Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        New Message Board Archives >> 2002 Posts >> DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
        
(Message started by: nancyc on Aug 22^nd, 2002, 11:33am)

Title: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by nancyc on Aug 22^nd, 2002, 11:33am

IF they do, i think i am in bad shape.. ;D Yesterday, i was on my way to the tanning bed and then to work, ran out of gas and had to walk 1/2 mile in the hot smouldering heat of SC...Seriously, i have noticed my memory is getting really bad and it has absolutely nothing to do with age ( so shut up don ) ..I seriously feel my brain has been affected by the last nine months of attacks i had...Maybe while I am pf, my poor brain can have a vacation.... ;D ;D nancyc

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by Jim R on Aug 22^nd, 2002, 11:45am

Okay sis, here's my theory: for the last nine months, your brain has been concerned with little else but pain and pain control (a la "a one track mind"), and now with the pain suddenly gone, it (your brain) doesn't know what to do with itself and leaps in many different simultaneous directions (a la "scatterbrain") LMAO! No, really sis, there may be a grain of truth to this - for once your brain is free to think of many different things, not just the pain. Who wouldn't be confused?! If there's anyone who deserves the PF state, it's you Sis, so enjoy - memory issues and all. Your good friend, Jim R ;D

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by dannyboy on Aug 22^nd, 2002, 11:52am

Sorry Nancy, look at me and Ree, we're both vitually brain dead and niether of us get clusters!

On a more serious note, any excruciating pain for a long period of time will affect your functioning. And Extreme pain has the effect of interupting thought process.

A nine month cycle, sweet Mary mother of Jesus! How do you survive? I wouldn't be surprised if your brain just got so used to being interupted that you could be out on a date and forget why you were there ... ho ho ha

I'm so happy that you're pain free that I'm going to drink six beers in your honour tonight.

New here...? Don't know who to vote for in the up comming OUCH elections...? Join OUCH NOW, its free (just click the yellow botton on the left)...(please)...and vote for NancyC ... the original, one and only, heart of gold! besides hub of course ... especially when he talks dirty

P.S. Nancy I'm not sure if I increase or decrease the votes that you'll get by punting for ya! ... oh well ... too bad, I luvs ya

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by gtar_man on Aug 22^nd, 2002, 12:39pm

Jim - welcome to Jr status.
Nancy - I figure, if I could get rid of CH, I'd gladly forget some things. Both of my wife's sisters, for example. ;D

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by loserib on Aug 22^nd, 2002, 12:46pm

ive thought the same thing .i feel like im getting dumber each time i have a ch

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by BILL_L on Aug 22^nd, 2002, 12:48pm

Don't worry Nancy. I think it was the mushroom sandwich we split in Rhode Island. Where you ever
here? I just can't remember.

LOL Bill

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by NancyMcFree on Aug 22^nd, 2002, 2:18pm

My memory and concentration level has definitly been affected by the clusters .... but I attributed it to lack of good REM sleep. I mean, on the days I am not in pain and only have shadows I have to pinch myself to stay awake at work ..... now would it be possible for anyone who is so "REM sleep derived" think clearly ????????? I don't think it's permanent Nancy .... nothing a few good weeks of sleep won't cure !!!!!!

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by ChristineL on Aug 22^nd, 2002, 2:34pm

I have had CRS syndrome for years........not sure if its the CH's or just plain old senior moments but I can't remember what I did 5 minutes ago. I haven't been able to remember where I put my keys in decades!!!

Last night I had 5 Ch's and hardly any sleep - today I am a total basket case.

Chris L

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by don on Aug 22^nd, 2002, 2:59pm

On my way to a tanning bed in hot smouldering heat of SC.

Do I have brain damage?

HMMMMM?

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by HypnoticFreddy on Aug 22^nd, 2002, 3:32pm

No. I dont think CH's cause brain damage. However, drinking alcohol does. Alcohol causes brain cells to die. Of course, since we must abstain from alcohol during CH cycles, I'd say you are ok. Just read a good book, and watch The Discovery Channel once in a while to improve your brain functioning.

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by Drk^Angel on Aug 22^nd, 2002, 4:24pm

I know what you mean Nancy... My brain is like 73% fried. I find myself forgetting the simplest things. What's really bad is when I'm talking to someone, and in mid sentence forget what I meant to say, or forget a word, and end up having to describe what I'm trying to say. Maybe this cycle will end soon, and I can have my brain back... LOL

PFDAN..................... Drk^Angel

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by nancyc on Aug 22^nd, 2002, 4:37pm

I am thinking it is could be a side effect of all the heavy doses of antiseizures i took for months..luckily my new Doc is working me up slowly on my new one...but for months i was slam dunked with high doses ....just a thought...and don, dum dee dum dum.... ::)nancyc

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by Ueli on Aug 22^nd, 2002, 7:14pm

Only liars need a good memory.
Those who always say the truth do not need to remember what they said.

