Posted by ward (38.200.230.98) on August 05, 1999 at 14:15:31:
I have been coming to this site for quite some time now and have found it to be a great source of inspiration, education, and validation. As you know, others have no idea of what ch's are all about. It's good to know I'm not alone, although I feel like a 98 lb weakling beside Charles Atlas.
Thanks to the guy who suggested the other day that, when using oxygen, exhale the bad, inhale the good. Good show.
My history of ch's began about 10 years ago, at which time I was certain I had a brain tumor. Finally, after months of nightly visits, I visited a neurologist who pegged the problem immediately and gave me a dose pack of some steroid of which I cannot recall the name. Worked for a while. Then didn't.
I then went to a Neurologist at the Houston Diagnostic Center, Dr. Enfante (good guy) who prescribed Sansert and Periactin. It worked well for years. No one will give it to me any more. Even tried to get it in Mexico to no avail. That combo would knock it out for several weeks in season. If I quit or misbehaved (beer) it still took a few weeks for the ch's to return.
Mexico is still a good source for caffergot at really cheap prices. I have several bottles of 100, which cost me $7 a bottle. Since I found it, I have never had a problem at work, other than lack of sleep.
Most often, when in season, the uninduced ch is nightly for about a month or so. Sensitivity to alcohol surrounds this period about 3 months. They disappear for as many as 12 months before returning. Since about November of last year, however, I have had at the most 1 or 2 months ch free.
I am now on verapamil, just upped to 240's from 180's. Just got imitrex and oxygen within the past two weeks, which seem to be okay. This combo seems to be working, although not like sansert. Caffergot is just too tough to take at night.
My big fear is that they will get worse or be present continually. That is why I am writing now. What some of you go through sounds horrible - devestating. Were they always that way or do the symptoms and frequency grow? I hear about 6's, 10's etc. Where did that scale come from? Does the effectiveness of all drugs diminish as we continue to take them? When in cycle, does everyone become depressed? What the heck is ouch.
Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to drop in and see what's up on the message board from time to time. And, of course, this opportunity to ramble. Sorry.