new member (long)
As many of you know, when I'm able to work, I'm a writer and photographer for military aviation magazines and books. The best part of the job is to be able to fly in military aircraft to do air-to-air photos of one or more other aircraft. If I have a migraine when I fly, I change the selector switch to 100% oxygen. Unlike airliners, which have a constant cabin "altitude" of about 8000 feet regardless of how high they're flying (if they're below 8000 feet then the cabin pressure is about the same as what's outside), military aircraft maintain a pressure differential. In other words, the higher the aircraft, the higher the cockpit "altitude". The differential is about 10,000 feet. For example, an F-16 flying at 30,000 feet has a cabin pressure equal to that found at 20,000 feet. The oxygen system gradually increases the anount of oxygen mixed in with ambient air until the aircraft's cabin pressure is at about 25,000 feet. The regulator can be over-ridden and set to 100% as I mentioned above. The cabin pressure also fluctuates as the throttle is opened or closed because "bleed air" from the engine supplies the cockpit pressurization system. Here's what I've found that may apply to those of you who remain firmly on the ground. The changes in cockpit "altitude" caused by changes in throttle settings and by changes in altitude are frequent and can be substantial in a short period of time. If I already have either the early stages of a migraine or the "funny feeling" warning I get before one, then the pressure changes can aggravate things. If the migraine is going full blast, the pressure changes have no noticeable effect. Breathing pure oxygen (and not even medical-grade oxygen is as pure as aviation oxygen) won't prevent a migraine for me, but it will knock it down a few notches and delay it until after I'm back on the ground and breathing ordinary air. (I've also tried having an oxygen tank at home but it only delayed migraines and didn't stop or prevent them.) Changes in barometric pressure, such as the arrival or departure of a storm, don't affect me, but the degree of the changes in the aircraft do. Those of you who are more sensitive to barometric pressure experience something similar. As mentioned, breathing oxygen didn't stop or prevent a migraine, but it did delay the onset of one. However, it does work for some people and for those of you who haven't tried it, the above may be of some interest. The third factor for me while flying can only be a possible cause for those of you who ride motorcycles or race cars. I learned very early on that a very-slightly-too-small helmet hurts like hell within half an hour. I had a terrible migraine by the time we shut down after the flight, even with breathing 100% oxygen for most of the flight. I still had a grin from ear to ear because I'd just flown in an F-4 Phantom II. <g Jeff
This is fascinating reading Jeff...I too know about oxygen and how it effects migraine (definately not as well as it effects cluster sufferers)..I used it many times, pharmacuetical grade..when in Paramedic school..If I had a test to take I went to the back of the room and used a non rebreather at 10 lpm...this at least got me through the test. Of course I lived in Kansas at the time, air stability was always "abnormal" as was my head. Have since moved to Texas as the hubby was transferred...talk about high and low pressure!!! I find that if I wear a helmet of any kind it aggrivates things, as well as having a poor fit on glasses or sunglasses. Anyay, thanks for the good read...what an exciting profession you have! I had the opportunity to fly the helicopter in my training and it was a real rush!! Loved it! Jan :*)
hi I did not read the message from the new member so I apologize for not addressing you by name. i, also like Pam have suffered for years since i was about 20 (now 45) with migraines i also have fibromyalgia, cfs, myofacial syndrome, and depression, which i cant understand why anyone with all this does not have depression I also have 3 herniated discs, and 3 pinched nerves on my right side, which was my livelihood, as I was in accounting and making very good money. five years ago i had 2 surgeries, unrelated to the migraines, but the combination of all my illnesses has left me disabled also, it is hard to type and i usually don't type long emails I just filed for disability, and know that some people can get it right away while others are denied, even with the same illness etc. i used to eat excedrin like it was candy, until i got an ulcer and nearly tore my stomach up currently i take tramadol 1 a day esgic if needed one a day and 1200 milligram's of neurontin in addition i take lexapro for depression, serequel in a very low dose 25 mg to sleep and zanaflex if i need (it actually helps a lot, but makes me so tired) i also get acupuncture in my back and shoulders and neck and go to a chiropractor (just started) i was 110 percent disabled and now with all these treatments i am still about 90 percent disabled Pam is right a lot of times if you can think, you get denied, so i am going to the dr. and acting like i am crazy, i heard that you have a better chance if your totally whacked in the head of getting disability then if you have severe pain in the head, i know it is not completely honest, but the truth is most of the time when i have these headaches i get crazy as they take over your life, I have two kids, and they know..... my little boy just says leave mommy alone, the men with the hammers are in her head, so i can take him along with me to the doctor, and he can verify that i have men in my head with hammers, as i have told him that for years, how's that for being crazy. lol good luck and if you need someone to talk to, email me privately JoAnn