Its amazing how annoying the CH condition can become when you have a really bad run in the mornings. I wish this cold snap first thing in the morning would hurry up and go and Spring to start as every morning, bar a few where i have started pain free, i seem to be having an early morning alarm call from the beast. The same thing happens between 2am and 4 am where i wake up immediately, not even feeling tired from my sleep, my eyes open and then within seconds the pain begins. Always starting at the from above the eye and on the top of the jaw, travelling behind the eye and then over the top of the head and straight into the base of your neck. The pain level is so intense i immediately hear ringing and static in my ears as the pain shoots over the head. My eye begins to water and my face droops all on the left side of the head. A small swollen ridge can be felt along the top of my head where the nerve or what ever causes the condition is swelling up.
The attack can last anything up to an hour and a half but most are around 45 minuets to an hour. If i manage to take my injection quick enough the attack seems to stop after 10 minuets but sometimes the level of pain is so bad it over powers the injection and i have to ride the attack. After the attack i end up with secondary pains all up and down the left side of my back and left arm. This can cause after shock attacks (as i call them) which means the pain from the back shoots back up to the base of the neck causing the pain to reappear over the top of the head. I can get several of these attacks during the day and although the pain doesn’t go as high as the main attack you would still rather death than have to put up with that kind of agony all the time. The only way i can describe the level of pain is if you imagine all you migraines, headaches, abscesses and rotten teeth all happing at the same time, if you can imagine that then your half way there.
Its strange how the cold seems to be the main thing that aggravates my head and sets off the big attacks. Cold wind blowing in my face and even extremely bright lights can also set off attacks. I haven’t found any food that can cause it nor have i found any drink but as i don’t drink alcohol i wouldn't#t know if it makes it worst as some people have reported. In one way i am grateful i don’t drink anymore. I did when i was younger but after having too many bad experiences with alcohol and getting drunk i thought it was for the better and better for my health if i didn't drink. I can’t wait for the spring and summer to start again as when it becomes warmer i know my attacks will decrease again and i will have more pain free time on my hands again hopeful to be able to get out in the fresh air and do some fishing again. Until then i have to keep putting up with the beats and the attacks and especially the early morning wake up call that's really starting to do my head in.
On a plus side i have noticed the swelling in my stomach has started to go down a little and my bowels have started to work again. I m still getting problems with only being able to get every 3 or 4 days but at least they are now moving again and i am no in so much pain. I think the swelling is from the hernia and as i have now started to avoid foods and drinks that set it off and cause me discomfort it has started to ease the swelling and go down a little but i still have to maintain being careful if i want it to continue. Avoiding things like Caffeine and Spearmint, Peppermint and sponge Cack and even chocolate can cause wind, bloating and swelling as it seems to make the hernia play up and cause me major acid reflux. The main thing is at least i now know what is going on and don't seem to stress as much when i get the pains in the stomach or stabbing pains from wind. I just wish there was something i could do about the lump in my back next to the spine as every now and again it seems to play up and when it does it hits the nerves and causes me shooting pains up the back and tingling in my left arm and left leg. I think i will have to speak with the specialist when i receive my next appointment and see what he suggests as my doctor seems not interested.
