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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004-2005 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> New & Self DX
        
(Message started by: Sylvan on Nov 15^th, 2004, 2:28pm)

Title: New & Self DX
Post by Sylvan on Nov 15^th, 2004, 2:28pm

Hello All:

I'm not 100% certain that i am suffering from cluster headaches - but all of the on-line research i have done for the past several days leads me to this conclusion.

Don't worry - i have an appointment this evening with my GP in regards to these headaches.

Here's a rundown on what's been happening:

Starting last Saturday night -

11/7 1:35 AM - woke suddenly from a sound sleep with a headache the likes of which i could not have previously imagined. Unilateral - over left eye. Excruciating pain. No aura or throbbing. Some congestion and tearing. I was able to get out of bed and go into the bathroom where i observed my eyes and did not see any indication of different dilation in either pupil. My eyelid was not droopy and i was fully functional. No numbness or any other symptoms. I took advil and an herbal migraine remedy that i have used periodically called feverfew.

I was unable to lay down - all i could do was rock and cry until the headache subsided - within about 30 minutes.

The following day - the only residual symptoms were a mild achy pressure around my left eye - mostly below (sinus area) and i have been noticably short tempered since this started.

At this point i assumed that i had had a migraine - as i used to get them years ago (while weaning off of prednisone for a condition called sarcoidosis) This headache though seemed to me to be much more painful than the migraines that i got at that time.

I did call my GP on Monday - and told her what had happened. I was mildly concerned that this may have been a TIA since my blood pressure has been running a little high lately (130/90) and i have been taking a low dose aspirin regimen for about 6 months.

She felt that one severe nocturnal headache was not something to rush in about - but if it recurred she wanted to see me.

Recalling that the migraines back then (15 years ago) were recurrent - i took more feverfew (and an 83mg asprin) at bedtime for the next few days.

On Thursday night (11/11) i forgot to take the feverfew/aspirin) and i woke up again at 1:30 AM with the same headache - and the same symptoms. Again i took feverfew and advil and the headache went away within about 30 minutes. This one was a little bit less severe - i was actually able to stop and take a picture of the cat who was doing something cute at the time.

Friday morning - i called my doctor. I have an appontment for 5 pm today.

Friday night - i took the feverfew/aspirin again. Mild headache at bedtime - but nothing severe.

Saturday i had allergies all day - I was sneezing non-stop at bedtime - so i took motrin cold & sinus. Slept like a baby. No headaches.

Sunday night - i took the feverfew/aspirin combo again as i had a slight headache in the evening. Went to bed early. 12:30 AM woke suddenly with the same awful headache. Took more feverfew and some advil.

This headache (if possible) seemed worse than the prior 2. It lasted nearly an hour. I was nearly to the point of asking my S/O to drive me to the hospital when it fianlly abated.

Sorry for the length of this introductory post. I am very concerned and also very grateful that there is a site dedicated to people who suffer from this debilitating disorder. Thank you in advance for any and all advice i may receive.

Sylvan http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0QgAeA8ATUZNglLlTf0OvXH*BwwMvVlVBQExrP7YVTTFsvlkLB50Ts7EMuxnkIYrlyd5!*ZUUbzHfaIeREJBxvopzEnzs5yJZRu7v*zb2CNw/kitty0.gif?dc=4675459469412295083

Title: Re: New & Self DX
Post by Ronny on Nov 15^th, 2004, 3:48pm

Hi,

Did you take the cluster quiz on the left side of your screen? This might do the trick. It sure sounds like clusters to me but you gotta be sure to get the right treatment.

Only a Neuro can really decide if it is or not.

Painkillers wont help, when it stops after 30 mins, it's not the painkiller that helped, its the attack that is over. I've thought for years it were the painkillers that worked until the attacks became longer, then i realized it.

Ronny.

Title: Re: New & Self DX
Post by pubgirl on Nov 15^th, 2004, 5:43pm

Hello there Sylvan

Self diagnosis always gives us the collywobbles here, but your symptoms certainly do seem very familiar, sadly.

I think it would be a good idea to get a referral asap to a neuro to get a confirmed diagnosis or you may find it an uphill struggle to get the right treatments.

Some people report good results on occasions with feverfew but only randomly, you really need to get a good abortive quickly to stop these attacks when they happen. While you wait for a neuro, it is worth knowing that the 2 main Ch abortives are the same as those for migraine, so even if your GP thinks it's migraine you may probably still be able to get your hands on Imigran or 02.

Keep us posted how you are getting on

Wendy the Brit

Title: Now DX'd :(
Post by Sylvan on Nov 15^th, 2004, 8:01pm

Hi Ronny & Wendy:

Thank you for your replies.

I just got home from my doctor - who did a complete neurological work-up, physical and several blood tests. I don't have the results of the blood tests yet - but my BP was 160/90 (ouch) and i had absolutely no signs of neurological problems.

She feels that this is either migraine or cluster and has RX'd a product called Midrin to be taken at onset and repeated if necessary.

The pharmacist says it takes effect within 10 minutes - which i hope is true - as i concur with the thought that the advil/feverfew likely had little or no effect since the pain was so short lasting.

I have been researching non-medicinal abortives as well - and in addition to the feverfew - i came across an interesting article on cayenne pepper ointment - applied intra-nasally. It sounds frightening - but i would try anything to stop these headaches.

Again - thank you for your responses. I have a sinking feeling i'll be here a lot.

Sylvan

Title: Re: New & Self DX
Post by kissmyglass on Nov 16^th, 2004, 2:31am

Hi,
Sorry you're here but glad you are in the right place as you sure do sound like a Clusterhead to me sorry to say.

Good Luck!
Kev

Title: Re: New & Self DX
Post by pubgirl on Nov 16^th, 2004, 6:31am

I wouldn't bother with the Midrin (10 minutes sounds very over hopeful to me) or the pepper spray (works for almost no-one) personally. Read up about the main abortive treatments (Imitrex and 02) on this site and go for those.

Wendy