alleyoop

If you change your flight to Fri, it should be arriving really early since the conference begins Fri AM.

I agree CHf. Very good and thoughtful post.

EXCELLENT post MG!!! It has been a pleasure to watch your journey since joining this forum.

Carlos, I think you are talking about epinepherine (EPI), instead of ephedrine. EPI can and usually will trigger a cluster. I know, I found out the hard way. Luckily, my dentist had an oxygen tank with a high flow regulator. There are other options to local anesthetics used by dentist that don't contain EPI. I believe one of them is called Prilocaine. I highly recommend anyone with clusters letting their dentist know and requesting them not to use EPI! I found the following article by Dr. Ron Briglia: [highlight]"The ingredient that causes the most reactions in patients is the epinepherine that is part of some local anesthetics. In order to keep teeth numb for long dental procedures or to stop bleeding around the gum of a tooth that is going to be restored, the epinepherine in the local anesthetic constricts blood vessels in the area where it is injected. The reason is two fold: First, the epinepherine constricts blood vessels which stops any bleeding in the area. Second, it prevents the blood stream from diluting and transporting the anesthetic away from the area thus keeping the tooth numb for long appointments. The body is a wonderous thing because it detects that somewhere in the body that some blood vessels are getting constricted. The brain senses this and sends out signals to the heart to start pumping faster and harder to "open" these constricted blood vessels. This is the reaction that most dental patients think is an allergic or bad reaction to the anesthetic. At this point a patient may feel like their heart rate has increased or that they feel a little lightheaded. After about 30-60 seconds your body adjusts to the epinepherine effects of the local anesthetic and the heart rate returns to normal. For patients who are overly sensitive to the effects of epinepherine, there are many local dental anesthetics without this ingredient added."[/highlight] http://www.dental--health.com/novacaine4.html I hope this helps you and others. As you now know, it's no fun getting hit in the dentist chair. :'(

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WOW!!!!! :o Thanks for that mate! 8-)

Thanks much for the update Wooli. I think I speak for everyone here when I say that we all wish you the very best outcome. And we could all take lessons from your positive outlook! Bob Bowling

Advocate for thyself.

I'm with you all the way Jeebs. Even if you're only looking for psychological data gleaned from busting, I don't see how this survey could be representative. Jason, feel free to contact me if you want. I'll be glad to help in any way I can. Thanks for your passion and commitment. It's people like you that mean so much to the clusterhead community. Bob Bowling

Done. But I am not at all sure how these results will turn out. I would have thought more input (such as amount of dose, trip level reached, etc.) would help clarify some of the responses. I certainly think that would have made a difference in analyzing mine.

I'm going too, and can't wait for this one!! I regrettably missed Bailey's presentation, but one of my favorites was my own neurologist, Dr. Kenneth Lazarus presenting on treating CH from a physician's viewpoint ... very moving. And I'm with you Bob as to my favorite moment being Mitch singing and playing guitar in our room at the end of the day.  As I remember, the bathroom was fairly busy that night. ;D Bob B

clarky, if you are asking what I think you are -- that is, how long it takes to bust a cycle completely, as evidenced by being able to drink alcohol, your biggest trigger -- you are asking a very good question, but unfortunately one that is hard to answer. Everyone is different. Are you chronic or episodic? Have you or are you currently taking prescription meds? There are many variables to consider in coming up with an answer to your question, and even with these nailed down, it's still a crap shoot. Some (especially episodics) can bust a cycle with one to a few doses. Others (especially chronics) take many doses to hopefully go episodic. You can read "Sharing your busting stories" and gain a lot of insight, but ultimately it will come down to a personal experience. The good news is that in all my years of research and advocating for myself, this is by far the best option that I have found in dealing with this disease. Keep us posted. BobB

Great advice and great post Pixie. If you are unable to advocate for yourself, then make sure there is someone there who can.

Ain't it though.

Like clustermom13, "I am proud to be counted among your friends." Spiny, good to see you posting again.

Apparently James Mottram (the author) still doesn't get it: Radcliffe is looking well – though endless promotional duties have taken their toll. One of our interviews was cancelled due to ill health. "I was in the middle of these weird things called 'cluster headaches'," he explains. "It's very rare evidently, but it's exceptionally painful. It makes a migraine look quite tame. At the time I thought I was being a wuss. I was taking 12 [strong painkillers] a day and going, 'Why do I still have a headache?'" Endless promotional duties do, I am sure, take their toll, but I am also sure that they don't cause CH.

As a chronic, I kept a headache diary for years and included everything I could think of that might be relevant. I stopped several years ago when I felt I had a good grip on my disease. It can obviously be advantageous in evaluating what is going on, and what to do next.

I can't remember exactly when, but it was somewhere around puberty that I remember getting horrific headaches that were bad enough to make me bang my head into the floor. Thankfully, they only lasted a few weeks, and then disappeared for decades. It was about 12 to 13 yrs ago, at age 50, they came back, this time chronic from day 1. After major sinus surgery and a MRI, I finally got the correct diagnosis. When my neurologist said, "chronic cluster headaches", it hit me like a ton of bricks. I had two younger brothers that had been diagnosed ECH. One has been in remission for a number of years. Oh, and I am now officially considered episodic. After a particularly high cycle starting last fall, other than two very mild hits (k2s), I have been completely pain free since Jan. :) Hope this helps someone. Bob Bowling

Too funny!!! ;D ;D ;D Will this saga continue in Vegas??? Enquiring minds want to know! Remember what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas ... unless maybe you boys are having second thoughts now??? ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D Which is which in this relationship? [smiley=engel017.gif] -or- [smiley=evil.gif] Since I plan on being there, it'd be nice to know who's who going in ... or something like that. LMMFAO!!! ;D ;D ;D

Happy Birthday Bobby!!!

Got R Dun! 8-)

NICE!!!!! I'd be bragging too! 8-)

That's incredible Ting, and you're an incredible person!! I couldn't be happier for you!! :) With all the pain and misery this disease can cause, it is so easy to sit around and have a pity party. Your tenacity in the face of adversity coupled with your indomitable spirit is an inspiration to us all. Now, go break a leg ... well, not literally, of course.

This is truly sad news Bob. I am assuming that OUCH U.K. and OUCH Canada are still alive and well? Anyone know ... is Elaine (one of the original OUCH founders) still with us? I haven't heard from her for a long time. She was the first clusterhead I ever met in person, and has always held a special place in my heart. Bob Bowling