Posted by Jim R on October 26, 2001 at 04:06:57:
Hi all,
It's 3:00 a.m. - up again since 2:30 with another MFer headache - but different this time. Yesterday, I was finally "allowed" to increase my verap. from 240 to 480, but am wondering if it will take a couple of days for the therapeutic blood levels to get there and affec the BEAST? The CH this morning was vague, not concentrated in one spot as usual. Verap already helping??? (please, PLEASE!) O2 helped a little bit and then took my next dose of verap (and a half a tab of Vicodin, which I alternating, when I use pills, with the duradrin (Midrin), so as to try not risking the narc addiction issues) - now it's GONE!! I'm really hoping the 480 verap will do the trick and when my cycle ends, I can go back down to 240 - anyone done this? I hope so, because I was told I DEFINITELY cannot go above 480 due to hypertension and the meds controlling this and I want to be able to double again on the next cycle...
A little history: I'm now 46 and have had these since 24 - 22 years but with a wonderful 10 year quasi-respite on Verap. with only a few adjustments. I smoke - I know, I know - it's on teh agenda and I love a good beer (no, am not drinking anything now becasue alcochol is definitely a BIG trigger, along with heat, glare, and looking at computer screens too long. I was up to 13 CH a day before I got the help with the verap. Before that, used to self-treat with antihistamines, particularly chlorphenramine maleate, until they stopped being effective (although I still think there is a histmaine connection along with a connection to decreasing natural light, i.e. FALL.) I live in New Hampshire. My three boys are worried that they will inherit this and after seeing me deal with them over the years, they're scared - although I've told them there is not a hereditary factor...
I'm a health information consultant with my own business and I work in hospitals and have access to a lot of physicians, none of whom ever seem to know much about this affliction. As soon as I mention CH, the old migraine information pops into their heads, because this is how they were trained - that CH is a variation of migraine (if they only knew the difference in the pain levels and other things!)
My heartfelt sympathy and empathy to all who are suffering the agonies of the BEAST. That we can all get through these on a daily basis is amazing and a testament to the resiliance of human beings. This forum is a fantastic place for help, support, and commaraderie. PEACE & PFDAN's to all. - Jim R