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Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Getting to Know Ya >> Hello world http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1225004541 Message started by Keith Lee on Oct 26th, 2008 at 3:02am |
Title: Hello world Post by Keith Lee on Oct 26th, 2008 at 3:02am
I'm Keith. I live in Lexington, Kentucky, with my wife and our three beautiful dogs. I work as a public relations hack for a university medical center. My hobbies include friends, food, movies, sarcasm, and avoiding housework. I also spend way too much time on the Internet.
Any other relevant details about me will probably become evident in subsequent postings. Here's my CH history for those who want to compare notes. I am a 37-year-old male with a 15-year history of episodic cluster headache. A family-practice physician made the diagnosis about 8 years ago after a normal CT scan. My cluster periods occur once or twice a year (almost always around the change of seasons at the start of fall and sometimes spring), and they usually last 4-5 weeks. Attacks happen once or twice daily, about the same time each day, and they last from 45 minutes to three hours. Key symptoms are rapid onset of severe pain (right-temporal and periorbital), with right-sided nasal congestion, localized forehead sweating and some tearing in the right eye. Intranasal sumitriptan (20 mg) is effective at aborting most attacks. Twice in the past ten years I have been treated in the emergency room when sumitriptan failed. Both times I received an injection (DHE? Demerol? I do not know what, because it fairly well knocked me out.) Oxygen was given once, but it did not bring significant relief; however, it may have been administered at an insufficient flow rate. And there you have it, from the dismal frontiers of neuroscience. |
Title: Re: Hello world Post by Just Plain Carl on Oct 26th, 2008 at 3:33am
Welcome Keith,
Jeez, sounds like you have cluster headaches. Nice to meet Ya JPC |
Title: Re: Hello world Post by ClusterChuck on Oct 27th, 2008 at 1:43am
Hi, Keith!
Just what we need! Another sarcastic smartass!! LOL! We can have some REAL fun! Welcome to the Yup, sure sounds like clusters to me! You have a great GP to get the right diagnosis! Keep him/her! Now, you need to get set up on OXYGEN! It is far safer, costs less, and is usually VERY effective, if taken properly. At the top of the medications section there are two threads that should answer most of your questions about oxygen. If you have any other questions, ask or send me a PM. Looks like you have a bit of reading to do on this site!! Lots of good info here. Chuck |
Title: Re: Hello world Post by Callico on Oct 30th, 2008 at 11:46pm
Welcome to the family! I don' know what we will do if you get sarcastic though. None of the rest of us EVER do! :D I think for many of us it is a defense mechanism.
I have to agree with Chuck, much as I hate to admit it, but O2 is an excellent option for you to pursue. Works very well for most of us. Jerry |
Title: Re: Hello world Post by Jason on Oct 30th, 2008 at 11:51pm
Welcome sir !!
Maybe a Wildcat to spar with every now and again will get these headaches out of my system !! :) I am new here also and hope to get my first dose of oxygen tomorrow. |
Title: Re: Hello world Post by Guiseppi on Oct 31st, 2008 at 12:28am
Bob's given you some awesome reading material. Most peoples experience has been you get the best results from educating yourself and then working in partnership with an open minded doc. Most just don't know enough about CH, although it sounds like you got lucky and found a knowledgeable GP!
Only thing I'd suggest is you look into some of the preventative treatments available. Meds you take while you are on cycle to reduce number and instensity of your hits. I use lithium at 1200 mg a day, verapamil and topomax are other common prevents. Welcome to the board. Chuck is actually posting from an insane asylum using a laptop with no sharp edges, ignore ANYTHING he says! ;D Glad you found us, welcome to your new second home! Guiseppi |
Title: Re: Hello world Post by ClusterChuck on Nov 1st, 2008 at 10:59am Guiseppi wrote on Oct 31st, 2008 at 12:28am:
HEY!!! The little voice in my head told me this is NOT an insane asylum! It is just a place where they take good care of you. For instance, they even put cushions all around the room so if you should fall you won't hurt yourself. And they want to make sure you are warm, so they give you this nice coat, with LONG arms. The arms are so long, that they have to attach them behind your back, so that you don't trip. How nice is THAT ?!?! Chuck (OOOOPPPSSS!!! I have to go now, as they want to do that thing that they do with the wires attached to my head. It REALLY gives you a buzz!) |
Title: Re: Hello world Post by BarbaraD on Nov 2nd, 2008 at 6:35am
Keith,
Pay NO attention to Chuck - he's a "little' strange. :) We only allow him around here cause his docs say to "humor" him.... Read Read Read. We have more information on this board than most medical schools do (on CH that is). And you'll find out that most of us PUSH O2 big time - why? Because it works for about 70% of us if used properly. Welcome to Clusterville.... Sorry you had to find us, but now that you're "family" - well, expect to be treated that way (we're really a good bunch of nutz)... Hugs BD |
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