Welcome, Guest. Please Login or Register
Clusterheadaches.com
 
Search box updated Dec 3, 2011... Search ch.com with Google!
  HomeHelpSearchLoginRegisterEvent CalendarBirthday List  
 





Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Send Topic Print
Please help! (Read 2627 times)
BetsyNAndre
CH.com Newbie
*
Offline


I Love CH.com!


Posts: 1
Please help!
Mar 24th, 2015 at 11:59pm
 
I'm new here, or rather newly registered.  My boyfriend of 3 yrs, Andre is in a cylce now.  His last one was almost 2 years ago but at the time  we lived with his mother and I had help.  Now, with no one in the house but us, I need someone to help be the encouraging voice of reason! Tonight (right this moment, actually) has been the worst of the cycle.  The O2 isn't working and he can't take his zomig again until 1am.  The last time he took it was noon today.  I know he can only have it twice in 24 hrs but can't find if they have to be 12 hrs apart?  Most of all, the oxygen isn't working and while I'm afraid to let him stay on it any longer, I have NO idea what else to do!  Please help me remember that it will end eventually, know how to support him best (or leave him alone completely?) and if you know about the O2 (12-15 LPM) time regulations please tell me!
Crossing my fingers someone finds this soon...I'll be up all night checking until then!
Back to top
  
 
IP Logged
 
AussieBrian
CH.com Hall of Famer
*****
Offline


CH - It's all in your
head!


Posts: 3851
Cairns, Qld, Australia
Gender: male
Re: Please help!
Reply #1 - Mar 25th, 2015 at 12:30am
 
I don't know about the zomig, Betsy, but he can stay on O2 as long as he likes. Only 15lpm is pretty low with many CHeads preferring at least 25 but ditching the mask and taking it straight from the hose might help. It'll be more concentrated that way.

On the left of your screen is the Oxygen Info button. Lots of really helpful stuff.

Would he like an ice pack? A bag of frozen peas can do wonders while others like to hang their head under a hot shower. (I do both, at the same time.)

A Red Bull type energy drink can help, too, chugged down at the first hint of a hit. Horrible stuff but it helps many.

As to staying with him or leaving him alone, only he can answer that one. See if you can discuss it with him when he's feeling ok and I beg you not be offended if he prefers solitude. Many of us are happier that way.

Most important though is that you stay strong. Our supporters are our life lines and we love you dearly.

Better times must lie ahead,

Your friend down under.
Back to top
  

My name is Brian. I'm a ClusterHead and I'm here to help. Email me anytime at briandinkum@yahoo.com
 
IP Logged
 
BarbaraD
CH.com Alumnus
***
Offline


Hugs to ya


Posts: 8333
Douglasville, TX
Gender: female
Re: Please help!
Reply #2 - Mar 25th, 2015 at 9:14am
 
What Aussie said..

And you might also try the D3 regimen. Check with Batch on how to do that. It's worked wonders for lots of us to stop CH in it's tracks.

Has his doc prescribed Imitrex? That's the drug of choice for many. The shots work best to stop the headache. I don't know anything about the zomig, but have used Imitrex and other vasoconstrictors.

And what Brian said about staying with him or leaving him alone... ask.. we're all different.

Bless you for being a supporter. he's a lucky guy.  Kiss
Back to top
  

What don't kill ya, Makes ya stronger!
 
IP Logged
 
Ken_DFA
CH.com Junior
**
Offline




Posts: 33
Normal, IL
Gender: male
Re: Please help!
Reply #3 - Mar 25th, 2015 at 9:50am
 
Betsy,

On the O2 front, I assume you guys are using a non-rebreather mask.  (Like tech support, I gotta ask the simple questions first).

Something else to try: a few of us will pound down an energy drink (red bull, monster, rockstar etc) immediately before getting on the oxygen.  The caffiene/taurine combo in the drinks seems to help abort hits.  Added with the O2, its really effective.

Also, I've found that my posture has an impact on the effectiveness of oxygen.  If I stand up as straight as I can while hitting the O2, my aborts seem to come easier because I can breathe deeper.  This goes back to high school symphony, where the band director would yell at the horn players for not sitting up straight.  He used to say that their poor posture affected their breathing capacity. 

I can also echo what Brian said about getting a higher flow rate regulator.  I would suggest you get something that at least goes to 25 lpm.

Good luck to you guys.
-Ken
Back to top
  
 
IP Logged
 
Mike NZ
CH.com Hall of Famer
*****
Offline


Oxygen rocks! D3 too!


Posts: 3785
Auckland, New Zealand
Gender: male
Re: Please help!
Reply #4 - Mar 25th, 2015 at 2:57pm
 
Hi Betsy and welcome

The oxygen info is at - Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to Login or Register

You can use oxygen as often as you need, so if Andre has 2 CH in an hour there is nothing stopping him using O2 for each other than running out of O2.

The higher flow rates for most people helps with quicker aborts. For my CHs at 15lpm my average time is about 12 minutes but at 25 it is under 5, so I abort quicker plus use less oxygen (a combo I like).

I'd agree with Brian on asking him what he'd like you to do when he has a CH. I tend to want to be alone, but my partner likes to make sure I've got to my O2 and it is working. I get the idea she is just outside the room, there in case for whatever reason. Just talk about it when he hasn't got a CH.

Are you working with a headache specialist?

Does Andre take a preventive, something like verapamil, lithium or topomax, that will cut down how many CHs he has?

Keep reading all you can and ask any questions you have.
Back to top
  
 
IP Logged
 
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Send Topic Print

DISCLAIMER: All information contained on this web site is for informational purposes only.  It is in no way intended to be used as a replacement for professional medical treatment.   clusterheadaches.com makes no claims as to the scientific/clinical validity of the information on this site OR to that of the information linked to from this site.  All information taken from the internet should be discussed with a medical professional!