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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Getting to Know Ya >> I'm Back, Also.
        
(Message started by: dejay on Mar 24^th, 2008, 12:05am)

Title: I'm Back, Also.
Post by dejay on Mar 24^th, 2008, 12:05am

I know we see this often, I've been gone for 2 years, had some small hits in between but this time it's back, same time of year last in "06, I had found you guys in '04 and bought some info to my doc, he read it, called a neuro and started treating me, by time a saw a neuro, they were gone.
I've been reading daily for a couple of weeks, and still had my Headache diary from last time, not exactly the same, but anyway, I did 2 steriod tapers, 2nd one was such a relief but I knew from diary I would pay the price for a couple of days, and I did, I think because I didn't up the verapamill quick enough. Last time got away with 240 mgs, but this time went up to 360, felt like I was on the other side of this, a couple of nights with no headaches, than got one today at 7:00 with company over. I haven't had one during the day in weeks, this bout started feb, 7th. Anyway, I'm really getting worn out, I gained 15 lbs, real quick from steriods, have gotten sick, which I believe started this bout, have pulled my back, hurt my knee, I just feel like I'm at the end of my rope. Can't make any plans for tomorrow, cause I don't know what tonight will bring.

Anyway, I'm so glad you guys are here, I thought I was doing OK accepecting it, but last few days have done me in. I don't know where some of you get the strength from, I swear, I have my daughter & her family living with us right now, if it wasn't for the 5 year old, I feel I'd be ready to check out. Maybe some self-pity tonight, but I'm beat.

This really sucks.

Dejay

Title: Re: I'm Back, Also.
Post by Kevin_M on Mar 24^th, 2008, 1:47am

Quote:

went up to 360, felt like I was on the other side of this, a couple of nights with no headaches, than got one today at 7:00

Stay very regular with taking verap, on schedule. I get breakthroughs if forgotten or too far off schedule. If hits continue at 360, talk to your doc about the prevention.
You haven't mentioned any abortives the doc may have prescribed, preventatives aren't perfect, something should be on hand. Oxygen would be great at home.

Title: Re: I'm Back, Also.
Post by DragonSlayer on Mar 24^th, 2008, 1:57am

So sorry the beast is back dejay!! :'(

Hang in there!

What do you have to abort the hits?

O₂, Red Bull?

This will end, they always end, don't let him get you down!!
Gotta fight the devil [smiley=sgrin.gif] Don't let him win!

Title: Re: I'm Back, Also.
Post by Guiseppi on Mar 24^th, 2008, 10:11am

Sorry the beast hadn't lost your address...I always hope between cycles he has forgotten me.

As Kevin and Dragon mentioned, if you don't have oxygen yet, it should be your first line abortive. Breathing pure oxygen will abort a hit in as little as 6 minutes for me. The key points.

Pure oxygen at a high flow rate, minimum 15 LPM
Use a non re breather mask..(don't re breathe what you've exhaled it defeats the purpose)
Start it at the first hint of an attack.

No side effects, doesn't beat your body up and works for a large number of people on the board.

Hang in there. :-/

Guiseppi

Title: Re: I'm Back, Also.
Post by RichardN on Mar 24^th, 2008, 10:47am

Ditto to the above.

GET SOME OXYGEN! . . . . and it's cheap even if you have to pay cash (in the event your insurance won't cover it).

Be Safe, PFDANs

Richard

Title: Re: I'm Back, Also.
Post by dejay on Mar 24^th, 2008, 12:47pm

Thanks for your support. I did get off schuelde with verapamil, just a few hours for 2 or 3 days. Also I have Imtrex as an abortive. Haven't had to use it in a week or so, that's why I thought maybe I was on my way out. Last week attacks have been short and weak, 10 or 15 minutes of walking back & forth, 1 red bull , and ice on my temple has ended it and I've been able to go back to sleep. I notice whenever I get nailed during the day, the pain & burning lasts so long after attack has gone.

It's really hard not to get depressed. Knowing you guys are here right now is the only thing keeping me going. I had a good outlook for a few days. Took it a day at a time, did what I could and reminded myself, this will pass, but yesterday really through me. Especially having family over, enjoying them, and than having to disappear to my room with a red bull and some ice. For some strange reason I was not just sad, and pissed, I felt embarassed.

Thanks again,

Dejay

Title: Re: I'm Back, Also.
Post by Linda_Howell on Mar 24^th, 2008, 1:03pm

Welcome back.

Nice name. Glad you spelt it differently though. ;) ;) ;)

Title: Re: I'm Back, Also.
Post by brewcrew on Mar 24^th, 2008, 1:12pm

on 03/24/08 at 12:47:04, dejay wrote:

For some strange reason I was not just sad, and pissed, I felt embarassed.

That's going to be your cross to bear until you learn that you aren't responsible for this. We all get sad and a little pissed from time to time, but there's absolutely no reason you should be embarassed. Did you ask for CH? Even if you did, could you get it just by asking for it?

No apologies are necessary. You have a medical condition, the presence of which you have no control over. All you can do is treat it.

If you choose not to treat it, that's a different story. But you are treating it, so get out of your head and stop being embarassed by it.

Title: Re: I'm Back, Also.
Post by KatzPurr on Mar 25^th, 2008, 11:50pm

Hang in there Dejay. Some days can definitely be more of a challenge than others and I think most of us can relate to how wiped out you feel. I've had a particularly rough cycle this time around and it isn't hard to feel beaten down. Just remember that the beast will leave again providing the much needed relief you seek. You can do this... never give up fighting!