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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Smart CH sufferers?
        
(Message started by: zrmulcahy on Feb 19th, 2005, 5:09pm)
Title: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by zrmulcahy on Feb 19th, 2005, 5:09pm
I just started getting clusters; I'm a student at UW-Madison.  I was lucky enough to run into a doctor who knows a lot about them.  He said when he sees them here on campus it's almost exclusively in very smart people (eg, GPA of 3.9+, high school valedictorian, etc).  Has anyone else seen a trend like that?
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by vig on Feb 19th, 2005, 5:11pm
uv korse!
we awl are...
[smiley=laugh.gif]

(well, the ones that aren't on Topamax, that is!)
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by Langa on Feb 19th, 2005, 5:55pm
YUP, every clusterhead I know is smart, but I'm brilliant... 8)

Nice to meet ya!

Langa  ;;D
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by BobG on Feb 19th, 2005, 6:23pm
That's a very smart doctor you ran into.
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by Frank_W on Feb 19th, 2005, 7:54pm
I agree with Bob. I've never met anyone with cluster headaches who was a legitimately stupid person.
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Feb 19th, 2005, 8:10pm
It's true ... We're all brilliant!

Kris
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by rcw134 on Feb 19th, 2005, 11:03pm
Does the UW have a program for the study of cluster/migrain headaches?

I've had them on and off since 1976.  I've had clusters and some migrains daily since August 2004.

I've tried all there is out there and the only hope left is to get into a pain control or headache program.

In 1997 I was at the diamond headache clinic, hospital for 10 days.  

Right now I'm having two to three headaches a day, and using percodan, midrin, oxygen and maxalt to control the pain.

Good luck to you - my e-mail is rcw134@charter.net
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by BarbaraD on Feb 20th, 2005, 3:26am
Right now I'd settle for DUMB and no headaches.

Stress triggers my migraines (I'm an accountant and it's tax season) and the migraines trigger the CH (as does the barometer and it's going up and down). It's 2:30 in the morning and I'm up chatting with you guys when I should be happily sleeping my weekend away.... so much for being smart...

Hugs BD
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by sandie99 on Feb 20th, 2005, 5:43am
Well, I am working on my MA degree... :)
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by pattik on Feb 20th, 2005, 11:20am
"It takes one to know one" applies here, yes, we're all brilliant.  Maybe this kind of pain increases gray matter too. [smiley=laugh.gif]  There are a few of us in the Madison area, you know.  So we're there for you if you need some support.

Sorry you need this site, but glad you found us.

Pat
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by Redd715 on Feb 20th, 2005, 11:48am
More and more Wisconsinites are showing up here....can't say I'm happy about that, because that just means there are more people who have to deal with this f*cking pain.

Please know we are here...and so sorry you have to be. :'(
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by don on Feb 20th, 2005, 1:12pm

Quote:
it's almost exclusively in very smart people


Then I am a candidate for 3-6 PhDs.

Exclusively huh?

You never met "waterdog" have you?

Proves one more thing to. Jonny has sinus headaches.
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by Frank_W on Feb 20th, 2005, 2:07pm
Hrmmm... Cluster headaches or "POWER SURGES!!"?
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by lionsound on Feb 20th, 2005, 2:21pm

on 02/20/05 at 14:07:04, Frank_W wrote:
Hrmmm... Cluster headaches or "POWER SURGES!!"?
[smiley=laugh.gif]


Excellent!!!!

That explains it!

:)

I'm told I'm pretty smart ;)
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by Mr. Happy on Feb 20th, 2005, 8:05pm
Hard to believe all these major IQ's can fit into one trailer park in West Virginia. If only we could come up with one full set of teeth.

Praise Wotan,
RJ
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by TonyG1 on Feb 20th, 2005, 10:33pm
The curse of the brilliant ...  [smiley=bow.gif]  Software Engineer here ...
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by Frank_W on Feb 20th, 2005, 11:23pm

on 02/20/05 at 20:05:32, Mr. Happy wrote:
Hard to believe all these major IQ's can fit into one trailer park in West Virginia. If only we could come up with one full set of teeth.

Praise Wotan,
RJ


If'n you DO find a full set o' teef, when yer done wif 'em, kin I borry 'em?
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by Kevin_M on Feb 20th, 2005, 11:50pm

on 02/19/05 at 17:09:51, zrmulcahy wrote:
it's almost exclusively in very smart people


Last time I heard that, I was being scouted by Amway.


the exception that proves the rule.

