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Sunday, October 25, 2009

10-18-09 to 10-24-09

Keeping this short today as I have many things I'd like to do today. I'll be working 10 hour days as they have up'd the over time again to 8 hours per week at work, I will still try to keep up with my blog, but don't be surprised if I miss a weekend and catch it up later.

Had kip 2 on 10-24-09 got through without abortive, I believe this one was air pressure related and according to the pressure reading at that time it jumped .06 points in an hour. I got lucky considering I've been hit a lot harder with smaller air pressure drops or hikes.

Had Shadows twice this week at work, no abortive used.

Had Kip 8 on 10-18-09 and had to take an Imitrex shot.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

10-11-09 to 10-17-09

Saturday 10-17-09
What a day... 1st got hit with Kip scale tipper CH attack and took the Imitrex shot. Side affects of CH hit were the usual speech and thinking with the added eyeball jittering good time, NOT. Makes it hard to read when your eyeballs are jumping around in your head.

Then to top this day off...I was going to treat myself to a book I've been wanting to read and started to head to Barnes and Noble to pick up the book...Well I got the jeep started, turned on the windshield wipers and couldn't figure out why some of the water streaks weren't going away...GUESS what ... Those aren't water streaks. Some Asshole neighbor kids were out playing in the street,(not a good idea anyway) and so I was told, one of them kicked a soccer-ball and it bounced off my windshield cracking it. MY ASS KIDS, I know better, I've seen them kicking and throwing rocks in the past and a neighbor down the street not long ago had the same problem with a broken car window, due to thrown rocks by the same kids. One of the kids parents said they would foot the whole bill and let me know that it would be unlikely for me to get reimbursed by the other kids parents. The last incident with these same kids the one that actually did it, his parents refused to pay a dime and the "nice" neighbor guy paid it all. After dealing with the police (yes I called them) and the nice neighbor guy and the ins. co., the not so nice kids parents showed up (at least they did that much) he was rather nasty and said "I'm not paying for all this!" and "There is no proof my kid did it." Um lets see 3 witnesses say he did dude. By this time I was really pissed, I told him he'd be getting a bill from my ins. co. and slammed the door in his face after his wife made a threatening move towards me. Damn by this time the police were already gone and I was tired of dealing with assholes.

So now I have to take a day off work for estimates and repair, (that's going to make work real happy especially at this time of year, NOT). I will be paying out of pocket for this mess since the fee is smaller than my deductible, which is 500.00 at least I won't have to pay that much. Both parties involved will be getting a copy of my bill, we'll see who pays up.


Wednesday 10-14-09
I had another CH hit this evening was milder but still required abortive. Used the nasal (I hate that stuff) and probably should have taken a shot instead. Took too long for the nasal to work and by the time it did I was up to Kip 6 and in a lot pissier of a mood.


Sunday 10-11-09
Had nasty CH hit in the evening Kip 8 took Imitrex shot and a few min. later all was right with the world again, except for the usual CH side affects, screwed up speech, and thinking.

Monday, October 12, 2009

10-04-09 to 10-10-09

Had a one hit wonder this last week used the Imitrex nasal since it was a milder hit. Luckily I took it soon enough for it to work.

Aside from that I haven't been feeling well. I've had major stomach cramps all week and had a sore throat on Friday. So my Dad being the worry wort confused that he can be sometimes went out and bought some fresh cranberries and two oranges to make up a fruit relish cure-all for me. I have to admit aside from being tasty I do feel a bit better today(Monday 10-12-09). I have been working massive amounts of over time at work on top of this and think I am beginning to get a bit run down from it, not much I can do about that since the over time is mandatory. I worked 6 days last week of 9.5 hours or more each day and was off Sunday and Monday (today). Now next week I will have to get 6 hours of over time in, in 4 days, UGH.

On a lighter note my son turned 21 on Friday 10-9-09 and his friends took him out for a proper 21st birthday. Gladly my boy is a smart one and drank copious amounts of water as well throughout the night and only had a short lived mild headache the next morning. His comment to me was... "I won't be doing that again!" At least he had a memorable night, emphasis on memorable. LOL

And last but not least, my wire haired Jack Russell pilfered a potato from our pantry yesterday. This served as a reminder to Dad to close the pantry door. oops

Until next time... Hope you have a PF Week!

Sunday, October 4, 2009

09-27-09 to 10-03-09

Another week and another set of CH hits, if only it was good music instead...
Feeling a bit bitchy about the whole CH thing right now so I'm keeping this weeks post short. I've been dealing with this long enough, you'd think I'd always be able to let it go and roll with it, but sometimes it still gets to me.

Saturday 10-03-09
Had CH hit this one was air pressure related. After I took the Imitrex shot and was feeling a bit better I checked the barometric pressure for around the time of my hit and the following are the results:
2:54 PM, Sat 3 October 2009 Pressure: 29.8in
1:54 PM, Sat 3 October 2009 Pressure: 29.83in

Again took a hit when pressure dropped .03 in an hour.


Friday 10-02-09
Had air pressure headache today just took over the counter pain aid.

Thursday 10-01-09
Pain free day wooohooo!

Wednesday 09-30-09
Got CH hit at around 9pm took Imitrex

Tuesday 09-29-09
Had shadows at work today, didn't take any abortive.

Monday 09-28-09
Pain free day wooohooo!

Sunday 09-27-09
Got CH hit mild hit but required abortive used Imitrex nasal.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

09-20-09 to 09-26-09

Saturday : 09-26-09
The Beast woke me up again, I hate it when he's that RUDE!! Got hit with a Kip 7 at around 2am rocked for a few min. then took a shot. Woke up the next morning with a still swollen eye (happens sometimes) and still feeling like I'd been run over by a MAC Truck!

Took note of air pressure during the time frame of the hit...
***Note there times are set for when they record them and the pressure change could have occurred any time with in that hour.

2:54 AM, Sat 26 September 2009

46° 39° 76% 30.30in 10mi Unlft N 5mph 0mph Clear

1:54 AM, Sat 26 September 2009
46° 39° 76% 30.33in 10mi Unlft ENE 6mph 0mph Clear

12:54 AM, Sat 26 September 2009
47° 39° 74% 30.33in 10mi Unlft N 3mph 0mph Clear


"Oh but the days only beginning!!" ... says the beast.


Yes, we are still on Saturday : 09-26-09
Got hit again around 4pm with a 5 kip decided to forgo the shot and went for nasal Imitrex instead...Big mistake hit climbed to a 8 kip before Imitrex nasal had time enough to start working.

Again...Took note of air pressure during the time frame of the hit...
***Note there times are set for when they record them and the pressure change could have occurred any time with in that hour.

6:11 PM, Sat 26 September 2009
54° 48° 82% 30.09in 10mi 3800ft 3mph 0mph Overcast Light Rain

4:54 PM, Sat 26 September 2009
58° 44° 60% 30.12in 10mi 5500ft 3mph 0mph Overcast Light Rain

3:54 PM, Sat 26 September 2009
59° 43° 55% 30.15in 10mi 4100ft 9mph 16mph Overcast

This one was one HELL of a roller-coaster ride. Had CH hit then an air pressure headache after that.

