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Topic: Heard about CH, Is this what I am? (Read 421 times) |
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mmdrake
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Heard about CH, Is this what I am?
« on: Dec 26th, 2006, 5:54pm » |
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Hi all,
I searched for information about Cluster headaches and found this site.
Last week at a friends, I was listening to his migriane discussion with a local Drug Rep. I briefly mentioned my headache condition/smyptom and he said "that a Cluster, not a migraine."
History:
Male, 47, normal BP and 150 total Colesterol. Hypo -throyiod. Healthy otherwise
Infrequent headaches:
Usually I "Feel" them starting in the early morning 5-6ish.
Always the same, I have a small ache behind my right eye brow area. I usually try to take Excedrain Migraine to try to head-off the coming headaches is it works.
Usually the aches ramps up quickly to the following:
1: Sinus Drainage on the right side. Like a cold.
2: Pain behind the right eye brow
3: Itch to burning sensation behind the right eye
4: Lingering effects from the headache for 48 hours.
5: The feeling that I want/need to close the right eyelid.
6: No nausa.
7: Lack of concentration ability.
I don't have several a day and I may go weeks between them or get one or two in a week.
Is this what I read as a cluster headaches?
What can I do self help for my self?
What do I tell my family Doctor to help him help me?
Mark
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Brew
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Re: Heard about CH, Is this what I am?
« Reply #1 on: Dec 26th, 2006, 6:09pm » |
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Mark,
Sorry you're here, but glad you found us. Take the cluster quiz to the left. Then, start clicking on the links and read, read, read. After you've taken the quiz (and read), talk to your doc and ask for a referral to a neurologist who specializes in headaches (if you still believe you are a cluster headache sufferer).
None of us can tell if you are based on your description. None of us are doctors, but if you educate yourself and get in to see the right doc, they should be able to properly diagnose you and help you find the right combo of meds.
One last thing - the seemingly most effective form of abortive treatment for most around here is breathing pure oxygen at the earliest sign of onset. Talk to your doc about this as well.
Again, welcome. Last piece of advice - read more than you write at first. It's the best way to learn about the overwhelming amount of stuff around here.
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Guiseppi
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Re: Heard about CH, Is this what I am?
« Reply #2 on: Dec 26th, 2006, 6:13pm » |
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Take the cluster quiz to the left and start keeping a really detailed headache journal, when they started, how long the actual headache lasted, by that I mean the kick ass pain not the dull "hangover" that hangs around long after the ache is gone. Describe as best you can the kind of pain you feel. Throbbing, stabbing etc.
With all that info get to a neuro and have him eliminate anything else so you can get a solid diagnosis. Everyone here will help you as best they can but nothing beats a real doctor for a legit diagnosis.
And if you do end up with clusters, make yourself at home here and start reading like a mad man! personally I hope you don't have them, they suck! If you do you won't find a greater bunch of people, nor more info then on this site.
Guiseppi
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thebbz
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Re: Heard about CH, Is this what I am?
« Reply #3 on: Dec 31st, 2006, 7:23pm » |
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Get this book
Conquering Headache 4th edition by Dr. Rappaport.
this ones about all types of HA and symtoms of each.
all the best
jb
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red_parrot
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Re: Heard about CH, Is this what I am?
« Reply #4 on: Jan 2nd, 2007, 9:27pm » |
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Mark...
sounds very similar to what i'm experancing...i'm taking asprin, to keep them at bay, going to a headache specialist soon so hopefully will get a correct diognosis...
roger
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Dave
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chewy
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Re: Heard about CH, Is this what I am?
« Reply #5 on: Jan 2nd, 2007, 10:16pm » |
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If you were suffering a cluster attack then number 8 would be:
8. Compulsion to rip my eyeball from its socket while heaving my body in front of a high speed locomotive head first.
The mere fact that you dont even mention the intensity of the pain leads me to believe you do not suffer from CH.
If I'm right then lucky you.
Quote:| i'm taking asprin, to keep them at bay |
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And lucky parrot to.
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Kevin_M
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Re: Heard about CH, Is this what I am?
« Reply #6 on: Jan 2nd, 2007, 10:29pm » |
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on Dec 31st, 2006, 7:23pm, thebbz wrote:Get this book
Conquering Headache 4th edition by Dr. Rappaport.
this ones about all types of HA and symtoms of each.
all the best |
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My picking up and keeping from the neuro's office long ago, the old (now outdated) Rapoport/Sheftell, same title, 2nd edition was a great help before finding this site. 
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mmdrake
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Re: Heard about CH, Is this what I am?
« Reply #7 on: Jan 2nd, 2007, 11:07pm » |
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on Jan 2nd, 2007, 10:16pm, chewy wrote:
The mere fact that you dont even mention the intensity of the pain leads me to believe you do not suffer from CH.
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THe pain is not mentioned because it was just apart of the experience. Ya the pain is there. Not head to the wall stuff but not normal headache stuff.
Doctor tomorrow..
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burnt-toast
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Re: Heard about CH, Is this what I am?
« Reply #8 on: Jan 4th, 2007, 9:42am » |
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You describe symptoms consistent with CH but you really need to seek a professional diagnosis from a neurologist. Preferably one specilizing in headache treatment. There are a variety of recurring headache disorders and before you start investigating these possibilities ruling out potential physical causes is important.
Chewy correctly points out that CH pain is not managable using OTC pain medications. In fact narcotics, including morphine have also proven to be of little value in managing CH pain. Keep this in mind as you seek and accept a diagnosis for your condition.
In my case, my first encounter with CH was frightening and sent me immediately to a doctor. Honestly, the pain of a CH attack is beyond anything that I had ever experineced and/or imagined a human could survive without permanent damage. Now for the CH twist - others on this site have described initially mild pain with their first encounters and increasing levels of pain with each new cycle. Just something else to keep in mind as you seek and accept a diagnosis for your condition.
Keep us up to date and best wishes,
Tom
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Would the owner of the propane torch, egg beater, pipe expander and vise grips please claim these items. They're lodged in my head and I need the space.
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TonyG1
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Re: Heard about CH, Is this what I am?
« Reply #9 on: Jan 4th, 2007, 7:50pm » |
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I agree with Chewy on the Pain analogy... 
Best to go to a Neuro who specializes in headaches ... get a correct diagnosis. If you're lucky, then it won't be clusters! Good luck to ya !
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| « Last Edit: Jan 4th, 2007, 7:51pm by Tony3901 » |
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