Peeps have CH or they have something else. CH is almost always the same: extreme pain from the area just above the ear, extending like a web into to the head and over to the eye on the side affected. Sometimes, like with me, the pain goes down into the neck. For me, it is always the same: the right area just above the ear, the temple is the center of pain. It radiates up to take over the entire upper side of the head and zings over to  the eye ball. Snot flows. Tears runs. In the early days, I held my head in my hands like a vise. There were no meds except pain killers. I vomited up Midrin, the strongest thing they would prescribe. I went to the ER twice and got shots. Such disrespect! They figured I was there for the drugs. They gave me shots that knocked me out, but thirty minutes later, I was in another attack. Oh, those days before Imitrex and Oxygen. I sucked O2 for 20 years in the Air Force and hated it. I sucked O2 for 5 years and loved it because it really worked for clusters. I sucked hot sauce under my tongue because it really worked. I stuck Imitrex needles in my fat belly because they worked. I beat the beast! I have no fear of of the mother fucker now. When I found this site, I had nothing but antidepressants, steroids, and pain killers--worthless. I spent years of attacks every day and held a job. When I found this site, I was in such amazement that there were others going through the same shit as I, but some much worse. I worked on this site for others and was amazed at their courage. In those days, we were just amazed that there were others like us. We talked and shared and collected info and tried to convince the professionals that we were worth studying.
I personally think we succeeded despite them. I am now 72. No attacks for a couple years, but I have no illusions that they will return. I am ready. I met a lot of heroes in Nam, but I may have met more heroes on this site. Oh, I know that many come here to gossip and and feel part of the family, but there is that core that made this site into a place of unique gathering in the long small hours. You know who you are and you know my love for you.

You have my respect!  Well said!
Jazz

fdharden wrote on Sep 11^th, 2008 at 1:09am:


Nice post Frank!  It is a shame more CHers can't get to the point of your statement above.  When I did I got my full life back and I was in control again.  Never went back to fearing the Beast and never will again.

Glad you are back Bro!

-P.

Wow, Paco - look at YOU go!

I bet you made Hub cry with that one.  You know how sentimental he gets. 

I sure hope that you ARE done with clusters.  Gives the rest of us hope.

"Geez, you're getting sentimental in your old age!  When you tell Hub you love him, I'm gonna barf!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" (From Bob P.)

I would love Hub if he would just STFU! I hope you throw up your balls, if you have any.

Glad to hear that your head has been treating you well for awhile, Paco. Hope it continues for a long time.  I wonder if many people understand the full meaning of what you wrote –  right to the point.

This is the coolest thing I've read in a long time!

fdharden wrote on Sep 11^th, 2008 at 1:09am:



No wait,  this is:

fdharden wrote on Sep 11^th, 2008 at 1:09am:


Best of all:
fdharden wrote on Sep 11^th, 2008 at 1:09am:


May the beast never return!  Many blessings to you Paco, for your insight and work to help battle the beast and help to build ch.com into what many refer to as home.

Hugs,
Jen