If you would like to keep track of your local air pressure changes go to
Intellicast.com enter your local area and then check The "Past Observations" link, it goes back just shy of 48 hours.



Friday 09-25-09 back to Monday 09-21-09 only had minor shadows through the week was able to muddle through without medication.


Sunday : 09-20-09
CH Hit kip 6 evening around 6pm had to take a shot, was not a happy camper!! Didn't have the time or presence of mind to check air pressure later on.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

09-13-09 to 09-19-09

Busy week and weekend so I'm keeping this post short.

I had shadows 4 days this week but was able to get through without using the abortive never got above a 3 kip each time.

I'm not sure which of the herbals I've added is doing the most good at keeping the intensity down on the CH hits (I'm betting on the Kudzu tho), I just thank God one of them seems to be doing the trick.

I have cut down on the stress at work by switching areas in my dept. the new position keeps me busy but stress free!! As a result I am actually enjoying most of the time I spend at work.

Until Next time PFDAN to you!

Sunday, September 13, 2009

09-06-09 to 09-11-09

Saturday 09-12-09
I had a PF day but my poor Dad didn't, spent the day trying to keep him smiling even though he didn't feel much like it and trying to keep his mind off the pain.


Friday 09-11-09
A beastly night and had shadows during the day again. Didn't get quite bad enough for me to run for the imitrex, but spent most of the day and the evening holding my head or grumbling wishing the pain would kick up so I could take a shot or just plain go the F$*! away.


Thursday 09-10-09

Have had heavy CH shadows all after noon since about 1:30ish today. Kept up all afternoon and into evening, started getting more intense as the evening progressed. No abortives working, Lord let me off this ride.

Did take note of air pressure changes bellow, any time they are a quick change such as the .03 point change below I usually get nailed by the CH beast.

Pressure

2:54 PM, Thu 10 September 2009 30.36in

1:54 PM, Thu 10 September 2009 30.39in



Monday & Tuesday Wednesday, PF Days Woohoo


Sunday 09-06-09
Had air pressure change headache but no CH hit, yes they are two totally different types of headache. A regular air pressure change headache affects me at the base of my head where the neck begins sometimes they will turn into or cause a CH hit. If I get to the air pressure headache soon enough a nice hot shower will ease the pain along with Tylenol or ibuprofen.

I have had these types of headache get bad enough to need help getting through them with hot clothes to the back of my neck. My dad gets these too by the way.

Monday, September 7, 2009

08-29-09 to 09-05-09

Not a bad week all in all.

09-03-09 Thursday Had Shadows but didn't have to use any medication, Thank God, my new boss has a habit of putting the term A$$hole to the test.

09-04-09 Friday: Had a bit more than shadows today wound up using a mini canister of O2 plus a half another one. You know those little O2 cans they have for sale, I ordered a few. Not a bad fix but the price sucks. So I'll be saving up for a E/Pax DS Emergency Oxygen and for a O2ptimask kit by LifeGas. Hey, if the doc won't give you a script for the O2 that does work to kill a CH hit, you do what you gotta do.

09-05-09 Saturday had a bit more than shadows today again and used another 02 can and a half. Took the edge off and probably wouldn't have worked if I hadn't gotten to it at the 1st signs of a CH hit.

Make sure to check out the post below for info. on Verapamil SR, Imitrex, Herbs and vitamins that have been a big help to me and other CH sufferers.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Verapamil (SR), Imitrex, Oxygen, Vitamins, Herbs and My CH

By Ginger S.

I have been a CH sufferer for 10 years now (2009), and labeled as a chronic CH sufferer for 10 years. Before I was finally diagnosed in 2001 and after suffering for about 2 years prior, I was getting up to 20 CH hits per day. Needless to say I was not working or functioning well at all and was terrified that I had a brain tumor or something awful like a tumor!

I have done research on my own medications and herbals/supplements and have done so continuously, as well as each time I've heard or seen a new treatment or other treatment items used by others.

Below is what I take daily prescription or otherwise and it has worked WONDERS. By no means is it a cure but it has had dramatic affect on the number and intensity of the CH hits I get.

Below the Itemized list, I have added a brief description of what that product is i.e. a basic description of the type of product and what that product is supposed to do.



My Daily medication and herbals/supplements:

Verapamil SR 1 1/2 240mg cap = 360 mg per day (taken in AM)
Complete A-Z multi vitamin 1 /per day (taken in AM)
Taurine 1 500 mg cap/per day (taken in AM)
Kudzu 2 613 mg cap/per day (1 in am 1 in pm)
Echinacea 1 760 mg cap/per day (taken in AM)
Scullcap 2 1275 mg cap/per day (1 hour before bed)
Zyrtec/cetrizine 1 10mg /per day (1 hour before bed)



As Needed Items:

Imitrex 6mg shot as needed
Oxygen 90% - 100% pure 15LPM - 25LPM flow rate as needed


The Following is a description of each of the items above.



Verapamil SR:
Is known as a Ca / calcium channel blocker
If you use the sustained-release (SR) tablets, the recommended dose of verapamil ranges from 180 mg to 480 mg daily with food.

It is important to take this medication regularly, exactly as prescribed by the doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue on with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue on with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.



Complete A-Z multi vitamin:
Balanced multivitamin/multi-mineral A-Z
Has 100% or more of the daily value of most vitamins and most minerals.

Vitamin details as follow with daily percentage values:

Vitamin A 70% - 29% as beta carotene
Vitamin C 150%
Vitamin D 100%
Vitamin E 100%
Vitamin K 31%
Vitamin B1 100%
Vitamin B2 100%
Vitamin B6 100%
Vitamin B12 100%
Niacin 100%
Folic Acid 125%
Biotin 10%
Pantothenic Acid 100%
Calcium 20%
Iron 100%
Iodine 100%
Phosphorus 11%
Magnesium 25%
Zinc 73%
Selenium 79%
Copper 45%
Manganese 115%
Chromium 2%
Potassium 2%
Boron 150 mcg Daily value not established
Nickel 5 mcg Daily value not established
Silicon 2 mcg Daily value not established
Tin 10 mcg Daily value not established
Vanadium 10 mcg Daily value not established
Luteint 250 mcg Daily value not established
Lycopene 300 mcg Daily value not established




Taurine:
Is a conditionally essential amino acid which is not utilized in protein syntheses, but is mainly found free in most tissues especially through out the nervous system. Taurine has been found to be important in the formation of biles salts, cell membrane stabilization and eye health. Taurine is also well known as a modulator of neurotransmitter activity and its relaxing affect on mood.

There is also evidence that taurine is beneficial for adult blood pressure and possibly, the alleviation of other cardiovascular ailments (in adults suffering essential hypertension, taurine supplementation resulted in measurable decreases in blood pressure).

In Japan, taurine is used to treat ischemic heart disease as well as certain heart arrhythmias. People who suffer from congestive heart failure are reported to have benefited from taurine therapy - in the amount of 3 to 5 grams per day - and taurine may also be helpful in the treatment of both hypertension and high cholesterol.

