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An admission!

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#1 Mon, 10/03/2014 - 18:50
MelodyT
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An admission!

I think this site is wonderful and over time I think that the help and support that I have had from here has quite litteraly been life saving... Last year when I was in an episode of 18 months with at least 2 or 3 headaches a day, I seriously began to understand the term suicide headaches... It wasn't the pain so much that made me have this thought, so much as the persistence and never ending of it.

 

eventually they stopped... And being very mindful and respectful to this sites POSTING POLICY for OUCH (UK) clause #5: I ended up trying a substance classified under the misuse of drugs act, now the truth is I can not be sure that it was this substance that stopped the headaches for a period of 6 months, maybe they were due to stop anyway. But what I can be absolutely sure of, is that as a 55 year grandmother and a professional in the addictions field.... I will be trying again! I risk a great deal professionally with this choice, but I am also fortunate, as being in the field so to speak, does mean that I have had access to some very interesting research and researchers, user feedback, knowledge of risks and interesting websites... all of which helped me to make an informed decision about this choice..

 

as as I say,  I will continue to absolutely be mindful of clause 5 in the posting policy, but if people are interested I will post if further dabbles with this are effective or not.

And for those who might disagree with this choice, can I just say, that if somebody told me that stripping all my clothes of, rubbing jelly all over myself and running down the prom 'might' help... After 18 months of persistent cluster attacks on a daily basis, some days 2 or 3 times but some days up to 6.... I'd do it!

Mon, 10/03/2014 - 19:40
CBailey
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Each to their own, I say, but it certainly isn't something I will be messing with.

Sometimes I think stabbing a knife into my eye would help, but after 8 years of chronic, and many more years previous of episodic, I haven't tried it. Just not worth the risk...

Arise and be all that you dreamed.

Mon, 10/03/2014 - 23:48
Scott
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Good luck with your choices, be mindful of your choices. 

We will be here for you regardless.

 

 

Tue, 11/03/2014 - 00:54
Phil
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Cloe.

I seriously hope you're not considering any level of self harm.

We all say some strange things (well, I do) scary, funny, disturbing, down-right weird sometimes, stuff to help deal with the helplessness and extreme pain,

but, for so many reasons, bad idea.

(And, just between you and me, I haven't actually ripped any eyes out of any Doctors' heads to show them how painful it is, it was a fib.;))

 

Footnote: Why does our 'wink' emoticon look evil?

Tue, 11/03/2014 - 09:39 (Reply to #4)
Mike
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Chloe, I think we all understand the desperation that you feel, particularly during an attack. I think realistically there are no cures, be it legal or illegal for our “very special” illness. However there are very real issues regarding the long term effect of some of the treatments. I always remember having coffee with one very eminent neurologist who said he could usually tell if a patient had taken alternative medication, particularly over a long period. He said they seemed to progress to more extreme drugs and they usually showed signs of paranoia. Some of the “older” members will no doubt remember the actions some years ago of a few “users.” They were responsible for bringing the website down and the resignation of four trustees, two of whom they attacked the home of by throwing eggs at the house. One user in particular, sadly no longer with us, went completely off the rails. 

 
 
 
Chairman OUCH UK

Tue, 11/03/2014 - 12:21
CBailey
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I'm confused!

I was trying to say that during an attack, it feels like we will be willing to try anything but don't because some things are just not going to help, ie, taking eyes out. I feel the same way about that as I do taking 'alternative' treatments. I think they are dangerous in so many ways and it's not something I'm going to experiment with. As for self-harm, it's been many years since and I don't intend on returning to those dark days Wink - evil wink! 

I'm guessing your reply Mike, is more aimed at MelodyT than me? Such a shame that happened to members/trustees. During my university years (Psychology with emphasis on addictive behaviors) I volunteered at an adult mental health unit and what I saw scared me off drugs for life (not that I was ever tempted anyway!)

Arise and be all that you dreamed.

