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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Getting to Know Ya >> New To This Site
        
(Message started by: syrs842 on Apr 18^th, 2008, 8:09pm)

Title: New To This Site
Post by syrs842 on Apr 18^th, 2008, 8:09pm

My name is Pat I am new to this site. I actually did not know that such a site existed. I am very happy it does. I started almost 2 years ago with Cluster Headaches and I hate it more than I can say. My quality of life has gone down the tubes. :'( .
I never knew that there was such pain in life. I have been harboring a headache all day and I know it is just waiting to strike once I go to sleep. This dull throbbing pain in my left temple is just saying go right ahead go to sleep and I will come and visit later! I try everything possible to try and stop it when it happens, just like everyone I'M SURE. I use my hands as a human vise, I rock back and forth to the point I make myself dizzy, and as you all know there is no relief, you just have to ride it out.
I am wondering if anyone out there is aware of any OTC meds that are helpfu I do not have insurance and I can't afford to get any prescription meds. I am on Lyrica and it use to work for me now it's not.

Well nice to meet everyone, hopefully someone will get in tough with some things for me to do.

Thanks Pat

Title: Re: New To This Site
Post by coach_bill on Apr 18^th, 2008, 8:13pm

welcome aboard pat. i use melatonin at night i take 9mg 1/2 hour before bedtime and it kills the night hits (mostly). hope it helps. sorry about the headache thing, feel better soon. coach bill

Title: Re: New To This Site
Post by mattus on Apr 18^th, 2008, 8:16pm

Hey Pat, welcome! I'm a newbie too, and have had these for a couple of years.

Enjoy the site!

Title: Re: New To This Site
Post by AussieBrian on Apr 18^th, 2008, 8:35pm

G'day Pat, and welcome, though I really wish you'd never needed to come looking for us.

Over on the left side of your screen is a button marked "Oxygen Info". Have a good look there because it's the first line of defence for many ClusterHeads. Bit of mucking about, perhaps, but well worth the effort.

As Coach says, melatonin is helping many and I believe it to be freely available. There's also many references around here to kudzu which may also be worth following up.

Red Bull type energy drinks are helping many, the trick being to slam it down imediately at onset of a hit. It's apparently to do with the caffiene and taurine mix.

Ice packs can be very helpful (packets of frozen vegetables but watch out for carrots) though some people scream at the mere thought of cold and use hot packs (wet tea-towels out of the microwave). I use both at the same time, figuring if I can't beat the bastage I can at least confuse him into submission.

Hope this helps and, please, ask as many questions as you like. That's why we're here.

Title: Re: New To This Site
Post by DragonSlayer on Apr 18^th, 2008, 8:56pm

Hey Pat [smiley=wave.gif]

So Sorry you came looking! But Damn glad you found us!!!

The information from the Aussie above is right on.
However he neglected to mention a common aid for many.

Gulp down several cups of strong coffee. The caffeine will help ease the pain of mild to moderate hits if you drink it down at the first sign. I keep brewed coffee available all the time while I'm "in cycle", in one of those thermos pitchers. It doesn't matter if it's hot but it does taste better warmed up.

Welcome to this nut hut! ;;D

Title: Re: New To This Site
Post by syrs842 on Apr 18^th, 2008, 9:24pm

;;D I am so happy that i decided to write to you guys. As it gets closer to bedtime I get so anxious about going to sleep. I have already started my caffeine drip for the night. The only thing is I am killing my stomach with the Excedrine Migraine stuff I take. But I am gearing up for but yet another night of fighting this demon. I have my rocker in check and my handy dandy (hands) vise scrips all set and of course my poor little dog that waits patiently for me to crash after my 3rd or 4th CH. Thank God for him. I hate to have any of my family up watching me go through this crap every night. They would probably have me committed. But the little guy is so committed to being here for me, I think he wakes up before me just to wait till I get up and then he meets me in the living room. I think he's human!

Thanks for some of your advise . I will go tomorrow and get some melatonin and try that.

Thanks

Pat

P.S. who know's make I will be here in the weeeeeeeee hours.

Title: Re: New To This Site
Post by Linda_Howell on Apr 18^th, 2008, 9:43pm

Sweetie, stop punishing your stomach with the excedrin Migraine. It won't help and you're
gonna end up with a very nice ulcer.

Honest. we know what we're talking about.

I'll stick around for a while and then check back in later to see if you're here.

Linda

Title: Re: New To This Site
Post by RichardN on Apr 18^th, 2008, 11:22pm

02 02 02 . . . try it . . . works for 70% of us to abort . . . especially if used early-on. Even if insurance won't cover, it's cheap and no side effects.

Be Safe, PFDANs

Richard

Title: Re: New To This Site
Post by Perediablo on Apr 18^th, 2008, 11:50pm

on 04/18/08 at 21:43:43, Linda_Howell wrote:

x2
Definitely lay off the OTC headache stuff. All that excedrin, motrin, tylenol is gonna kill your stomach. Ulcers suck. Good luck! and pain free days to you!

Eric

Title: Re: New To This Site
Post by Callico on Apr 19^th, 2008, 5:24pm

I have to agree witht he O2 advice, as well as the Red Bull (or any other energy drink w/ taurene. Rip It for instance is usually about a dollar @ WalMart for a double size can). The key with them is to slam them, without stopping if possible at the 1st sign of a hit.

Melatonin doe not work for me :(, but nothing works for everyone, and you will adapt and have to change remedies over time.

Kudzu has been effective for me, and does not give me the side effects I got from Verap and Lithium. It is also a lot cheaper. You can find it at health food stores, primarily the ones that deal with alternative diet/medicines. The bigger chains in the malls,etc don't carry it. You can also find it online and order it a bit cheaper than you can usually find it in the stores.

Definitely layoff the Excedrin. It will not do anything for the pain other than make you think you are doing some good, but WILL cause ulcers and liver/kidney damage as well as give you tinnitis.

Glad you are here. Make yourself at home, read a lot, ask questions freely, and as you learn grab an oar and help us row this boat.

Jerryu

Title: Re: New To This Site
Post by deltadarlin on Apr 22^nd, 2008, 8:50am

How far are you from Miami or Tampa? Both have medical schools, which usually translate into clinics run by the medical schools.

Carolyn

Title: Re: New To This Site
Post by BarbaraD on Apr 29^th, 2008, 8:31am

Watch out for the Excedin -- they will cause rebound headaches (and they're BAD news) if taken too regularly. Ever now and then is ok, but NOT daily. Stick with the coffee or redbull....

O2 is our drug of choice around here. Works for about 70% of us.

Sorry you have to be here, but glad you found us.

Hugs BD