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Topic: New clusterhead all advice wanted! (Read 345 times) |
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katra
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New clusterhead all advice wanted!
« on: Jun 5th, 2007, 4:12pm » |
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Hi! I am a 45 year old woman who started having cluster headaches last October-December 2006.I had no idea what they were. I thought I may have had a sinus or inner ear infection. I have a limited income so I only go to my Doctor when I have no choice. But the headaches stopped. They started again in May.I started researching them on the internet.Imagine my relief when I realized I was not going to die!(although it sure feels like it during an attack).I have still not been diagnosed by a Dr. but my symptoms are proof enough for me.My headache starts with a burning sensation in the right side of my nose and spreads from that into full blown headache within 5 minutes.It lasts anywhere from 15 minutes to 1 & 1/2 hour and is gone as quick as it started. Is there anything for me to do to shorten or lessen the headache until I do visit my Dr.? This will be in July and the headaches will be in remission then. Any and all advise is greatly appreciated and welcome I will try almost anything at this point for relief!!!
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Guiseppi
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Re: New clusterhead all advice wanted!
« Reply #1 on: Jun 5th, 2007, 4:40pm » |
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Obvious an official diagnosis is your best bet as there are soooo many types of head aches and medical conditions you'd want to eliminate. That being said...
Score some red bull or similar type energy drinks containing caffeine and taurine. Slam an ice cold one down as fast as you can when you feel the first twinge of a head ache, it works for many to abort a head ache.
Many also have success just slamming down a couple cups of coffee at the first hint and can abort that way. Frozen bag of peas or similar ice packs accross the side of my neck and head where the pain is, close to the base of my neck, provides some relief.
If I put my face in the freezer, or directly in front of my cars air conditioner vents, plug one side of my nostril so I'm breathing thru the headache side of the nose, and take deep breaths of the ice cold air, it'll drop the pain level down a few clicks for me.
These are all emergency techniques for me, when I'm on cycle I ALWAYS have an E-Tank, (oxygen) some oral cafergot and my imitrex injectables with me. If money is a problem try and score some welding oxygen, if breathing pure oxygen for 6-8minutes aborts your head ache that's a great diagnostic indicator for you that it is CH.
Good luck to you, if there is any way you can at least get a good diagnosis from a doctor that's a huge first step. Then try and get oxygen prescribed. It's a cheap, effective abortive for many of us. Good luck and i hope you can get some relief and soon!
Guiseppi
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MR_FLOOR
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Re: New clusterhead all advice wanted!
« Reply #2 on: Jun 6th, 2007, 2:54am » |
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Guiseppi hit it on the head get diagnosed first cause there are preventatives as well so you can cut down on the abortives you use. although they are effective some of them are dangerous,like Imitrex don't get me wrong Imitrex is the best for me but I try to take it ONLY if absolutely necessary.The 02 has the least amount of side affects so try it first.Good luck and keep reading you will learn much.
Dave
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Kris_in_SJ
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Re: New clusterhead all advice wanted!
« Reply #3 on: Jun 6th, 2007, 9:21am » |
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You've been given some great advice already. Caffiene, ice packs (or frozen peas), and get a diagnosis. Read all you can on this site. There are links to a number of great articles that you should take with you to the doc.
I also started having clusters when I was peri-menopausal, so don't let any doctor try to tell you the pain is caused by out-of-whack hormones.
My other best advice is to keep a headache journal. Write down everything - time of start, how long it lasts, what you do that helps or doesn't, how severe the pain is, etc. Take this with you to the doctor. Often a diagnosis can be made simply on the basis of the symptoms as described in your journal.
Welcome to the site - sorry you have to be here. Many hugs.
Kris
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Bob_Johnson
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Re: New clusterhead all advice wanted!
« Reply #4 on: Jun 6th, 2007, 10:28am » |
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http://www.headachedrugs.com/pdf/ha2006.pdf
This will give you much good information free. It's the site of a headache doc in the Chicago area.
After reading this 64-page article, explore the rest of the site for several other useful sections.
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Bob Johnson
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katra
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Re: New clusterhead all advice wanted!
« Reply #5 on: Jun 6th, 2007, 2:36pm » |
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Thanks for the advice.I am going to make a visit to my Dr. as soon as I am able.Yesterday was painfree which means I will probably get hit tonight.Night before last I got hit around 10 pm. it was over at 10:20 pm. then I was hit again right after I dozed off at around 11 pm. that one was a doozy!! It lasted around an hour or so. That was my first time of having two in a row.I am sooo glad I found this site. I still am open to anything anyone might think to be helpful.
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Rosybabe
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Re: New clusterhead all advice wanted!
« Reply #6 on: Jun 20th, 2007, 2:10pm » |
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HI Katra! Welcome aboard!!
Try some melatonin at night to help you with the night hits. Also you may take a benadryl before going to bed.
Avoid all triggers, smoke, alcohol, etc...
Hope you get to feel better soon!!
PF wishes for you!.
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Sandy_C
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Re: New clusterhead all advice wanted!
« Reply #7 on: Jun 20th, 2007, 3:37pm » |
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Hi katra, and welcome.
Guiseppi has given you valuable information. Please go to your doctor, and if he'she isn't knowledgeable about CH, ask, no demand, a referral to a neuro or headache specialist.
At the age of 53, before I was diagnosed, I lived on ice water, ice packs, and OTC pain killers, Extra Strength Excedrin in particular. I was swallowing down around 8 to 12 Excedrin a day. Well, needless to say, not only did the Excedrin NOT work, but it compounded the problem - rebound headaches and a nasty stomach. This is not a good approach to handling CH pain.
There is a wealth of information on these boards. Please read everything, and print out information to take with you to your doctor.
And, ask questions of us. The only stupid question is the one you didn't ask.
Sandy
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