shaggyparasol

Hola! When I check in there is still a ton of good cluster advice going out to those in need. Makes me feel good that many of us have or soon will turn the corner on our intense pain. And it also makes me feel good to see so many sticking around to lend a hand. There were definitely leaner times, so it looks like the ClusterBusters are living large! Nice work everyone! 8-) The Shaggy >

Nice thread to come back to ya'll! Count the Shaggy in. When should we meet? The Shaggy 8-)

Yeah, stick with your plan VA. Busting during a cycle is a pain in the butt, takes more and more often. Preventing is much easier. I think I read you are chronic maybe?? If the seeds don't give you what you need think about the mushrooms at some point. Someone's got to have them around there. I am sure you have read about the detoxing. I am not sure about taking low doses of verap and the seeds still working?? anyone?? Anyhoooooo, you'll be better soon, might get worse for awhile with the detox but hang in there. --The Shaggy >

Hi Dan. I hear you and understand your frustration and anger. I too have not been enjoying the bust as much lately and would welcome a non-psychoactive medicine that could work on our pain. I would definitely try the BOL when it comes out, but not at those prices. I guess it depends how much my crappy insurance will cover. It is probably wiser for me to become better friends with my fungal and plant friends and accept the way of my world. While I don't know about the BOL specifics and the people involved, I definitely know capitalism and it's grip on our culture. How many times during the last election cycle did I hear how much we all love capitalism and how much we hate socialized medicine. It used to be communism we hated and socialism was ok. Now we hate socialism I guess. I don't really care, I just know that $$ sometimes takes precedence over everything. I am definitely not taking shots at the BOL people because I don't know them or have not interacted with them....I just write to tell you Dan that I understand your pain and am hoping for better days! Stay strong my cluster brother! The Shaggy 8-)

Count the Shaggy in for a great 2011 and great cluster-friends! Darkest day of the year yesterday and they will only grow lighter from here. --The Shaggy

Hi Tingeling. Haven't really gotten them at the same time (that I remember), but have had nosebleeds all my life. Finally figured out that if I chew up some yarrow leaves and stick them in my nose it will stop the bleeding in a few minutes. Greek army used yarrow (Achillea millefolium) to heal wounds. Don't know if you have it where you are, but works good here in Oregon. Shaggy

I have a room for you two. Remember that since you visited in August you think it is always nice here. The rain just started and should stay steady until next June or July But you are always welcome of course. --The Shaggy

Hola, The shaggy is still in da house! Seems like I need to dose every 2 months. Got a small kip'er this morning, bigger than a shadow but not too bad, decided to have a day off and do a light dosing to see if I can get a couple more months pf. It has been every 2 months since last year about this time to keep our cluster friend away. > Hope all ya'll are doing good! --Shaggy

Nice work everyone! --The Shaggy!

I like to eat watermelon Hi there Tingeling. Wow, tough questions today. I think there are 2 questions you are asking. First is what do we do? The second is more like, what should you be doing?? I think that is what you are getting at ?? I will comment on the 2nd question. Since there is only one wonderful Tingeling it is thus impossible for anyone to know what is best for you or the road that you should travel. That is buried in your soul and can only be activated by you. The good news is that you are young and have a bright future ahead of you. Like Eddie said, trying different stuff that attracts your attention is a good way to find the things in life that you like. Some would say that if you kept following your interests you would find your 'calling' or 'destiny' etc. Depends on your spiritual beliefs maybe. Do what makes your heart sing and you will find your thing. Sometimes thinking back to the things that you liked when you were a child can help. We were once raw and mostly unsocialized. That is when the true you was at it's most authentic. A beautiful time indeed. When you look around at different people who seem to really have their 'act together', that is a sure sign they don't. Everyone deals with the same crap one way or another. When I have been in a room full of people who are being really really honest, I realize how similar we all are. Sometimes we are having fun, sometimes bored, sometimes shameful, jealous, happy, sad.... Hard to live life without getting it all over you. So as far as the first question? I DO the things that I like to do. And I like to eat a lot of watermelon --Shaggy