Taurine is involved in a number of crucial physiological processes. However, the role of taurine in these processes is not clearly understood and the influence of high taurine doses on these processes is uncertain. A substantial increase in the plasma concentration of growth hormone was reported in some epileptic patients during taurine tolerance testing (oral dose of 50 mg/kg bw/day), suggesting a potential to stimulate the hypothalamus and to modify neuroendocrine function. There is an indication that taurine (2 g/day) has some function in the maintenance and possibly in the induction of psoriasis. It may also be necessary to take into consideration that absorption of taurine from beverages may be more rapid than from foods.

Taurine is also used in some contact lens solutions.



Kudzu:
Is an herbal; kudzu extract or kudzu root, also known as Pueraria montana, is native to Asia and was introduced in the U.S. in the late 1800s to control erosion. Since then, it has spread throughout the southeast and in other areas, crowding out many native plants. The plant's roots and extracts are currently sold commercially as an alternative medicine. It is promoted as supplement or treatment for a variety of ailments including alcoholism, headaches, diarrhea, intestinal obstruction, and stomach flu, hypertension and angina pectoris.

In the medical journal Headache, Dr. R. Andrew Sewell points out that kudzu root was described in a Chinese medical texts some 1800 years ago and its rhizome continues to be used as an ingredient in a variety of traditional medicines. Among its effects is an increase in cerebral blood flow in the brain.

Sewell of Yale University School of Medicine, West Haven, Connecticut and colleagues surveyed 235 cluster headache patients by email regarding their use of complementary and alternative remedies. Kudzu was mentioned in such a way as to limit its appearance as a subject of particular interest.

In all, 159 patients responded and 22 (14 percent) endorsed self-treatment with kudzu. Sixteen of this group -- 11 with episodic cluster headache and 5 with chronic cluster headache -- agreed to further evaluation.

With kudzu treatment, 73 percent of the episodic group reported a decrease in attack frequency and 36 percent had a decrease in attack length. Among those with chronic cluster headaches, 60 percent reported a decrease in frequency and 40 percent reported a decline in headache length.



Echinacea:
Echinacea contains several chemicals that play a role in its therapeutic effects. These include polysaccharides, glycoproteins, alkamides, volatile oils, and flavonoids.

There are nine known species of echinacea, all of which are native to the United States and southern Canada. The most commonly used, Echinacea purpurea, is believed to be the most potent. Common Names—echinacea, purple coneflower, coneflower,
American coneflower

Archeological digs indicate that Native Americans have used echinacea for more than 400 years to treat infections, wounds and as a general "cure-all." Throughout history people have used echinacea to treat scarlet fever, syphilis, malaria, blood poisoning, and diphtheria.

Today, people use echinacea to shorten the duration of the common cold and flu and reduce symptoms, such as sore throat (pharyngitis), cough, and fever. Many herbalists also recommend echinacea to help boost the immune system and help the body fight infections.



Scullcap (Also known as Passion Flower):
Is a small perennial found in North America that grows small blue-purple paired flowers. Also known as Mad Dog Weed and Mayweed, scullcap was used by Native Americans as a sedative and diuretic. The above-ground part of the plant is used for it sedative properties in teas, tablets, capsules and liquid formulas. Scullcap was a popular nineteenth-century medicinal treatment for nervous disorders and epileptic seizures. As an antispasmodic, it is helpful in relieving cramps and muscle spasms, making it effective against conditions such as restless leg syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome. The flavonoids present in scullcap act as a natural sedative and trigger the production of endorphins, which helps create a feeling of calm and relaxation.

Scullcap Also known as Passion flower has been used for centuries to treat insomnia, hysteria, restlessness and irritability. In the nineteenth century, it became a popular remedy for insomnia in North America and is still frequently prescribed in Europe to treat tension, restlessness and mild insomnia. It helps relax spasms and relieve muscle tension. The alkaloids and flavonoids present in passion flower appear to have a non-addictive sedative effect on the central nervous system.

Restless leg syndrome is a sleep disorder characterized by numbness, tingling, restlessness and leg discomfort during sleep, accompanied by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs in order to relieve these feelings. It is a neurological disorder whose causes are not well understood. Although restless leg syndrome is itself not dangerous, it can result in severe insomnia that can affect the quality of life for sufferers, causing mood swings and difficulty focusing on work. Symptoms can be somewhat alleviated by avoiding stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine at night, exercising regularly and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule. In addition, herbal remedies such as passion flower, scullcap and valerian help promote sleep and relieve tension while calming the central nervous system, making them beneficial treatments for restless leg syndrome.



Zyrtec/cetrizine:
Brand Name: Zyrtec
Generic Name: cetirizine

Cetirizine is the fourth addition to a new generation of allergy medications called "non- sedating" antihistamines or histamine (H-1) receptor blockers. These new antihistamines are called non-sedating because they cause less sedation than their predecessors; however, cetirizine is more sedating than the other non-sedating antihistamines.

Antihistamines block the effects of histamines. Histamines cause symptoms of allergy when released by allergic reactions in the body. Antihistamines block the ability of histamine to promote the allergy symptoms.



Imitrex:
Brand Name: Imitrex
Generic Name: Sumatriptan succinate
Imitrex/Sumatriptan, a fairly new (1991) migraine abortive medication available as
a self-administered injection, nasal inhaler or as a tablet.

Sumatriptan (trade names Imitrex, Imigran, Imigran recovery) is a triptan drug including a sulfonamide group for the treatment of migraine headaches or cluster headaches. It is marketed and manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline.

Sumatriptan is structurally similar to serotonin (5HT), and is a 5-HT (types 5-HT1D and 5-HT1B) agonist. The specific receptor subtypes it activates are present in the cerebral arteries. Dilation of these arteries is thought to be a major cause of headache pain, and activating these receptors causes vasoconstriction.

Triptans are a family of tryptamine based drugs used as abortive medication in the treatment of migraine and cluster headaches. They were first introduced in the 1990s. While effective at treating individual headaches, they are neither a preventative nor a cure.

In medicine, the term "sulfonamide" is sometimes used as a synonym for sulfa drug,
a derivative or variation of sulfanilamide.



Oxygen:
Is the third most abundant element in the universe also known as O2 and is a gas.
Oxygen is produced industrially by fractional distillation of liquefied air, use of zeolites to remove carbon dioxide and nitrogen from air, electrolysis of water and other means.

Briefly inhaling 100 percent oxygen through a mask at a rate of 7 to 10 liters a minute provides dramatic relief for most who use it. The effects of this safe, inexpensive procedure can be felt within 15 minutes. The major drawback of oxygen is the need to carry an oxygen cylinder and regulator with you, which can make the treatment inconvenient and inaccessible at times. Small, portable units are available, but some people still find them impractical. Sometimes, oxygen may only delay rather than stop the attack, and pain may return.

**You can only get medical grade oxygen by prescription.

***If you do not have a prescription and a doctor is unwilling to prescribe it for
you, you can get welders oxygen from almost any welding local company. Many men who suffer from CH have walked into such places and gotten oxygen without any problems or questions; however for a woman with CH walking into one of these places and not knowing anything about welding, she may have some difficulties if asked why she needs the oxygen supplies. (Lets face it when it comes to something like this in our society men have it a little bit easier with this than women do.) If possible keep it simple and just say something like I am going to learn how to use a torch and hope it works.