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by Drk^Angel on Aug 22^nd, 2002, 7:28pm

I don't care if I remember what I said... I'm more worried about remember what I'm saying long enough to say it... LOL

PFDAN...................... Drk^Angel

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by sailpappy on Aug 22^nd, 2002, 7:43pm

;D ;D Nancy(Sis,Sweety),
I'm not sure if clustes themselves cause any brain damage but the meds we take sometimes might, I know without a doubt that Lithium almost wiped out my short term memory, it has taken over 20 years for it so come back to a reasonable level.
I have this documented in My medical records, also a statement from my V.A Doctor that treated me the longest, his quote is that I was either going to have a Stroke or commit suicide if they couldn't come up with something to help me!
I'm still here and every day that passes I feel more and more mentally stimulated, I work crosswords everyday to try to keep fresh on some linguistical points and it helps me a great deal to keep my vocabulary in a normal range of functionability!
I also have a question after reading this quote in the first response from Dannyboy?

Quote:

Sorry Nancy, look at me and Ree, we're both vitually brain dead and niether of us get clusters!

so my next question would be why aren't you posting at the supporters area if your not a sufferer Dannyboy?
I find some of your post quite amusing for the lack of continuity in the statements you make out of ignorance but I had no Idea that you are not a sufferer, Or a supporter from my perspective, except for your Daddies business, I'm not attacking you I am just curious about the reason you continue to post outside of areas of you apparent knowledge level? pappy

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by SFChris on Aug 22^nd, 2002, 8:15pm

Nancy,

I also question if my memory is less sharp than at the beginning of this 8 and 1/2 month cycle, and I have some disturbing information. As you may know, I have been accepted into the Cluster Headache Clinical Research trial that D.J. has posted about. The San Francisco Clinical Research Center (who is handling the local trial I'm a part of) is also known as the "Center for Research into Dementia and Alzheimers". They are the ones running this cluster headache trial....which makes me a little nervous. At least I think I'm nervous...I forget? I think there might be a link.

Chris

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by maria on Aug 22^nd, 2002, 8:20pm

SFChris and NancyC,

one thing positive about this dementia thing is that you meet new friends every day. Maria

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by Charlie on Aug 22^nd, 2002, 11:34pm

My seizures probably do some harm but I believe it's rarely a problem. Clusters don't cause them but I bet some of the meds can do a job. I know some anti-seizure drugs may do some nerve damage.

I know you were funnin' Nancy and I liked what Don said. :D

By the way Pappy, I do the crosswords too. They say it keeps our brains limber. Damned embarrassing sometimes.... ::)

Really dense old Charlie

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by nancyc on Aug 23^rd, 2002, 12:01am

I wuz funning.BUT it is true...i think the antiseizures are causing big time memory loss.I hardly remember the mushroom sandwich Bill and I ate in Rhode Island..Hell, i have forgotten what Don even looks like.. ;D..now, after sfchris posted, i am really worried...cause everyone at work is kidding me about having Alzheimers. Then again, maybe clusters are causing brain damage..hell, i cant even remember what we are even talking about now.. ;Dnancyc

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by BILL_L on Aug 23^rd, 2002, 6:41am

CRS simple case of peroxide poisoning.

Forgetting what Don looks like priceless.

Bill

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by kim on Aug 23^rd, 2002, 6:52am

nancyc: We gotta blame it on somthin, right ;D
I feel the same way about the seizure meds. SCREWY! ;D

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by ChristineL on Aug 23^rd, 2002, 6:55am

So Bill...........are you saying I am having "blonde moments"? ;D

Chris L

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by Ann on Aug 23^rd, 2002, 6:55am

Nancy!!

You need not look any further...I have the answer to your question. You are blond!!!! That's why you're brain isn't functionning! LMAO....
I have the same problem..(not the blond problem..the memory problem!) It was worse this winter but it is getting better as the weeks go by. I think it's the incredible amounts of medication we take...at least that's what I'm telling myself because the alternative is just too scary. I, like Drk..forget what I'm saying in mid sentence. Makes it really embarassing when I'm teaching! LMAO

hugs
Ann

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by don on Aug 23^rd, 2002, 7:55am

Well then Nancy this should jog your well tanned memory,

http://www.bigscottklein.com/popup/pic1.htm

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by nancyc on Aug 23^rd, 2002, 9:52am

Jo, Jo, Jog my memory...that aint all it did for me... I think I am healed! LMAO... ;Dnancyc

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by NancyMcFree on Aug 23^rd, 2002, 9:59am

Crap, I am gonna save that one off .... know it made me feel better !!!!! Is that you Don ... oh, no ... its title has Scott in it ... I must be having a cluster moment !!!!!

