Hi,
Thinking of the meds - I was on Indocin - it helped but I was on Cytotec for
the stomach upset - which didn't work. My stomach became so
inflamed.Ibuprofen will help my head BUT my stomach again gets so raw.
I have been on Stadol -the wrong directions were on the bottle so I
overdosed and tripped out.It scared me enough not to try it again. I was on
MS Cotin(honestly it did not help.I tried the patch they give to cancer
patients but became so sick and dizzy...no life there.Actually Imatrex and
Wygesic do help.I actually make it to work .....I am a CNA and work for a
Home Health Agency. The home I work in is an 8 hr. quiet setting.I control
lights,TV,radio.I take care of an elderly woman with late stage
Parkinson......I just wish the H/A's would just disappear.
I just feel it coming back in my right eye. Don't you hate being controlled
by this pain.
Did you hear the comment made about Mary Lincoln that she appeared hard to
get along with only because of her suffering with migraines???
I appear that way to and don't really want to. It is just so hard when
hurting and knowing that you will be soon.
Must take a pill and help my Mom who is 74 yrs.YOUNG move.
It is very HOT&HUMID here in Wisconsin today.
Sincerely,
my heart to yours,
Karen

Ok gang got a question for you. How do you get across to a doc that what
you need (good to excellent pain control) takes presidence over what
they feel comfortable with. There are times I've had to make power ploy
moves to get the message across. Of course, that can end up putting
tension on the relationship making it more strained than it already is.

> -----------------------------------------------------
> DOCTOR'S GUIDE(tm) E-MAIL EDITION
> July 27, 1999
> -----------------------------------------------------
> *This week's Information & Resources Feature is
> Migraine
> <http://www.pslgroup.com/MIGRAINE.HTM>
>
> ****************************************************
> More than 32,000 people get their Medical News
> from this FREE e-mail service.
>
> Why not share Doctor's Guide E-mail Edition with
> your friends and colleagues? Just forward a copy
> of this e-mail to one or two of them -- they'll
> find subscribing information at the end of this
> e-mail.
> ****************************************************
>
> >
> ~~~ THIS WEEK'S MEDICAL HIGHLIGHTS ~~~
>
> * For the full text of these and other news stories,
> visit: URL: <http://www.pslgroup.com/mednews.htm>
>
>
>
>
> > FDA Approves Relenza For The Treatment Of Influenza
> A and B
> http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/11ae9a.htm
>
> The FDA has approved Relenza (zanamivir for inhalation)
> for the treatment of both influenza A and B.

> > > ~~~ INFORMATION & RESOURCES FEATURE OF THE WEEK ~~~
> ~~~~~~~ DOCTOR'S GUIDE TO MIGRAINE ~~~~~~~
>
> This week's Information & Resources Feature is:
> Doctor's Guide to Migraine
> <http://www.pslgroup.com/MIGRAINE.HTM>
>
> Migraine Medical News:
> ========================
> > Zomig Effective Against Migraine Attacks Throughout
> the Day
> http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/115dc6.htm
>
> > Fast-Dissolving Version Of Zomig Approved In Sweden
> For Migraine
> http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/115ade.htm
>
> > HEADACHE MEETING: Eletriptan Provides Faster, Superior
> Relief Of Acute
> Migraine Than Sumatriptan
> http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/10e4c6.htm
>
> > DG DISPATCH - HEADACHE: Estrogen Pellets May Help Treat
> Menstrual Migraines
> http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/10cfe6.htm
>
> > DG DISPATCH - HEADACHE: Study Sheds Light On Link Between
> Hormones And Migraine With Aura
> http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/10cfe2.htm
>
> > DG DISPATCH - HEADACHE: Canada's Chinook Winds Linked To
> Migraine
> http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/10c81e.htm
>
> > DG DISPATCH - HEADACHE: Patients Lack Confidence In Doctors'
> Ability To Treat Migraines
> http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/10c81a.htm
>
> > DG DISPATCH - HEADACHE: Rizatriptan Effective In Treating
> Menstrual Migraines
> http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/10c82e.htm
>
> > DG DISPATCH - HEADACHE: Valproate Effective In Stopping
> Persistent Migraine
> http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/10c936.htm
>
> > HEADACHE MEETING: New Data Confirm Rapid Onset of Action
> With Zomig For Migraine
> http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/10c93a.htm
>
>
> ** For information on other medical conferences,
> visit: URL: <http://www.pslgroup.com/MEDCONF.HTM>
>
> *****************************************************
> Doctor's Guide E-mail Edition is published by
> P\S\L Consulting Group:
>
> Fax: (514) 938-2626
> Website: <http://www.docguide.com>
>
> If you have any questions or other concerns about
> the DG E-mail service, feel free to contact
> vanessaf@....
>
> Any questions regarding medical diagnosis,
> treatments, referrals, drug availability or
> pricing should be directed to either a licensed
> physician or to the product's manufacturer.
>
> *****************************************************
> Free subscriptions to Doctor's Guide E-mail Edition
> can be obtained by filling out the form located at:
> <http://www.pslgroup.com/visitors/dgemail.htm>
>
>

