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(Message started by: Knowledge909 on Mar 30th, 2005, 6:51pm)

Title: Does this sound like cluster headaches?
Post by Knowledge909 on Mar 30th, 2005, 6:51pm
I'm new to this website, and I'm trying to figure out what the hell is wrong with me!  

At first I thought I had migraines, but after they happened every day for a few weeks, and woke me from my sleep almost every night I decided to do some research and found out about cluster headaches.

My typical headache starts very quickly with little time to react.  The pain is only behind my right eye, which begins to water and the eyelid droops.  The pain is excruciating and no matter if I lay down or stand up the pain is the same.  I am somewhat sensitive to light when it happens and I get cold chills and feel a little sick to my stomach when it first hits (altough I've never vomitted).  The pain always lasts at least 30 min, and on average is about 1.5 hours long.  I usually lie down in a vain attempt to fall asleep, but don't end up dosing off until the pain is eventually gone.  

What really bothers me is I first started getting these headaches 2 years ago (at age 23).  They happened almost every day for about a month then suddenly disappeared for 2 YEARS!  

Then they suddenly struck again last week and have been steadily taking a toll on me.  Twice they have awaken me from my sleep in TERRIBLE pain.  I've gotten a headache every single day the past week and a half with the exception of the day I took a excedrin migraine when the pain first started.

I hope to God I'm wrong but I may suffer from cluster headaches.  Please help, because I fear I'm going to get another one tonight and I can loose any more sleep!

Title: Re: Does this sound like cluster headaches?
Post by nani on Mar 30th, 2005, 6:59pm
Welcome K and sorry you had to find us. I think the first thing you should do is make an appointment with a neurologist and get a definitive diagnosis. While you wait, keep a headache diary. Record all the info you can. Time of day, intensity, duration, what you did right before (to identify triggers). Bring the info to the appointment. Even if your dr doesn't want to read it, you'll have info for him. In the meantime you should also look over this site. Take the cluster quiz, read up on oxygen info (both links are on the left), and look at treatments. Someone will be along with links to treatments, I'm sure. Ice or heat can help a little at the onset of an attack. Too many Excedrin Migraine will only give you more headaches. Read, read, read and learn, learn, learn...info is your best weapon. Good luck and keep us posted. Pain free wishes, nani

Title: Re: Does this sound like cluster headaches?
Post by E-Double on Mar 30th, 2005, 7:31pm
Read Read Read!!!

It does sound too familiar, however not a doctor.......Go to one!!!!

Take the quiz and arm yourself with information.....

 IF you are diagnosed with CH.....

This is  a great resource to know like the back of your hand  
 
http://www.brightok.net/~mnjday/chtherapy.pdf  
 
It will present the appropriate treatments that you should seek and your doctor should know!!!    

Be proactive and learn it anyway.........

Keep a journal doing exactly what Nani suggested.

Good luck and welcome!!

Pain sucks but remember "it" won't kill ya (it might make ya wish for death though ;)) Hang in there and learn!

Best,

Eric

Title: Re: Does this sound like cluster headaches?
Post by RichardN on Mar 31st, 2005, 12:20am
Ditto the above .  .  . you have much reading to do . ..  . start with the "cluster quiz" and let us know how you do.

We hope that it's not CH, but if it is you've hit the motherlode of cluster information from people who truly know your pain.

Keep us posted,

 Be Safe,    PFDANs

     Richard



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