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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> cluster headaches
        
(Message started by: yancey on May 16^th, 2005, 4:36pm)

Title: cluster headaches
Post by yancey on May 16^th, 2005, 4:36pm

My husband has had a headache for the last 4 days. He had drank alot of beer on Friday when this happened. We got home very late that night and he said he had a horrible headache. I dismissed it as having to much alcohol until he started crying and holding his head. I took his blood pressure it was a little high 145/98 and he was flushed and felt hotbut no fever 98.4 degrees. It has continued but has gone to one pacific side (right). He will not go to the emergency room. I have made him an appointment with his general physician tomorrow. What kind of test should he insist on having? Does this sound like the beginning of cluster headaches. His dad had an aneurysm when he was in his 50's and later a fatal heart attack at 72. His brother had a stroke at age 42 and later st the age of 58 had a stroke and two days later a fatal stroke.
I am very concerned. Please anyone comment

Title: Re: cluster headaches
Post by Sean_C on May 16^th, 2005, 4:41pm

Has it been constant?

Title: Re: cluster headaches
Post by yancey on May 16^th, 2005, 4:44pm

yes

Title: Re: cluster headaches
Post by E-Double on May 16^th, 2005, 4:45pm

Same question......

1 headache? or bombarded by HA's?

Eitherway.......

MRI, MRA, Catscan are some tests to rule out serious conditions....

The fact that there is some family history of aneurysm & stroke should of course be mentioned!!!

Good luck

Title: Re: cluster headaches
Post by Bob P on May 16^th, 2005, 4:46pm

Quote:

My husband has had a headache for the last 4 days.

A cluster headache usually lasts from 15 minutes to 2 hours. I believe a 4 day cluster is unheard of (and probably not survivable if it did exist).

Title: Re: cluster headaches
Post by yancey on May 16^th, 2005, 4:48pm

It has been coming and going. He said it was on both sides and now has settled on one. Pretty constant though.

Title: Re: cluster headaches
Post by E-Double on May 16^th, 2005, 4:49pm

on 05/16/05 at 16:48:26, yancey wrote:

It has been coming and going. He said it was on both sides and now has settled on one. Pretty constant though.

I understand that it appears to be a constant bombarding of attacks yet How long does each attack last??

Title: Re: cluster headaches
Post by vig on May 16^th, 2005, 4:55pm

doesn't sound like cluster headaches to me....

Title: Re: cluster headaches
Post by thomas on May 16^th, 2005, 4:59pm

on 05/16/05 at 16:55:17, vig wrote:

doesn't sound like cluster headaches to me....

see that's the thing, she said it's been coming and going, terminology is a m*th*rf**k*r. If he's getting slammed hard, it's possible that his head is "sore" for 4 days straight, not necessarily a ch hit for 4 days straight. Yancey, has he told you he wants to die, has he been incapacitated by the pain, is he agitated, restless, can't stand still, screaming, things like that?

Title: Re: cluster headaches
Post by yancey on May 17^th, 2005, 9:14am

[smiley=laugh.gif]Only that night. Friday night in the middle of the night. He does seem agitated when I got home last night he was exhausted. He did not do anything all day. Sunday it did go away for a few hours during mid-day. Maybe, it is sinus related. He does have terrible allergies. But, what makes me think it is clusters is the flushing and the severity of pain. Stabbing pain is what he decribes.
He is on the way to his doctor as we speak. I told him to make sure he ordered cat scan. Will that show if it is clusters? I am sure the doctor will do blood work also. Maybe even MRI
Thanks for all your replys. I had to leave the office suddenly last night and didn't get to read all the posts.

Title: Re: cluster headaches
Post by Bob P on May 17^th, 2005, 9:31am

An MRI will rule out tumors, lesions and other brain problems. It will not show clusters as there is nothing to see.

Quote:

He said it was on both sides and now has settled on one.

Clusters are strictly one sided. They can change from one side to the other but don't hit on both sides at the same time.

Title: Re: cluster headaches
Post by E-Double on May 17^th, 2005, 9:39am

So many questions right????

I guess I will harp on the duration because there are HA that present themselves in a similar manner yet last much shorter AND they are responsive to NSAIDS.

Unless he fits the criteria on the spot the doc may try a week long trial of indomethacin (a NSAID) if responsive then most likely can rule out CH and have relief....if not then it just may be.

The tests are to rule out potentially lethal problems.

There are so many nasty meds for us that suck.
SO if this is first go around then he will be lucky to get a proper diagnosis regardless of what it is.

I hope it is not but here for ya regardless.
Arm yourself with information on all HA type to make sure!!!!

Best,

Eric

Title: Re: cluster headaches
Post by thomas on May 17^th, 2005, 10:14am

Is it the absolute worse pain he has ever felt in his life?

Title: Re: cluster headaches
Post by yancey on May 17^th, 2005, 11:23am

No,I don't think so......maybe I am jumping to conclusions. I was just looking for something with his symptoms. I hope it is not cluster headaches. But, I would rather it be that than a blood clot or something life threatening.

I know what you all are talking about when I read your threads. I have PVC's Pre Ventiricular Contractions in my heart. An electrical problem. They say there is nothing but meds to help. But they are very painful and I have thousands a day. So I know what is like to live with something that just wipes you out. I appreciate all your thoughts and will let you know after lunch what the doctor said.

He just called and is going to meet me for lunch. Talk with you all this afternoon.

Thanks!! :)

Title: Re: cluster headaches
Post by thomas on May 17^th, 2005, 11:35am

The pain from CH is extreme beyond comprehension. It produces thoughts of suicide, just wanting it to be over with. There is no pain in the world to compare it too. While in the trows of CH agony normal life activities are impossible. Sleep is impossible. I am just not getting the sense that his pain is on that level from you. But on the other hand, in some cases early boughts of CH are much less intense than later episodes.

Title: Re: cluster headaches
Post by yancey on May 17^th, 2005, 2:32pm

DOCTOR HAS ORDERED SOME BLOOD TESTS, NO CAT SCAN ETC. SO HE MUST NOT THINK IT IS TO SERIOUS. OR HE WANTS TO SEE WHAT HE CAN WITH THE BLOOD TEST FIRST.

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR COMMENTS, I WILL LET YOU ALL IN ON THE DIAGNOSIS WHEN WE GET ONE.