Good morning,
I have had CDH since Jan. of 91. Not fun :( Have had all the tests and tried
most of the medicines.Started with Midrin -then it was predisone.
I felt wonderful for awhile when on it ,but then began to have side
effects.Joint pains,fuzziness,and esophical spasm that felt like I was
having a heart attack. At 20 milligrams my H/A 's also broke through.I was
on it for 3 months.
I was at the Diamond H/A clinic a week in Sept. 95. I am glad I went -I
learned allot-but my H/A's continued.While there I developed panic attacks.
The last thing my Doctor here gave me as a prophylactic was Nadalol - but it
isn't helping so I am now getting off of it.
I have Wygesic,Imatrex Nasal (I need to use 2 normally),and Feorset,for the
pain.
At one point a pain specialist at the University of Wisconsin told me my
medicine was causing my H/A's and that I needed to go Cold Turkey and that
in 3 months I would have be headache free.Well it didn't happen.
Hopefully something out there will be found soon for all of us  - not to
just stop the pain,but to STOP the H/A's.
Hugs :)
Karen@...

We don't become addicted to our meds,
  but we do become DEPENDANT on them for pain relief.

Without pain relief I would not be able to hold a job.
That is scary .

DEAR FRIENDS
well thought I'd send in some info on meds I have tried and/or am on now
myself for migraine. (Lannieta---I am taking wellbutrin--no troubles with it
dear....forgive me, I remember you commented on it being awful for you, but
as with migraine my memory isn't great so i forget why it did not work for
you)
I find most doctors (at least in Ontario) will put you thru a wack of tests
first then start with the meds, of course they try the preventatives first,
but as some of you already know these meds have horrible side
effects----most of which are originally for other ailments/disease such as
high blood pressure, epilepsy, manic, heart, and even asthma....they have
had me on expensive antacids (cytotec) to offset the side effects of
naproxen which I told the doc I was allergic too...he wanted me to try it
anyway---of course that bottle of pills got thrown at my wall a few times
and at his wall when I saw him again.....the anti-depressants they use have
been used to treat anti-psychotic, manic highs/lows, personality
disorders...etc...etc...I could go on and on about this group of drugs
(SSRT's, MAIO, BETA/CALCIUM BLOCKERS....), then they try muscle relaxers
such as Robaxisal/Robaxicette (with aspirin/acetaminophen), or
Flexeril.....then we get to the narcotic drugs with of course most doctors
do not want to prescribe and when they do it is under prescribed---but then
of course as pain sufferers we want as much relief as possible so we
gratefully thank a doc for what ever they give and suffer the rest of the
time till next prescription can be purchased....it isn't as tho these
narcotics are "fun" either, they make you feel crappy to say the least....we
medicate only when in pain, so our head is clear when we are not
suffering---plus the fact we have no idea when the next one will hit and we
definitely do not want to be without meds.....the doctors keep saying they
worry about the "addiction problem" of narcotic drugs....but the research
proves only 1% of patients being treated and seeing their doctor regularly
will become addicted.....I personally told my neuro that "if" I became
addicted so what...cure me then we shall deal with that problem if
necessary.
So after a 5 year battle with all this, my own research that I always show
my doctors, and getting tired of being treated as a drug addict in emergency
Room......I have become strong...I tell the doctor what I want now, and
remind them it is my life we are dealing with---I am divorced with 3 young
kids to raise....so becoming more assertive has been a plus for me.....for
those of you who may be leary or do not understand what a doctor is
saying...take a tape recorder in with you and place it on their desk as they
begin to talk...believe me they treat you a whole lot different then too.<G>
Ok so since I have written a novel here I will sign off by saying now I take
morphine (Stadol) for pain and  the wellbutrin has been helpful in keeping
my emotional levels balanced so i do not have to medicate with the morphine
as often---I can deal with the pain longer.
Some meds...PREVENTATIVES----Sibelium, Propranolol, Imitrex,
Cafergot....just a few
                  ANTI-DEPRESSANTS----Prozac, Zoloft, Amitriptyline, Epival,
Serzone, Sanseret, Zyban-Wellbutrin SR....again only a few
                                  NARCOTICS-----Morphine--MSContin,
Stadol..Demerol, Methadone, Tylenol w/Codeine, Midrin etc.
Hope I did not put everyone to sleep here...forgive me for being long
winded---my disability has never been talking to little....lol
warm hugs to all...hope you are having fun and pain free !!!!
roxie

