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        New Message Board Archives >> 2002 Posts >> New to this - do I have CH's?
        
(Message started by: rgnodak on Sep 1^st, 2002, 10:57pm)

Title: New to this - do I have CH's?
Post by rgnodak on Sep 1^st, 2002, 10:57pm

Someone please tell me if I'm having cluster headaches. By reading many of your letters, I don't think that I do now. For the past 3 weeks, I have been having pulsating pain on one side of my head. It is always in the same spot about 4 inches above my ear and radiates slightly towards my forehead. I don't have a watery eye or drooping eyelid. I have 3 or 4 episodes each day, each lasting about an hour or two. They usually happen around the same times every day. The pain is not as intense as many of you seem to experience. It is dull, with an occassional electrical jolt. These jolts, however, only last for about a second. The pulsating lasts for about 3 seconds, and subsides for about 5 to 10 seconds, and then returns for another 3 seconds and so on. It is not debilitating, which is why I don't think it is a CH. Is there such a thing as a mild CH? As you can see, I have a few of the symptoms, but not all of them. It is very frustrating, because it worries me. My doctor said I may be having mild migraines, but I have no migraine symptoms. My symptoms seem to be closer to CH. Any info that the experienced can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and this is an awesome site!

Russ

Title: Re: New to this - do I have CH's?
Post by Drk^Angel on Sep 1^st, 2002, 11:06pm

The best idea would be for you to see a neuro, or go to a headache center. They have a much better knowledge of headaches, and may be able to diagnose you and get you started on an effective treatment.

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

Title: Re: New to this - do I have CH's?
Post by Ted on Sep 1^st, 2002, 11:36pm

It doesn't sound like clusters to me if the pain is light other then a few occasional jabs of heavy pain. There are other headaches that are matched up with our circadian rhythms besides CHs. Also, you say no droopy or teary eye. What about a stuffy nose on the same side as the pain or facial sweating? Is there dilation of the pupil on the same side? Are there any other symptoms that you've noticed besides the pain? While the pain is the largest and worst part of clusters one or more symptoms such as what I've mentioned above needs to manifest itself too to be correctly diagnosed as CH.

Title: Re: New to this - do I have CH's?
Post by BobG on Sep 2^nd, 2002, 3:42am

Russ,
Sorry you're hurting.

Take Drk^Angel's advice and see a neurologist.

And to add to Ted's questions.......
When the pain comes on, do you feel like sleeping or lying down or must you be up and moving?

Title: Re: New to this - do I have CH's?
Post by Charlie on Sep 2^nd, 2002, 4:49am

Sorry you're having headache pain.

One thing I like to ask is: Do these headaches wake you out of a sound sleep? Clusters do this and one cannot lie down or sleep off clusters. Take our advice and see an neurologist.

Good luck

Charlie

Title: Re: New to this - do I have CH's?
Post by ChristineL on Sep 2^nd, 2002, 6:03am

Russ,

Welcome and lets hope you don't have CH's but as everyone else has stated - go to a Neuro to make sure.

I can only tell you my experience with this episode. I recently came out of remission and my CH's started out mild and gradually became full blown after a few days - maybe a week.

Good luck.

Chris L

Title: Re: New to this - do I have CH's?
Post by 2late on Sep 2^nd, 2002, 9:00am

did u take the cluster quiz? also compare cluster traits with your pain,can't rule out ch,mine have definately gotten worse over the years,take Drk's advice see a neuro. ...........2late

Title: Re: New to this - do I have CH's?
Post by rgnodak on Sep 2^nd, 2002, 2:19pm

Thanks to you all! I'm going to wait it out a few more days and see what happens. Since I only have a few of the symptoms, I am quite confident that I don't have cluster headaches. I do feel for all of you though, because I could not imagine that kind of pain and frustration. My prayers go out to all of you.

RG

Title: Re: New to this - do I have CH's?
Post by oringkid on Sep 3^rd, 2002, 8:51am

I have had pain just like that but it is not ch. I don't know what it is. I usually just ignore it and eventually it goes away. It is above the ear in one small spot and pulses. With sharp, electric-like jabs. Very little radiation of the pain, usually just in that one spot. As if one nerve were being irritated. Sort of like a muscle spasm except it feels like a nerve spasm.

Don't know what it is. But, If you go to doc and find out, let me know!

Sherry

Title: Re: New to this - do I have CH's?
Post by Drk^Angel on Sep 3^rd, 2002, 12:30pm

One thing that it could be is Stabbing Headache. The headache feels like quick jabs or stabs and are normally very intense, but don't last long enough to effect your daily routine, normally only a few seconds in duration. It is more commonly found in cluster or migraine patients. It was once believed to be a sign of a more serious condition, but I believe that has recently been disproven. I've had these before. I used to describe them as being like the sound that is made when you snap your fingers, with pain instead of noice and amplified.

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

Title: Re: New to this - do I have CH's?
Post by echo on Sep 3^rd, 2002, 1:22pm

Shooting from the hip these do not sound like a CH. However, the beast mutates himself from time to time to keep me guessing - what will work to abort/prevent, when will it hit, what side will it hit on.
Best bet is to get an appointment with a neuro. While your waiting for that appointment to arrive spend time reading the information available on the board. This will help prepare you for your appointment.