Kevin M
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by LydiasDad on Feb 21st, 2005, 1:20pm

on 02/19/05 at 17:09:51, zrmulcahy wrote:
I just started getting clusters; I'm a student at UW-Madison.  I was lucky enough to run into a doctor who knows a lot about them.  He said when he sees them here on campus it's almost exclusively in very smart people (eg, GPA of 3.9+, high school valedictorian, etc).  Has anyone else seen a trend like that?


My doctor made a similar comment, and I have seen several literature sources citing cofactors for CH including elevated IQ, high social function, etc.  For these reasons, they are sometimes termed "the executive headache" (google for 'executive headache cluster' ... )   Ph.D. in chemistry here, and CH's struck in first year of grad school, although I was incorrectly diagnosed for 5 years (finally self-diagnosed).   I thought I was just sniffing too many fumes ...

~ C.
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by floridian on Feb 21st, 2005, 2:04pm
Grad school is an unrecognized contributing factor to clusters. All-nighters are great at wearing a person down in ways that leaves them vulnerable to the beast.
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by E-Double on Feb 21st, 2005, 5:31pm

on 02/21/05 at 14:04:42, floridian wrote:
Grad school is an unrecognized contributing factor to clusters. All-nighters are great at wearing a person down in ways that leaves them vulnerable to the beast.


Grad school was cake......Looking forward to the
all- weekers of being a doctoral candidate!!!
Gotta go back!

Hmmm CH or study?? I'll stay awake lol.....

How many people here have names ending with alphabet soup????

CHeniouses ;)
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by Frank_W on Feb 21st, 2005, 6:18pm
Frank JoAT. MoN. (Jack of All Trades. Master of None.)  ;)
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by sailpappy on Feb 22nd, 2005, 7:47pm
;;D ;;D I guess its a matter of perspective, from my slant I can't remember meeting any ignorant people here, after all you have to have enough intellect to find the web site!  LOL!!!!     Pappy
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by Redd715 on Feb 23rd, 2005, 7:35pm
Degrees are not the final measure of intellect. ::)

I've know my fair share of college educated idiots..some are still there either as professional students, or as Professors... [smiley=laugh.gif]
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by Grandma_Sweet_Boy on Feb 23rd, 2005, 7:41pm

on 02/23/05 at 19:35:27, Redd715 wrote:
Degrees are not the final measure of intellect. ::)

I've know my fair share of college educated idiots..some are still there either as professional students, or as Professors... [smiley=laugh.gif]


Amen sister - there's nothing that replaces good old fashioned common sense and street smarts - neither of which seem to be taught in school - ya either got or ya haven't! ;)
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by don on Feb 23rd, 2005, 7:48pm
I prefer wisdom over knowledge any old day.
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by TonyG1 on Feb 23rd, 2005, 8:20pm

on 02/23/05 at 19:35:27, Redd715 wrote:
Degrees are not the final measure of intellect. ::)

I've know my fair share of college educated idiots..some are still there either as professional students, or as Professors... [smiley=laugh.gif]


I tend to agree !!  Taught me how to develop software "in theory"  [smiley=sleep.gif]; however, theory doesn't cut it in the real universe ...
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by Redd715 on Feb 23rd, 2005, 8:26pm

on 02/23/05 at 19:41:06, Grandma_Sweet_Boy wrote:
Amen sister - there's nothing that replaces good old fashioned common sense and street smarts - neither of which seem to be taught in school - ya either got or ya haven't! ;)



Funny thing is I spent 4 years in college myself.  Started at the ripe age of 30.  I'm telling you, one history proff I had may have known his Ancient Roman threw Dark Ages history, but other than that he was pompus idiot who wore barn mucking boots with smelly cow shite still on them into the classroom, and bragged how on nights when he and his wife were bored they would play back old tapes of some of his classes and they would

"sit enraptured by the eloquence of his lectures".

Unfortuneately he heard me when I said to a class mate.."..at least one of you was anyway".
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by E-Double on Feb 23rd, 2005, 9:57pm
I certainly hope that my comment wasn't taken as snobbery.
I did not mean it in anyway at all like it appears to have sounded!!! Was actually joking around

You guys will meet me and know how far from "nose turned up" I am.

and BTW I totally agree with degrees not equating to intellect!!!

