Posted by Bill on March 23, 1999 at 16:30:41:
In Reply to: New to website posted by Irka on March 23, 1999 at 15:52:59:
To all sufferer's of Cluster Headaches:
I have been having cluster headaches since 1963 and
I thought that it's about time to give some input from my
36 years of having CH. I have found over a period of time
that the medications that the Doctor's have given me only
work occasionally and are not always effective. At one
time when I was having a bout with CH I had gone to the
Cleveland Clinic and at that time I had recommended to
the doctor that deep breathing seems to help me with a
combination of other things that I do . It was at this time
that I asked if oxygen may help the process of relief of these
headaches, and their recommendation was that it does seem
to work on people with migraines. I have never had a chance
to use it though I still feel that many people may find relief
using this method. Try it you may like it. You do need a
prescription from you doctor in order to get it. Now for myself
I have found out early in having these headaches that Darvon,
which is a pain killer helped to relieve the pain and with that relief
the headache subsided quickly. Unfortunately doctor's today
will not give you darvon because it is a narcotic and they say
that you can become addicted to it. The drug contains morphine
I have not found that to be true in my case. After the set of
headaches were gone I didn't have any need for the Darvon anymore.
I simply put it on a shelf until the next bout with CH which could
be a year or more from then. I know that if you can kill the pain the
headache will go away. I wish that I could find a doctor that still
would give you Darvon. I dont even know if they make it anymore.
I believe that they substituted Darvon with Darvaset.Now one thing
that I know is that when your having a bout with these nasties you
must stay calm, go to a room where it is dark and cool, try to control
your breathing, in your nose and out your mouth. Try using a very hot
towel on the back of your neck while sitting up and repeat as necessary.
Try to stay calm. By running hot water I cup my hands and fill them with
hot water placing my face into the hot water. This is temporary relief only.
As hard as it is to do try to relax, because if you dont you will only
aggravate the situation. Hope that you get some relief.
Bill