Greetings everyone. My name is Harrison and I have a very good friend (Steve for private reasons) that I've found out suffers from CH. He is 53 and had them since he was 19. He gets them about every 3-5 years. This is the first attack since I've known him. He's a dear golfing buddy of mine whom I care for like a big brother. I'm 35. It happend again on July 3rd. This is his longest lasting one. I knew he's been suffering from this bout since July 3rd. They usually last from 1-2 weeks for him. One hit him driving home he said. He told his wife to get his perscription fille or he was going to shoot himself in the head. He's lost 35 lbs now. 20 before the attack started and 15 lbs. in two weeks. Sadly, only 3 days ago did I look into this disorder. It breaks my heart that people suffer though this and my dear friend.

We actually played golf this morning at 7:50. He's a 0 handicap for you golfers out there. He says he's fine until night time. I went over to his house afterwards and I think he needed someone to talk to. The horror stories he told me almost brought me to tears. I've been in touch with him a few times a day since I've found out how debilitating this is. Trying to keep his hopes up and to fight it. His wife has been out of town for the last 9 days and comes home today thank GOD! He has since removed the gun from the house.

He is one of the funniest, caring, just all around guys guy and he's like I've never seen him. He fell down 2 weeks ago in a tournament. He said he got dizzy from the new meds for a second. I just don't know what I can do for "Steve". I want this to be gone so bad for him. I want to know what I can do. He goes to the Mayo Clinic here in town and they conference with 2 other Mayo's about him. I know he does the nasal sprays. He does 2 sometimes for one episode. They last 20-60 mins for him with 20-30 min. breaks.

I guess the only thing I can do is just be there for him. His mood is what scares me the most people. He's just mentally drained. He lost his mom about 5 months ago, work is down and he's one of their best salesmen for 13 years now, his brother is suffering from an illness, he's dealing with the lawyers over the estate...... he's got so much on his plate that I wonder/I'm sure that has a lot to do with it. AAARRRRGGGHHH!!!! What a horrible thing that the suffering people have to go through. I saw some YouTube video's and such a horrible thing to witness. All sufferers are in my prayers. I hope a cure is found.

Sorry for the ranting...... had to get it off MY chest like Steve had to do today.

He reads/has read this site. He's not much of a forum guy he said. I told him to sign up and talk but he's not into it unfortunately. I spoke with him about 30 mins. ago and asked him if he's been here. He said he's read all the sites. I guess he's a lurker. 

I feel so sad for your friend, we all know what he's going through.  We also know that without the added support of fellow sufferers and their supporters; our moods would be no better than his at this point.

Please try to convince him to come here and post, the added support and just being able to talk about it with others who suffer through the same thing can do wonders for a persons outlook on life with CH.

Harrison I'm glad you stopped in. Feel free to poke around and get some good ideas. Your friend "Steve" is lucky to have somone taking an interest. I'm sure if he's reading that he'll get some great ideas here too.

Harrison, keep up the good work, and please share what I'm about to tell you with your friend's wife as well. I've come up with a list of things I do want from those closest to me:

1.  Take a little time and read this website; I am neither crazy nor suffering from a hangnail.
2.  Assist me with abortives when the pain is too great for me to be able to think straight.
3.  Shield me from "unwanted" outside contacts who may not like my "dance with the beast."
4.  Remind and encourage me to continuously evaluate the preventatives I am taking, and to seek out other, better ways to deal with this.
5.  Talk to me; don't let me sink into a black hole pity party which so easily comes.
6.  If I haven't called my neuro/headache specialist as the attacks ramp up, call for me.

Stay with him, my friend. He needs you. God bless! lance