Public Cluster Headache Diaries
If you are a sufferer, then you know what these members are going through.
Intensity Scale (adapted from the 'Kip scale')
0. No pain, life is beautiful
1. Very minor, shadows come and go. Life is still beautiful
2. More persitent shadows
3. Shadows are getting constant but can deal with it
4. Starting to get bad, want to be left alone
5. Still not a "pacer" but need space
6. Need to pace and move and drive your fist into your temple
7. Pretty bad, left feeling exhausted after it finally leaves.
8. Time to scream, yell, curse, head bang, rock, whatever works.
9. The "Why me?" syndrome starts to set in. Fear that it won't stop.
10. Major pain, screaming, head banging, Hospital trip. Depressed. Suicidal.
Blog / Diaries
Click a member's name to view their Cluster Diary.
Frosty
| 14/07/2010 -- - - - |
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| Just an update - Keep getting dull shadows even though I'm technically 'out of cycle'. Stress and tiredness seem to be triggers. Only lasting 15-30mins and are quite dull as opposed to the sharp stabs whilst in cycle. |
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| 14/07/2010 -- 8:00am - 10:00am |
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| 2
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| Same as yesterday. Getting some uncomfortable shadows. I really do hope they are tapering off. Looking forward to having a beer when the cycle is well and truly done! |
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| 14/07/2010 -- 8:30am - 9:10am |
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| 3
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| Driving to work and started to get more painful shadows. Managed to find a car park and got onto the oxgyen which killed the attack in ten minutes. |
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| 14/07/2010 -- 10:00am - 10:30am |
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| 5
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| Went to Melbourne Zoo with the family. I thought it was my lucky day as I hadn't had an attack yet....
Started to get the pangs of pain in and behind my eye. The heat in my face began to increase and my nose started streaming. Had to leave the kids with my wife and make a dash for the car where my oxygen was. Got to the O2 and after 15mins it subsided. |
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| 14/07/2010 -- 8:20am - 8:45am |
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| 4
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| What is it with driving and mornings!!! Soon pulled over and got onto the oxygen. Eased up after 15mins of o2. |
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| 14/07/2010 -- 6:45am - 7:15am |
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| 4
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| Woke up with a bad feeling. In a few minutes a CH began to form and I grabbed my O2. After about 10-15mins sucking on O2 it was gone. Thank god it only got to a 4.
Love the O2 |
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| 14/07/2010 -- 7:00am - 10:00pm |
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| 1
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| Shadows all day. Hate the feeling that one might come along any minute. Water and meds seem to be holding them back so far.... |
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| 14/07/2010 -- 7:30am - 9:30am |
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| 7
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| At home getting ready for work - another attack. I managed to see it through without going to the hospital or calling for an ambulance.
Made some calls and have arranged to get a 5kg and 13kg cylinder of oxygen delivered to my home on Monday.
I'm scared every morning now that another attack will come along.
I'm trying the water treatment - huge amounts of water being drunk and so far all good. |
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| 14/07/2010 -- 7:00am - 9:00am |
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| 9
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| It started out quite mild and stayed at about a 3 for an hour. I managed to drive to kids to daycare. Started to drive to work but had to get my wife to take over as it started to get unbearable. We ended up pulling over and calling for an ambulance - I couldn't take it anymore. The paramedics gave me oxygen straight away after a brief explanation of what was happening to me. 10-15mins on the O2 really eased up the attack and it was soon on it's way out.
Had to call my neurologist again to chase up my Verapimil script - hopeless in getting repeats out to me! |
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| 14/07/2010 -- 07:00 - 08:20 |
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| 3
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| As I'd not had any reminders for a few days I figured I'd risk not taking the verapimil on the Friday (20/07). Of course I then wake up and straight away get hit with a CH that ranged from a 3 to a 4. I coped ok for about an hour then decided I'd had enough. I've read that vigourous exercise helps for some people so I threw on my running gear and set of at a quick pace. The icy cold morning air felt great and after about five minutes into the run the CH began to subside and was soon gone.
I can't be 100% sure it was the run as most of my attacks last about 3/4 hour, so this hour and a half bout may have been close to over just before I set out... who knows. I'll try it again - if it strikes when I'm at home. Oh, and I'm back on the meds again. |
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| 14/07/2010 -- 7:30 - 9:30 |
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| 1
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| Just a brief phantom reminding me it's still here and to keep going on the meds.
Tapering off the presnisolone now I've been taking the verapimil for a few days. Last dose I've put down for Sunday afternoon. so pleased the meds are keeping it at bay. |
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| 14/07/2010 -- - |
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