Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


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

        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Is this a cluster?
        
(Message started by: kma on Apr 15^th, 2004, 9:54am)

Title: Is this a cluster?
Post by kma on Apr 15^th, 2004, 9:54am

Yesterday I started getting a shooting pain behind my eye to right above my eye that lasts roughly 30 seconds. Yesterday they were spread out about an hour apart and today they are coming roughly every 7-10 min.

A few years ago my doctor had sent me to specialist for a similiar reason (although the pain was more severe then and less frequent) and that doctor had told me that they were cluster migraines. I'm not finding much info on cluster migraines on the internet and am wondering if that doctor just referred to it as a cluster migraine being that I do on occasion get classic migraines. Most people refer to them as cluster headaches but I'm not sure if that is what is going on. From what I'm reading, a cluster headache is much more severe and lasts longer then what I am experiencing.

Has anyone ever experienced this? Any help would be greatly appreciated. :)

Title: Re: Is this a cluster?
Post by floridian on Apr 15^th, 2004, 10:19am

Take the cluster quiz (look on the left menu). There are a variety of cluster patterns - most commonly, a cluster lasts 15 minutes to an hour or so, and there is an hour or two between each attack.

We can't diagnose you. If there is a change in the patterns of your headaches, you should think about going back to the doctor.

Title: Re: Is this a cluster?
Post by pubgirl on Apr 15^th, 2004, 10:42am

kma

Your observation about the duration is correct. I would suggest that in addition to doing the cluster quiz you read up in the OUCH library (linked via the OUCH website on your left hand side of this page) at the diagnostic criteria for the other TAC's (Trigeminal autonomic cephalgias), particularly the details for Paroxysmal Hemicrania (PH) and talk to your Doctor. Cluster migraines is an old terminology for cluster headaches, but this does rather suggest your GP may be very out of date in his knowledge and may need educating.

Wendy

Title: Re: Is this a cluster?
Post by kma on Apr 15^th, 2004, 11:38am

Thank you for your replies! I had a feeling that my GP calling it "cluster migraines" was inaccurate. I did some research on the links provided and have found that I have the symptoms of "Short-Lasting Unilateral Neuralgiform Headaches".

I thought I was going crazy there for awhile because I couldn't find anything that was close to my symptoms. Thank you so much!

Title: Re: Is this a cluster?
Post by PatFan on Apr 15^th, 2004, 12:18pm

You probably already know this, but if you do have CPH, Indomethacin is pretty much 100% effective and can be used as somewhat of a diagnosing tool.... barring no abnormalities in MRI's etc. Good luck and hope you can get relief soon!