Posted by JoJoC. RN (63.254.176.5) on August 08, 2000 at 22:42:34:
In Reply to: new combo posted by JoJoC.RN on August 07, 2000 at 22:07:04:
I appriciate all the ideas. As James says, everyone is different, and personilized treatment is essisential. What works for one, doesn't work for the other. Years ago when these things first started, I, as probably some of you, thought I had a brain tumor. My dad had clusters, but I didn't make the connection. You would think I would, as he was noticable around the house, rubbing his head, moaning, giving himself morphine injections, ect. Anyway, I started with Sansert, then Erostat, on and on ad nauseum. I've had three heart attacks, two this year, and alot of the drugs are out for me. But, I think everyone should take responcibility for their own treatment for clusters, and I think that general statements about what works and what should not be tried doesn't help too much. If someone can't get relief with what works for some, a few, or even most, then one should continue to search until they come up with something that does. I know that when I finally got the combination of drugs that allows me to function, at least somewhat, at home and at work, my only other treatment was a .45 auto. I'm being very serious here, as thousands of people make the decision to end their life as opposed to living with intactable pain. I've had to come to terms with my narcotic use, and I see it as a diabetic sees insulin. I know that I'm physically dependent on Oxycontin, but to live without it would probably kill me within a couple of months. In the past year I've had to stop the drugs in order to have treatments that were done to stop the ha's. I know that the withdrawal from this drug is not fun. But, both my doc and me wanted to give the injections the best possible chance. Didn't work. What I'm saying, I guess, is that if someone has to use narcotics to get relief, then others, even with the same condition, shouldn't tell them that they should watch out, stop, it's too dangerous, you'll get hooked, whatever. I sincerly hope that all of us can find something that takes away the pain. And, I hope that we can do so without violating our standards. But, let's not tell each other that what works for me is wrong, try something else. God bless each and every one of ya'll, and hope, hope, hope.