****Failing the preferred options, you can also go the emergency oxygen route and get pre-filled tanks here http://www.emergencypax.com/oxygen/virtuemart/15.html without a prescription. I would recommend at least two tanks and make sure you get the 15LPM higher flow regulator. You will spend a few hundred dollars just for set up, tanks, masks etc. but it will be well worth it in the end.



Personal Note:
There are a few items that others use as CH aids that I don't use by choice or can't use, such as:

Melatonin:
The main reason I don't use it is because for some reason it is a trigger for me, I learned this the hard way. So instead of this I use the zyrtec allergy medication I do have allergies and it does help them, BUT it also helps me get a good nights sleep without being awakened by a Nasty CH hit.

Another good reason for not using Melatonin is as follows:

Blood pressure medications and Melatonin--
Melatonin may reduce the effectiveness of blood pressure medications like
methoxamine and clonidine. In addition, medications in a class called calcium
channel blockers (such as nifedipine, verapamil, diltiazem, amlodipine, nimodipine,
felodipine, nisoldipine, and bepridil) may decrease melatonin levels.

Use of beta-blockers (another class of high blood pressure medications that includes propranolol, acebutolol, atenolol, labetolol, metoprolol, pindolol, nadolol, sotalol, and timolol) may reduce melatonin production in the body.
Excerpt from: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/melatonin-000315.htm


Red Bull & Energy Drinks:
Red Bull or other Energy Drinks with Taurine and caffeine are used by many CH sufferers to kill a CH hit.

I prefer not to add anything I don't need into my diet such as some of the ingredients in Red Bull and other energy drinks.

Instead, I take a Taruine supplement daily (low dose) and I am a coffee drinker so
I add my own caffeine without any other additives other than cream and sugar.

Ingredients in Red Bull
http://www.redbull.com/en/ProductPage.Ingredients/htmlProductPage.action

Red Bull article I found on snopes...
http://www.snopes.com/medical/potables/redbull.asp



Regular Release Verapamil vs. Sustained Release Verapamil (SR):
When I was on the regular verapamil I experienced a severe drop in blood pressure a few times, I already have an abnormally low blood pressure as a rule and have had this all my life. So, I asked my Doctor about this and he suggested the SR because he thought maybe my body was absorbing the regular release to fast. The switch to SR did the trick for me and I have been on it without incident for a few years.



Some of My Triggers of a CH hit are:

Changes in Air pressure: either by travel or weather changes.

Certain smells: Perfumes, hand lotions, some shampoos either for human or animal, Smells in salons such as permanent solutions, some hair sprays, incense, air fresheners, Fabreze, Paint, Mold, raw or when cooking onions, some cleansers, and heaven forbid if there is a Skunk smell in the neighborhood even driving through an area where ones been hit can be a trigger. Air quality at work, I'm noting this because when they are working on or haven't changes air filters in the Havac system for awhile I have had more trouble with CH hits at work.

Body temp too cold or to hot (Sudden changes in temp such as going from an 86 degree day to an air conditioned building or visa versa, too much time in the sun as well)

Cold wind or breeze on ear, (side of CH hits)

Coming down with a cold or flu or other illness

Allergy flare ups

Sneezing (yes, I've actually had sneezes cause a CH hit)

Stress

Sleeping on side of head that CH normally hits.

Dental work

Too much Cigarette smoke

Alcohol, any amount, any kind

Not being able to eat when necessary (Usually thanks to some moron at work)

Lack of Sleep

Ginseng

Tea (though this is not a constant, not sure why)

Melatonin

Soy Sauce (usually only if used in excess or when eaten a few times during the week.)

Some Nuts: peanuts, cashews (so far)

Foods with MSG (There are many; prepackaged meats, chips, crackers, and a variety of soups, a small amount is ok, just not everyday)

Dairy Products (usually only when eaten to much or often)

Chocolate

Yeast Breads (haven't had the time or patience to log them all)

Black Pepper, as in the spice

Paprika

Other Hot pepper spices (haven't been able to pin down which one or if it's a mixture of a few.)



Symptoms I get before, during or after a CH hit:

Searing pain left side of head eye and temple area, feels like someone is taking a red hot or ice cold fireplace poker and digging around. (Obvious symptom of a CH hit)

Congestion; eyes, nasal, ears

Drooping eye lid

Urgent need to Urinate

Feeling hot or cold

Tingling, facial, limbs or all over body

Involuntary Clenching or squenching of facial muscles on side of CH hits (mouth and cheek area, not due to pain)

Painful to touch head, temple, ear area on side of CH hit

Painful to use cold clothes on head during CH hit, so I use hot clothes

Problems thinking

Problems speaking

Need to move, rock, pace or just plain fidgety

More painful to lay down

Tightening/clenching of upper body muscles, may be due to pain but there have been times I've noticed this before a CH hit.



I did this paper up mostly for my own reference and to help keep track of triggers etc. I am posting this here in the hopes that will be of help to some other CH sufferers.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

08-23-09 to 08-29-09

No large CH hits this week, but did have shadows on Tuesday and Wednesday and a bit more than a shadow on Saturday got up to a 2kip. Sometimes I think the shadows are more annoying than the hit itself. Shadow say it's coming here's a twinge of pain as a reminder of what's to come. But if all you get is that shadow twinge for an hour or so sometimes longer you start to think alright just hit me and get it over with so I can take my abortive and have done with it.

Remember this guy ?

I was feeling a bit noyd this week, except with out any pizza.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

08-16-09 to 08-22-09

Well, it would have been a pain free week except for my own stupidity...

It was Monday or Tuesday can't remember which day now, it's been one of those LONG AZZ weeks. ANYWAY I had ordered some nice net lights to decorate a wall in my house with, they came in the mail one of those two days. It was 6pm and still 86 and very humid out and I decided they had to be hung now! Um MORON it's still 86 and humid as hell out and you have no air conditioning, did you really need to do it NOW ???

I paid the price, got over heated and had CH start to hit before I was done....
I was Kicking my self at the time. To top it off my children both have a habit of calling me on the same night sometimes at the same time, I swear they must call each other and plan this out LOL. So my son calls just as shadows of CH are starting and no, I wasn't done hang the net lights yet. I'm panting out of breath so I sit an chat with him for a minute or so then go back to hanging the lights. Then my daughter calls, I'm panting again when I race for the phone and hot as hell, shadows are more than just shadows at this point. I make it a quick call, with an explanation of what's going on and that I don't want to leave the job half done.

I get done plop down in my chair and look at my handy work...and promptly turn the lights off, start rocking and chugged some ice water. It was not too intense thank goodness (3 Kip) and was over when I finally starting cooling off.

My own damn fault but hey the lights look good.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

08-09-09 to 08-15-09

WOOOHOO PAIN FREE WEEK!!!

No Feindish typing on my blog this week!!!



I'm Off to play with my new Mp3 player!

Wishing you a Pain Free Week too!!

Sunday, August 9, 2009

08-02-09 to 08-08-09

It's been a rough week.

08-04-09 Tuesday 12:30pm got hit with CH demon at work and suffered for about 1/2 hour and could take it no longer, it just kept going up on the kip scale. I hit a 7 before the imitrex shot kicked in. I blundered through the rest of the day my concentration and speech shot all to hell.

08-05-09 Wednesday 10:30am I got hit again a milder one that the previous day but still bad enough to use the imitrex nasal. I was a mess for about an hour and a half, then started feeling better.

