Headaches

[jklett]

I used to get migraines all the time when I was younger. I went through a ton of tests(EEG's were real fun, nothing like a head full of probes ) to try and figure out what was causing them and nothing was out of the ordinary. Eventually they kinda tapered off somewhat and I only get a few a year. It seems like the combinations of no sleep, stress, and lack of oxygen are my triggers(at least currently). Kinda sucks because when I'm stressed(first key) I smoke more(lack of oxygen) and can't sleep(final nail in the coffin) and always wind up with a migraine.

Your vision issues, are they the white spots? If I get that it's a sure sign one's coming SOON. The spots don't go away until the pain starts(for me anyways). Then once the spots go away, I start puking. I wouldn't wish these on anybody.

I found that massive amounts of caffeine and 1000mg of ibuprofen seem to take the bite out of mine so I can somewhat function but it doesn't always work. I tried all kinds of prescription stuff and it all makes me sick so I have to stick with the over the counter stuff. Someone told me to try and breathe some pure oxygen when I get them(says it cures hangovers too), but I can't get any so I do the no-doze/advil trick and curl up in a dark place and pass out. Good luck, I hope you can find something that works for you. And the triggers so you can prevent them in the first place.

[labrax]

The bottled oxygen is what a guy at work has - he has a bottle in his office and at the home - his doctor prescribes it for him. He gets the clusters and in the 7 years that I have known him - he goes through periods where he gets them real bad for months at a time and then they subside to where they are much less frequent - sometimes not for months. He uses the syringes that he jabs into his thigh when they are coming on and that provides some relief.

Good luck - I hope you find what is triggering them and stop them from occurring.

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by jklett

I used to get migraines all the time when I was younger. I went through a ton of tests(EEG's were real fun, nothing like a head full of probes ) to try and figure out what was causing them and nothing was out of the ordinary. Eventually they kinda tapered off somewhat and I only get a few a year. It seems like the combinations of no sleep, stress, and lack of oxygen are my triggers(at least currently). Kinda sucks because when I'm stressed(first key) I smoke more(lack of oxygen) and can't sleep(final nail in the coffin) and always wind up with a migraine.

Your vision issues, are they the white spots? If I get that it's a sure sign one's coming SOON. The spots don't go away until the pain starts(for me anyways). Then once the spots go away, I start puking. I wouldn't wish these on anybody.

I found that massive amounts of caffeine and 1000mg of ibuprofen seem to take the bite out of mine so I can somewhat function but it doesn't always work. I tried all kinds of prescription stuff and it all makes me sick so I have to stick with the over the counter stuff. Someone told me to try and breathe some pure oxygen when I get them(says it cures hangovers too), but I can't get any so I do the no-doze/advil trick and curl up in a dark place and pass out. Good luck, I hope you can find something that works for you. And the triggers so you can prevent them in the first place.

You're missing out not giving Imitrex or one the other versions of the various triptan drugs a try...

[Raven]

when i was 1rst living in California.... we had this real nice swimming pool... so one day i was working out in the pool
practicing a type of survival technique for staying alive out in the ocean where you bob up and down . well all i can say is... i over did it...and deprived my brain of oxygen.... so the Doctor Said... and he gave me this shot in the hip ... saying this will help.

it was supposed to be an oxygen suppliment... somethin like that.

the symptoms were these...... you'd be sitting on the couch and feel
ok but as soon as you stood up ...your head would start pounding
like no tomorrow causing you to hold both sides of your head to keep it from splitting in two... man that sucks...

i always watched my iron levels after that.... because you cannot trap oxygen in your lungs unless there is sufficient iron in your blood. a very high population of the U.S. is anemic and deficient in iron....to the point they started adding it to cereal.

[jklett]

Originally Posted by Pete_G

You're missing out not giving Imitrex or one the other versions of the various triptan drugs a try...

Imitrex and the like are out for me. I fit almost all of the criteria for people that shouldn't take it. Not so good for the ticker.

[marky1]

Cluster Headaches come in "clusters". What my Dr. prescribed for me was "Prednisone"(steroid) for 2 weeks,..5 a day, then 4 a day etc. All that does is resets the "clock" for the next cycle,usually late March-April.
The oxygen works a little for me ,it takes some of the edge off from the pain.

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by jklett

Imitrex and the like are out for me. I fit almost all of the criteria for people that shouldn't take it. Not so good for the ticker.

Ah, that sucks. That family of drugs really works magic on migraines...

[reebok]

Hey John take it easy, okay? Relax if that can possibly help. I hope you get better, whatever you have to do.

[JohnR]

Thanks folks... The medicine I have is called Amerge. Took one today and it worked wonders - some other days it makes me nauseaus...