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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Posts >> Do I have cluster headaches?
        
(Message started by: aimeemartin on Oct 20^th, 2004, 11:20pm)

Title: Do I have cluster headaches?
Post by aimeemartin on Oct 20^th, 2004, 11:20pm

Hi! I've been having was has felt like a severe migraine for 5 days now. They have been on and off for the last 4 months or so. However, the headaches I've been having within these last 5 days have been by far the worst. I went to the doctor and was proscribed medicine for migraines, but it hasn't helped. My step-mom was doing research on the net and found info about these cluster headaches. I have all the symtoms except my headaches seem to last all day long. Could I still have them? I know you're not all doctors, but I figured you could give me a good idea. I'd appreciate it! Thanks!

Title: Re: Do I have cluster headaches?
Post by Jayne on Oct 20^th, 2004, 11:32pm

Cluster headhaches never last all day long. They come anywhere from 15 minutes to 3 1/2 hours sometimes more than twice a day...sometimes up to eight times. BUT there are breaks inbetween headaches.
Cluster headaches are always on one side of the head only and are accompanied with a runny nose and teary eye.
When you get your headaches if you want to go lie down and be quiet and get sick, then you definatley don't have clusterheadaches.
You need to find a good headache specialist in your area. There are things that can be done for you too.
I wish you well

Title: Re: Do I have cluster headaches?
Post by vig on Oct 21^st, 2004, 12:05am

Give us some more details of the pain....

Title: Re: Do I have cluster headaches?
Post by Ree on Oct 21^st, 2004, 12:52am

Im your chronic "classic" Migrainer... I like to think I'm a headache"expert". LOL...My hubby gets Clusters though. You can email me if you want........ Ree16angel@aol.com ... I hope you dont have either type of headache... clusters are a life sentence...
One sure trick to figure things out... When you have Migraine you want to be in the dark, light bothers you, you can lie down... When you have Cluster you cannot lie your head down. You cannot usually sit still because it feels like an ice pick is stabbing your head in the vicinity of your eye. Most sufferers rock, pace, bang on their heads. (sometimes scream) Now the eye thing is the one thing Migraine and Cluster have in common and that is where people become confused... Migraine locates itself around one side of the face also usually around or in the eye too, but can extend down the face to the teeth into the neck and drain your body to the point of exhaustion. Migraine lasts all day sometimes days......... Clusters are more severe but have a shorter duration. But with Cluster..........you might have many attacks in a day. Clusters wake you up out of a sound sleep... Migraine can too though... Though Cluster can be chronic (which means it never goes away for longer that a few weeks, like my type of Migraine)Most Cluster sufferers go through "cycles" and many never get any type of headache when out of "cycle". Good luck and really email me if you need to ... God Bless~~ Ree

Title: Re: Do I have cluster headaches?
Post by Charlie on Oct 21^st, 2004, 12:57am

Sorry you have to deal with such pain.

I'm hoping that you aren't having clusters. One thing about them is that they will wake you out of a sound sleep. No one lies down or sits still with a cluster.

We need a little more information to help.

Good luck

Charlie

Title: Re: Do I have cluster headaches?
Post by unsolved1 on Oct 21^st, 2004, 1:05am

on 10/20/04 at 23:32:51, Jayne wrote:

Cluster headhaches never last all day long. They come anywhere from 15 minutes to 3 1/2 hours sometimes more than twice a day...sometimes up to eight times. BUT there are breaks inbetween headaches.

on 10/21/04 at 00:52:32, Ree wrote:

clusters are a life sentence...

Gotta agree with both of these

Title: Re: Do I have cluster headaches?
Post by nani on Oct 21^st, 2004, 1:06am

Quote:

Cluster headhaches never last all day long

Quote:

No one lies down or sits still with a cluster.

Sorry... not always true. I'm chronic and can shadow 20 out of 24 hours. Trust me, even if there are occasional PF minutes, you don't always notice them.

I often lie down during a cluster (although, the higher the kip, the more likely I'll get up and pace) and will get into the fetal position and rock.

Title: Re: Do I have cluster headaches?
Post by Charlie on Oct 21^st, 2004, 1:11am

I've never had a shadow and don't understand them.

I don't understand fluctuations in intensity either. Everyone I ever had was the same horrible nightmare. I really never noticed a difference.

I'm weird.

Charlie

Title: Re: Do I have cluster headaches?
Post by sandie99 on Oct 21^st, 2004, 2:21am

Aimee,

I am so sorry to hear what you're going through. But for your sake I do hope that it's not CH! I've had migraines, too, and they're not lovely either. But CH is, just like Ree wrote, a life sentence.

But whatever you have, try to enjoy the little things! I have noticed myself that when my head aches, it takes time before I actually notice that the pain is gone - especially when I'm having several CH attacks during the same day. Pain can make you bit numb, but it does end. It does! :)

Best wishes & PF days,
sandie99

Title: Re: Do I have cluster headaches?
Post by AlanG on Oct 21^st, 2004, 3:03am

on 10/21/04 at 01:11:19, Charlie wrote:

A shadow feels like to me like some one hit you in the face with a 2X4...It only hurts...the real pain is yet to come.
To Sandy,
Check your pupil in your eye on the side that you have the pain. If you have pain on both sides of your head. you better stay in close contact here, If you do have pain both sides of the head maybe it isnt CH..It could be some thing else. however check to see if one pupil is smaller on the side you do have pain...If you do thats a real good sign its CH. Its called a sympathetic reaction. You might have a watery eye on that side or a watery nose on that side. CH usually hits just one side. I have had pain last for 14 hours non stop and as little as 6 minutes, usually its 3 hours or 1 and half hours. It seems to follow a circadian rythem in REM That means during sleep you go thro rythems of 1 and half hours before Rapid eye movement. CH for me seems to follow these rules and it probably will afect you more when you sleep...or try to sleep.
what ever it is please seek immediate medical attention.....go to a specialist my doctor left me undiagnosed and misdiagnosed for 8 years of hell.
if you have CH...welcome to the club...your life has just changed....but you have support...dont give up.