08-08-09 Saturday 12:30pm I got hit again at home (4 kip) and used a nasal. Still had CH shadows for the rest of the afternoon.

I've noticed that with my work schedule change my CH attacks have kept up right along with it. I get up earlier in the morning now and unfortunately my CH attacks are waking up earlier in the day too. Still get them occasionally at night but with the herbals etc. I've been taking they have left me alone at night lately, Thank GOD!

All in all over the last month with new herbals added my frequency and intensity has gone down, so I still remain hopeful that my body doesn't build up an immunity to the herbals and go right back to the same ol' hellish roller-coaster ride with the CH attacks.

Need to keep my stress factors down too, I've had a stressful week so that didn't help.

Until Next time have many PFDAN's !

Sunday, August 2, 2009

7-26-09 to 08-01-09

The Weekend wasn't so bad then the week began...

7-28-09 Tuesday I got hit with a mid day CH attach it was mild so I managed to get through it without taking anything even though I was in training again for my new position in the Company I work for. (3) kip.

07-29-09 Wednesday This one was UGLY got hit with CH at around 10 am tried to wait as long as possible to take shot since the trainer was in mid diatribe on processes. 10:30 rolled around and I could wait no longer as she had already accused me of being in attentive (You try paying attention when the devil is taking your brain and twisting it up like he's wringing out a washcloth.) So I run for the imitrex without a word to the trainer but did inform the girl next to me who was already aware of my battle with the beast.

Oh MY
... this was the longest it's ever taken me to recover from a CH attack, I didn't start feeling (awake, alert) like myself again until around 3pm. 5 freaking hours of feeling like a truck ran over me not once but several times and not being able to think or speak correctly.

I am still on my herbals that I've added to my CH fighting daily regime and have upped the Kudzu by an extra capsule per day. For the most part until this week that is the frequency of them is down, if not the intensity.


**Note** for those who chug Caffeine and Taurine Lased drinks to help kill a CH attack, such as Red Bull…

I have a friend who used to drink a lot of Red Bull which has both taurine and caffeine in it; she recently had to stop drinking it on Dr's orders due to the Red Bull causing a severe stomach infection.

If you are getting severe stomach aches, Red Bull could be the cause, so be careful how much Red Bull you chug if that is your Caffeine & Taurine Lased drink of choice to help fight the CH beast.

Personally, I take a Taruine supplement daily and I am a coffee drinker so I add my own caffeine without any other additives other than cream and sugar.

Ingredients in Red Bull
http://www.redbull.com/en/ProductPage.Ingredients/htmlProductPage.action

Red Bull article I found on it at snopes...
http://www.snopes.com/medical/potables/redbull.asp

Cheaper place to get your supplements (GNC's kind of pricey) I use...
http://www.vitaminmenu.com/default.aspx?

Sunday, July 26, 2009

07-19-09 to 07-25-09

Had a relatively PF week until yesterday 07-25-09 had CH attack 3kip was able to fight through it without preventative meds. Also woke up at 12:30am with another CH attack this one was a bit more intense 4kip, but I was very groggy so I just went back to sleep. If they are mild enough & I'm tired enough sometimes I can get back to sleep and thankfully avoid the pain that way. Didn't have a lot of nasal congestion with this one so that made it easier as well.

I don't want to count my chickens before they hatch, but with the new herbals I've added it seems to be lessening the number of CH attacks I get and their severity. (Keeping my fingers and toes crossed that this is true.)

I did have to stop one of the herbals/supplements I had added, which was Magnesium Citrate due to digestive issues, that's what I get for having a persnickety digestive system. I can't drink milk, I can't eat banana's or anything that has potassium in it higher than 40mg due to severe pain, yes this includes eating too many/much potatoes. I think I must have OD'd on Banana's as a kid or something...
I used to love to eat Peanut butter and banana sandwiches.
Anywhoooo... the only supplement/herbal I've taken off my list is the magnesium and the other herbals/supplements (see last weeks post for list) I've keep in my daily regime, seem to be helping.


On the lighter side of things... Have you seen this ??
CNN Wingnut of the week
I guess even alligators can enjoy a day or two at the beach.
Who would have guessed???


Until next week I'm wishing you have Pain Free Days and Nights all week long!!

Sunday, July 19, 2009

07-12-09 to 7-18-09

Had a Great week with only 1 (3kip) CH attack (Friday 07-07-09) and got through it with no shot or nasal spray. .... Doing the PF Dance !!!

I have added a few Herbals to my regime and so far they do seem to be helping to keep the number of attacks I get down even farther than just the prescription meds my neuro has me on. I have done a lot of online research on these herbals and have seen many other CH'ers mention them as aids. With my number of CH attacks per week seeming to increase I decided it was time to do something about it without adding other prescription meds such as the lithium my neuro mentioned at my last visit. I am doing the Herbals in a gradual addition 2 the 1st week and the remaining 3 the following week as I want to watch for any adverse affects.

Last week I added (the following includes a daily vitamin):

500 mg Taurine per day (CH'ers use this as an abortive in higher dosage or in energy drinks.)

750 mg Echinacea
per day (Said to aid immune system.)


This week I am adding the following:

200 mg Magnesium per day (helps with absorption of other vitamins and aids digestion, Other Ch'ers have reported that this in conjunction with other Herbs some listed here are a great help in limiting the number of CH attacks and their severity.)

613 mg Kudzu per day (Ch'ers use this as a preventative for CH has had good results with other sufferers.)

425 mg Scullcap per day (Said to help with RLS-Restless Leg Syndrome, of which I suffer as well. I will do anything I can do to keep the CH beast at bay and get a good nights sleep.)


Till Next week have a PFDAN!

Friday, July 17, 2009

*&#&@!

Swearing Makes Pain More Tolerable
By LiveScience Staff


That muttered curse word that reflexively comes out when you stub your toe could actually make it easier to bear the throbbing pain, a new study suggests.

Swearing is a common response to pain, but no previous research has connected the uttering of an expletive to the actual physical experience of pain.

"Swearing has been around for centuries and is an almost universal human linguistic phenomenon," said Richard Stephens of Keele University in England and one of the authors of the new study. "It taps into emotional brain centers and appears to arise in the right brain, whereas most language production occurs in the left cerebral hemisphere of the brain."

Stephens and his fellow Keele researchers John Atkins and Andrew Kingston sought to test how swearing would affect an individual's tolerance to pain. Because swearing often has an exaggerating effect that can overstate the severity of pain, the team thought that swearing would lessen a person's tolerance.

As it turned out, the opposite seems to be true.

The researchers enlisted 64 undergraduate volunteers and had them submerge their hand in a tub of ice water for as long as possible while repeating a swear word of their choice. The experiment was then repeated with the volunteer repeating a more common word that they would use to describe a table.

Contrary to what the researcher expected, the volunteers kept their hands submerged longer while repeating the swear word.

The researchers think that the increase in pain tolerance occurs because swearing triggers the body's natural "fight-or-flight" response. Stephens and his colleagues suggest that swearing may increase aggression (seen in accelerated heart rates), which downplays weakness to appear stronger or more macho.

"Our research shows one potential reason why swearing developed and why it persists," Stephens said.

