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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> a question for people who know.
        
(Message started by: piplee on Nov 15^th, 2005, 2:51am)

Title: a question for people who know.
Post by piplee on Nov 15^th, 2005, 2:51am

I am not sure if i am having cluster headaches or not and the doctors are not sure either yet, so i though you guys may be able to help some. I really never had headaches like these before and i thought it might be like a sinus infection and i hope that is what it is, but the symptom that makes me worry the most is My right eye swells and my pupil won't dialate when i have these attacks and it has been staying like that for longer periods of time. i had one attack late at night where i actually vomited cause of pain. i had a CT scan and nothing really showed up other than some mild sinusitus and i am on amoxicillin and propranolol. I haven't had a headache in a few days, but my eye is still crazy sometimes and i feel like i have a bruise under my hairline, like somebody tried to pull my hair out. i know i may be being too senstive because i am paying attention more since all this happened. so any comments would be very helpful. thank you for your time. when did these attacks start happening you to you? i am 23 [smiley=huh.gif]

Title: Re: a question for people who know.
Post by zanychef on Nov 15^th, 2005, 3:09am

my attacks started at age 18 but that isnt a guideline :)
you might find it helpful to take the clustersurvey (use the button on the left)
if you get a fairly positive yes then off to your doc asap!
and probably the best idea is... off to your doc asap anyway
sorry that you have to have foung this place but glad you have!
best place to be if you are a sufferer ;;D
if not why not stick around anyway ;;D
ian

Title: Re: a question for people who know.
Post by piplee on Nov 15^th, 2005, 3:13am

Thank you!

Title: Re: a question for people who know.
Post by E-Double on Nov 15^th, 2005, 7:33am

You will know with time.

I'm sorry for your pain but know if it is CH that there are treatments that will make life more tolerable.

Also be thankful that nothin "more svere" was found.

CH will not kill you like other neurological disorders/diseases though it may make you pray for death.

You will learn how to deal and how to cope with it and learn how to live your life the best you possibly can just like anyone else on earth.

Mine started at 21 with full blown cycles though I recall having massive CH like headaches yrs before.
I got diagnosed at 30.

Life's pretty good.

Hang in there and try not to worry.

E

Title: Re: a question for people who know.
Post by bnfreeman on Nov 15^th, 2005, 2:32pm

E always says it so well. Though there are many symptoms that are similar to clusters and it may in fact be something else. Maybe if you find that you have a certain trigger, like alcohol for most of us. I am no doctor. I hope it is just the sinuitis. But there have been many to have sinus surgery and teeth pulled only to have their pain still there and it be clusters. I was diagnosed this year, but started having them when I was 23 also. I have had chronic headaches and migraines since I was a kid. Hope you get things straightened out soon. Best wishes!

Brandi

Title: Re: a question for people who know.
Post by Sandy_C on Nov 15^th, 2005, 3:10pm

You have gotten great advice from the people above. Take the cluster quiz and take your results to your doctor. You need to get a definite diagnosis as to what is going on with you - and we all pray that it's sinusitus, and not CH. But, you have found the best place in the world for information about CH right here. Let us know how it turns out. By the way, I'm female and my very first CH cycle started with I was 53 years old, so age of onset doesn't necessarily mean diddly squat.

Sandy

Title: Re: a question for people who know.
Post by Beastfodder on Nov 15^th, 2005, 6:16pm

Speaking as one who's had the sinus surgery - don't, it probably isn't worth it !

I'd have probably saved myself a couple of cycles if I'd kept a diary.

Don't worry even if it is CH - there's loads of ways to deal with it.

Title: Re: a question for people who know.
Post by piplee on Nov 15^th, 2005, 6:35pm

thank you so much to everybody for being so supportive and taking the time to write back so fast. you guys are great.

Title: Re: a question for people who know.
Post by Herwig on Nov 17^th, 2005, 3:50am

Sorry to hear you joined the 'pain' club.

