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Topic: Are these CH's I am having? (Read 284 times) |
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ErikY
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Are these CH's I am having?
« on: Feb 14th, 2005, 4:19pm » |
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Hello All.
I am currently going through a period that I go through every 5 years. This is the first I have ever heard of a Cluster Headache as I always thought I had Migraines until I posted about my problem on a Migraine board and someone said it sounded like a Cluster Headache so here I am.
My name is Erik and I am 30 years old. My first recollection of these headaches was when I was 15 years old.
I started getting these headaches that I can only explain as the absolute worst pain I have ever experienced in my life. Each one would last about 1-2 hours and I would get them 2 - 3 times per day.
The pain can be described as though my eyeball is being crushed by a vice. The pain is so awful that my eye badly teers and I get extremely flemmy and produce tons of saliva. The light kills my eye. It is always my left eye. The pain is definately rythmic in that the extreme intense pain cycles lasting about 30 sec. to a min. easing up and getting back to peak intensity in intervals.
This first period lasted about 2 weeks.
I then went through a similar period when I was 20 and 25. Almost exactly the same.
Now I am 30 and I am in the 3rd day of another one of these periods and I am really looking for help.
I can just about set my clock to them, 2:00 AM and 3:00 PM (just got done with one a few min. ago.) When I get them I take large amounts of Advil (4-6) at a time which I think is what helps to get rid of them in approx. one hour, if left alone they can last hours at a time.
Each time I have gone through a period like this I have gone to a doctor only to be told different things each time. No doctor ever said anything about a cluster headache to me.
Inbetween the 5 years I do get lots and lots of what I think of as sinus headaches. I feel pressure over my left eye but they are nowhere near as intense as the ones I get on 5 year basis. The inbetween ones are like childs play compared to the ones I am going through now. Those I can easily work with and can go about my normal life. This last one I just got I was in my car literally crying in pain, cant do that in my office.
Anway, I am sorry to ramble I just want to make sure I include everything I can about what I am going through to see if anyone thinks this is in fact a Cluster Heachache pattern I am going through.
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Erik
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nani
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Re: Are these CH's I am having?
« Reply #1 on: Feb 14th, 2005, 6:05pm » |
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Hi Eric, wecome and sorry you're here. None of us are doctors so we can't tell you whether you have CH or not. Much of what you describe sounds like CH, so I think a visit to a neurologist is in order. Look around the boards here an gather as much information as you can. Look at treatment options as well. Bring the info that you gather to your dr appointment and maybe you can get a definitive diagnosis. CH can't be cured, but it can be treated. Good luck to you, I hope you can find the help you need quickly. Pain free wishes, nani
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Bob_Johnson
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Re: Are these CH's I am having?
« Reply #2 on: Feb 14th, 2005, 7:25pm » |
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Explore the buttons on the left and also go to the OUCH site. You'll find a "test" or symptom picture which might help you understand what's happening. Suggest you print out both lists and use them as a talking point with your doc.
Because cluster is relatively uncommon, you're likely to get the best understanding/treatment by looking for a doc or clinic which specializes in headache. Your hospital may be able to make a referral or, if you are in a larger city, check the yellow pages for a specialist.
Your symptoms are consistent with Clusters, in my opinion.
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Bob Johnson
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Kris_in_SJ
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Re: Are these CH's I am having?
« Reply #3 on: Feb 14th, 2005, 7:35pm » |
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Hi - So glad you found us, but sorry you have to be here.
Sure sounds like clusters, but you absolutely must see a doc for a formal diagnosis. Chances are, you'll need an MRI to rule out other things, though.
Treatments are available to make your cycles shorter and more tolerable. Read all you can, print it out and take it with you to your doctor's appointment (which you're going to make tomorrow!).
Also, start a headache diary for this cycle. Note the time, duration, intensity, etc. Think back over the past week and note the HA's you had during that time also. Take your diary with you to the doc.
Stop using mega doses of Advil right now! OTC meds are useless for clusters and can cause worse rebound headaches. I'm so sorry for your suffering - we've all been there and understand. Please check your email. I'm sending you a couple of articles that might help both you and your doctor.
