with few sided effects. Sorry you had to find us, but glad that you did. PF wishes, Rich |
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