Post by just-squiggles on Jun 4th, 2008 at 1:57pm
Another tool to help others understand- START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to 
or 
END PRINTPAGE
" The Ball Peen Hammer
« on: Sep 17th, 2003, 9:54am
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One of the difficulties we face as sufferes is trying to explain what CH is like. The word headache seems to sap the understanding of what it really is.
My husband, a non-sufferer, was in an office with a rather out-of-touch, arrogant pain management Doctor once, and he was able to place the intensity of the pain into perspective in practical, everyday language that got immediate understanding, and results.
I was floored by how much my husband had observed, and was able to relate.
"THE BALL PEEN HAMMER" analogy.
Imagine what it would be like if some big guy were to hit you with a hammer, hard. For the sake of argument, it doesn't even have to be your head, you can pick the body part where you want to be struck (your thumb, or knee). Not hard enough to break, just very, very, hard.
Now, you have just been hit with that hammer. Using your choice of pain management skills, don't scream, don't writhe, just go to a happy place! Tell yourself that you can handle the pain. Now, you can't take any pain medicine for it , because you might have to worry about addiction, and that would be bad, wouldn't it?
Now about an hour later, your eyes have finally quit streaming, the snot dries up in your nose, and the pain starts to dwindle to only a significant throb, and you think you might live through this experience. But now, the big dude is going to walk out of the corner and smack you in the same place yet again. Meanwhile, try to keep working, taking care of the kids, doing laundry.
You will get hit with this hammer up to six, eight times a day in the same place. This guy will be your constant companion, all day and all night, for weeks, months, years even. Sometimes you will see the dude coming, sometimes he will just hit you from behind. Either way, it will happen in public, in front of your loved ones, co-workers. Now, try not to be depressed! Try massage if things REALLY get bad.
Now, you have lived with this hammer for a month or so...(question to Doc) how far would you go to make him quit hitting you? When would enough be enough? One month, One year? How about six years? If this were a wife, son or daughter, would you sit by and watch them go through it, offering moral support when you could, or would you ask some hard questions about why people have to COPE with pain rather than TREAT it?
I hope this helps you as it helped me.
« Last Edit: Sep 17th, 2003, 10:06am by hdbngr » "
or END PRINTPAGE" The Ball Peen Hammer
« on: Sep 17th, 2003, 9:54am
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One of the difficulties we face as sufferes is trying to explain what CH is like. The word headache seems to sap the understanding of what it really is.
My husband, a non-sufferer, was in an office with a rather out-of-touch, arrogant pain management Doctor once, and he was able to place the intensity of the pain into perspective in practical, everyday language that got immediate understanding, and results.
I was floored by how much my husband had observed, and was able to relate.
"THE BALL PEEN HAMMER" analogy.
Imagine what it would be like if some big guy were to hit you with a hammer, hard. For the sake of argument, it doesn't even have to be your head, you can pick the body part where you want to be struck (your thumb, or knee). Not hard enough to break, just very, very, hard.
Now, you have just been hit with that hammer. Using your choice of pain management skills, don't scream, don't writhe, just go to a happy place! Tell yourself that you can handle the pain. Now, you can't take any pain medicine for it , because you might have to worry about addiction, and that would be bad, wouldn't it?
Now about an hour later, your eyes have finally quit streaming, the snot dries up in your nose, and the pain starts to dwindle to only a significant throb, and you think you might live through this experience. But now, the big dude is going to walk out of the corner and smack you in the same place yet again. Meanwhile, try to keep working, taking care of the kids, doing laundry.
You will get hit with this hammer up to six, eight times a day in the same place. This guy will be your constant companion, all day and all night, for weeks, months, years even. Sometimes you will see the dude coming, sometimes he will just hit you from behind. Either way, it will happen in public, in front of your loved ones, co-workers. Now, try not to be depressed! Try massage if things REALLY get bad.
Now, you have lived with this hammer for a month or so...(question to Doc) how far would you go to make him quit hitting you? When would enough be enough? One month, One year? How about six years? If this were a wife, son or daughter, would you sit by and watch them go through it, offering moral support when you could, or would you ask some hard questions about why people have to COPE with pain rather than TREAT it?
I hope this helps you as it helped me.
« Last Edit: Sep 17th, 2003, 10:06am by hdbngr » "