Understand we do.
We are right here with you.

AnnaH wrote on Dec 11^th, 2008 at 11:09pm:

If it's any consolation, Anna, I get one of those to tell me another cycle is ending and it's only strawberries and roses ahead.

Hoping it's the same for you.

Welcome to you Anna.  You can vent to us any ol time you want and please  KNOW your concerns will be acknowledged.

   Tell us more about yourself.  Nothing personal if you don't wish to share it's perfectly o.k.  We, who've been here a very long time yrmd  to think of each other as a 2nd. family.   We'd love to welcome you.
 
Linda   

Like Jimi and Brian already stated, that the really really REALLY nasty ones come at the very end of the cycle, that goes for me too.
They are not only the worst, the longest, they also come in quick succession. In general I can say (always in hindsight) it is my last week orso.

Anna, to me they are also the ones that will not be killed easily. They tend to be so strong even the Imitrex injectable won't touch it, or at best, lessen the pain without sending it into retreat.

Positive thing is, now, out of cycle, I cannot even begin to imagine how they felt. I have a selective memory for the hurt I guess.

PF days very soon to you.

Pascal.

Sorry for the bad hit, but now you're on the other side!  Glad you've made it.

Ray

Mrs T,

I have to mention that the week before I go into remission completely, my headaches die down to shadows. I was referring to the week(s) when I'm in high cycle. So I understand where you're coming from.
My last cycle however I had a very long period of aftershadowing, don't know why exactly, as it was unusual to me.

I find the Kipscale a very handy tool in describing other clusterheads the pain of a hit.
Does it ever make you wonder if what you would have described in the past as a 10, would be a 9 in the future? This is a thing that scares me.
Or would it be the selective forgetfullness while out of cycle which amazes you at how much it hurts when it does come? Am still puzzled about this.

Everyone's thoughts would be appreciated.

Pascal.









Only after posting this I realized how off topic I've become in the last paragraph. I'm sorry Anna, as it was not my intention to hijack your thread. 

Anna, we know, we know, and we KNOW.  Don't feel like an idiot......if no one else in the world, WE KNOW.

This beast does change its shape, and it still amazes me to no end.  Mine is also about 60 minutes untreated, and for the first time I experienced it for hours in this cycle after I threw up Imitrex.  I expected it to go away after 60 minutes...........no idea why it lasted so long like a migraine.

When I was younger (maybe early 30's), I wished death in the middle of the worst attack.  No human deserves this degree of pain.  Not that we don't love life, family members or friends, but when there's no way out, we just can't think straight.  Its psychological effect is incredible, and like you, I was in constant fear of the next attack, afraid of going to sleep, cooking, sunlight, bathing, and just about everything in "normal" life.  This beast drains the heck out of us.  I'm having a mild cycle, and now the pain is such a non-event and easy to kill, but the normal 10-12 week cycle is dragging on into the 6th month, and I'm mentally so beat.  Besides interrupted sleep, I'm not even experiencing unbearable pain like yours, but I'm soooo beat!  

It is very important that you keep the mental strength.  We can't prescribe a magic pill to make your beast go away, but do know we share the same pain, frustration, fear, paranoia, and depression.  We have no choice but to keep at it, so let's keep our chins up, okay?  Little things like another sufferer just checking on me, handholding while trying out something new, being able to share insignificant progress, or just knowing that somebody who KNOWS reads my emails and takes me seriously, etc., have given me strength to go on and brought tears to my eyes accepting how weak and needy I was.  So again, vent away here or privately.

Perhaps you can tell us what regimen you've been on to compare notes with others and brainstorm what might work better?

Hi Anna,
     The big hit is a demoralizer, but the good news is that it passes on and it can't kill ya.

        

Lordy look at all those typos

     If I had a nickel for every misspelled word on this board, (I think I have most of em) I wouldn't have to play the lottery.

     You hang in there. Better days are coming.

                                     PFD's
                                     JPC

I also have a question . Is it really safe to do the self injection with the imitrex to "save " doses. Im willing to try but wanted to make sure.

Honey, the O2 is the cheapest way to go -  Be sure to get the proper mask (NON REBREATHER). (Go to the medications board here and read Chuck's sticky post at the top - it "splains everything where even "I" can understand it).

You may also want to stock up on some energy drinks (Red Bull or one that has at least 1000mg of taurine in it). At the first sign of a hit - chug a can of one of those babies... Then hit the O2...

Those of us who swear by O2 will tell you how well it does work. I've been able to cut out my aborts totally (except for an occasional Red Bull). High Flow Rate and the right mask - I'm a believer...

Let us know how you're doing and how the O2 is working. As my little grandson says, "Breathe Breathe Breathe!"

Hugs BD

Hello Anna!!!!

I completely understand the type of pain you experienced.  Before I was properly diagnosed with CH, I begged anyone in my house to get a gun and shoot me in the head!!!!  My grandfather's old gun used to be in in the basement, under lock and key.  Now, I don't know where it is kept or even if it's in the house anymore!!!! 

Once I found a doc who treats only people with headache conditions, I've learned how to deal with CH better.  Last year I took my preventative (Verap) and used O2 when necessary.  My cycle was only four weeks, maybe a little less.  This year, however, I took steriods and mythergine in addition to verap and O2.  I'm in my 6th week and I think they are subsiding.  Oh yea, I've also started on Kudzu and Magnesium supplements as well as my usual daily vitamin.  I ususal get hit with about 2 or 3 bad ones for a couple of days and then they are gone.  This year, it's been more like they have been tappering off. 

I have shadowing and the "CH knot" in my neck today.  Small pain in the eye.  I think it's weather related due to the fact that yesterday was almost 50 degrees outside and when I woke up it was 7 degrees out!!! 

The point is We know what you are going through, and yes, the pain scale you are used to might need to be altered now because of the hard hit.  But think positively, this could mean your cycle is almost done.

DON'T LET THE F*****G BEAST GET THE BEST OF YOU!!!

Laura