Staying human is damned hard when the head pain flairs. If the pain is
mild I  generally muddle through. If its moderate or worse I try to
avoid contact with people. Sometimes no matter how hard I try I get
irritable and short tempered.

Right now I'm on four preventative (three anti depressants and a beta
blocker) and have had trigger point injections. Most days I only need a
dose of Fiorinal or Excedrin to get rid  of morning headache. All the
treamts and meds have helped noticeably but my personal opinion is that
with all that is available via drugs and other treatments I should be
pain free or very nearly so. THere is no reason why I should have to
live with it.

~~~Beware of those with one size fits all mentality. One size never has
and never will fit all possible situations. The mindset is the last
refuge of the lazy and the incompetent~~~

Jeanne-

You asked what people were taking for their CDH's.  The things listed below I
use for when my CDH gets worse or I get a migraine, so they aren't for
regular CDH use (except for the Migraine Ice, which you can use whenever you
want, but that might get costly.)

     Maxalt, a prescription abortive migraine med -- Works okay, but knocks me
out for about 22 hours
     Excedrine -- Works a little
     Migraine Ice -- Is like a cool gel pad to put on your forehead/back of
neck/temples but doesn't need refrigerating

Hope at least one of these things might help you!  BTW, beware of
Wellbutrin(tm).

-Lannieta

Since I am new to this group, I would like to know
what everyone is taking for their headache and
how they are managing to be human during each headache
episode.

I was on 60 mg of prednisone.  The headache I experienced
every day was gone.  Right now they are dropping the dosage,
I am at 20 now, and my headaches are beginning again.

How does one live with this?

Jeanne
----- Original Message -----
From: <changeagent@...>
To: <chronicdailyheadache@onelist.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 27, 1999 9:25 PM
Subject: Re: [chronicdailyheadache] Digest Number 8


> From: changeagent@...
>
> I know the feeling when things flare up. I had more headache pain last
> week because I just started a dose of beta blocker. It seems that most
> times when I start a preventative that my head flares somewhat for a
> week or so and then settles down. Agrrivating as hell.
>
> ~~~Beware of those with one size fits all mentality. One size never has
> and never will fit all possible situations. The mindset is the last
> refuge of the lazy and the incompetent~~~
>
>
> --------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ----------------------------
>
> ONElist announces "FRIENDS & FAMILY!"
> For details, including our weekly drawing, go to
> http://www.onelist.com/info/onereachsplash3.html
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

I know the feeling when things flare up. I had more headache pain last
week because I just started a dose of beta blocker. It seems that most
times when I start a preventative that my head flares somewhat for a
week or so and then settles down. Agrrivating as hell.

~~~Beware of those with one size fits all mentality. One size never has
and never will fit all possible situations. The mindset is the last
refuge of the lazy and the incompetent~~~

Hi,
My head has been bad.Since I didn't have to work I used feorinal. It makes
me so sleepy.
Went to Dr. yesterday .Nothing new except she gave me a name of a H/A
specialist in Madison.Do I want to go???I have been "there" so many times
before. Nothing ever changes. They make allot of money and my H/A's
continue.
      The DOT has bought our house so we are in the midst of getting a new
home built.We need to be moved out Sept. 15-Oct.1.I will have a beautiful
new home !!
All of this causes much stress and probably is not helping with my H/A's.
      It has been so very HOT - another H/A precursor.
      I hope others are feeling better today.
My heart to yours,
Karen

More then a HEADACHE !