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by nancyc on Aug 23^rd, 2002, 10:04am

DON???? tee hee hee hee...think not..but he is cute, or atleast i think he is...heck, i cant even remember..I do remember Mildred is real cute though..... ;Dnancyc

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by Samiam on Aug 23^rd, 2002, 11:08am

Hi All, I don't know if this helps but after my last cycle (about 4 yrs ago) I was really scared, it seemed that I did have something wrong with me, I went to my MD and said look you've know me for over 12 yrs now....I can't seem to be able to read and book and understand what it's saying or when someone is talking to me it takes me longer to answer them because sometimes I just didn't understand what they are saying to me....Once I even started to cry because I was reading directions and it just didn't make sense to me.....Dr felt that in that time of the cycle somewhere I might of had a mini stroke, I had a MRI but still didn't show much but it took me almost 3 yrs to get back to somewhat normal. I know for a fact that my right side shakes some now and some days it's even hard for me to write, not hurt just hand is so weak and shaky. Also vison although I had my eyes check out and they are perfect they still seem out of wack.....I just felt it was because of all the meds I was on the last cycle, 2 amerge a day, 3 imitrex a day, Daildid, and something else I forgot what it was,......but I fine it happing again the weak feeling, the shakiness, the brain fog, I hate it.....and oh yes let's not forget the mid sentence forgetfullness......My close friends don't laugh anymore they know it really bothers me and hubby also understands now also....it's like I hear you but I'm not understanding anything you say.....Neuro said it would pass but I'm afraid that each time this happens it takes alittle bit of me with it when it leaves......SAmi

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by Drk^Angel on Aug 23^rd, 2002, 12:13pm

I wish I could blame it on meds. The only med I'm on regularly is verapamil and an occasional Trex tab. Maybe I'm just goin' senile. LOL

PFDAN............................. Drk^Angel

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by don on Aug 23^rd, 2002, 1:35pm

Thats me. Scott is my professional name.

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by ave on Aug 23^rd, 2002, 3:03pm

I just know of one instance of brain damage through clusters: a man in my country who was in such continuous pain that he would bang his head. And doing that too long and too often caused caused the damage.

Serious enough, but not directly caused by clusters.

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by Linda T on Aug 23^rd, 2002, 6:54pm

Dear Nancyc: I also have periods where things just seem overwhelming and it's too much for my brain to process and I feel like I'm falling apart. I sometimes forget to do things that are routine to me. I never know what day or date it is until I look at a calander. And sometimes I have to do that a couple of times a day. DUH.

What's it all about? I call it LIVING.

As for Alzheimers. If you think you have it, you probably don't. My husband's aunt is in the beginning stages and I don't think she has clue that anything's wrong although we all notice a big difference. You know that saying: If you think you're crazy, you aren't. I think it's the same thing.

Good luck and enjoy LIVING. PFDAN to all, Linda T

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by loserib on Aug 23^rd, 2002, 7:09pm

Samiam thats the exact way i feel too

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by maria on Aug 23^rd, 2002, 7:20pm

Nancy C,
In doing my "research" for my homework assignment from BobP I found a study which documented that cognitive decline actually accompanies CH episodes. These declines were described as difficulties in comprehension, concentration and communication skills. The good news is the article claimed these declines were reversible once the CH episodes were over and the patients resumed normal sleeping patterns and life styles. So, things should be looking up for you and I am so happy you are painfree now.

Maria

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by nancyc on Aug 23^rd, 2002, 7:43pm

OK, sis..what is the name of that article? i need it for my Doc..he keeps insisting i am just dizzy...and i keep telling him i am not a natural blonde ...like he cant see my roots LMAO...heck, i still got a homework assigment to do...i forgot...atleast i got a good excuse, Boob... :Dnancyc

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by debbie4278 on Aug 24^th, 2002, 10:13am

ok,den,
are you just trying to confuse me, or did i slip over to another topic????????
you lost me.
but, in reference to all, I haven't been on any seizure meds, and only the basics during cycles.
i can't usually remember what happened yesterday, or what day it currently is without asking a couple times a day either.
True, i haven't had any good REM sleep in over 4 years due to kids. Then I started taking xenadrine just so i could keep going.
i just stopped when this cycle started.
Inmates at work are constantly asking me about things I was suppose to check on. I am always telling them "if it was yesterday or before, I don't remember-what was your name again, and what was I checking on????"
They look at me like I'm crazy, and then they laugh.
But it is a serious problem. I thought it was just due to being an overworked mom, or early alz's.
Maybe we're lacking a vitamin?? Or need MORE TEQUILA?????
I hate being in a cycle and no MARGARITAS!!!
LOVE
deb ;)

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by debbie4278 on Aug 24^th, 2002, 10:15am

And OH BABY!!!!
Could I hit a vein on ole' SCOTTY!!!!!! :D :D :D

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by maria on Aug 24^th, 2002, 10:27am

NancyC, Here is the article,"Reversible cognitive decline accompanies migraine and cluster headaches" Heachache. 2000 Sept; 40(8):638-46 and here's another one "Cluster Headaches: Association with anxiety and memory deficits" Neurology. 1999 Aug 11; 53 (3):543-7. That should enough to convince your doctor that "its not all in your head." ;D Maria

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by 4290 on Aug 28^th, 2002, 6:58pm

Feels like it would or just a bruised brain :)

Title: Re: DO Clusterheadaches cause brain damage?
Post by KingOfPain on Aug 28^th, 2002, 11:01pm

nancy c,
I don't know the answer to your question but what I do know is that when Neuro had me on prednisone, I was lost for even words...much less "normal" memory funtion. Soooooo glad that is over(the med).
Hope this helps but since I don't know what meds you take, might not.
Oh well, just trying to help,.....me.
KOP : - { )