The results of the study are detailed in the Aug. 5 issue of the journal NeuroReport.
*************

I have a tendency to lay out a litany of swear words that make me sound like someone with Tourette's syndrome. It doesn't help much from what I can tell, but sometimes it just helps to vent the pain somehow.
In essence Feel Free to Swear up a storm when in pain

Sunday, July 12, 2009

7-05-09 to 7-11-09

Monday and Tuesday went smoothly with no CH attacks until Wednesday 7-08-09 Had CH attack in the afternoon (didn't note the time) was in too much of a hurry running for the Imitrex shot and a bathroom. Got through the rest of the day feeling like I'd lost a few thousand brain cells.

Thursday no CH attack.

Friday 7-10-09 the beast came back again in the afternoon at work, scrambled for my Imitrex shot again and struggled through the murkiness of CH side affects. On the plus side even with the CH attack I passed the 1st training test in my new position with flying colors. :D

Saturday 7-11-09 Spend most of the day shopping with one family member or another LOL
Took Dad shopping in the morning and then after noon both kids needed me to play taxi for them around town. It was enjoyable and they stayed for dinner and spent some quality time before Dinner. During dinner I had the beginnings of a CH attack didn't want to stop in mid dinner to deal with it so I suffer through for a bit... After dinner there was no way I could hide it any longer. (Turns out I wasn't hiding it well anyway LOL my son knew.) I didn't want to use another shot (had already gone through two during the week) so I opted for the nasal Imitrex, my second mistake today with the beast. It didn't take affect until about 1/2 hour after usage needless to say I was in the rocking back and forth and squirming stages of a 6-7 kip. My son helped me through it with constant replenishing of Hot clothes, and my daughter with a hug and light back rubbing and thankfully going for a smoke in the other room. Cigarette smoke during an attack is just unbearable. Yes I do smoke but have cut way back on it due to CH I am down to about a 1/2 pack a day on it.

On another note...I have been having to put up with one of those annoying people at work this week. God Help ME!!! You know the whiners that always talk about there problems in this case depression and the subject never changes on any given day. I must have heard the same story 15 times this week alone. Anyway this annoying person has known and been corrected on my issue with CH several times...well this time she hit me at a bad moment. It was Wednesday I think and she saw me with my shot pack I quickly asked her to tell the trainer if he was to look for me that I had gone to take a shot.
My bad again...LOL
She then proceeded to stop me and ask "do you have Diabetes ?"
"No", I said again... "I have Cluster headaches."
"Oh Migraines" she said...
Um... "No Cluster headaches!" I said AGAIN and I left for the bathroom and a much needed shot.

Come to find out on Friday I was talking to another girl at work and was told by her that this annoying other person told her that I had Yelled at her when correcting her for the umpteenth time on my CH issue. I looked at this girl and Laughed! I said the last thing I want to do when I am having a CH attack is yell, let alone speak. Not to mention we were in a training class so, I was not going to yell then either. LOL
For several reasons including the ones above I've been trying to avoid this annoying person, without much luck as unfortunately she sits next to me in the Training class.
GOD HELP ME!

This is not to say that I am unsympathetic to people with Depression, God knows I've suffered from it a time or two usually due to some medical condition I am dealing with at the time. But to constantly whine about it and say the same thing over and over again. Please Give me a Break. Get over yourself and try living life rather than whining about it.
(Ginger...Steps off soap box.)

One Last Comment on CH Triggers.
I'm not sure how many sufferers have notice this but, certain smells can bring on a CH attack. Certain perfumes (strong ones) almost always get me, which can be difficult to avoid when you work in a large company like the one I do. My daughter was wearing a perfume a few years ago that would set me off every time, I finally had to tell her not to wear it when coming over here.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

06-28-09 to 07-04-09

This week was an easy/busy week. I got way with a pain free work week, had Friday 07-03 off and had mild CH attack on Friday and Saturday. I'd rather be home when I am arguing with the beast (CH) so it worked out well. The attack on Saturday 07-04 (Happy 4th of July) was a bit more intense than Fridays attack but got through it without using any medication...probably should have used some but with training in my new position at work coming up this week and continuing for the next 3-4 weeks I really need to save the Imitrex for work usage.

I have added a few over the counter aids known to the CH community, and started them a week ago. I am taking 1 500mg tab of Taurine per day, I also changed out my daily allergy medication to Zyrtec (aka cetirizine)and take that at night to help prevent the night time attacks. This new regime seems to be working so far with no adverse affects or uptick in CH attacks. Many take melatonin as well at night but for some reason this doesn't work for me and has a tendency to increase my CH attacks at night.

I'm Feeling Chipper and hoping you have an awesome week !!!

Sunday, June 28, 2009

06-21-09 to 06-27-09

06-27-09 Saturday
Wow a PF day !!! WOOOHOOOOO it is good to be me sometimes LOL
I have to keep my sense of humor intact if I didn't I'd probably go mad. Cheers for my PF days and not feeling like a bullet in the head would be cheaper and hurt for a shorter time frame.


06-26-09 Friday
TGIF! No CH Attacks again today that is at work anyway...came home made a Yummy fruit salad had some dinner...and got an attack around 10:30pm this one was air pressure related again. I never liked roller coasters anyway and I wanted off this air pressure roller coaster bad. Spent some time in the bathroom with a hot cloth and rocked in my room for about an hour or so. Then it was off to bed to sleep like the dead again I was exhausted!


06-25-09 Thursday
I was very tired from lack of sleep but muddled through the work day without another CH attack. Fell into bed totally exhausted tonight and slept like the dead.


06-24-09 Wednesday
Wednesday was pretty much the same as Tuesday without the afternoon attack and with a whole lot less sleep. I suffer from insomnia occasionally and it hit with force tonight. I had a CH attack wake me from a nice sleep, rocked and moaned my way through it since with my new promotion I need to take especially good care of what medication I have an when I use it. Again saving Imitrex for work usage. I didn't get to sleep until well after 3am and had to get up for work the next day...


06-23-09 Tuesday
I took today off from work as well as Wednesday to celebrate my promotion and to decompress a bit from work. I had a mild CH attack today around 4:30pm and got through it with hot cloth application and a bit of rocking back and forth and pacing.

Then night time came...Oh Lord why me! I was awakened 3 times during the night with more CH attacks they were still mild but enough to wake me each time. Once I woke I rolled my self over and forced myself back to sleep. Who wants to stay awake or alert for a CH attack NOT THIS CHICK!!! If they are mild enough I can still force myself back to sleep or at least a deep meditative state close enough to sleep to work. If it's day time forget it I'm awake to suffer my way through it.


06-22-09 Monday
This was a banner day for me No.1 no CH attack, No.2 I finally got that promotion I've been bucking for at work YEAAH!!! No more phones head-phone or other wise WOOHOO! Now I can sit and work in relative quiet why I have a CH attack, that is after running for the Imitrex. I say relative quiet because, I work in a place with over 1000 people in it so it can get noisy at times but that's much better than the noise I had drilled into my ears for the two years prior. To say I am thrilled about this is an understatement! Jumping up and down for joy.

I start next Monday 06-29-09.