I agree with everyone, great conference and compelling stories. It was obvious to me (and probably everyone listening) that while Dan (dave ) had to endure the pain, Lee Ann was the quiet strength that endured a different pain. I know supporters come in all types and ya'll represent well on this site and CH.com. Cindy, I am glad that you are making positive steps with your supporter. He's a great guy. We successfully got our new Arizona friend to the airport today for an early launch. Hope the sawdust bucket toilet wasn't too weird for you ShellieNaz. Maybe I should just say that I am hoping that we all took a few steps forward during and after the conference. There was a lot to it. I am guessing that people didn't even have to be there to get something good. See you next year?? Shaggy

44 but I am sure I don't look a day over 43 1/2 :-? And I will remain silent regarding CArl's comments because I am old enough to know better. --Shaggy

Dallas is 63?? He doesn't look a day over 62 1/2. I am sure that more will come out about the conference. It was very exciting meeting some of the folks that post regularly on the board and some that don't too. Denny of course is an awesome guy and I wished that everyone could meet in one spot at the same time. But I know we are pretty far away out here. Look forward to seeing all the pic's. Somebody said that I wasn't what they had pictured?? Don't know why the thought 'ol Shaggy would look different than I do Anywho great memories from the weekend. Tingeling, I like your new photo. Heard the Bonkers' crib is quite the cool place. Have a great evening everyone. --The Shaggy

Hey CrossT. Most of us here are not big into the pharmaceuticals. Either we never tried that stuff or it was so bad we came here. The good folks at www.clusterheadaches.com will be your most thorough source of good and bad info on those drugs. Sister website, great (sometimes gruff) people, caring etc. Check them out too. --Shaggy

ooooh, does someone have a birthday today ? Looks like a spring chicken, but something about that "1961 Mom" thing makes me think she may be approaching the big 50?? hmmm? Guess we'll find out at the conference. Have a nice day! (please insert pee wee herman accent) --Shaggy

Hi Nen. O2 doesn't typically have that effect on people and you are at a fairly low dose. While there are people on this site that can help, these non-psychoactive questions may get more play at the sister site, clusterheadaches.com. There are good oxygen side effect threads over there. Was your oxygen clean and from a good source?? That's my only thought on why it would give that sensation. I sucked oxygen for hours, for years as a former navy pilot. There's a career navy pilot on the other site that had way more than me. Go read his stuff. There are also some food experiences on the other site that may be of interest. Caffeine, melatonin, ginger, kudzu all seem to help or abort. So to emphasize (my opinion only, and I belong to both sites), I would stay here for all things busting, and go to the other for the more diet oriented and pharmaceutical. I think both sites are essential to really counter-attack the cluster pain! > --Shaggy

Simple is nice. I have a CD from a local guy. I was reading about the Mexican Shaman lady (Maria Sabrina I think??) and she uses a simple drum to focus people into their mushroom journeys. The simple beat helps the focus without distracting I bet. Other stuff is fun too, but for my 3rd dose last time I really wanted it to work. So I focused intently on the medicine and a traditional, earth centered CD worked out quite nice. As an aside slightly off topic...looks like mushroom season is underway in the great northwest. Just cooked up some lobster mushrooms that I found this weekend. Definitely NOT in the Psilocybe family but it is an early mushroom and easy to identify. Looks lobster red and is a fungus that takes over other mushrooms, usually from the Russula family. Tasty with eggs this morning and taters this afternoon. Goooooo fungus! --Shaggy

Yes, great news indeed! You asked about the eye opening up a week ago during his bust?? I think the mushrooms give some very interesting, immediate effects specifically related to our condition. It wouldn't surprise me if that was one of them. For me (and I read of at least 1 other person the same) it was a draining feeling on my pain side during my dose. Lying down on my couch listening to some Native American flute music, I could feel the energy pulled down and out of my face and neck like the pain was simply draining away. After that I got cold and I knew that it was gone for this cycle. I piled on blankets and enjoyed the music. That was also when it really hit home how much the CH heats my body. I crave the cold during a cycle, cold air, cold water, head in the freezer etc. Getting a cycle in the winter is actually a nice break for me. > Sounds like ya'll are on your way to a mostly pain free life! What a difference a little traditional fungus makes. Congrats!!! --Shaggy

