Been in an attack phase now for 4 weeks dosed up on steroids and pain killers my willis weak when will it end

Oh no..hang in there buddy.  It WILL end, and that is the best of all news.  Other is that there are better treatments out there than pain killers that obviously aren't working.

We'll begin to ask alot of questions, please don't be insulted by that. he more we know the better we can direct you to some relief.

First of all, what other meds have you taken?  What abortive meds do you have?

Hey, buddy, ALL of us have been where you are, at one period (at least) of our battle with the beast.

I know it is hard.

I know it sucks.

I know it is frustrating.

I know it drains you, physically, and emothionally.

I have been there, I have done that, Hell, I even WORE OUT the tee shirt!

BUT, you and I are both clusterheads.  We are strong.  Stronger than we know.  We are stubborn.  We are fighters.

I don't know how we make it through, but we do.

You will too.

Lean on us here.  We will back you up.  If you have a supporter, lean on that person.  Talk to that person.  Let that person know how you feel.  Get it off your chest.

If you have any of us fellow clusterhead's phone number, call it.  

I will send you a PM with my number.  Don't be afraid to use it.

Hang on, bro ... Eventually it WILL end.

Chuck

Paul.....please please please consider that those pain-killers are causing rebound headaches and stop taking them.


You are among friends here.   Friends who understand what you are feeling right now at this very moment.   4 weeks is not the end of the world.   It will end.  


Now stop the pity party...and start reading around here.   There are ways to control this condition    ;)   she says in her most motherly voice

Oh..... man you stay with this group, I am a newbie also and I can tell you these people will help you. Talk to them. You are not alone with this curse.  YOU WILL GET THROUGH THIS, AND IT WILL END....

Shark Boy...

Paul, you give me a call you hear me?  


(530) 224-9515    I will call you back immediately on my dime as I have unlimited mins. so that is no problem at all.   I'm up half the night anyway.   CALL ME!!!!!!!!!!!


Linda

Paul,

Hang on.  You can do this!  As others have said, GET OFF THE PAIN KILLERS!!!

They will only exacerbate the pain, and will do nothing to stop it.  You need Oxygen or one of the triptans, preferably the oxy.  For short term use slam a Red Bull or something of the like as fast as you can drink it at the first sign of an attack.  It will usually abort for me in about 5-6 minutes.

Read, read, read!  There is a lot of great info here.  You have two phone numbers given to you from two very caring people who can REALLY help you, and you can get mine if that is a help at all.  DON'T give up!  Life is to good to put a permanent solution to a temporary problem.  

I'll be praying for you.

Jerry

Chin up. Kick that demons a$$!!! This can be managed with the proper information and treatment.It can only get better.
oh and what chuck said. Pain killers do not work on CH.
all the best
thebb
Check your pm's

Hang in there.  I also agree that you should get off the pain killers.  You need to take too much of them for little relief.   The simplest plan in my eyes is the following:

1.  Get Oxygen, non-rebreather mask.  Remember to use it at first start of all headaches.  It is safe and relatively cheap.

2.  Keep your Red Bull type drinks cold and in supply.  They always seemed to help a little.

3.  I would sugest a triptan (Imitrex inj seems to be most effective... I like Maxalt MLT dissolvable).  They can only be used a certain amout per day, others can advise.

4.  I use Zyprexa when I absolutely need a HA aborted.  It seems fairly safe but always effective for me.

5.  Find your comfort zone.  find the things you want and can do that relieve small amounts of pain when the rest isnt working fast enough or at all.  I always took hot and cold showers.  The cold on my head seemed to help a bit and the hot because it was a place I would go for comfort for other medical conditions.

6.  While not getting hit, make sure family and friends know what you like when you are getting hit.  My wife would do some sort of massage she read about here that I liked but most others know just to leave me alone.  My wife can see it in my eyes (I dont get the red eyes) when I am hurting so she doesnt even have to ask.  She knows what to do.

Remember, be prepared with your medical needs but also be prepared that the current headache COULD VERY WELL be your last one for a long while.

    Well where are you?

       Potter

Good advice Paul. Sorry you have to deal with this horror.

Here is something that worked for me. No drugs involved.

Good luck!

                                         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.

Hang on and rant away. We like it.

Charlie      

Paul......a number of us who have had these headaches for years and years (me-28 years) have actually been in remission for many years as well.  I haven't had a cluster headache since 1987.

There is always hope.  The headaches won't kill you (althought you might think they will when having one).  Let us try to help.  We've been here for a long time and have narrowed down some of the better meds that work for a great number of people.

Right now, we need to hear from you.  So, post already!

   APB out on Paul.   Don't make me send the dogs out to hunt for you.

Think Im out of the worst of it all you guys were so right

The pain killers were causing reboun headaches, off them now and feeling much better

This site is amazing you guys are amazing
Thanks for being there
I created a blooger site for for all thos who suffer from what we suffer from
Hope this can be a place in conjunction with this website
Just got out of it..
Feeling better

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Paul,

I saw your blog and noticed that you aksed if anyone had taken a certain medication. Blog away, but I'd suggest that you hang around this place to both learn and share knowledge. Also, did you happen to notice how many complete strangers jumped up to offer help? That's how it is around here.

There is power in numbers.

It will end.  I know it sucks, big time.  Hang in there.

Continue to fight the Beast down.  Listen to these people and they will help.  The cycle will end and peace will come again.  You can do it!! Just don't give up hope.
P

Good.

Glad to hear that you got off the pain-killers, and that things have improved.

I'll go take a look at your blog first chance I get.

Welcome to CH.com.

Best wishes,

George

Even if you think you're out of cycle or at least feeling much better...please stick around here.  I've been here 10 yrs. and I'm still learning things as new information presents itself.

I cannot tell you how happy I am that you discovered (with a little help from some of us)  that narcotics don't help and in a lot of cases cause rebounds.   YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you read some of the links here and at OUCH and have any questions...and I would be mighty surprised if you didn't...ask away.

    Linda