Tue, 11/03/2014 - 13:17
Dorothy Trustee
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Melody - I respect that it's your own choice to use this substance but from what I know of this subject, there seems to eventually be a tolerance build up so that higher and higher doses are required.  This can result in impaired judgement and in some cases psychosis.  During the years I spent working for doctors I have seen a few cases where such substances led to psychosis and it was very sad to see how it can change a person's life.  I do know someone personally who hasn't left the house for years because of his paranoia and he was perfectly normal before he tried illegal recreational drugs.  It's a risky path for anyone to take in my humble opinion.

Dorothy (Trustee)

Tue, 11/03/2014 - 14:17
tangerinearmy
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melody

 

you do right

some people are very very very misinformed

Tue, 11/03/2014 - 19:41
duetto
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Dorothy is spot on, the brain looses its default settings for dopomine, serotonine etc  as each high is met with a similar low, the ups and downs to these extremes mess up the brians default settings and senses over prolonged use leading to dual diagnoses [mental health caused by a drugs problem].

short term releif in my book is not worth the long term risk which creeps up on users.

 

another danger you just do not know what is added to powders and tablets, these days even cannabis is sprayed with other substances and chemicals to give a stronger high, embalming fluid.is just one, another trick is a mix of cleaner fluids with give a hit similar to crystal meth.

as for mushrooms you just do not know the strength of a particular crop.

I used to give talks on the dangers of drugs, and it is a big eye opener when you learn what goes on in the background that TV, mags, and the media do not mention.

Wed, 12/03/2014 - 07:48 (Reply to #9)
Mike
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Chloe, many apologies, I did of course mean Melody.,

 
 
 
Chairman OUCH UK

Wed, 12/03/2014 - 12:59
Phil
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Can we go back to the jelly now?
Any specific flavour?

Thu, 13/03/2014 - 19:06
MelodyT
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Oooooh dear! Sorry to hear about those other people's MH problems and about their gateway issues. 

To be honest though the truth is that there is very little absolute evidence that drugs cause MH problems, but of cause they can kick of underlying problems that a person already may have, but where precipitators have not been triggered prior. (Of cause you can find evidence and research that'll say the opposite too)

i am aware of the spraying of plants to force growth and aware too that the embalming chemical that has been found in plants is also present in legally bought cigarettes... with a 100 other poisonous and dangerous chemicals. But in any case I see very little evidence anywhere that, that plant helps with CHs anyway. (It's triptans not THC, that 'may' have some therapeutic benefits.)

i would worry about synthetic drugs too, especially any of the novel psychoactives, mainly because the side effects, dosage and content is a mystery to most people outside of the Chinese labs churning them out.

but there are other alternatives, and doses are an issue for experimenters but suffice to say that subhalucnagenic are tiny amounts. No concern with addiction anyway, because they don't work one day after the other, they need a space of at least a week in between, even for recreational users.

and Phil..... Do ya think lime jelly would work? But not if it's trifled! 

But seriously, it does concern me in many ways that because of legal and sometimes moral issues, qualitative research is not being undertaken for many of the possible therapeutic qualities of many substances. I was at a conference recently where Prof Nutt was discussing how this can be difficult for those scientists who are working to alieviate many symptoms for people's conditions, from depression, Parkinson's, some cancers and pain relief. I know that in America there are some researchers, researching the effects of 'natural' triptans in the eliviation of CHs in particular.

Sun, 29/06/2014 - 12:52
horner78
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but if surely you can take in small doses or one dose in  cuppa tea could abort cycle,im looking into it, beast  that i know is coming september like clockwork,my gp has presribed 2 injections,can i ask fo10 inections or will he bullshit me with i cost to much likewith oxygen hes sayin take to long i aid will i got time til i starts,i wish me pain on this stupid doctor,5 years of pain he said i had nasel poylyts ,only to be laughed  out of the ent unit by some upbeat doctor,please to god find a cure for us,

Sun, 29/06/2014 - 22:06
Phil
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Joined: 26/02/2014 - 17:02

I find it disgusting that sufferers are denied the correct medication time and time again.
In some countries, extreme pain and sleep deprivation are considered torture.
And here we are, discussing the morality of illicit drugs.
Surely this level of incompetence and ignorance from "medical professionals" is a bigger crime than getting dizzy?
How much suffering does a Doctor need to cause to be an evil scientist?

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