Many Hugs,
Kris
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Sean_C
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Re: Are these CH's I am having?
« Reply #4 on: Feb 14th, 2005, 9:38pm » |
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I don't think I can add anything to what anybodyelse said Erik, except welcome to the family. Where here for support if you have any questions.
PFDAN to you
Sean..............................
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floridian
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Re: Are these CH's I am having?
« Reply #5 on: Feb 15th, 2005, 8:39am » |
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For the most part, it sounds like clusters. The one thing that doesn't is your perception that loads of advil keeps the headaches down to 'only' an hour. Over the counter meds like aspirin, tylenol, ibuprofen do not dent a cluster headache, and 15 minutes to 1 hour is the norm for our headaches (though not every cluster fits the pattern). But other than that, you could be a cluster head. Time to get a qualified diagnosis from a doctor.
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ErikY
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Re: Are these CH's I am having?
« Reply #6 on: Feb 15th, 2005, 10:49am » |
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First let me say thanks so much to everyone who responded and thanks to the great people who provide this site.
A couple of things in response to many of the posts:
1) I have a Dr apptmt tomorrow with my PCP hoping to get a referral to a Neuro. I need to visit my PCP before he will give me a referral, but I did get the ball rolling. I will be very well informed with lots of information for my apptmt tomorrow.
2) When I first made my post yesterday, I had not read nearly enough about these "beasts'". I just assumed that it was the OTC advil/Excedrin that was getting rid of these things in the time frame they were gone. That being said, I now realize that is just how long they last and I am quite sure the relief had absolutely nothing to do with advil and everything to do with the time they last and the manner in which they leave. Last night once again I was awoken by a monster HA and chose to take nothing at all based on this site. It lasted about 1 hour and went away on its own, so I now dont believe the OTC had anything to do with anything, just me being misinformed.
After reading through the site and the message boards, I feel somewhat fortunate, not that I have these monsters, but that for now they only seem to come every 5 years. I feel so sorry for the people who get them much more frequently. I am having a hard time going through life right now during a cycle and can only imagine what people go through that have these more regularly.
Thanks again to everyone for their support and help!
Sincerely,
Erik
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sandie99
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Re: Are these CH's I am having?
« Reply #7 on: Feb 15th, 2005, 12:26pm » |
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Welcome aboard! 
I am so sorry that you have horrible pain. Sounds that you do have features similar to CH, but once you see the neurologist you can be sure about it.
I do hope that you find meds which work...
Anyways, everytime you need your ch family, we'll be here, day or night.
Best wishes & PFdays,
Sandie
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"Do what you can and let God take care of the rest. Leave your heart wide open and always wish for the best" (Sanna Hillu)
"No matter how far out your dreams are, it's possible" (Marketa Irglova)
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RichardN
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Re: Are these CH's I am having?
« Reply #8 on: Feb 16th, 2005, 2:00am » |
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Try and get a script for 02 (15 lpm regulator) and non-rebreather mask . . . works as an abortive for many of us.
Luck at the doc . . . let us know how you make out.
PFDANs
Richard
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I can live with the beast as long as I don't have to "dance" with the bastard.
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ErikY
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Re: Are these CH's I am having?
« Reply #9 on: Feb 16th, 2005, 4:57pm » |
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I had my apptmt with my PCP today.
I was very surprised at how familiar she was with Cluster Headaches as she happens to have another patient who has them as well.
She definately agreed that I do have CH and she gave me a referral for a Neuro that her other patient with CH goes to. I have an apptmt in a few weeks.
She gave me a prescription for Imitrex nasal spray and I got it from CVS just in time! 
As soon as I got it I started to feel one coming on. I took one of the Imitrex sprays and within MINUTES it was just about gone! I still felt like it was hanging around, but nowhere near the intense pain that I normally get. I cant tell you how happy I am to finally feel like I have some medication that will work for me.
I am a little bit dizzy right now, but I will take dizzy any day of the week over a CH.
Thank you so much to everyone.
Erik
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