06-21-09 Sunday
Used hot cloth and hot shower today and during the evening for a 5 & 7 kip. Some days it just doesn't pay to be me. I wish I was really good with mind tricks I would just give myself an out of body experience and leave during a CH attack.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

06-14-09 to 06-20-09

Well I've had better weeks...

Saturday night 06-20 11pm the CH beast came knocking again it was boarder-line nasal or shot I opted for the nasal being as I was at home and didn't need to worry about work issues. Took about 40 min before I was able to breath with some relief and the pain started to diminish...probably should have used a shot, but I have to pick and choose which battles to win or loose with my CH devil. I wouldn't say I lost this one but I didn't win it either...lets just say I tamed the beast a bit.

Thursday 06-18 4pm I had another milder attack so I ran for the nasal imitrex at work again. Needless to say I save the nasal imitrex for mild attacks and take it right away when I feel the twinge other wise it is worthless.

Wednesday 06-17 3:30pm I got hit at work again...had to use a shot and literally muddled through the rest of the day. It's rough when in your job you are required to speak almost constantly and during an attack the simple act of speaking is to put it mildly extremely difficult. Before during and after a CH attack my speech is difficult to say the least, finding words that I need and saying them is nearly impossible. I mess up words when I try to say them and that's if my brain can find the word I need to use at the time. My speech sometimes becomes slurred like I'm having a seizure or something. I have even had a supervisor ask me if I was drunk before due to this. (eyeroll) Um No I don't drink nor can I drink any alcohol as it is a CH trigger. Needless to say it did kind of tick me off when he asked me that.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

June 7th thru June 13th

Had another nice week with exception to the following...

Had CH attack on Sunday 6-7-09 wound up scrambling for the imitrex shot again. This one was BAD. As I have stated before I usually try to save the shots and nasal imitrex for when I'm at work and suffer an attack but there was no way I was getting through this one with out help. The rest of the week was quiet with no CH attacks until Friday 6-12-09 ... it figures had comp time from work and worked only 1/2 of the day and was off the rest and wouldn't you know it I got hit hard Friday afternoon/evening. I only had one imitrex shot left and one nasal and can't get refills until tomorrow (6-15-09) so I used the nasal instead of my last shot and suffered for a little over an hour.

Then came Saturday 6-13-09, and hells bells rang in my head again! This time both my children were over for a visit and had to witness me suffer through one with out any medication. My son was helpful and continuously refreshed a hot cloth for me. My daughter put her foot in her mouth and offered me a Tylenol! LOL Yes I am laughing about it now but at the time all I could say was "You've got to be kidding me!" When I could speak again I asked her the following... "How about I take a red hot poker and stick it in your eye until it hits your temple area, and then offer you a Tylenol for the pain?" She just looked at me with complete non-understanding and left shortly after. I know she doesn't understand and I'm sure it bothers her to see me like that, but it doesn't seem like she really wants to understand or even remember her continual fopa's in offering aspirin or Tylenol to me during an attack. She has done this many times and each time I and my son inform her that neither will even touch a Cluster Headache.

My son is more understanding because he's suffered from Migraines since he was about 2 years old and knows to some extend what I go through. He was very caring with an arm on my shoulder, holding my hand, hugs and continually refreshing a hot cloth. These are simple things but for any who suffer from CH they know how important these little things are. If you are a relative or significant other of someone who suffers from CH remember these things, they may be small but if you can offer the simple aid of a hot cloth or an arm on the shoulder, a hug or holding their hand, these things mean a great deal to us!!!

Sunday, June 7, 2009

May 31st Thru June 6th

This past week felt like a gift from heaven compared to the previous week.

I had a CH attack on Sunday May 31st and a Mini (2Kip) on Monday 6/1/09 then PF (Pain Free) days until Saturday 6/6/09. Yesterdays was a real Bugger... (Kip 9) usually if I am at home I will suffer through the CH Attack in order to save the shots etc for work attacks. But yesterday there was no way I was getting through that one without running for the Imitrex shot. I waited a tad too long to take the shot as it was hoping it would level off or start to die down, no such luck. Took me a bit longer to recover (become PF) even after taking the shot.

I'm hoping to have another mostly PF week and with a little less stress. Things have been a bit stressful at work, as I've been trying to transfer out of the department I am in (which is hard to do). I am on the phones with headphones strapped to my head every day for 8 hours and this doesn't help at all with the CH problem. There are times when I just want to chuck my headphones across the room during a CH attack.

*PFDAN-Wk to all!!



*Definition/meaning of: PFDAN-Wk - Pain Free Day And Night - Week

Sunday, May 31, 2009

May 24th Thru May 30th

Well this is going to be short and not so sweet. I am aggravated and just plain worn out from this past week.

I have had a C.H. Attack every day this week, Sun. through Sat. This made for a very rough work week, I was sent scrambling for my imitrex much too often for it to last me the entire month that it is supposed too , even with the not very affective imitrex nasal as back up. (Thank you for the Torture Ins Co.!!)

I know what the trigger has been and unless I can have a sit down with mother nature to discuss the up and down of the air pressure, (It's been like a roller coaster on steroids.) there isn't a damn thing I can do about it.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

May 18th thru May 24

Sunday May 24th

Well the rest of the week was uneventful and the C.H. demon left me alone for a few days. Today is Sunday around 10:30am and so far the day is Pain Free, I pray the rest of the day stays that way. We are expecting thunderstorms today and as I have previously noted air pressure changes are yet another C.H. trigger.


Wednesday May 20th

Magic hour hit with a viciousness today made myself wait to take a shot in hopes the C.H. would die down, it didn't, grabbed my Imitrex shot and ran for the bathroom at work again. Got through the rest of the day feeling like my brain had had a seizure or I'd had a stroke.

I'm not sure if anyone else who suffers from C.H. has noticed this but before, during and after I have a C.H. attack I find it hard to speak or find the correct words when needed. I have a job where I have to speak constantly and this sometimes goes horribly wrong during a C.H. attack. It's like I've gone temporarily retarded or have like I said above have had a stroke or something. Words come out wrong or I say the wrong word altogether or I just have to pause for a more extended time just to get the word out. All my synapses are not firing correctly at these times or so it feels. My family understands this and is usually good about it and doesn't make to big of a deal about it. I have however had a Supervisor who used to work for the co. that I do, ask me if I'd been drinking on the job due to this. Well that kind of upset me especially since he was aware of my C.H. condition. I informed him not so nicely that no I don't drink and can't drink alcohol since it is a Trigger for C.H. . Needless to say this speech issue has at times been embarrassing to say the least. Luckily as I said earlier, for the most part my family is understanding of it, though occasionally my daughter (who can be a bit rude with her own mouth at times) has laughed at me which makes me feel even worse and a bit angry at her for it. I love her dearly but she is one in my family who sometimes just doesn't understand what I go through.


Monday May 18th

Started the work week with a banger C.H. it was mild and managed to get through it barely without shot. Again around my "magic" hour of 4pm. Got through the rest of the work day and came home feeling totally wiped out as I often do after fighting the devil of C.H.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Last Week

Saturday May 16th

Got Nailed again today shortly before magic hour around 3:30p used the Imitrex nasal again (I am trying to save my shots for at work), this time I should have used a shot. Wow nasty 7kip and used the not so affective nasal med, was tortured for about an hour and exhausted afterward.

