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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> CH or not????
        
(Message started by: TMWRJ on Sep 30^th, 2004, 2:29am)

Title: CH or not????
Post by TMWRJ on Sep 30^th, 2004, 2:29am

I was diagnosed with CH 13 years ago, but reading some of the replies on this site, I am not so sure. I can give some examples of my headaches and maybe someone could help me to figure this out.
When I get a headache they are always on one side of my head, but they are not behind my eyes they are on the top of my head and throb, they throb so bad that I can FEEL people walking on the floor!! There is no way that I would want to bang my head!!! If I put pressure on the spot it seems to feel better for a bit but it never works long. It feels like my head is going to blow up! I walk with my head cocked to one side cuz gravity hurts. My eyes water and don't open all the way. I can not be around lights or watch TV because this will make them worse.
I just recently went to my GP and he perscribed amitriptyline and midrin and said that this should help. He did not schedule a return appointment. I can't remember a day that I have not taken something for these things. They are a part of my everyday life. I did take the quiz on this site and it said that I have rebound headaches. Are these different from CH or is it the CH that is rebounding? I do not drink caffine (only root beer) and I do smoke. Sometimes they are mild and other times they are very severe. If anyone has any suggestions.......?

Title: Re: CH or not????
Post by Superpain on Sep 30^th, 2004, 3:43am

Well, I was going to tell you to go see a neuro... But you live in Fargo ND... :-/
If there is one thing all of us have in common, it is that there is nothing we all have in common when it comes to CH.
From your description of where the pain resides it sounds atypical. [smiley=huh.gif]
I don't bang my head either though...
I am sometimes sensitive to light and sound...

So, in a nutshell... I don't know! :D

But if you do have CH, midrin and amytriptyline aren't gonna do shit most likely... Been there done that as many of us have. Sounds like your doc falls into the great majority of docs who don't know shit about ch, or headaches in general.

You need to see a neurologist. Hopefully one that specializes in headaches and/or clusters.

Explain more please... How long do they last? How many a day? Do they come in cycles? Do they go away for months or years? Is it the worst pain you ever imagined?

Title: Re: CH or not????
Post by TMWRJ on Sep 30^th, 2004, 4:20am

Sometimes an hour or two sometimes 20 min. There are some days I will get three or four a day ranging in degrees of pain. They might go away for a week or two but when they come back they last for weeks.
"Is it the worst pain that I have ever imagined" ... Well I have given birth four times and had a C- section and I would rather do all of that at the same time rather then have a "bad headache" as I call them. My kids even know when I have one to stay away!! My oldest says she can tell cuz I "look different".
Like right now... I had one this evening but took some motrin (I did not have the midrin with) and I can still tell it is there but I am not moving around or plan on doing any jumping jacks or anything cuz then it will come back worse then B-4.
I don't know about cycles this was the first place that I heard of them.
Thanks for answering.

Title: Re: CH or not????
Post by BobG on Sep 30^th, 2004, 3:50pm

they are not behind my eyes they are on the top of my head
This does not sound like cluster headaches. Clusters are usually in/behind the eye, back toward the temple and down toward the jaw.

they throb
Can't speak for others but mine have never "throbbed"

My eyes water
eyes? Usually only one eye will water although the other may also in 'sympathy'

amitriptyline and midrin
I can't remember a day that I have not taken something for these things. They are a part of my everyday life. I did take the quiz on this site and it said that I have rebound headaches.
I think the quiz is correct.

took some motrin
Pain killers usually don't work for clusters.

I am not moving around or plan on doing any jumping jacks or anything cuz then it will come back worse then B-4.
Cluster sufferers usually are up and moving during an attack. During the worst attacks it is almost impossible to not be moving, pacing, screaming.

I don't know about cycles this was the first place that I heard of them.
'Clusters headaches' are so named because they come in clusters. In a way they could be called 'Cycle headaches'.

I am not a doctor but IMHO you do not have cluster headaches. I think the best thing is to get to a neurologist that specializes in headaches.