To have a quick first (painfull tho) indication if it might be CH, have a glass of wine or two. When headache comes up within an hour, you might be pretty sure it is CH.

Sinusitis pains are not triggered by alcohol.

Make sure when you do the test, that you have the right meds by hand to abort.

I know it is a painfull way to be sure but ( in my opinion) it is quite a good way to determine CH.

The survey is a safer way to do of course...

Just an idea.

Hope you'll be PF again soon.

Take care
Herwig

Title: Re: a question for people who know.
Post by E-Double on Nov 17^th, 2005, 4:11am

on 11/17/05 at 03:50:09, Herwig wrote:

Alcohol never triggered an attack for me.
I was episodic for nearly a decade having them in the middle of the night....yet in college went on plenty of benders and still no trigger.....during day nor after hour parties. LOTS OF BOOZE.

I went chronic this past march and alcohol still does nothing.

That's just me.

If alcohol is a trigger it will occur quickly!
If not it does not nessarily mean that you do not have CH.

Time will tell.

Good luck

Title: Re: a question for people who know.
Post by Herwig on Nov 17^th, 2005, 4:29am

Hi E-double,

Really sorry to hear you have chronicCH, sounds like hell to me as an episodic. Good you still can enjoy a drink without attack.

It was just an idea to test with alcohol. With me it triggers the attack between 15 - 60 minutes.

As I read the messages, most of us get triggered by it.

Of course I am not a doctor neither pretending to be experienced. It just seemed like an easy test...

Wish you a lot of PF days (moments at least)

Herwig

Title: Re: a question for people who know.
Post by AussieBrian on Nov 17^th, 2005, 4:43am

on 11/17/05 at 03:50:09, Herwig wrote:

...have a glass of wine or two. When headache comes up within an hour, you might be pretty sure it is CH....

...I know it is a painfull way to be sure but ( in my opinion) it is quite a good way to determine CH.

And everybody here at ch.com is entitled not only to have their opinion, but to express that opinion openly.

All power to ch.com and long may she reign supreme!

Nevertheless, Pips, it's well worth skulking around the boards here to find all opinions, rather than going with just this one.

Welcome home,

Brian.

Title: Re: a question for people who know.
Post by E-Double on Nov 17^th, 2005, 7:35am

YEs there is a high percentage of individuals that have an attack triggered by alcohol but time and frequency are more likely to be indicators.

I mean that one can have an individual attack and then none others only to have a cycle come on months later or years later then getting diagnosed.

One attack will not bring a diagnosis.

No worries my friend Herwig and no sympathy either ;)

We'll meet someday for a coffee.....mine will be strong and irish and you can have yours straight ;;D

Title: Re: a question for people who know.
Post by BarbaraD on Nov 17^th, 2005, 4:13pm

Go to the left and take the cluster quiz. That will give you a better idea and something to take to your doctor on your next visit.

Alcohol is a trigger for some and not for others. Beer used to trigger mine, but other alcohol didn't. Now I can drink a couple of beers and they don't bother me (or haven't - I really don't drink much). But if you get a headache after a drink - DON'T DRINK! It just isn't worth the pain.

Keep a log of your headaches and the intensity of them. Try black coffee when they first start and see if that aborts them. Usually if I get to mine quick enough coffee will do it - after about a 4-5 it don't work.

Good luck with your diagnosis and I hope it's just a sinus infection and you're not a clusterhead. But if you are - stick around - we're here for you.

Hugs BD

Title: Re: a question for people who know.
Post by kcopelin on Nov 18^th, 2005, 12:51pm

Betcha took the quiz already, huh? Listen, if it is Clusters, even though they suck big time, you are in the best possible place- thousands of years of experience on this board (cumulative-not that anyone here has had , oh you know what I mean) Like Aussie says so eloquently, don't base anything on one opinion-we are each different, and all have our own set of triggers, preventatives, abortives and ways of dealing with CH.
Wishing you Pain Free Days and Nights, and accurate diagnosis and a hearty supporter!
kathy