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Topic: I am new--first post. Help! (Read 273 times) |
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dawk20
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I love YaBB 1G - SP1!
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I am new--first post. Help!
« on: Aug 9th, 2006, 1:13pm » |
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Hi guys-My name is Ron-I stumbled upon this board today while surfing the internet for help with my headaches. I took both of the questionaires and it seems I have cluster headaches.
My family doctor recommended I get a catscan and see a neurologist but I wanted to do some research first.
I am 39 years old in decent shape...I work out 3-4 times a week.
I get headaches everyday now for about a month the same time everyday in the same spot. (above my left eye) The headaches last for about 2-3 hours and nothing I do seems to make it go away--only time. Does anyone have any advice for me ? Is a catscan a waste of time ? Any replies would be appreciated.
I do stare at a computer a lot during the day but it happens even when I am not...
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George_J
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Re: I am new--first post. Help!
« Reply #1 on: Aug 9th, 2006, 1:19pm » |
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Get a catscan and see a neurologist. Self-diagnosis can be misleading, and self-treatment may be dangerous, or ineffective.
Tell us a little more about your headaches, and how they present.
We'll try to steer you in the right direction.
Best wishes,
George
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Ah! The foreigners put on such airs
Wearing the tangerine suits
And their harlequin eyes.
The pain they inspire
Draws in harmonica melodies
And the feathers of birds
Which flame up at their touch.
It all comes to light in the sheer
Debonair.
(Ellen)
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serendipity
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Re: I am new--first post. Help!
« Reply #2 on: Aug 9th, 2006, 1:23pm » |
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How severe are your headaches, on a scale of 1 to 10, and do you have any other symptoms besides the pain? Also, have you noticed any triggers? Alcohol, strong smells, etc.?
I'm with george. Keep the CAT scan appointment, because better safe than sorry.
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Bob_Johnson
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Re: I am new--first post. Help!
« Reply #3 on: Aug 9th, 2006, 1:59pm » |
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If you have to pay out of pocket for a scan, consider:
To scan or not to scan in headache
Some patients with primary headaches may need imaging
Some life threatening brain disorders present with secondary headache, where the headache is caused by the disease. A brain tumour, for example, is best diagnosed by brain imaging early in the course of the disease, which is essential for optimal management of this and other secondary headache disorders. However, brain tumours, as an example, account for less than 0.1% of the lifetime prevalence of headache.1 This contrasts with the fact that most headaches in the community are either associated with mild systemic infection or due to primary headache,1 where the headache is itself the disorder. Dissecting primary from secondary headache is the problem, since, by definition, primary headache does not need brain imaging because no disease process exists that leads to macroscopic change in general terms.
How does one dissect primary from secondary headache? This question can have only a clinical response since no controlled trials have been conducted to identify causes of secondary headache. In clinical practice we generally accept that the so called red flags of headache should trigger a search for secondary headache.2 Thus change in the pattern of headache; new onset of headache in people older than 50; onset of seizures or headache associated with systemic illness, including fever; personality change; or with symptoms suggestive of raised intracranial pressure, such as new onset headache in the early morning; or headache that is worsening with coughing, sneezing, or straining should each be viewed with concern. Acute onset of the worst headache of the patient's life should trigger immediate referral for consideration as a sentinel headache of an intracranial aneurysm. An abnormal neurological finding is a clear indication to investigate, unless the finding is longstanding.2 Fortunately most worsening of headache is probably longstanding primary headache going into a more troublesome period, which mercifully is not a marker of a life threatening problem.
BMJ 28 Aug 2004[Not complete article here.]
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Imaging Strategies
For the vast majority of patients presenting with a headache, no imaging studies are necessary. It is estimated that only 1 in 250,000 headaches are secondary to a life-threatening condition compared with the 1 in 11 Americans who suffer from migraines.[3] The US Headache Consortium has recently offered guidelines for imaging.[4] Patients with an abnormal neurologic examination should be considered for imaging along with those presenting with an atypical headache. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) are the usual accepted methods of imaging. The Consortium has no evidence-based recommendation regarding the "relative sensitivity of MRI as compared with CT in the evaluation of migraine or other nonacute headache."[4] However, MRI is often preferred to look for suspected underlying structural abnormalities, such as tumors, while CT tends to be preferred for diagnosing subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Dr. Unger discussed headaches at the 2003 AAFP Scientific assembly and presented the following "comfort" and "danger" signs as guides for imaging or other additional testing.[5] Comfort signs that are less likely to be associated with a secondary or life-threatening headache include positive family history of migraine, headaches that are menstrually related, those preceded by typical aura, or those that are periodic and stable over time. The clinician should consider additional testing in the presence of any "headache danger signs:" "the worst headache of my life"; sudden onset of a severe "thunderclap" headache; new onset in a patient older than 50 years of age; fever, confusion, or neck stiffness; loss of consciousness or any focal neurologic finding; or any change in headache pattern, such as progressive headaches without any symptom-free intervals. Dr. Darlow also added that the need for reassurance, either for the patient or clinician, is a possible reason to screen.[6]
MEDSCAPE
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Bob Johnson
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George_J
CH.com Alumnus
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Re: I am new--first post. Help!
« Reply #4 on: Aug 9th, 2006, 2:55pm » |
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Thank you, Bob.
George
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IP Logged |
Ah! The foreigners put on such airs
Wearing the tangerine suits
And their harlequin eyes.
The pain they inspire
Draws in harmonica melodies
And the feathers of birds
Which flame up at their touch.
It all comes to light in the sheer
Debonair.
(Ellen)
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Ladybug314
New Board Newbie
The Devil Made Me Do IT!!!!!
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Re: I am new--first post. Help!
« Reply #5 on: Aug 12th, 2006, 9:20am » |
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Hi Ron,
Welcome aboard the CH train...I was diagnosed exactly about a month ago 7/11/06 I had a CT scan. It didn't show much except that I had some mucus in the lining of my nose. My MRI is scheduled for Tuesday woo hoo.
I did go to the Neurologist. I didn't care for her so I have gone back to my Internal MD who seems to know more about CH than the Neuro. Im on Verapamil 240mg a day and imitrex. I did really good last week no severe h/a and then I was hit last night with one and now this am with one grrrrrrrr..... Keep in touch and informed on how your doing.
This site lets me know that I am not alone.
TC
Ida
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What did we do to deserve such pain?
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Yorky
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
learn to meditate (or just sit & do nowt)
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Re: I am new--first post. Help!
« Reply #6 on: Aug 12th, 2006, 9:44am » |
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firstly,if your doctor,as diagnosed you.
you need some meds(oxygene 100%,verippamil,or any of a family,,called..triptans..also try drinking red bull.
During the pain...try moving your fingers and toes,quite fast(supposed to divert,blood from the head)
good luck.
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today is a gift.....thats why it is called the
present.
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