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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Newbie
        
(Message started by: BrianDupuis on Jan 23^rd, 2005, 9:49pm)

Title: Newbie
Post by BrianDupuis on Jan 23^rd, 2005, 9:49pm

I just started getting these damn things about a month ago. I'm a 24 year old teacher. I get them about 3 times a day, and it radiates down my jaw to my glands. I sure am glad I found this site!

Keep spreadin' the good word!
Brian

Title: Re: Newbie
Post by nani on Jan 24^th, 2005, 1:20am

Welcome Brian and sorry you're here. Look around the site here and print some info to take to a neurologist. You will need a definitive diagnosis in order to get the help you need. Pain free wishes to you...nani

Title: Re: Newbie
Post by Gator on Jan 24^th, 2005, 2:56am

Welcome Brian. Teaher, huh? What do you teach? Pull up a chair and tell us a little about yourself and your particular symptoms. Where do you get the pain? When do they hit you? How long do they last? 1 - 10 how much pain? What have you done so far to treat them? Does that work? Have you seen a doc?

Lots of questions, I know. Clusterheads are curious by nature I think and while none of us are docs, having a little info can help you not re-invent the wheel and help you get the most out of this site.

The best way to help yourself is to learn everything about this disease. Start by taking the cluster quiz over there on the left. Then read, read, read everything there and at the OUCH website.

You will want to see a doctor, preferably a neurologist that specializes in headaches and knows about CH. Unfortunately they are hard to find. A usual precaution is to have an MRI done to rule out any organic causes like tumors and such. There are some organic problems that can mimic CH. While you most likely do not have anything to worry about, it is always best to check, especially if you have had any recent head injuries.

Well, I've wagged my tongue enough for now. Like I said, Welcome. If you have CH, this is the best place in the world for info and support.

Gator

Title: Re: Newbie
Post by BrianDupuis on Jan 24^th, 2005, 6:14am

I teach music (band, to be more specific). Perfect, eh?

Mine are on the left side - seems like on the entire head and face. Morning, afternoon, night, and early morning like clockwork. Some last 30 min. Some many hours. Pain ranges from 4-7, sometimes one of those "I'm going to kill myself" things. I've been to the doc - had a CT (cat) scan - nothing abnormal. The Doc actually suggested clusters (internal medicine doc). Told me to look around for info/help because there wasn't much known about them. ::)

Glad I found this - will go with printouts soon!!!

Thanks all!
Brian

Title: Re: Newbie
Post by Bob_Johnson on Jan 24^th, 2005, 7:04am

While I appreciate your doc's honesty, if I you are going to continue to work with him, consider gettting the first book and share it with him.
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MANAGEMENT OF HEADACHE AND HEADACHE MEDICATIONS, 2nd ed. Lawrence D. Robbins, M.D.; pub. by Springer. $49 at Amazon.Com. This volume is better organized and easier to read for nonprofessionals compared to Saper's book. It covers all types of headache and is primarily focused on medications. While the two chapters on CH total 42-pages, the actual relevant material is longer because of multiple references to material in chapters on migraine, reflecting the overlap in drugs used to treat. I'd suggest reading the chapters on migraine for three reasons: he makes references to CH & medications which are not in the index; there are "clinical pearls" about how to approach the treatment of headache; and, you gain better perspective on the nature of headache, in general, and the complexities of treatment (which need to be considered when we create expectations about what is possible). Finally, women will appreciate & benefit from his running information on hormones/menstrual cycles as they affect headache. Chapter on headache following head trauma, also. Obviously, I'm impressed with Robbins' work (even if the book needs the touch of a good editor!) (Somewhat longer review/content statement at 3/22/00, "Good book....")

HEADACHE HELP, Revised edition, 2000; Lawrence Robbins, M.D., Houghton Mifflin, $15. Written for a nonprofessional audience, it contains almost all the material in the preceding volume but it's much easier reading. Highly recommended.

Title: Re: Newbie
Post by sandie99 on Jan 24^th, 2005, 9:35am

Welcome to CH family, Brian! :)

I am so sorry that you have CH, no one should. But I am so glad that you found us.

Wishing you lots of PFdays,
Sandie