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Sixpack

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Honey Brook, PA
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Howdy from PA
Dec 14^th, 2008 at 7:13pm

Hello all. I have been lurking here for a couple of weeks. Just realized what I had and sought some relief from the CH.

I started having these monsters about 2 1/2 years ago, coincidentally shortly following a sinus surgery. They assumed it was an infection related to the surgery. I bought it. The pain relievers and antibiotics they prescribed did nothing to curb the blasted headaches. They went away, seemingly for good, after a couple of months.

They are back now....and seem to want something of me. Honestly, the worst thing that I could imagine. I wanted to believe that it was a sinus issue. Family doctor sent me for MRI/MRA and found that I do indeed have a sinus issue...some sort of polyp or cyst that needs addressed, but that I do in fact suffer from CH. That was seconded by the doc in the ER yesterday. I have a consult scheduled for 20 Jan with a neurologist who is a headache specialist. I have been prescribed a generic Imitrex for the meantime in pill form. Only been in this cycle for 3 weeks, but it's been the worst three weeks of my 31 years on this planet.

I wanted to introduce myself and thank all of you for the words of support and the comraderie that comes from suffering together. I wouldn't wish this disease on anyone...well, maybe a couple of people. I would probably feel bad about that, though.

I am 31 years old and live in eastern Pennsylvania. I am a Marine Corps veteran, married with three young children. I have experienced many types of pain...but this thing beats them all. Thank you again for having this resource available. Hopefully I will figure out my triggers and what meds help fairly quickly. You can bet that I will share what works for me, in hopes that I can help someone else.

God Bless and PFD&N,

Bud

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« Last Edit: Dec 14^th, 2008 at 7:15pm by Sixpack »

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maalstroom

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''Dance to my tune''....
the hell I will!

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the Netherlands
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Re: Howdy from PA
Reply #1 - Dec 14^th, 2008 at 7:22pm

Welcome Bud,

Try the energy drink routine in the meantime, as an abortative. Make sure it's one that contains both taurine and caffeine, or else they'll be useless for this cause.

It sure is a long time untill you get to see a neurologist, but it's better than nothing.
Strong coffee, a few muks in succession may help as well. Again, the caffeine.

Painfree days to you soon, and keep reading here for all the wonderful information.

Pascal.

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...AND AS A FINISHING TOUCH, GOD CREATED THE DUTCH.

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Nyteguardyan

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Someone pluck out my right
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Port Republic, Maryland
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Re: Howdy from PA
Reply #2 - Dec 14^th, 2008 at 7:38pm

Welcome to the boards, I'm sorry you have to be here.
I am both new to CH's and new to the site.

I wish you the best of luck in your treatments. I would suggest injections of imitrex in lieu of the pill, just because it works faster.

I'll step aside and let the 'professionals' fill you in from here, they've been a fountain of information to me. I hope you find them as beneficial.

Thank you for your service as Marine.

::crossing fingers:: to wish you PFD's

David

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Sixpack

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Honey Brook, PA
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Re: Howdy from PA
Reply #3 - Dec 14^th, 2008 at 7:46pm

[quote author=707C7C716E696F7272701D0 link=1229300038/1#1 date=1229300578]Welcome Bud,

Try the energy drink routine in the meantime, as an abortative. Make sure it's one that contains both taurine and caffeine, or else they'll be useless for this cause.

I tried Monster a couple of times because it has a higher Taurine content than a couple of others that were available and it seemed to work. The next time I had one of the worst ones that I ever had. Two hours of pure misery!

I will continue the experimentation. Beer is absolutely a trigger for me...I figured that one out after a couple of parties in the last couple of weeks. Bourbon and Scotch seem to be benign though. Good news! Not sure what an alcoholic could do if they suffered from CHs and were triggered by alcohol. Cannot even imagine... Glad I found a happy medium.

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coach_bill CH.com Hall of Famer Offline "Dont expect me to lay down for this" Posts: 680 x0\|euclid\|USA\|\|0\|0\|OH,Ohio Gender:	Re: Howdy from PA Reply #4 - Dec 14^th, 2008 at 8:51pm Welcome, Just wanted to let you know that i can stop a CH in less than 5 minutes with oxygen!! Yep talk to the doctor about 02. If you get it with a non re-breather mask at a high flow rate 12-15 lpm it works like a charm if you dont believe me read on....
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AussieBrian

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Cairns, Qld, Australia
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Re: Howdy from PA
Reply #5 - Dec 14^th, 2008 at 9:29pm

Sixpack wrote on Dec 14^th, 2008 at 7:13pm:

I wouldn't wish this disease on anyone...well, maybe a couple of people. I would probably feel bad about that, though.

