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Topic: My story (Read 244 times) |
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SpacemanFL
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I am a 40 year old white male. Mother has migraines. A few years ago I won the daily double with headaches in that I started getting clusters in addition to my 25 year history with Migraines. The clusters started happening 2 1/2 years ago in the middle of the night and I thought it was just a migraine. If I take Excedrin during the aura stage the migraine is greatly reduced. Nothing worked for the new headaches I was getting so I just thought I was sleeping through the aura and missing the window to take the medication. I also started getting these headaches several times during the day. This went on for a few weeks before I finally went to see a doctor. When diagnosed with Clusters I started taking a combo of Verapamil, Amitriptyline, and Clonidine. These were to control slightly high bp and prevent clusters. Until that combo started working, a week, I was prescribed Stadol which worked well, although I would have a hangover type headache later in the day. This was of course nothing in comparison and could be controlled with Ibuprophen. This had been working well until a week ago when the clusters staged an uninvited return performance. The bp is still ok and I am now taking the Stadol once or twice a day. I understand how potent this stuff is but it worked for me. This has been less effective than when I last used it 2 years ago. The doc said to give it a few weeks and if it continues he would send me to a neurologist. Anyone have the pain fluctuating during an episode? After the five minute startup phase mine goes from a minute or two of 7 then spikes to a 10 for ten to twenty seconds. This goes on for about 30 minutes then the episode fades in a few minutes. Like I tell people, the good thing about clusters is they only last about 40 minutes for me, the bad thing is that it's a LONG 40 minutes. During my first stint with clusters I once had it switch sides during the middle of an episode. I felt the pain slide across from the left to right side of my forehead. This took about 4 seconds and sure seemed odd. I have never had any symptoms like tearing or feeling flushed. I do have what I call "aftershocks" it is just a mild pressure where the cluster had been and I also get the sinus pressure. Hopefully things will return to normal soon. It sure sucks when you fear going to sleep because unlike a toddler you know the boogey man coming to get you.
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| « Last Edit: May 10th, 2005, 2:55am by SpacemanFL » |
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lionsound
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Re: My story
« Reply #1 on: May 10th, 2005, 9:11am » |
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Hi Spaceman,
I get migraines and clusters too and I'm so sorry you are suffering.
One thing that seems clear to me is that you need to get yourself to a neurologist ASAP for proper diagnosis. Please don't wait. It is very important to get that diagnosis sorted out from a neuro especially when you have a lot of HA types going on. Take the cluster quiz to the left.
All of that Stadol is NOT good for you.I know. I've taken it. It could be contributing to both kinds of headaches even though it seems to temporarily work. And it can be highly addictive.
Have you ever tries a triptan like imitrex or zomig? that works for migraines and clusters. And so does Oxygen. Oxygen works for both for me.
<-----------see oxygen info link button to left on vertical bar.
And ask your doc about melatonin for sleep.....it's OTC, but you need to ask because sometimes there are interactions. it keeps the boogey man at bay at night for a lot of us.
Please take care of yourself,
may you be Pain free,
lionsound
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