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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004-2005 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> Hello All
        
(Message started by: MarcSeidl on Dec 1^st, 2005, 11:31pm)

Title: Hello All
Post by MarcSeidl on Dec 1^st, 2005, 11:31pm

Hey,

I just found out about cluster headaches today after a doc's apt. I've been reading some posts and information and I'm not sure what i have. Once a week for the past 3 weeks i have been getting headaches. The first was quite painful but none of the runny eye or nose, the 2nd was not very painful at all. But yesterday i have a rather painful one with the red and runny eye and nose.

The doc said it was more then likily a cluster headache but not enough time has went by to set a pattern.

Anyway, hello to every one!

Title: Re: Hello All
Post by E-Double on Dec 1^st, 2005, 11:40pm

Your doctor just said more than likely Clusters?
That's it?

No plan of action?

Honestly time will tell but since you are here learn!!!!!!

Research and be prepared in case this is what you do have.

We're here all the time when ever you need.

There is plenty of info and plenty to be shared by us and you.

Good luck!

Ex2

Title: Re: Hello All
Post by MarcSeidl on Dec 1^st, 2005, 11:47pm

This was just a family Doctor. He has said that he has had people with Cluster Headaches before and the O2 with the mask has worked very well. He said don't run out and buy or rent one right away.

Title: Re: Hello All
Post by E-Double on Dec 1^st, 2005, 11:50pm

This is a great resource to know like the back of your hand...print it out and give it to the doc

http://www.brightok.net/~mnjday/chtherapy.pdf

It will present the appropriate treatments that you should seek and your doctor should know!!!

If you want an abortive with the least amount of side-effects O2 should not only be requested but demanded from your doctor!!!

http://www.maplefallswebdesign.com/misc/oxygen/oxygen.htm

I have recently been using Zyprexa as an abortive and have found it to work (for me) as fast as Imitrex and without the "hangover"

http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=meds;action=display;num=1120904753

If you do have the "typical" wake you up in the middle of the night horrors then.... Melatonin might be very helpful
Many of us (myself included) have found that taking 6-9mg (some take more) about a 1/2 hour to 45minutes prior to bed have Knocked out the night visits and can finally get sleep.

With the exception of 10-12 times.....I have slept through the night since August '04 (went chronic in March 05).....Still get hit during the day but my overall quality of life is better because I am not as exhausted all the time.

Some people report that it seems to make them worse....The fact is that we are all different and respond differently to everything therefore it may or may not...

The one thing I will tell you as far as my experience was that I had to stick with it...The first night I took melatonin, I was awoken with a doozy only I was too groggy to find my O2 .....It got a lot better for me....I then slept through the night but would get slammed about 1/2 hour after waking up....kinda like knocking the beast off schedule.....then again I was peaking and this cycle has been all over the place with no real pattern.
I stayed with melatonin and have had decent sleep overall.

It may help and it is natural with not too many sideeffects....also ask your doctor b/c if there are any side effects or contraindications...I think they have to do with mild depression.....

Like I said we are all different.

Some tricks that I used to use and sometimes still do are:
*Wrapping a bandana tightly around my skull (be careful)
*Filling a sink with scaulding water creating a steam bath and placing my head over it with a towel covering
it.
*Going from Steam to Frigid shower.
*Standing infront of A/C
*Icepacks or frozen veggies on the back of the neck or eye
*Tons of STRONG coffee.

Best wishes, good luck & stay as positive as you can!!!!

Eric

Title: Re: Hello All
Post by Jasmyn on Dec 2^nd, 2005, 3:02am

Hello Marc.

Eric is on the money with his posts.

Keep from now on a diary on the time, frequence and duration of your headaches. Next time you go and see your doc take as much info with you and read as much as you can.

On the left hand side you'll find lots of valuable info.

Good luck to you and keep us posted.

Jas