"Anyone who has accustomed himself
to regard the life of any living creature as worthless
is in danger of arriving also
at the idea of worthless human lives"
-Albert Schweitzer

Amen to that.
----- Original Message -----
From: <changeagent@...>
To: <chronicdailyheadache@onelist.com>
Sent: Monday, July 19, 1999 8:29 PM
Subject: Re: [chronicdailyheadache] Digest Number 7


> From: changeagent@...
>
> oh how all of us CDHers would love a pain free day!
>
> ~~~If you see my sanity DO NOT send it my way!~~~
>
>
> --------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ----------------------------
>
> Start a new ONElist list & you can WIN great prizes!
> http://www.onelist.com
> See homepage for details on ONElist's new "FRIENDS & FAMILY" program.
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

oh how all of us CDHers would love a pain free day!

~~~If you see my sanity DO NOT send it my way!~~~

Good morning,
Yesterday I woke up with a real baddy. Used my Imatrex nasal once and then
again in about 2 hrs. It was relieved quite a bit. As the day went on it
returned and I had to be to work @ 3..I went on to work hating to call in
and knowing it would be hard on a Sunday to find someone to come in. I took
a Wygesic @ 4 pm and was able to make it til 11.
I wonder what it would feel like to be H/A free?I think I can actually
remember 1 day without a H/A since Jan. 91. I actually realized on that day
the I didn't have a H/A.
I am wondering how we can get more people to join our list??I think I'll put
a link on my homepage and ask others if they will.
It helps me to know I am not the only person out here with H/A's...To know I
am not the only one living with them daily. To know my experiences are
normal for D/H/A.
I hope all have a very quiet H/A day !! :)
          Karen

I am more then a Head-Ache !!!

Hi,
We are so dependent upon them for some relief...then they forget to call it
in or just don't take our pain seriously...
Saw 2 mistakes in my past letter....
I had my     TONSILS out when I was 23.My spell checker doesn't know how to
spell toncils/tonsils...Guess I need to look it up......
Another one is  ARTERITUS (giant cells in the temporal arteries)   NOT
"arteries."  sorry  (
Woke up this AM with my head hurting......I think "OH NO" what is this day
going to be like?- will I get to work?-will I get it under control?
I wrote poetry about my feelings about my H/A's.Maybe I will look some of
that up...
When they began I also was dealing with a 14 yr.old risk taking rebellious
teen age girl.I felt so completely helpless.The darkest tunnel I have ever
been in.
I am still walking around in this HA purple haze and sometimes feel as if I
have lost complete control over my life.
I get so angry and so very sad.
          I hope you got your meds !!!!!!!
a friend who understands,
Karen

This afternoon I saw a new neuro. Toward the end of the visit I was told
three times that she would call in some meds to my pharmacy. Guess who
never called my pharmacy! GRRRRRRRR

This is routine stuff and its getting botched. Now I've got to call
their office to bring it to there attention. I should have followed my
gut instincts and asked for a written script.

~~~If you see my sanity DO NOT send it my way!~~~

Good morning,
So good to hear from you......I don't feel quite so alone.
I am truly sorry that is what welbutrin did  to you. What we won't try!
I feel like I am begging my Dr. too or BORING him..."I am back  - just call
me HA ."...I think he missed my gallbladder attacks because when I see him
he is thinking about just my head...Another Dr. after at least a year of
gallbladder PAIN found that problem.Had to have it removed in April.
I try to trade off with my pain pills as I also have been scared I would get
addicted - now they say that doesn't happen - instead we become dependent
upon them to relieve our pain.I still worry about my kidneys and taking so
much med.
My mouse is not working very well .EEK !!!
I have had ALL the H/A test and more.Back in Jan. 91 when they started to be
daily...
I was to have an MRI but I have a piece of metal in my throat from when I
had my tonics removed when I was 23. At first I was treated as if I had
arteries and put on predisonze.I was so afraid as my Doctor told me it was a
possibility that I would instantly go blind in an eye. I prayed and cried
and took the medicine till I began to have some severe side affects from it.
I must get ready to go to work. I have a 92yr. old woman that I need to help
with her daily living cares this AM....

