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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> My headaches last a long time
        
(Message started by: narizona on Jun 14^th, 2005, 7:26pm)

Title: My headaches last a long time
Post by narizona on Jun 14^th, 2005, 7:26pm

As I write this I am just ending a 5 or 6 level headache. I think I have cluster headaches. I have all the symptoms but they usually last hours and sometimes half a day. Medication does not help. They occur at certain times of the year and seem to be triggered by what I eat or drink. Alcohol is definately a trigger. Sometimes the pain is so bad I just need to squeeze something until it pops and it usually is my head.

I have not found anything that makes them go away and will not take any of the heavy medications.

The reason that I do not think I have cluster headaches is some things I have been reading here make it sound like they only last an hour or less. Mine rarely last less than an hour and usually longer. I was in hawaii vacationing once and I got one after eating at a chinese restaurant and it lasted 24 hours. I was really desperate for help that day. None was available.

I seem to be able to control the headaches if I watch my diet. Triggers I know about are mold found on cheese, alcohol. I know that something in the air and one more food trigger gets it going.

Am I a cluster head?

Has anyone had luck with the peper sprays?

Title: Re: My headaches last a long time
Post by Sean_C on Jun 14^th, 2005, 7:33pm

Naz, describe all your symptoms to us, try to specific about everything. I'm not convinced its CH either, but maybe we can help.

Thanks

Sean...........................................

Title: Re: My headaches last a long time
Post by narizona on Jun 14^th, 2005, 7:38pm

First I start getting a pain in my right eye. It feels like it is swelling and I think it is. My right nostril starts draining. Then it is just like having a brick in my head where one corner is rubbing just above the right eye and another corner is rubbing in back of my head and one corner is rubbing in my right neck. The brick is really rough and the pain is so bad that I have to stand up and walk around. I am always sensitive to light. I roll around clutching my head sometimes.

Title: Re: My headaches last a long time
Post by Jonny on Jun 14^th, 2005, 7:40pm

on 06/14/05 at 19:26:41, narizona wrote:

Am I a cluster head?

Im no Doc, but after suffering CH for 30 years id say no...CH dont last 12 hours (Half a day)

Get to a Neurologist and find out whats in your head, if your lucky its just Meegraines.

Title: Re: My headaches last a long time
Post by narizona on Jun 14^th, 2005, 7:43pm

I have been to a doctor. He says it is cluster headaches and has prescribed oxygen. I have never gotten a cluster headache when I have had the oxygen in the house or I have been away when I get them so I have yet to see if that works.

Title: Re: My headaches last a long time
Post by Sean_C on Jun 14^th, 2005, 7:47pm

Naz, read this article from ACHE, my money says you suffer from this.

Let us know if this sounds like the problem

Sean.................................

http://www.achenet.org/articles/6.php

Title: Re: My headaches last a long time
Post by gMike on Jun 14^th, 2005, 9:01pm

If it is Hemicrania Continua, a course of Indomethacin will stop it in it's tarcks. Talk to your doc about a trial of Indo. In my case the relief was almost instant and I've remained pain free for a month. My headaches were pretty much continuous and had a couple of cluster symptoms (tearing, stopped up nostril) but the pain never got beyond a 6.

It's worth a try!

Mike

Title: Re: My headaches last a long time
Post by bnfreeman on Jun 15^th, 2005, 2:35pm

I am no doc either, but I was diagnosed with combination cluster-migraines by a doctor who specializes in HAs. I have all the cluster symptoms but they last a long time and I vomit with mine. Many times the only way to end it is going to the ER. O2 is safe and will probably help. I also use imitrex like many of the others do. Another home remedy I use is to turn the AC way down and lay on the air vent where the air blows into my nose on the side that hurts. It helps alot and can even abort the HA. Get to a doctor soon and good luck.

BF

Title: Re: My headaches last a long time
Post by seasonalboomer on Jun 15^th, 2005, 3:00pm

on 06/14/05 at 19:26:41, narizona wrote:

Has anyone had luck with the peper sprays?

I noticed no one has answered your question. Can anyone field this one for narizona?

Title: Re: My headaches last a long time
Post by vig on Jun 15^th, 2005, 3:08pm

on 06/15/05 at 15:00:23, seasonalboomer wrote:

I noticed no one has answered your question. Can anyone field this one for narizona?

"Has anyone had luck with the leper sprays?"

to answer the question, no, they keep hangin' around...
;;D

Title: Re: My headaches last a long time
Post by Margi on Jun 15^th, 2005, 3:59pm

LMAO Paul - you crack me up. Nice edit. ;)

Title: Re: My headaches last a long time
Post by Sandy_C on Jun 15^th, 2005, 5:07pm

" Another home remedy I use is to turn the AC way down and lay on the air vent where the air blows into my nose on the side that hurts. It helps alot and can even abort the HA. Get to a doctor soon and good luck."

What a great idea! Unfortunately, my AC ducts come out of my ceiling. Any suggestions?

Title: Re: My headaches last a long time
Post by Sandy_C on Jun 15^th, 2005, 5:12pm

My husband takes Indo for gout (another lovely disease that is infecting our family). I haven't tried it for my CH because from everyting I've researched, it doesn't really work well. I'm PF now, but think I might try his script next cycle and see how it works. Will let you all know.

Title: Re: My headaches last a long time
Post by gMike on Jun 15^th, 2005, 9:17pm

on 06/15/05 at 17:12:55, Sandy_C wrote:

You need to take a lot of Indo for it to be effective I'm taking 3 (25mg) pills 3 times a day, that's 270 pills a month. My relief was almost like flipping a switch, one minute steady "clusterlike" symptoms, 30 min later - Gone. My limited research says that Indo doesn't do much for CH, but it sure works for Hemicrania.

The worst that can happen is that it doesn't work and you know it isn't Hemicrania.

Mike

Title: Re: My headaches last a long time
Post by Karla on Jun 15^th, 2005, 10:15pm

It took 25mg 3x/day of the indomethacin on day 3 to kick in for me.

Title: Re: My headaches last a long time
Post by kimmeesue on Jun 16^th, 2005, 11:45pm

My variation of the a/c trick is to wet my head and place a fan near the a/c duct aimed directly at the right side. Even in the winter the fan on wet head is effective with lower kip levels.