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Intro (Read 716 times)
Jayhutzbad
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Intro
May 26th, 2009 at 12:23pm
 
My name is Jay. I will be 53 on June 2nd. My 1st bout with clusters was when I was 15, a sophomore, period 3 Algebra 2 class in the fall. They hurt, but nothing like the increase in pain that occurred as the years passed. My 2nd bout was when I was still 15, same period only this time it was in the spring. I knew nothing about the reason, and since the pain was not debilitating, I never sought treatment. I had them throughout high school, some in the summer, some during winter holidays, they lasted 3-4 weeks in duration, and came & went away in approximately 45 minutes. Some cycles were always at night, others were always during the day, but were consistent as to when they started and occurred daily. I am posting more in the treatments and other areas of concern, just wanted to first introduce myself. Hello everyone.
Jay
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sylverstar
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Re: Intro
Reply #1 - May 26th, 2009 at 7:32pm
 
Really Jay - you need to try the oxygen again the RIGHT way - it didn't work for me for a long time - then I found out the flow rate was too low.  Then it still didn't work great (although better) before I found out about the rebreather mask.   Once you've got it down, it is the greatest drug in the world!  I hate to leave home without it.
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Charlie
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Re: Intro
Reply #2 - May 26th, 2009 at 9:03pm
 
Welcome aboard and it's good to meet you but I'm sorry that it's because of this horror. Pay attention to these people. They have some good ideas and even put up with me who hasn't been hit since 1991.

I wanted to say hi and post a technique that was very helpful to me:

Dr. Wright’s Circulatory Technique

What follows is a technique learned from a neurologist:
I am not sure what mechanism is triggered by this but whatever it is, at least indirectly helps kill the pain. I do know that this technique has nothing to do with meditation, relaxation, or psychic ability. It is entirely physical and takes some work. It involves concentrating on trying to redirect a little circulation to the arms, hands, or legs. It can described as a conscious circulatory flexing. Increased circulation will result in a reddening and warming of the hands. Try to think of it as filling your hands with redirected blood. The important and difficult part is that it has to be done without interruption through the pain. Do not give up in frustration. It may not work on the first try. Every now and then it will work almost immediately. I lived for those moments. Try experimenting between attacks. You will find that it gets easier with practice.

I was given less than five minutes instruction in the use of method. The doctor, while placing his arm on his desk, showed me that he could slightly increase his arm and hand circulation. After several attempts, I was able to repeat this procedure and use it successfully. I have had about a 75% success rate shortening these attacks. My 20 minute attacks were often reduced to 10 minutes or less. Once proven that I had a chance to effectively deal with this horror, I always gave it a try as I had nothing to lose but pain.

Perhaps it will help if you think of it as trying to fill the arm as if it is were an empty vessel. I used to try to imagine I was pushing blood away from my head into my arm. Use your imagination. There is one man who wrote that his standing barefoot on a concrete floor shortened his attacks. This may be similar as it draws some circulation away from the head. Cold water, exercise, or anything affecting circulation, seems to be worth a try. My suggestion is to not let up immediately when the pain goes. Waiting a minute is probably a good idea. So long as you do not slack off, this has a chance of working.

This technique is very useful while waiting for medication to take effect or when none is available. It costs nothing, is non-invasive, and can be used just about anywhere. It is not a miracle but it helped me deal with this horror. It can be a bit exhausting but the success rate was good enough for me and a cluster headache sufferer will do just about anything to end the pain. It gives us a fighting chance.
I hope this technique is helpful and I wish you the best of luck

Charlie      
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There is nothing more satisfying than being shot at without result---Winston Churchill
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Guiseppi
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Re: Intro
Reply #3 - May 27th, 2009 at 9:53am
 
Welcome to the board. My intro to CH was very similar to yours. I remember shorter, not high pain level, cycles in my teens. They gave me glasses thinking I had a lazy eye that was causing my CH!!....it's only in looking back now I realize how cyclic in nature they were even way back then!

Joe
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"Somebody had to say it" is usually a piss poor excuse to be mean.
 
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