My heart to yours,
Karen@...

I would guess that all of us wth CDH are praying for a medical break
through. I for one hate having to practically bed pain meds off of my
primary doc.

~~~If you see my sanity DO NOT send it my way!~~~

<<I am thinking MAYBE I should try Welbutrin to lose the 25 lbs. I picked up
from migraines and migraine meds.>>

I wouldn't recommend it.  For me, it was like an unintentional STARVATION
diet.  I couldn't eat because my hunger was gone completely.  It doesn't
raise the metabolism like most pills that help people loose weight, it just
made me starve.

I'm not saying that this will happen to everyone, just that you should always
be cautious.

-Lannieta
p.s.-There I go telling everyone what to do.  What can I say?  I'm a
control-freak.  You can just ignore what I say or delete my posts if start to
tell everyone how to run their lives.  :)

Good morning,

I am thinking MAYBE I should try Welbutrin to lose the 25 lbs. I picked up
from migraines and migraine meds.

I live in Wisconsin and couldn't afford to keep going back to see Dr.
Diamond.
Is she his daughter-in-law ?

At one point I had a University Pain Dr. tell me JUST to get off ALL my
meds - this was March- He said by Memorial Day I would be H/A free.Never
happened

Why is there not something out there that we can take once a day and be H/A
free all day?

My husband gets terrible sick throwing up H/A's when his addiction to
caffeine is not filled everyday.
  Usually happens when we are on vacation in the beautiful Rocky Mountains in
Colorado.I have to drive DOWN those ROADS.It takes him one whole day to
start to feel better.

Here's wishing everyone a H/A free day !

Karen

" Music washes away from the soul
              the dust of everyday life  "

"Yes, there is still time to turn around
And make all hatred cease.
Let's give another name to living
And we can call it peace."
                 John Denver  (1943-1997)

<<and have just switched to wellbutrin>>

Dr. Pepper prescribed that to me.  She forgot to tell me it could lower my
appetite.  She about went threw the ceiling when I told her I had lost 35 lb
on it and wanted to get off of it.  ((Well, of course I wanted to destroy my
health some more by loosing that much weight.  And, yeah, I just want to get
off of it so that I could be in much more pain.  BTW, it didn't help with my
CDH, but that's okay, Doc.  You can destroy my life and eat a hole through
each of my paychecks as much as you want, *DOCTOR*.))  She also wanted me to
go to a psychologist.  Guess what?  I no longer go to her.

Just a little warning about Wellbutrin...
And a not-so-little one about Doctor Pepper at the Diamond Headache Clinic...

-Lannieta
(so that post wasn't really about Wellbutrin.  I got kinda sidetracked.)

HI,
I am a 52 yr. woman/married/2 grown kids/ and 2 teenage grandchildren.
Very glad to hear from you....
I have had CDH  since Jan. 91.
I have spent a week at the Diamond HA clinic with Dr. Diamond  - the
daughter of THE Dr. Diamond.
Went away with HA's and what I was told was Asthma and Asthma Medicine -

However I later learned I was not Asthmatic BUT was having Anxiety Attacks
and have been on Imimpramine to control them for the last 2 yrs.

I think we have tried about everything there is......
I am on Nadolol as a proactive med. BUT it isn't working.
I have Wygesic (it usually helps) ,Imatrex nasal (I must use 2),phrenilin
(makes me very sleepy),Ibuprofen helps ,BUT in a short while my stomach
becomes very inflamed...I saw some information on Amerge and am thinking I
may try that as it seems to control the pain longer then Imatrex.
My 34 yr.old son and 25 yr. old daughter both get Migraines. My Grandmother
suffered with them for many years. My mother used to have them but they just
went away ....I have had them since I was a child But became daily when I
