Posted by Kathryn (208.28.68.20) on July 21, 1999 at 11:02:47:
In Reply to: Does this sound familiar to anyone? posted by Trent on July 20, 1999 at 21:30:01:
Very familiar! I got my first CH at age 19, too. I had absolutely no idea what it was, and my boyfriend at the time was completely and totally unsympathetic (gee, wonder why I dumped him?). For years they got misdiagnosed as sinus headaches, sinusitis, allergies, whatever. And like so many people here, I was at a loss for words to describe the sheer amount of pain I was going through, so people never really realized. I'm very happy to have found a place where I don't have to describe anything--it's all familiar to everybody here. Like a family, you don't have to explain the "inside jokes" or how suicide can seem like a perfectly rational thought during certain times (boy, that was one I never should've told Mom!).
And I find myself both encouraged and frightened by turns, reading the postings in this incredible website. Encouraged, because there's so much help and support here. Encouraged, because there's a ton of experience here with meds, docs, alternative treatments, etc. etc. etc. Frightened, because my cycle is due to start probably mid-Sept. or early Oct., I'm already getting "shadows," and being here has brought it all to the front of my mind again.
Does anyone else try to pretend they don't get CHs when they're not in a cycle?? Like they're "normal" people? My husband and I won't even talk about them when I'm not in a cycle, like we'll them appear just by mentioning CH. (Although I have to admit that I find the "demon" analogies entirely accurate--sneaky damn things).
Very happy to have found this site--thanks, DJ, whoever you are!
Peace and sleep
Kathryn