And...my insurance co. thinks 4 shots per mo. is enough. LOL Idiots!!!
I can use those up in one week. Yes it's still ticking me off and will for years to come so it seems unless they change things. When FDA dolled out it's recommendations for the use of Imitrex I don't think they took into consideration it's use for Cluster Headaches. So we SUFFER, even though our Dr's prescribe it as needed that doesn't mean our ins. co.'s will fill it that way. Who can afford over 200.00 per shot pack?? Not me even on my full time income.


Wednesday May 13th

Had C.H. at work again today around my magic hour again 4ish ran for bathroom and used for the 1st time the Imitrex nasal. Since my ins. co. is limiting me on my Imitrex shots the Dr. gave me some nasal Imitrex...it takes this stuff soooo long to work compared to the shots I was still reeling for an hour after taking the Imitrex nasal.
This won't do...will have to advise my director at work of the issue since I will more than likely be making errors or be away from my desk longer. I don't like people to see me with one of these devils (C.H.).

The weather has been changing alot here in Pa. from sunny to raining, quick changes. I am wondering how many other C.H. sufferers have noticed that Air Pressure has an affect on C.H. Strong, quick changes in air pressure are a trigger for me. It seems anything at or around a 3 point pressure change in either direction up or down will trigger a C.H. for me as well.

My Father is the one that brought the air pressure affect to my attention as he has also suffered from C.H. for years and took notice of air pressure changes affecting him as well. He lives with me now and is usually either right ahead of me or just behind me with the air pressure triggering a C.H. . He has been checking air pressure with relation to his for years, and now has been tracking mine as well, I think he almost has it down to a science by now. (cheers Dad...Love Ya! Shh he doesn't know I've started my C.H. blog again :D )


Sunday May 11th

Had another C.H. today around 4pm, this seems to be magic hour for me when the C.H.'s are not waking me up from a sound sleep. Barely got through dinner and took a steaming hot shower.


Try to keep your head on...Until Next Time.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

This Week

Saturday:

Today was shopping day as usual, the 1st half of the day was PF (pain free), then the afternoon hit. I felt the C.H. twinge on and off all freaking afternoon and evening, didn't get a full blown C.H. but the twinge alone is enough to screw with you. Had the twinge and the congestion that usually goes along with a C.H. but it never got above the twinge factor. For me what I call a twinge is a 3 on the kip scale*.

*The kip scale is a scale used by people who suffer from C.H. to gauge the intensity of their pain. See The Kip Scale for more details.

For those of us who suffer with C.H. you know that you not only get woken up from a nice sound sleep with the C.H. devil but it can affect you at any time of day as well. So just getting a good nights sleep sometimes is a horrifying struggle. It's like waking up into a nightmare, but you can't wake up from it because you are already awake and the pain is still there. I have lost many a good nights sleep from this condition and from the looks of it will loose many more.

God Help Me...
This is a phrase I used quite often especially when I have one, no matter what time of day or night it is.



Friday:

Went to see my Neurologist today, the drive alone is a C.H. Trigger, his office is an hour away from me up and down mountains both ways. To top it off the air pressure was up and down anyway due to weather. Got there ok, but started to feel C.H. coming on while in his office and by the time I hit the highway on the way back it was full blown C.H. madness. He didn't have any imitrex samples on hand to give me and I only have 1 shot left to last me until the 15th so it was Suffer and just keep driving so I can save the last shot for if I get another one at work. My hands were gripping the steering wheel so hard that when I finally did get home they hurt as well, and it took a bit of doing to un-grip it when I pulled up to my house. When I did get in the house I was still in pain and completely exhausted, so much so that even my speech was slowed or slurred not sure which at this point. My Dad (who lives with me) knows when I have one just by looking at me asked me something can't remember what now...but it took me two or three tries just to answer him clearly. Needless to say he didn't speak to me again until I let him know I was able to function or at least speak again, roughly 30 min. later. (8 Kip*)

I wonder how many other people who suffer from C.H. also feel like they have temporarily become retarded or sound like a stroke victim either due to C.H. or medication side affects after taking what ever abortive they are on... ?



Thursday:

I got hit hard at work with a C.H. ran for the bathroom with my Imitrex. Took a bit longer than usual for the shot to work and for recovery.

It sucks getting them when I'm at work because I have to wear headphones all day and listen to either CRAPPY music and in some cases yelling people, or fax machine tones on a number that is supposed to be a home number.

Got through the day with more exhaustion than usual. (7 kip*)

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Miserable Hour and a half today

I Had Miserable Hour and a half today with yet another cluster headache. Eye tearing searing pain in my left temple again. Of course it was around dinner time so I didn't eat much. I couldn't take a shot of Imitrex because I don't have enough left to do so at home...need to save them for when I'm at work. So I did the only other thing that seems to take some of the edge off and took a STEAMING HOT shower.

Right now it's better but still feel like I've been hit by a Mac Truck and am now exhausted.

The pain is always on the left temple area of my head and I can't sit still during one that is impossible. In fact Throwing things would be great when I have one, if I had anything I wanted to break.

This Friday I have another Neurology appointment, hopefully I can get some free shots from my Doctor since my insurance company couldn't care less.

I've found a fellow Cluster Headache blogger, haven't met him yet but have started following his blog as well. He has a friend who is doing a documentary on Cluster Headaches, I hope they mention the problems we suffers have getting medication.
Feel free to check his blog out as well Doc's Cluster Headache Journal

That's it for now, I need to stop staring at a light colored pc monitor...

Try to keep your head on...Until Next Time.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

First Post

Well this week was a rough one. I have a stressful job anyway but when you add a Cluster Headache to the mix it makes for a very exhausting, torture filled week.

On Thursday I got hit HARD with a cluster in the middle of the work day and wouldn't you know it as I was on my way to the bathroom to take a shot (Imitrex) for it the director sees me from her office and Loudly asks me to stop by when I get back. She only saw my backside so at that point she had no clue. When I did get to her office I was still reeling from the pain and it showed physically. Anyway I lurched into her office and immediately collapsed in a chair, if only I was clear enough to see the light dawn in her eyes at the time. Luckily the director is aware of my problem and after she gave me an update on a work issue was kind enough to give me a few minutes to recoup.

I have been having issues with my insurance co. resently because they will only allow me 4 shots per month on my prescription plan. Um hey...sometimes I get more than 4 freaking Clusters a month people!!! Yes, I know my attitude is showing, but I've got a right to be a bit grumpy with them. For anyone who knows what Cluster Headaches are like, you know that going without medication or something to stop the pain is tantamount to TORTURE. Needless to say on my meager full time income I can not afford the $200.00 plus per shot pack when I run out and the ins. co. won't cover more until my 30 day period is up. So I find myself hording my shots and using them only for when I'm at work. This means I suffer like hell when I get one at home and there have been several occasions where my Dad has had to help me get through them.

I'm at a loss for what to say to continue this post at this time, but I do have one thing to add...

My ins. co. is going by the FDA advisory/preferences on the Imitrex Drug usage...hmmm .....

Did you idiots ever consider that this drug can also be used for Cluster Headaches ???

For More on Cluster Headaches visit...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cluster_headache
and
http://www.clusterheadaches.com/

Try to keep your head on...Until Next Time.