I'll leave it to the neuro to confirm the diagnosis, but only a true CHead would make a comment like that.

G'day, Sixpack, and welcome to our own little house of horrors.

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My name is Brian. I'm a ClusterHead and I'm here to help. Email me anytime at briandinkum@yahoo.com

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BarbaraD

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Hugs to ya

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Douglasville, TX
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Re: Howdy from PA
Reply #6 - Dec 15^th, 2008 at 7:10am

BE SURE TO ASK FOR O2 and read up on it BEFORE you go to the neuro. Batch and Chuck are our experts on that end of things. It works to abort CH in about 70% of us without any other drugs IF used properly.

Energy drinks at the first sign of CH will sometimes abort a hit. Red Bull is the drink of choice but tastes awful (I get the cheap ones, but be sure they contain at least 1000mg of taurine). Strong coffee works pretty well.

Melatonin (OTC) taken at night before bedtime works for some of us to abort the night hits and helps you get the rest you need.

Frozen peas work real well for ice packs (the kind in the bag - not the BOX - well I wouldn't bring it up if it hadn't been a problem in the past Roll Eyes

). The bag conforms to your head and you can reuse them over and over.

Read READ Read.... there is about 100 years of information on this site (and that's just from Chuckles). Ask any questions you want and someone will probably have an answer for you.

Welcome to Clusterville...

Hugs BD

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What don't kill ya, Makes ya stronger!

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RichardN

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Re: Howdy from PA
Reply #7 - Dec 16^th, 2008 at 2:29am

Hi Sixpack and Welcome

DON'T wait for your Neuro appt to try and get 02.

You said your family doctor and the ER doc agreed you have CH. Copy the 02 info available here and take to your doc . . . he can prescribe 02 . . . and you'll be able to educate him in it's effectiveness.

Do this as soon as possible . . . Jan 21st is a lot of pain to suffer needlessly if the 02 works for you . . . as it does most of us.

Be Safe, PFDANs

Richard

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I can live with the beast as long as I don't have to "dance" with the bastard.

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Skyhawk5

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Ypsilanti, Mi. USA
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Re: Howdy from PA
Reply #8 - Dec 16^th, 2008 at 3:29am

Sixpack, Welcome aboard. You can find lots of info about Oxygen on the 'Medications, Treatments, & Therapies' page at the top under 'Oxygen terms explained' and 'Help with getting Oxygen prescribed'.

O2 used properly aborts CH hits for over 70% of us and is the safest and cheapest treatment available. Without insurance welders O2 can be used. Just ask if you need more info.

Best of Luck, Don

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Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of the Beast , I have O2 so I fear him not.

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Just Plain Carl CH.com Old Timer Offline IT IS WHAT IT IS Posts: 449 Royal Oak, Michigan Gender:	Re: Howdy from PA Reply #9 - Dec 16^th, 2008 at 8:35am Welcome Bud Ditto on the O2 PFD's JPC
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Sixpack

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Honey Brook, PA
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Re: Howdy from PA
Reply #10 - Dec 18^th, 2008 at 8:00pm

Yay! Got a call from the neurologist's office this afternoon and they have a cancellation for tomorrow afternoon. I'm in! I can finally get a diagnosis and treatment. Grin

I WILL be going with the O2 info from here and ready to have a serious conversation with the good doctor.

How fast does the injection Imitrex work? These pills work, but take in the neighborhood of 20-30 minutes to kick in most times. I would like a faster abortive for the real nasty ones. Hopefully I will respond well to the O2 and wont need to worry....but I still worry.

Crap...additionally, I work on the road. In and out of my vehicle and such. I would guess I need some sort of travel tank. Do they allow that? Something like a paramedic's bag or some such thing? Or is the oxygen more of an "at home" kind of treatment?

Bud

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Guiseppi CH.com Moderator CH.com Alumnus Offline San Diego to Florida 05-16-2011 Posts: 12063 SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA USA Gender:	Re: Howdy from PA Reply #11 - Dec 18^th, 2008 at 11:05pm Imitrex works in 2-3 minutes for me. I keep an E-tank in my car, every where I go when I'm in cycle. I'm in law enforcement and keep an E-Tank in the trunk of my cruiser when I'm on cycle. It's VERY portable. Good luck with the neuro. Joe
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