Posted by DennisN (205.233.28.39) on October 17, 2001 at 15:27:19:
In Reply to: Wondering... posted by Paco on October 17, 2001 at 14:07:07:
Used a full face mask; 10 liters/minute for 10 minutes. After the 10 minutes, I could not take the pain any longer and took the Imitrex.
Imitrex and oxygen each usually work about 90% of the time. I usually try the oxygen first when it is available. Maybe I don't wait long enough and so I end up taking the Imitrex as well.
Pain is so unbearable that I do whatever I can to make it stop. Even though I know that aspirin or acetaminophen does not work, I still take it.
Here is a diary of the attack:
-10 minutes. Premonition of an attack coming on. I call it my phantom headache. I sometimes anticipate it coming on only when I am awake. I took Excedrin.
0 minutes. Headache starts. I use the oxygen. Moan and hit my head.
10 minutes. I cannot take it any longer. I take the Imitrex nasal spray. I start biting the accupressure points (skin between my thumb and finger)until raw and sore.
15 minutes. I try the oxygen again.
20 minutes. Pain subsides.
25 minutes. Pain is gone but I feel weak and shakey.
Dennis