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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> random ouchness
        
(Message started by: Ride_the_Lightning on Mar 3^rd, 2004, 5:00am)

Title: random ouchness
Post by Ride_the_Lightning on Mar 3^rd, 2004, 5:00am

hey guys
i am having a problem...my doctor doesnt seemt o think i have cluster headaches, beacseu its not reallyt happening in clusters...i get randomly and hardly ever at the same time.
Thepain is exactly as described, pacing around, running nose and eye, you knowe...
I also have used Imigrane(imitrex) and that worked....
i am more than convinced that i have CH, since i havent read baout one headache other than CH that has these symptoms.....
Is ythere a known form of Ch that causes random headaches, not necessarily in clusters?

Title: Re: random ouchness
Post by pubgirl on Mar 3^rd, 2004, 5:50am

Don't think there's a "known form", but it could well be the "CH being what it bloody well likes" form. Most ECH sufferers do get them in clusters and rarely have one-off attacks unless they are heading into or out of cycle, (although it does happen)

Good idea to check your symptoms against the other TAC's and headaches detailed on the main OUCH site r.e. duration, when they occur e.g. waking from REM sleep etc, specific pain symptoms though as all of them can create the eye/nose autonomic symptoms including migraine.
The fact that Imigran aborts it doesn't make it CH as triptans are used to treat a multitude of headache types.

Wendy

an example (although I'm not diagnosing here, just showing that there are other more random headache conditions that are similar)

SUNCT Syndrome

Short-lasting Unilateral Neuralgiform Headache with Conjunctival Injection and Tearing Syndrome.

The clinical features of short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT) syndrome have been reviewed in 50 patients reported in the English language literature. SUNCT syndrome is a rare condition that predominates slightly in men. The average age of onset is 50 years.

It is characterized by strictly unilateral attacks centered on the orbital or periorbital regions, forehead, and temple. Generally, the pain is severe and neuralgic in character. The usual duration ranges from 5 to 250 seconds, although the reported range of duration is 2 seconds to 20 minutes. Ipsilateral conjunctival injection and lacrimation are present in most, but not all patients.

Most patients are thought to have no refractory periods and this has probably been unreported in the past. Episodic and chronic forms of SUNCT exist. The attack frequency varies from less than one attack daily to more than 60 attacks per hour. The attacks are predominantly diurnal, although frequent nocturnal attacks can occur in some patients. SUNCT was thought to be highly refractory to treatment.

However, recent open-label trials of lamotrigine, gabapentin, topiramate, and intravenous lidocaine have produced beneficial therapeutic responses. These results offer the promise of better treatments for this syndrome, but require validation in controlled trials.

Sources: Matharu MS, Cohen AS, Boes CJ, Goadsby PJ. - Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry

P.S. I would also insist on seeing a neuro who specialises in headaches, as they SHOULD be able to differentiate between the many different types of headache.

Title: Re: random ouchness
Post by Ride_the_Lightning on Mar 3^rd, 2004, 6:19am

wow thats lads of info..thanksiwill check it asap.
thanks