Hi there people,
      I am 35 and new to the site but not to CH.  I have had them for going on 20 years.  The most important thing I'd like to tell you about myself is that I am not sufferer.   I've pretty much experienced all of the same things as you folks; meds, misdiagnosis, useless surgeries.  Things had gotten so bad for me in my mid 20's that I completely gave up on life.  I stopped caring about myself and what happened to me.  I wasn't suicidal but I could have cared less whether I lived or died.   I worked at a job that I hated but felt trapped due to CH.  I couldn't go and get a new job because I didn't think a new employer would be as understanding with my condition and give me the freedom to go and use my 02.  So I drug myself out of bed for several years and slumped around work with a hollow expression on my face.  I had completely lost the will to live. I honestly think that I was slowly dying.   Since I was a small child I knew what my lifes calling was and I felt like CH had stolen it from me.
       After a few years of this, I decided that I wasn't going to take it anymore and I began to fight back.  It was also around this time that I was introduced to Imitrex injectables.  Finally, I was free!  I could come and go as I pleased without taking an oxygen tank with me.  I didn't have to be controlled by never being too far from my car and 02.  So, I started chasing the career path that I knew I was put on this earth for.  I started exercising like a lunatic and lost 50 pounds.  People I hadnt seen in awhile didn't recognize me.  My whole attitude changed and I learned to believe in myself again.  I was empowered.  I turned in countless applications but kept getting turned down.  But I knew that if CH couldn't keep me down than nothing could as long as I didn't give up.  I went from barely being able to get out of bed in the morning to running 5-8 miles a day.   I went from being severly overweight and horribly out of shape to climbing up mountains for fun.  And finally, I went from being ashamed of myself and what I did for a living because of CH to graduating at the top of my police academy class because I woke up one day and decided not to be a victim anymore.
     Why am I telling you folks all of this?  I have no Idea!  Maybe I dont want the story of my life with CH to be looked back on as pain and suffering but rather a triumph over adversity.   Maybe becuase I've learned to live the pain free days with a greater intensity for life than any pain I've experienced with CH.  The greatest sense of satisfaction I get as a police officer, as a coach, or as a parent is trying to inspire others to truly live and not just exist.  I hope that every one of you can find a reason or purpose to press on no matter how bad things get.
Thanks for listening.

Sheepdog

Your trials and story are very inspirational Sheepdog, as I find myself in difficult times with trying to find work, and having life's daily challenges keep me down. Onto several 2nd and 3rd interviews, and my season of clusters returned to leave me short. I missed some opportunities, and began to despair. I found this site only days ago, and have found nothing but support, empathy, and inspiration.

Thank you for sharing Sheepdog.

Welcome Sheepdog and Brooner!

All your questions can be answered here!

  Read all you can, and I am sure you will find even more inspiration.             lorac

I like that story.  ;D

Beautifully written and truly inspirational..."makes me want to be a better man".

Welcome aboard!

Best,

Jon

Thanks for the welcome guys.   Ive been reading through the boards and am absolutely astonished at the ingenuity that you people have when it comes to new methods of taking meds and 02.  I guess the people that come up with this stuff dont take topomax. ;D    Wait, what was I just saying?

Sheepdog

Hey Sheepdog, welcome to the board from another badge! 31 year CH sufferer, almost 30 years with the badge. A sergeant back pushing a patrol car for my last few years. I like your attitude, you'll do just fine! ;)

Joe

sheepdog wrote on Oct 31^st, 2009 at 10:46pm:

Thanks for the welcome guys.   Ive been reading through the boards and am absolutely astonished at the ingenuity that you people have when it comes to new methods of taking meds and 02.  I guess the people that come up with this stuff dont take topomax. ;D    Wait, what was I just saying? Sheepdog

Yep, I take topamax... BUT I take it at night before I go to bed and the side effects go away before morning... (a secret I learned about 10 years ago - works for me).

Loved your story and your attitude. Now stay around and "INSPIRE" others who are down. We need more folks like you around here. And congrats on the badge. Since Jimi retired, Joe needs a little help keeping the "peace" around this place.  :)

Welcome to Clusterville..

Hugs BD :-*