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(Message started by: KaveDweller on Jun 18th, 2005, 12:47pm)

Title: Question
Post by KaveDweller on Jun 18th, 2005, 12:47pm
I am trying to figure out if what I am suffering from is clusters.  

I have had migraines from when I was about 5 years old, but at the begining of the week I started feeling something completely different....this sharp, shooting pain around my eyes.   I guess it would be in my temples, but it felt like it was behind my eyes.   It wasn't there constantly, but when it was it was very bad.   And it was never in both eyes at the same time, it would say be in my left and then the next morning be in the right.

I went to my eye doctor and he didn't see anything wrong and said my vision was normal.   But since then it has gotten worse....instead of just being around my eye it is in the side of my head.  It is this very odd type of pain, because like I said, I get migraines, but this is a completely different type of headache.  It will be sort of a dull achde and then suddenly feel like someone slams my head with a hammer and it shoots with pain for a few minutes and then goes back to the lesser pain.   But even that lessr pain isn't there constantly.  And that happens several times a day.   And my neurologist apparently does not think I am worthy of calling back, so I was doing some research on my own and found the info on Clusters.

I tried taking the quiz on the other page to see if it fits, but keep getting confused because I kept automatically answering questions with my old migraine symptoms instead of my new ones.   I thought it might be better to get feedback from people here.   And I was wondering if it was common for people who had previously suffered from migraines to develop clusters.   (Oh, and FYI I am a 24 year old female if that makes a difference).

Title: Re: Question
Post by Kim Y. on Jun 18th, 2005, 1:22pm
Kavedweller  

Quote:
It will be sort of a dull achde and then suddenly feel like someone slams my head with a hammer and it shoots with pain for a few minutes and then goes back to the lesser pain.  But even that lessr pain isn't there constantly.  And that happens several times a day.   And my neurologist apparently does not think I am worthy of calling back, so I was doing some research on my own and found the info on Clusters.

I tried taking the quiz on the other page to see if it fits, but keep getting confused because I kept automatically answering questions with my old migraine symptoms instead of my new ones.   I thought it might be better to get feedback from people here.   And I was wondering if it was common for people who had previously suffered from migraines to develop clusters.   (Oh, and FYI I am a 24 year old female if that makes a difference).


I am not a Doctor and can't tell you what you do and do not have.  There is people who have both Migraines and cluster Headaches.  Being female doesn't seperate you from having clusters since many on here such as myself are CH suffers.    Some even have mentioned Cluster Migraines.  There are others on here that are packed with information so read read read read...........

It may be time to look for another neuro since this one isn't getting back with you.  Take all the research you can to the one you do go to and don't let them tell you women don't get CH.

All the information on the Left is helpful and check out the Kudzu thread and see if it is for you.

Try to get ahold of O2 at 10-15 lpm nonrebreather mask for 15 min.  It helps abort CH attacks.  

Welcome and I hope this was of some help.  PF wishes.
Kim

Title: Re: Question
Post by E-Double on Jun 18th, 2005, 1:27pm
Though there may be CHer's here that are docs.....I am not one of them, however, if you want to learn about all the different types of headaches and how they are classified b y the international headache society...click here:

http://216.25.100.131/members/Sections/members/login/Temp_Frame/frameset_26_06_02.htm

There are a few HA that are similiar to CH yet differ in duration and responsiveness to medications.

Might want to read this one too......

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/sunct/sunct.htm

Quite a few of us have multiple HA. I am a primary CHer but also get icepicks and the occasional migraine.

Regardless of what you have, pain sucks!!!
I would also seek a new doctor since your current doc. is a schmuck and does not take your pain seriously.

First thing you would want to do besides getting a new doc is to see if you can get the noggin scans to rule out anything "more" serious.

Wishing you the best!!!

Eric



Title: Re: Question
Post by Jasen on Jun 18th, 2005, 2:57pm
You sound somewhat like me. Find youreself a Neuro. that specializes in headaches. I've seen lots of people here having trouble with thier Neuros. that don't specialize in headaches.

The jurys still out on me.
I'm cluster/migrane/synalga/????
But finaly got some meds worked out to keep things under control.

Title: Re: Question
Post by lionsound on Jun 19th, 2005, 6:41pm
I get clusters and migraines and ice pick HA. Sometimes they get all mixed up together, sometimes they are clearly separate. A good neuro can help you figure them all out.

As E-double said, It is important that you read about the other ones too. A lot of HA types are very similar.

I was always told that if I get a headache that is different or strange or new FOR ME then to get it checked out A.S.A.P. to make sure everything is okay. Please get yourself to a new neurologist.

Be well and Pain Free,
lionsound

Title: Re: Question
Post by bnfreeman on Jun 20th, 2005, 10:09am
I have always had HA and migraines since I was a kid. When I was 23 I started waking up in the middle of the night with the worst pain of my life. I wanted to die! And it's been going on ever since. I was diagnosed with cluster-migraine. I havn't had a migraine in a while until recently. I don't know if upping the dose on all my meds had anything to do with it. But I would rather have a migraine than a cluster. At least then you can go to sleep. I went through many neuros to find my current doc who specializes in HA. That is going to be your best bet. Make sure they are a doctor who will listen to you and not just themselves! Wishing you the best of luck, sorry to hear you may have clusters!

Brandi

Title: Re: Question
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Jun 20th, 2005, 8:35pm
Whatever it is, my friend, it certainly isn't straight-forward clusters.

Ditto to all of the above - get a neuro who can help sort it all out and get you on a correct treatment mode.

PF Wishes to you,

Kris

Title: Re: Question
Post by unsolved1 on Jun 20th, 2005, 9:19pm
Women don't get clusters  ;;D

UNSOLVED



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