Hi everyone.

My name is Paddy and I am 30 years old. I'm originally from Southampton in southern England but now live in Sheffield in the north.

I'm not entirely sure when my smptoms began but i remember my mother changing my doctor when I was about 10 due to his inability to find out what was wrong with me. I'd had the same doctor since birth so remember it being quite a big thing to change my doctor, so I guess I've been suffering since I was about 8.

The condition got progressively worse throughout my teens and has been chronic since I was about 18. In the last 12 years I have had no more than a day or two's grace from the Beast. Originally I was treated as having Trigeminal Neuraligia but eventually they diagnosed me as CCH.

I found it difficult to accept that I had a disability and despite having sumatriptan injection, i tried to deal with it myself through a combination of agony and far too many painkillers. However for the past 6 months I have been taking 1.5mg Pizotifen as my preventative and Rizatiptan oral melts once an attack occurs.

To say I have got a new lease of life is an understatment. The frequency of attacks has dropped slightly but knowing I have a fast effective relief available has lessened the fear of each day. I can now go to parties, work and other social events knowing that at the worse case scenario now is that I may have to excuse myself for half an hour rather than avoiding going entirely.

I won't go over the same ground as others as my expeiernces are similar, alarm clock attacks, cursing unknown deities, bashing my head etc. I am selfishly happy to find there are others like me... sad that others go through what I do but relieved to know I am not alone, as I have felt for the past 20 years.

So HELLLOOOOOO to everybody, keep up the good work and feel free to say hi.

Paddy Stewart   ;D

Welcome Home Paddy!!  Sorry you had the need to find us but you will truly never feel alone again. 

Sounds like you pretty much got your "ducks i a row" with a regimen that manages your beast which is a step up on a lot of folks that get here!  However, you didn't mention O2 as an abortive measure.  If you haven't tried it or haven't tried it at a high flow rate, please read the O2 info on the left of the page.  It has absolutely changed my life with regard to being able to manage my CH effectively.

Hopin you see some PFDAN's ahead and wishin you a Happy New Year!

Dallas Denny

Happy to have you aboard!

You might like to explore your excellent support group in GB:   START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Welcome to the club Paddy! The dues totally suck but you won't find a funner group anywhere on the net! ;)

Joe

Hello and welcome! :)
Congrats on finding better medicaiton for you :)  Hope you get PF days :)

Emily