Posted by Margi (161.184.81.207) on January 17, 2002 at 10:27:37:
In Reply to: pain posted by Jim G. on January 17, 2002 at 03:49:01:
Hi Jim.
So glad to see you posting today!! I was worried from your post yesterday.
I think one of the worst things about cluster headaches is the resulting sleep deprivation. It distorts everything and your body quickly runs down. Do yourself a favour and please do it today. Go to your local drugstore and get yourself some Dramamine. It's a motion sickness treatment that is available without prescription. It causes sleep as a side effect but doesn't let you get into the REM phase of sleep, which is when cluster attacks usually hit. Without REM sleep, we do end up sleep deprived after a few days, but even REMless sleep at the peak of a cycle is golden. Even if you can get one or two nights of sleep, you will feel stronger to fight the beast. If you can't get Dramamine, try Benadryl but NOT the non-drowsy form.
Then, please seriously consider what Colin is telling you about the shroom therapy. Yes, it's illegal. Yes, it's a moral choice. But it HAS helped a number of people here and the chemical theory behind the treatment really does make a lot of sense. You have a hypothalmic deformity and an imbalance in seratonin production - that's what being a clusterhead means, Jim. The psilocybin in shrooms will regulate that for you and therefore find you some pain free time.
And, finally - know that you are not alone with your pain. You've given yourself probably the best chance of survival you could have by finding this website. When you feel you've reached the end of your rope, look up - we have an endless supply here.
Keep talking to us, Jim. We're listening.
:)