was 42 and undergoing a tremendous amount of emotional pressure - but the
pressure are no longer in my life but the Headaches remain.
I describe mine as someone having my head in a vice at my temples and
screwing it tighter and tighter.Then I get sharp hot icepick jabs in my
temples and eyes.  My head feels kind of numb like when a hand or foot goes
to sleep.
Just to know there are people out there that can understand !!!! It is just
not another Headache.....

DEAR LANNIETA & GROUP
You are forgiven Lannieta, I had forgot I signed up for this group
too....lol....great minds think alike?? do you think they'll buy that one?
hehehehe.
A bit of my story now......I live in southern Ontario---close to Niagara
Falls...am 36 yrs. old and my migraine begun first at age 28 during 8th
month of my third pregnancy---3rd was a girl first 2 were boys.....I had
another migraine in 9th month, but the doctors thought it was pressure on
the optic nerve---it was not diagnosed as migraine until almost 2 years
later!  I had been pain free all that time, then one day poof...pain that
continued....after about 3 weeks when I realized I was taking extra strength
tylenol or tylenol #1 everyday---I realized something may be wrong and had
to get it checked out......of course I "knew" the doctors could "cure"
me...HAHA!    At first the 1st neurologist said I was under stress as
well-----> of course I am stressed I said, who the hell isn't this day and
age, but---I had been separated a year already from an abusive husband,
taking care of 3 kids and back in University to finish my 4th degree in Cell
Biology and Genetic Research----> I was happier then ever before in my
life---on top of the world! It was that year that it all came crashing
down.........it was then I realized most doc's new very little about
migraine.....my father had once suffered them, my sister gets them once or
twice a year, and other then that I am the only one who gets them to this
degree.......I have been on probably ALL the preventative drugs---a few
exceptions due to kidney damage (I have 31% function in right kidney and 69%
function remaining in left kidney---some drugs cause renal (kidney) damage
so I must stay away from them)
So as it stands now I take morphine (Stadol) for pain---only 2 bottles per
month though I could use more.....and have just switched to wellbutrin SR as
an anti-depressant---I took it some months ago to quit smoking and found it
to work better then Zoloft, Prozac, Amitriptyline, Paxil..etc...etc.....I
got some of my usual energy levels back with it, so within a few days again
I should be bouncing off the walls again....lol....only trouble is it does
cause insomnia as well, but as migrainers I am sure you suffer this alot
like me too.....if that is only side effect, I can handle that...I am fed up
with all the horrid side effects from these drugs, and the doc's saying "oh
just try them for a few weeks longer"......
Well I guess I have started a novel here, so shall say good bye for
now....you can all wake up now.
hugs from a new friend
roxie

<<Does anyone on the list have relatives with headache problems?>>

2 of my cousins had headaches (but only when they were kids, and theirs
slowly tapered away), but on just that side of the family I have 18 cousins,
so it's not a very common family trait.  My grandparents (<--passed away),
great aunts and great uncles (<--passed away), my aunts and uncles, 16 of my
cousins, and all of my cousins' kids have been blessedly headache free.

-Lannieta

The insomnia monster and I know each other quite well. Right now I'm on
three antidepressants to get a decent night's sleep and to help with
mood swings.

Does anyone on the list have relatives with headache problems?  My mom,
dad, and older brother to get some headaches but lucky them, they can
either sleep it off or banish it with over the counter pain meds. I got
the double whammy for some reason.

