well i just broke the longest cycle of headaches ive yet to experience.  in the past i never had more than one a day for more than 3 weeks. Ive had 3 and 4 a day everyday for 2.6 months. i an now a dedicated and confirmed o2 user as it ensured i never got over a 4 or 5 on any of em. i dont go anywhere now without o2 and i wonder if the o2 had anything to do with the pattern changing.  imitrex sucks for me as i puke every time.  doc gave me a nasal thing and that sucked too.  i have an appointment in kc with a specialist in december ( took 4 months to see her ) and work has become near impossible but im still happy as i have not been slammed by the 6,7,8 and 9 's i was getting without o2.


thanks again to all who helped me get started.

im still on the lithium/and atenenol and verapimil and it seems caffiene has really lost its abilities as of late.

hope everyone else is getting along.....  


ill try to get back more often now that i have mt password and user back !!!
:o

Kick it ass, dude!!!!  [smiley=bigguns.gif]

Sorry the beast had such a long stay with you. It's time to send you my technique that worked for me. It doesn't prevent them but it can stop them. Give it a shot.


                                         Dr. Wright’s Circulatory Technique:

I am not sure what mechanism is triggered by this but whatever it is, at least indirectly helps kill the pain. I do know that this technique has nothing to do with meditation, relaxation, or psychic ability. It is entirely physical and takes some work. It involves concentrating on trying to redirect a little circulation to the arms, hands, or legs. Think of feeling your pulse in your hand. Increased circulation will result in a reddening and warming of the hands. The important and difficult part is that it has to be done without interruption through the pain. Do not give up in frustration. It may not work on the first try. Try experimenting between attacks. You will find that it gets easier with practice. Every now and then it will work almost immediately. I lived for those moments.

I was given less than five minutes instruction in the use of method. The doctor, while placing his arm on his desk, showed me that he could slightly increase his arm and hand circulation. After several attempts, I was able to repeat this procedure and use it successfully. I have had about a 75% success rate shortening these attacks. My 20 minute attacks were often reduced to 10 minutes or less. Once proven that I had a chance to effectively deal with this horror, I always gave it a try as I had nothing to lose but pain.

I used to try to imagine I was pushing blood away from my neck into my arm. Use your imagination. There is one man who wrote that his standing barefoot on a concrete floor shortened his attacks. This may be similar as it draws some circulation away from the head. Cold water, exercise, or anything affecting circulation, seems to be worth a try. My suggestion is to not let up immediately when the pain goes. Waiting a minute is probably a good idea. So long as you do not slack off, this has a chance of working.

This technique is very useful while waiting for medication to take effect or when none is available. It costs nothing, is non-invasive, and can be used just about anywhere. It is not a miracle but it helped me deal with this horror. It can be a bit exhausting but the success rate was good enough for me and a cluster headache sufferer will do just about anything to end the pain. It gives us a fighting chance.

Charlie      

i actually experimented with this while doing bio-feedback in a study i was in. i was actually pretty good at it as i was also able to raise my body temp by a degree and the very techniques you mentioned were taught to us.  never thought about trying them since i got ch.......

but i will now, thanks

Glad you are finally getting some PF time.

What dose of Verap were you on?  It doesn't sound like you got a lot of relief from it.  That's too bad.

It's one thing to suffer the side effects and get relief.  It's a whole nuther thing to suffer the side effects and get nothing :o

I hope he loses your address this time.

-Dennis-

DennisM1045 wrote on Sep 9^th, 2008 at 12:37pm:

Glad you are finally getting some PF time. I hope he loses your address this time. -Dennis-

lol  thanks  !!

the O2  has saved my sanity...  it is the only thing that dosent have negative side effects and i KNOW will work, sometimes longer than others.