Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        New Message Board Archives >> 2004-2005 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> I thought I'd got rid of them 
        
(Message started by: mitChell on Sep 10^th, 2004, 5:16pm)

Title: I thought I'd got rid of them
Post by mitChell on Sep 10^th, 2004, 5:16pm

Hello people - im new here, I live in England,
I took the quick test, and it seems I fit the bill :(

OK, I first got these headaches about 7 years ago,
I went to see my local GP
and he diagnosed them as cluster headaches -
but as he didnt give me any other info,
I thought that he meant that I suffer from headaches that come in clusters .
(a series of headaches that come and go) :-/

He perscibed me with some strong decongestants, which did the trick for a couple of weeks,
gave me a lightheaded feeling after the pain left,
but soon lost their power -
anyway time went by, headaches would come,
I'd take these pills,
but the pain would last longer.

I went through this process for about 6/8 months
(CH's lasting 1 or 2 hours now)
so i decided to give up the decongestants -
this was hard to start with.
Taking nothing, 'and riding it out' - felt like forever,
but I think it somehow helped.

Anyway eventually the CH's got less and less until they dissapeared completely.

That must have been 1999/2000
and for four years I was free from it,
not even a twinge, totally free.

Then a couple of weeks ago it returned out of nowhere,
started off 10/15 mins.
Now its more like 30/45 mins and getting stronger.

The pain is the same now as it was then :
intense throbbing/stabbing pain behind my left eye,
a constant hot pain that makes me want to scoop my eyeball out with a spoon.

When it starts I find I get a couple of minutes warning until it builds up to full power,
(and the same on the way down)
I even thought I was thinking myself into these headaches - Until I found this website.

Ive been racking my brains as to why they have come back, no change in diet, lifestyle, etc .

At the moment I feel totally fine,
but fear the 'warning signs'of the next attack which could be at any time.

I know that there are sufferers here that experience a lot stronger CH's than I do,
but i just wanted to 'share this' with people that understand just how strong these things are.

Most people I know say
"Its just a headache, get over it"

If only they knew ::)

Title: Re: I thought I'd got rid of them
Post by Superpain on Sep 10^th, 2004, 6:50pm

Welcome!

I think all of us at one time or another have thought that the headaches were over. Unfortunately we were almost all very wrong. I'm out of cycle right now and I don't worry about it, but I KNOW that they will come back.
Fortunately this is a great place to learn how to get help and what works for relief. Read up!

Title: Re: I thought I'd got rid of them
Post by Jonny on Sep 10^th, 2004, 7:07pm

on 09/10/04 at 18:50:12, Superpain wrote:

I think all of us at one time or another have thought that the headaches were over.

Not all ;;D.........but good info, Chris ;)

.......................................jonny

Title: Re: I thought I'd got rid of them
Post by Little Deb on Sep 10^th, 2004, 7:30pm

Welcome. I have thought they were gone forever a few times too. But no. And since I have found this site, I now know why.
Hang in there. Check out the OUCH site too. Someone is always here if you need help.

Little Deb

Title: Re: I thought I'd got rid of them
Post by ArCane on Sep 10^th, 2004, 8:42pm

Welcome mitChell. Sorry to hear the beast is back. He's a sneaky bastard and likes to hit us when we aren't looking. You are right, most people don't understand the pain. Its hard to show someone how much it hurts without killing them in the process.

Title: Re: I thought I'd got rid of them
Post by pubgirl on Sep 10^th, 2004, 8:46pm

I know they aren't over, but in between cycles I like to pretend they are, it keeps me sane :(

W

Title: Re: I thought I'd got rid of them
Post by mitChell on Sep 11^th, 2004, 5:51pm

Thanks peeps - makes me feel a lot better,
knowing I got people in my corner 8)

Title: Re: I thought I'd got rid of them
Post by Arlene on Sep 12^th, 2004, 12:21pm

My Cluster Headaches stopped 5 years ago. I never thought that after all that time, they would return. Yesterday, I had one, and right now, it is again starting.

In all these years, is there a GOOD way to treat them, that I am probably unaware of.

This is kind of important, as I am a widow, and live alone, and it's already scaring me a lot.

5 years ago I was using oxygen, and various prescriptions that I don't remember the name of. Can anyone give me some information that will help me before I can get to a doctor?

Thanks, Arlene

Title: Re: I thought I'd got rid of them
Post by JJA on Sep 13^th, 2004, 3:41pm

Arlene,

You could try melatonin at bedtime. It seems to help about 1/2 of episodic CH sufferers. Most people use 9 mg (3 X 3mg pills, but the best dose ranges from 0.5 - 12 mg). You can get it over the counter at any drug store or walmart etc. in the US. There are plenty of posts on this site about it...read up.

You could also start your own post over on the general board for many more answers.

-Jesse

Title: Re: I thought I'd got rid of them
Post by TxBasslady on Sep 14^th, 2004, 2:40am

The melatonin works very good for some of us who get the nightime hits.

Excedrin Migraine helps for the shadows.

Lots of meds out there that will help. I am in cycle now..and the melatonin and e.m. have worked quite well for me. I only get hit at night. Always hour and 1/2 or so after going to bed. I also sleep elevated. I have taken up residence on the sofa. This seems to work for alot of folks too. A recliner works well also.

Hope you get some relief.......let us know how you're doing.

PF vibes,

Jean