Hi Friends,

Long time no post.  Missed y'all!

This cycle, I've been able to abort almost all the attacks with oxygen, as usual.  However, some of them have gotten into the 9+ pain range, and the urge to scream and bang my head can interfere with the oxygen sucking.

I talked to the doc, and he gave me a bottle of lidocaine 2%, and he showed me how to blast it up my nose.  Although skeptical, I've found that within 15 to 30 seconds it will knock the pain down from 9+ to maybe 7 or even 6.  Then I can suck oxygen in a little mor comfort to kill it off.

Method is:  Pull 1/2 ml into syringe.  Remove needle.  Shoot quickly up nostril on pain side, then quickly lay head to that side so it doesn't run out.  Avoid letting it go down throat.  Rest head on side until effect felt (again, for me it's less than 30 seconds).  Pick head up straight and blow nose, then get back on the O2.

For those who never knew me, I can't take most of the good preventive meds (heavy verapamil, mushrooms, etc...) or abortives (imitrex and the like) due to coronary artery troubles.  Thank God for the oxygen, and thank Him again for the lidocaine.  I waited until the lidocaine worked several times before I posted.  Only side effect is a numb nose and forehead, but it goes away in a couple hours.

Good on all of y'all!

Goober Dave

Hi Dave,
Have you tried slamming an energy drink (Redbull, Rockstar, Monster, etc) at onset of an attack and then hyperventilating the o2?

Definitely safer and less expensive than Lidocaine, but whatever works for you is certainly better than just being TORTURED by the DRAGON.

Experiencing a KIP 9 as you described and trying to suck down the o2 is next to impossible and you will be in it for the duration of the attack, unless you abort with a tryptan, etc.

Try your best to get on the o2 at onset of the attack and begin hyperventilating (25 lpm to 40 lpm) and with the addition of chugging an energy drink prior, you will most likely be pleased with the results.

Good Luck!

-Gregg in Las Vegas

Thanks Gregg!

I can't really chug an energy drink -- cardiologist says don't do it (heart attack a few years back). It sounds like a really good help, though. 

I miss my Imitrex too, and my high-dose Verapamil.

Pain-free days to you too,

Goober Dave

I tried lidocaine in the early 80's, same delivery system. It did ratchet the pain down several clicks on the KIP.

Joe

Lidocaine never did work for me.  Glad it does for you!

You might look into Kudzu instead of Verap.  It did great for me a few years back and I was able to get off the Verap and all of those side effects.  Check with your Dr first of course.  I'm not sure of any thing it would do to your heart, but you will want to be sure before trying. 

Jerry

Thanks Jerry,

I had forgotten about kudzu.  I used it long ago, got some help from it I think.

I'll send the doc an e-mail.  He's pretty good at knowing his herbal stuff.

Good on ya, and have a pain-free time!

Goober Dave

At the time my Dr. said try this....I thought YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

unfortunetly it didn't work... not one iota.  Back to the drawing board.