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Topic: Anyone who can shed light on this for me.... (Read 262 times) |
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gougemyeyeout
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I love YaBB 1G - SP1!
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Anyone who can shed light on this for me....
« on: Nov 23rd, 2006, 10:28am » |
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Hello,
My name is Jamie and I got my first cluster headache about four years ago. Back then I only got them once or twice, no more than five days straight, within a week and then they were gone. I was misdiagnosed with sinus problems, because as you all probably know, a CAT scan will only show sinus inflamation during an attack.
Anyway, I went to the ER one time about 3 years ago and they gave me a shot of Toradol and a CAT scan and said I had a sinus infection and put me on antibiotics and I just kind of suffered with them from there. Back then they'd wake me up in the middle of the night, normally and I'd pace until they were gone, which they would thankfully be gone within an hour.
I had bouts that were short over the last couple years, always in the spring and then again in the fall, but only saw the doctor once. He put me on Maxalt, which didn't even touch them. Now I've been in a session for about four weeks and they've NEVER been like this.
Does anyone else have the same strange pattern that I've been dealing with for the last month? I only get them every other day (and I mean that like clockwork! I've been recording them for four weeks and they are EVERY OTHER day. Is that weird?) For the first week they were in the morning, around 10am, then they were around midnight, now they've been around 7 and 10 pm for the last week and they seem to be getting longer and worse. I found this sight last night and had just started going through it when another one struck right around midnight and it was by far the most excruciating pain I have ever had, literally bringing me to tears and I don't ever cry for anything.
The sad part is I have no health insurance and I can't afford to see a doctor, so I'm hoping that this cycle ends soon. All I can think about during an attack is how it would feel so much better to just gouge my eye out. My attacks always come on with a tingling behind my eye and a vague, almost hangoverish headache and come on strong within 15 minutes. Always on the right side, right above my eye, the veins stand out on that side of my forehead and you can see my pulse. My face flushes on the right side, my sinuses block up on that side and by the time it hits its peak the whole right side of my head is throbbing all the way down my neck. The neck pain is the worst part. I have found nothing that even touches them and they've been lasting longer and longer. Although last night was the most painful episode, the longest I had was last saturday starting at 7pm and hanging on til almost 5am. What seems strange to me is the timing. I've browsed this sight and haven't seen anybody mention getting them every other day like i have. It's so strange, and scary to know what days they're coming and spend the whole while anticipating. Thank god I had one last night though, I should be safe today
This is a great site and I look forward to hearing from anyone and everyone. It's so nice to know other people are suffering the same shit as me. My husband gets migraines frequently, but they are mostly brought on by his high blood pressure so he can regulate them with exercise. I'm not so lucky however. But he's the greatest guy and he knows what head pain is like (though I'm not sure he's ever had any like this) so he'll spend the duration of my bouts rubbing my head and neck. It doesn't get rid of it, but the distraction is nice.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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Giovanni
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I love YaBB 1G - SP1!
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Re: Anyone who can shed light on this for me....
« Reply #1 on: Nov 23rd, 2006, 11:17am » |
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Hi Gouge,
Until now you've been fairly lucky with these things. I'm winding down on my 5th month and during the apex of the cycle was getting hit 6 or more times per day.
And yes, patterns can and do change over time.
With no medical insurance, there are some options for you......look at oxygen to your left. A regulator can be found on ebay and one can use welder's oxygen if you have to. Red Bull, coffee, excedrine seems to help along with melatonin at night.
I'm sure others will come along with their ideas. Take a look at Floridian's Headache book for other suggestions:
http://www.med-owl.com/clusterheadaches/tiki-index.php?page=HomePage
You've found the right place here with a lot of knowledge combined with experience.
Best of luck to you,
John
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pattik
CH.com Alumnus
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Re: Anyone who can shed light on this for me....
« Reply #2 on: Nov 23rd, 2006, 11:27am » |
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Hi Jamie,
As John said, oxygen can be one of the best and cheapest ways to deal with aborting your headaches. The right mask and LPM flow are essential though, so please read as much as you can here. When my CH's were first starting out, just like you, I had the every-other-day-like-clockwork hits. So I don't think your experience is that unusual. Welcome to the site, and feel free to ask questions.
PatK
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The voyage of discovery is not about seeking new landscapes, it's about having new eyes--Marcel Proust
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Guiseppi
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Re: Anyone who can shed light on this for me....
« Reply #3 on: Nov 23rd, 2006, 2:06pm » |
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Unfortunately nothng about this condition seems to be unusual because it morphs so often. With no med insurance I would suggest trying oxygen. Read the link on the left. You need to breathe 100% pure oxygen at the first sign of a headache coming on. If it's going to work it will work within 10 minutes. I use an old paramedic demand regulator, others use "the cluster mask" or a non re breather mask. Good luck in finsing some relief, these things hurt.
Guiseppi
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Why are all sensors, seeking intelligent life, pointed AWAY from earth?
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