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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004-2005 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> Are the cluster headaches????
        
(Message started by: jNINE on Oct 4^th, 2004, 9:03pm)

Title: Are the cluster headaches????
Post by jNINE on Oct 4^th, 2004, 9:03pm

[smiley=huh.gif]

Hi all,

After many months of being shuffled between ENT and Neurology and having MRI's and CT's they've decided that I suffer from Migranes (well - duh!).

After researching this I have discovered there are several kinds but my symptoms don't match with common or classic (no aura) but seem to be more like cluster.

I will have a continous 'bearable' headache lasting several weeks with the occasional 'spike' where I feel nausea and severe pain behind my left eye. The only thing I can do then is take panadeine forte.

Before a 'spike' occurs my left pupil enlarges noticeably and my sinuses feel very congested (and i get the odd blood nose) - this can last several days.

Severe headaches often increase in frequency if I do not drink plenty of water and for this reason I always carry a water bottle and drink continuously.

Any advice/opinons would be much appreciated as to whether my symptoms are cluster headache related.

BTW I'm a 30yo female

Thanks in advance :)

J

Title: Re: Are the cluster headaches????
Post by nani on Oct 4^th, 2004, 10:20pm

Welcome- take the cluster quiz on the left. That should help you figure it out.

Title: Re: Are the cluster headaches????
Post by BlueMeanie on Oct 4^th, 2004, 10:35pm

Welcome jNINE,

Sorry to say but your headaches do NOT sound like clusters. In most cases, clusters do not make people nauseated. Clusters do not last more than 1 1/2 at any given time. In most cases CH sufferers can feel normal with no headache symptoms at all, then within 15 minutes be in extreme pain on one side of the head & face which will last for 1-2 hours. Once the CH leaves the body, the person will feel normal and go about their business as usual.

Take the cluster quiz as already mentioned. There are several types of headaches. Maybe someone will be around to help ya out with whatever type you may have.

Title: Re: Are the cluster headaches????
Post by meljelene on Oct 4^th, 2004, 10:57pm

Hello to you. The nausea seems pretty typical of migrane headaches. Is you pain always on one side? Sorry you have to be here but this is a wonderful place for info and support.

Title: Re: Are the cluster headaches????
Post by nani on Oct 5^th, 2004, 12:16am

Quote:

clusters do not make people nauseated

This is not the case with me - I often get nauseated. However - nausea is my response to ANY severe pain. :'(

Title: Re: Are the cluster headaches????
Post by eyes_afire on Oct 5^th, 2004, 6:32pm

Here are my favorite links describing some of the trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias and other unrelated headache types:

cluster headache:
http://www.hospital-doctor.co.uk/hd_news/hd_news_article.asp?ID=2498&Section=Feature

chronic paroxysmal hemicrania
http://www.upstate.edu/neurology/haas/hpcldx.htm#cph

SUNCT syndrome
http://www.upstate.edu/neurology/haas/hpstab.htm#sunct

idiopathic stabbing headache
http://www.upstate.edu/neurology/haas/hpstab.htm

hemicrania continua
http://www.upstate.edu/neurology/haas/hphemi.htm

trigeminal neuralgia
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/trigemin_doc.htm

sexual benign headaches
http://www.headaches.org/consumer/topicsheets/sexual.html

hypnic headache
http://www.mhni.com/faqs_unique.htm#hypnic

exploding noise
http://www.mhni.com/faqs_unique.htm#exploding_noises

DISCLAIMER: This is no substitute for a diagnosis. See the neurologist for a diagnosis. This is only to point people in the right direction

--- Steve

Title: Re: Are the cluster headaches????
Post by Charlie on Oct 5^th, 2004, 7:56pm

Cluster headaches will wake you out of a sound sleep. This is something I always look for when someone isn't sure.

Charlie

Title: Re: Are the cluster headaches????
Post by jNINE on Oct 5^th, 2004, 9:11pm

Thanks everyone for your input.

One thing that makes me think also that they might not be cluster headaches is the duration of mine. They can last for 8 or more hours and intensify if I do not eat or drink enough fluids.

I don't get waken from my sleep either. And yes - pain is only on one side behind my left eye and around sinus area (but scans show my sinuses are clear).

My nausea stems from not drinking enough fluids and the doctor has suggested it could be from a fall in my blood sugar.

Thanks again to everyone - I'm getting prescribed some medication this week (maybe Imigran) so will have to see how it goes!!

J :)

Title: Re: Are the cluster headaches????
Post by don on Oct 6^th, 2004, 9:28am

If I had an attack that lasted 8 hours then chances are it would be my last.

Title: Re: Are the cluster headaches????
Post by Superpain on Oct 8^th, 2004, 2:48am

People that have other kinds of headaches ask if it might be cluster headaches...

People with cluster headaches ask if it might be an anyeurysm rupturing or a stroke.

Morale to the story, if you have to ask, you wouldn't understand. ;)

Title: Re: Are the cluster headaches????
Post by taraann on Oct 12^th, 2004, 1:34am

on 10/05/04 at 00:16:08, nani wrote:

This is not the case with me - I often get nauseated. However - nausea is my response to ANY severe pain. :'(

I second that

Title: Re: Are the cluster headaches????
Post by ArCane on Oct 12^th, 2004, 12:49pm

on 10/05/04 at 00:16:08, nani wrote:

This is not the case with me - I often get nauseated. However - nausea is my response to ANY severe pain. :'(

Same with me.

Title: Re: Are the cluster headaches????
Post by thomas on Oct 12^th, 2004, 5:47pm

on 10/08/04 at 02:48:02, Superpain wrote:

Fuckin' love it!