Oh dear.  I have a horrible time when I'm in cycle, because of losing sleep.  I'm extremely mean when I don't get my sleep and I can't function.  First of all, I think somewhere on here you will find a letter that explains this crap to your employer.  Try that first of all.  But have you tried anything for the pain itself?  Like Red Bull. At least until you get some meds that help.

try o2 portible , thats what i do,

if you need send me a email been down your road , let me know the meds your takeing ect and i'll help as much as I can,

Paige_H. wrote on Jun 23^rd, 2008 at 9:27pm:


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Have you tried melatonin to get you through the nights?

What do you use as an abortive? You should always have your abortive around, even at work.

Hi Casey,

Boy I can sympathize with you.  I too am the sole support for my family.  So not working is not an option.

Nani's suggestion of trying Melatonin is a good one.  Even if it works for you it will take a week to 10 days to see significant results.  I had to get up to 9-15mg before I saw any relief.

Get Oxygen!  It works for many and is my quickest ticket back to bed with the least amount of side effects.

Imitrex Injections are a good back up for the ones that O2 can't handle.  I only used a handful of injections during my last cycle.

You'll need a good preventative too.  I have to stay away from anti-eleptics like Neurontin and Topomax because they make me too fuzzy to work.  I've had a lot of luck with 400mg of Verapamil.  Your mileage will vary!

All drugs have their side effects.  IMO it's better than dealing with pain.  But you have to experiment with your Drs help to find the right solution for you.  That takes time and patients.  I know you don't have much of either right now.  But just stick with it.  I can't believe what a difference the right treatment plan has made for me.  It took two full cycles to get it right though.

Share the coleague letter with people at work.  I was very nervous about opening up like that at first but the support I got from folks at two different employers was amazing.  I bring O2 to work and no one bats an eye when I'm using it in my cube.

Good luck and let us know how we can help...

-Dennis-

wow first thanks for all the feed back. now answer a few questions that were asked to me. i have not been told by a neuro that i for sure have ch, my family doc gave me the diagnosis she currently treats someone else here in Des moines. who has it and told me my symptoms fit almost perfectly. now meds i am currently taking are imitrex shot at night while they do seam to help they don't take enough of the pain away for me to get good sleep or any at all. my daytime meds are treximet all though i do have better luck with it if i take it with 1 to 2 redbulls

i have been studying this site and asking my doc about most of the things i read here she does not want me to try anything else until after the neuro i mean like the o2 and any other meds

I was fortunate in finding an effective preventative medication, a med I take while I'm on cycle to reduce the number and the intensity of my attacks. I take lithium, 1200 mg a day, while on cycle. I still carry an e-tank, (oxygen) while I'm working as well as my imitrex shots. The lithium blocks 80-90% of my attacks which substantially reduces what I have to take for attacks, and lets me keep up on my rest. Might be something to talk with your doc about, it's been my silver bullet for many many years now.

Guiseppi

The fear of sleep is something we all know. The melatonin will help with that. Good luck at the neuro. I would beg for 02. Treat the headache, not the pain, Pain meds will not touch this pain.
all the best
thebb