I don't think I was busting at my last physical yet, but my next one I will definitely tell my GP about the methods. Haven't used any of their medicines so he won't really be attached to the way I treat it. They do need some education on the matter since they will most likely have more CH patients throughout their career. I tell my emergency room doctor friend all about it. Don't really know what she thinks?? I agree with a lot of ya'll that the more we talk to people about this the more accepted it will eventually become. The delivery of that conversation is obviously important. People have a very rigid perception of certain plants and fungus. I used to too. --The Shaggy

Thanks Tingeling. I spent July in Massachusettes with occasional access to the web. I also think ya'll got it covered here and I am needed more at CH.com. Seems like people show up in worse shape over there. So I like to check in, but miss a lot here. Hope to meet a bunch of ya'll at the conference in a couple weeks. I think you said you couldn't make this one?? Maybe next year? --The Shaggy

Hey there Cakelady. I am able to hold the CH attacks down to almost nothing with psilocybes and caffeine, no oxygen. So while I agree with our esteemed buster collegues that oxygen is helpful and a game-changer, you can also do it without if you accept the sneakers that make it through. Best case would be to have your busting meds (seeds, mushrooms etc) and oxygen and caffeine. If you don't or can't, just go without. Middle of the cycle, which I think is your case, it will take several weeks to really bust it. Which means you will still be in your normal amount of pain. Hopefully it will diminish as the weeks go on. When you get your technique down you should be able to avoid your cycle totally, without the attacks. This cycle may be over by the time you get your seeds/fungus, take several doses 5-7 days apart and get the results. Some people feel the effect on their first dose, but not typical. So do the best you can this cycle and then gear up for the next one a year or two down the road. Seeds seem to be the easiest to get unless you have access to psilocybes. Mushrooms are stronger for most people, should work faster. In my neck of the woods the mushrooms are out in the fall, so it would be hard to get them now. Seeds you can mail order, be there soon, busting in a few days. Good luck! --Shaggy

'Ol Shaggy is a sucker for a nice hoppy micro brew from the local pub. During my cycle the entire world could be drinking right in front of my face and I wouldn't even crave or want a taste. Too painful, too many times. > Angel, congratulations!! Things are better and headed in a positive direction. Keep at it and stay smart. You'll figure this out this time and then it keeps getting easier. --Shaggy

Hey there everyone. I have hurled before after eating a chocolate cliff bar and then getting an attack 10 or 15 minutes later. mmm, mmm, good, chocolatey barf. If I eat something that doesn't agree with a cluster, I know I would hurl it. Doesn't happen much, but some people talk about hurling often with their ch. As for excercise...brings on attacks for me when I am in my cycle. Others can kill their attack by vigorous excercise. I think the jury is split here (or a 'split decision'??? mwa ha ha given the mma themed thread here ). sorry :-/. --Shaggy

Hey Gaius, welcome. A couple additions to what the other fine busters have said. Personally I don't use oxygen. So while most have success with the O2, don't freak out if you don't have it. Busting success still possible. If O2 hasn't been working and you want to try or continue trying...use it exactly as recommended. The ch.com people are very well schooled in its use as are many around here. Many people claim that it doesn't work only to find that using a lot of O2 works. Don't forget to detox before trying the busting methods. Lots of pharmaceutical meds will block the seeds or mushrooms. Do you use caffeine at all?? For the daytimers it can be quite effective. The nighttimers sometimes are kept awake by it and sometimes use melatonin instead. Check back in to clusterheadaches.com for more details on all that. Some people say the meds make them chronic. If you are detoxing off the meds and going busting then maybe you will go back to episodic.?? --Shaggy

Good thread ya'll. Once I got my busting down and the pain has been kept at bay for months, I have a lot more patience to explain in detail to my friends and family. When I am getting my ass kicked by the clusters I have a much shorter fuse on the subject. One of the best things I have learned the last ten years is to be careful of the timing of important discussions. When people are feeling good, the conversations go a lot better. In the throws of hell you can expect a cf (like ch except the last word isn't headache). --Shaggy