Best,


Eric
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by Karla on Feb 23rd, 2005, 10:41pm
Howdy neibor!  I live in Madison also.  I was going to attend the UW but couldn't take 4 years off for education being a married mother of 3.  So I went to Madison Area Technical College and got an associate degree in computer programming/Systems Analysis.  If you would like to get together and talk and meet another cluster headache suffer who understands what you are going through just pm me and I am sure we can work out a time to meet publicly.  I have not seen any studies done on the education status of sufferers.  If you need a referal to a good neuro ever let me know I have tried all 3 HMOS clinics in town.  To bad they shut down the UW HA clinic.  Now my dr takes care of me.  Welcome to the family.  There are lots of us from WI on the board here that are regulars.  
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by Ellick on Feb 24th, 2005, 4:05am
Quantifying intelligence is I think impossible. If it is the ability of initiative then it has too many variables. i.e place, time, situation, person. Thinking is usually a solitary act so how can anyone else know if you are smart. My guess is confidence has a little to do with it. Who ever gains an understanding of something and communicates it well is often considered to be intelligent.
If we are all intelligent we are missing something.

Love

Et. x ;;D
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by Grandma_Sweet_Boy on Feb 24th, 2005, 7:37am

on 02/23/05 at 21:57:30, E-Double wrote:
I certainly hope that my comment wasn't taken as snobbery.
I did not mean it in anyway at all like it appears to have sounded!!! Was actually joking around

You guys will meet me and know how far from "nose turned up" I am.

and BTW I totally agree with degrees not equating to intellect!!!

Best,


Eric


Not at all Eric!  I had no doubt you were kidding around - I've read many of your posts and realized you weren't being serious.  

Carol
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by TomM on Feb 24th, 2005, 8:19am
I admit it....I'm stupid!
There. We have one.  ;;D
TomM
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by kimh on Feb 24th, 2005, 8:31am
TomM!  LOL ;;D  Make that TEW ;)

Yeah!  :D

Proud nitwit :-*
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by Alien Space Babe on Feb 24th, 2005, 12:00pm

on 02/20/05 at 03:26:28, BarbaraD wrote:
Right now I'd settle for DUMB and no headaches.



I had that with Topamax.... no headaches but brain was an intellectual vacuum.... not worth it to me

Lizzie
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by Redd715 on Feb 24th, 2005, 12:26pm

on 02/24/05 at 12:00:42, Alien Space Babe wrote:
I had that with Topamax.... no headaches but brain was an intellectual vacuum.... not worth it to me

Lizzie


I still had the occasional break threws even with the Dopymax, and I'd STILL turn down the wrong street to go home and leave my keys in the ignition in a parkinglot, and loose my glasses around the house, and.....and.....and..... [smiley=laugh.gif]
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by ExplodingEyeBall on Feb 24th, 2005, 1:54pm
I've never even thought about this slant on things but it is a good point to ponder.

This is a pretty good sized group of people and there is a very high number of people here who are very intelligent. There are also a very high number of extremely talented people here.

I have seen/heard a lot of the art work, poetry, hand made items, photography, music, and many other examples from our little family.
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by nani on Feb 25th, 2005, 1:30am
There sure are a few people here who think they're smarter than the others. And while that may be true, I find arrogance cancels out any positive influence a high IQ has on personality. But, hey, what do I know? I'm not one of the "smart" ones.
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by sandie99 on Feb 25th, 2005, 1:41am
I have taken several IQ tests, just for fun. But since I'm not good in maths, I'll never make it to the mesas of this world. But I have always known that there's this thing called emotiocal intelligence. I'm much better in that. Besides, I think that intelligence is just one thing which shapes a person. I've know lots of "dumb" people whose manners and behaviour makes them smarter and wiser than many of the "smart" people I know.
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by TonyG1 on Feb 27th, 2005, 12:20pm

on 02/23/05 at 19:48:48, don wrote:
I prefer wisdom over knowledge any old day.