~~~If you see my sanity DO NOT send it my way!~~~

Let me redo the last part of my message.  Some gremlin in cyberspace must've
eaten part of it.

....
•  "Maxalt" is a prescription abortive migraine medication.  It works more
than anything else (but not enough ::sigh::), but it makes me sleep for about
18 hours each time I take it.

Sorry if I seem incoherent.  That's from the insomnia.

Who's next?

-Lannieta Talisa
Lannieta@...

I've had my CDH for about a year and a half now.  Since that's started, about
3 times a month I've had a bad migraine.  I stayed at the Diamond Headache
Clinic in Columbus Hospital in Chicago for a week last year.  No improvement
from that.

At the regular doctor visits to Diamond Headache Clinic, Dr. Pepper (yes,
that really is her name) has prescribed at least 14 medications for me.  None
worked.  I've been off all prescriptions for about 2 months.  (except for the
abortive meds for my occasional migraine.)

Because none of the specialists I've been to could help, mostly everyone I
know thinks it's just stress related.  I don't.  In April, I was under the
more stress than I had ever been in my life, but my headaches didn't get any
worse (not that they got better...).

I've tried everything I can think of.  The only things that work (though they
don't work very well) are:

•  "Excedrin" works just a *little bit*.  Can help if I have a
"more-than-CDH-but-less-than-migraine-headache."
•  "IcyHot" on the back of my neck works a little, though I *DO NOT*
recommend it.  It *BURNS*.  I have a high-pain tolerance (except for headache
pain), but many do not.  I recommended it to a friend.  It took her a while
to forgive me.  Oops.
•  "Migraine Ice" feels nice and cool.  It's a gel pad to put on your
temples, forehead, or back of neck.  I don't really recommend putting it on
the back of your neck, because usually heat helps for that area, but the
other 2 kinds are good.  [Though you can buy the back of neck kind, then cut
them in half (they're bigger then the forehead variety) and save a lot of
money.]
•  "Maxalt" is a prescription abortive migraine medication.  It works more
than anything else (but not ent's from the insomnia.

Who's next?

-Lannieta Talisa
Lannieta@...

I'm embarassed. I started this list and totally forgot about it. Shame
on me!

Out of curosity, how long have you been fighting chronic daily headache
(CDH)?

I've been doing battle for at least ten years.

~~~If you see my sanity DO NOT send it my way!~~~

Hello, and thank you very much for your welcome!  I'm sorry to hear about
your daily headaches....me, too...25 years.  Are you able to work at all?
What seems to help you the most as far as your pain?

You talked about therapy...I was going for awhile..my dad is financially
supporting me right now and he is VERY opposed to therapy.  I live in
Georgia and I'm looking into the mental health department and there is a
place here that has very low cost therapy, also.  Some other people have
given me some other resources to look into.  I have not applied for
medicaid.....I'm waiting on my second decision from ss disability.  Ideally,
want to figure out some way of working from home.  Are you currently in
therapy and has it affected your physical pain at all?  I've seen several
therapists over the last ten years....it's so ridiculous when they say right
away that my head pain (severe migraines, too) is totally
psychosomatic....and I've been through a lot of hypnotherapy for the pain,
with no results.  I do need therapy for sure...for the depression,
agoraphobia, panic attacks, OCD....geez.....but can't say it has ever
affected my physical pain.

(getting off soapbox)----->  sorry!  Anyway, very nice to meet you..looking
forward to this group!  Christy

Christ, I'm 37 and have had my life turned upside down by a series of
illness as well as chronic daily headache. I know what I feels like to
be dependent on your parents and have to put up with their games.

When I was at my physical and emotional worst a few years back I became
suicidal two times. Luckly a friend of mine is a form physciatric nurse
and was able to notice the signs and get me some intervention.

As for counseling, have you tried talking to some on the local
hospitals? Many towns now have human services dept to serve the
community and may also be able to help. Since I don't know what state
you live in, you may qualify for medicaid which would help in covering
the costs of getting counseling.

If you want to unload, please feel free to drop me a line, I know what
its like to be so down and out that there doesn't seem to be a light at
the end of the tunnel.

~~~The conventional wisdom and accepted facts are dead wrong!

~~~Don't go for second best, it's never good enough!

>


>>>Hi, I am totally new to "lists" and still learning how they work!  My
>name
>>>>is Christy, I live in Atlanta, GA.  I am currently disabled due to
>severe,
>>>>frequent migraines and daily tension-type headaches, which I have had
for
>>>>about 25 years.  I worked until 2 1/2 years ago as a dental hygienist
for
>>>20
>>>>years and a massage therapist for 10 years.  I am currently being
>>supported
>>>>by my father while applying for social security disability.  I have also
>>>>been diagnosed with social phobia, agoraphobia, and panic attacks.  I've
>>>>struggled with severe depression and suicidal thoughts for many years
due
>>>to
>>>>the constant pain and also a background of emotional/spiritual abuse,
>>which
>>>>continues today.  Being supported by my father, I am totally controlled
>by
>>>>him and his influence is very negative, fearful, discouraging, and
>>>>unhealthy.  I need to be in some type of psychotherapy, but he is
totally
>>>>opposed to that and I do not have the funds to do that right now.  My
>goal
>>>>is to be self-supporting again somehow and I am also considering ways in
>>>>which I could work from home.  I cannot sustain a "normal" job due to
the
>>>>frequency of my migraines and having to cancel the workday so often.
>>>>Currently I feel very helpless and hopeless, as if I am in prison.  I
>>>joined
>>>>this list hoping to connect with some people with similar issues and
find
>>>>some emotional support. Thank you,  Christy
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>