I am new to this so I will hope you all will forgive my ignorance.

I was diagnosed in April. I had what you might call my first bad attacks since I was started on meds last weekend. I was in the ER on Sunday.

I have had my regulars today.  No screamers. May be what you would rate a KIP 2 or 3.  I have had ringing in my ears on and off all day and my 'background' headache has been fairly constant all day like last weekend.

I have been getting stabbed. It is my 2:00 PM right now and it is getting worse. I have pain behind my eye(s) and right temple and sudden shifts to the back on both sides. I get whooshing sound in my ears that comes in pulses of one to three and corresponds with what feels like a myclonic shock, otherwise known as a 'Brain Zap'. Both eyes ache, the right more so (I am a righty)

This is not normal for me. If there is a normal.................

Should I take it the ER now or ride it out?

Thanks,

Vomact

Dude, if you're on and able to try something, go under the "medication" section and look up The Spaniards thread about how to abort w/o meds or O2.  It's a pumping exercise that works for me.
It diverts the blood going to your brain to your arms.  Pound an energy drink if you have one handy.  Make sure it has at least 1000mg of Taurine it.  There are my lines of defense when I haven't taken an Imitrex.  I hope that beast leaves you man.

PF wishes!

Try what I copied below immediately.  It's worth a shot.
The exercise alone should reduce the intensity.
Good luck!

1) Stand up straight immediately and look straight ahead.
2) Stretch out your arms to the max right over your head and make fists (one of your hands holds your handkerchief)
3) Bend your arms so your fists come together right over the top of your head
4) Gently touch the top of your head with the thumbs of your fists and immediately...
5) Pump (don´t throw) out your arms straight over your head, keeping your fists clenched

The outward motion is quick, inward is slow. Visualize a pump - you are pumping blood from your head to your arms - and continue for one or two minutes. Now stop and blow your nose thoroughly, long and hard.

Relief? If no, start at 1) again. You will know the end of the attack is near once your nose on the side of the attack starts to open, and there is actually something exiting from your nostril as opposed to just air.

What am I saying: you will know it in an instant.

Spasiba!

Thanks ReeseC.

I am going to reach for a Red Bull and see what happens. I read the Spaniards thread last night.... I'll try anything.

No 02 or Imitrex yet, just Dilantin and Verap. If that doesn't work
by 6:00 PM (my next one) I'm getting in the car to the ER.  I think they administer IV Demerol or Dilaudid, or Valium and Compazine.

Bless you all

Vomact

I am cool on the ride.  I would never drive myself during one of these.

I had one of my first on RT. 93 driving to Boston and almost hit a bridge (I was young and foolish back then) so I know what that nightmare is like.

Thanks,

Vomact

Chad wrote on Aug 22^nd, 2008 at 2:54pm:

                                                                                      i hope you don't mind chad, just wanted to add, remember to exhale deeply, and breath deep. andrew.

Vomact wrote on Aug 22^nd, 2008 at 2:41pm:


Vomact.  
We are not doctors here.

Some of what you describe does not fit the norm for most clusterheads.

A wise man would have it checked out if you havent allready as thebbz and Brian says.

Sounds like a medication issue but you dont say what med you started.
There is also potential for other issues as well. Better safe than sorry at least with a medical consult if this is not the norm.
Energy drinks or other seemingly innocent treatments can cause harm at times.

I rode it out and I'm doing fine.

MJ Said:

QUOTE:
"Vomact.  We are not doctors here.Some of what you describe does not fit the norm for most clusterheads.

A wise man would have it checked out if you haven't already as thebbz and Brian says.Sounds like a medication issue but you don't say what med you started. There is also potential for other issues as well. Better safe than sorry at least with a medical consult if this is not the norm.Energy drinks or other seemingly innocent treatments can cause harm at times."


MJ:

I Thank You for your comments.  

I fully intend to have it checked out.  I go to see my Neuro on Monday and will probably have another MRI as well as blood work done.

Whenever ANYTHING changes I call the Doctor.  I am a Noobe at this!

I realize that there (appears) to be none in the community that are doctors, however you folks are the ones to ask about experience.  In many cases (some might say most) the community knows more than the Doctors do. Doctors don't walk in our shoes.

My sister and brother in law are both M.D.s' and they admit that while that there is consensus about what Cluster is and it's general symptomology, they indicated that the medical community still doesn't understand much about the disease. They indicated that it could be a medication issue.   It could be the Verap itself.

There is much about my symptoms that are not the 'norm'.  For example, when I start having 'shadows' at the onset of an attack I experience severe tinnitus. Like LOUD. I haven't' heard nor read here that that is the 'norm' for Cluster, although it is reported as a symptom by some suffers.

I also experience symptoms of Trigeminal Neuralgia e.g. specific teeth HURT when I am having an attack. This is also not the norm.

I read here many posts about clusterheads who have a change in symptomology. i.e. side shifting and other changes.

We seek advice, not diagnoses, from the experts.............YOU!

To paraphrase Martin Rees and Bill Bryson:

" our present satisfaction with our state of understanding about the
disease (sic) reflects a paucity of [the] data rather than the excellence of the theory"

God Bless You All!


Vomact