I agree Don.  Or at least knowledge with wisdom.  Sometimes those two things are mutually exclusive ...
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by purpleydog on Feb 27th, 2005, 2:44pm

on 02/23/05 at 19:41:06, Grandma_Sweet_Boy wrote:
Amen sister - there's nothing that replaces good old fashioned common sense and street smarts - neither of which seem to be taught in school - ya either got or ya haven't! ;)


I've noticed that most of the folks here seem to possess an above average intelligence. Of course, Grandma, common sense is a whole 'nother animal...and street smarts? Applied common sense.
Yer right, either you got it or you don't.


(Broomie, my dear sister... you know you got it ;) ...)
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by broomhilda on Feb 27th, 2005, 4:02pm

on 02/27/05 at 14:44:36, purpleydog wrote:

Yer right, either you got it or you don't.


(Broomie, my dear sister... you know you got it ;) ...)

Why thank you PD and hey you know you got it too ;) ;;D
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by Redd715 on Feb 27th, 2005, 4:12pm
You both are getting and I'm not...it's just not fair! [smiley=laugh.gif] [smiley=laugh.gif]

(I love my sisters!) ;;D
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by Grandma_Sweet_Boy on Feb 27th, 2005, 4:22pm

on 02/27/05 at 16:12:13, Redd715 wrote:
You both are getting and I'm not...it's just not fair! [smiley=laugh.gif] [smiley=laugh.gif]

(I love my sisters!) ;;D


Depends on what you think they're getting? ;;D  You're one of the sharpest females on this board, Pegg.  Don't sell yourself short.

Hugs
Carol
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by _L_ on Feb 28th, 2005, 12:35am

on 02/20/05 at 14:07:04, Frank_W wrote:
Hrmmm... Cluster headaches or "POWER SURGES!!"?


i like that!
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by maffumatt on Mar 5th, 2005, 8:47pm
Lifestyle Factors
Cluster headaches appear to be more prevalent in those who are sociable, active, and responsible, and so a cluster headache is sometimes called “the executive headache." In one study, cluster headache patients tended to have more stressful jobs and be self-employed. Lifestyle factors, including smoking, alcohol abuse, and stress (in particular stressful work situations), appear to play a very strong role in this headache. Alcohol, in fact, can trigger an attack. A particularly high association exists between smoking and cluster headaches. Quitting smoking, however, is not associated with any fewer or less severe attacks

source
http://www.morehead.org/wellconnected/000099_4.htm
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by kimmeesue on Mar 12th, 2005, 5:26pm
When I'm in the grip of the monster I don;t have the sense God gave a goose...so my multiple degrees don't do me much good and I would dladly trade them for a life of blissful painfree ignorance.
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by Frank_W on Mar 12th, 2005, 6:06pm
Right on, Kimmeesue!! If, by knocking 100 points off of my IQ, I could become pain-free, I'd do it in an instant.
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by Kevin_M on Mar 12th, 2005, 6:55pm

on 03/05/05 at 20:47:21, maffumatt wrote:
Lifestyle Factors
Cluster headaches appear to be more prevalent in those who are sociable, active, and responsible, and so a cluster headache is sometimes called “the executive headache." In one study, cluster headache patients tended to have more stressful jobs and be self-employed. Lifestyle factors, including smoking, alcohol abuse, and stress (in particular stressful work situations), appear to play a very strong role in this headache. Alcohol, in fact, can trigger an attack. A particularly high association exists between smoking and cluster headaches. Quitting smoking, however, is not associated with any fewer or less severe attacks


I fail on all aspects, especially on having a lifestyle.  


indiscriminately,

Kevin M
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by Redneck on Mar 12th, 2005, 9:58pm
Sorry, got clusters and dumb as a post   :)
Title: Re: Smart CH sufferers?
Post by Gator on Mar 13th, 2005, 2:31am

on 03/12/05 at 17:26:11, kimmeesue wrote:
When I'm in the grip of the monster I don;t have the sense God gave a goose...so my multiple degrees don't do me much good and I would dladly trade them for a life of blissful painfree ignorance.


Actually geese are intelligent enough to apply the principles of drafting - flying in the air wake of the bird in front of it so it has to do less work in flight.  As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an "uplift" for the birds that follow. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock gains a 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.  When the goose at the head of the "V" tires, it rotates to the back of the formation to rest from the uplift of the other birds. And another goose will move to the point of the formation.

Just a bit of useless trivia.

I think most CH'ers are probably smarter than the average bear, but I might be slightly biased in my opinion.   ;;D


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