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(Message started by: spidey426 on Jun 9^th, 2006, 6:45pm)

Title: new here: )
Post by spidey426 on Jun 9^th, 2006, 6:45pm

Until about 3 hours ago I never understood the pain that has tormented me for the last 7 years, until I finally stumbled upon a webpage describing 'Cluster Headaches', and never felt so relieved in my life. I've never really had health insurance and so I haven't been to the doctor's to ever get this diagnosed.. And I've really feared that I've had some kind of brain tumor or something.. it was just a relief to know what was wrong with me.
I suffer from cyclic Cluster Headaches.. about once a year for a period of a month.. it's that dreadful time of year again, and I'm only about 4 days into it. I am so glad I've found a place to turn to and have found other's who understand the pain.. just reading your stories brings tears to my eyes because I understand the pain.. It's so frustrating when I'm having an episode and people ask what is wrong.. because the pain is beyond words.. they can't possibly know what it's like.. I was just reading the article in wikipedia about them, and noticed that they are referred to as the "suicide headache"...that is a pretty dead-on description, lol.. during every episode I know that if I had a gun in my hand that things would probably get messy.. it's funny, i'm not a religious person, but this time of year I find myself praying to God an awful lot..
anyways.. I'm looking forward to reading your stories and sharing your pain.. I've got a long painful month ahead of me.. God Bless you all
mike in NY

Title: Re: new here: )
Post by Charlotte on Jun 9^th, 2006, 6:47pm

Welcome aboard, Spidey. We are sorry you had to find us, but glad that you did.

Charlotte

Title: Re: new here: )
Post by Redd715 on Jun 9^th, 2006, 6:59pm

First of all, I'm not glad you have a reason to be here, but I'm glad you found us and aren't alone anymore. First things first, there are some conditions that mimic CH. I didn't have insurance either, but you need to be sure there is nothing more serious going on. I suggest you start with a trip to your Doc and get a referal to a CH knowlegable neurologist or headache specialist within the neurology dept. I know the bills, the bills, but it IS important.

While waiting for the neuro appt, read read read here, then read some more, print out things you think will help, take it with you.

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

Probably the best all in one artical...

Till then also, give us a rundown on what the symptoms are, how long each attack will last, how many a day, what side, L or R, any other thing you notice, and please share with us any tips you've used to help cope with the pain...

Welcome, and for your sake lets hope it's something simpler to treat than CH. If it IS CH then welcome HOME!

Pegg

Title: Re: new here: )
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Jun 9^th, 2006, 8:01pm

Welcome Mike,

So sorry you have to be here, but if you're a fellow sufferer there's no better place to be.

Pegg gave you the best of the best links for treatment. But, your priority has to be a proper diagnosis! Until you have that, you can't take advantage of some of the low cost/no cost cluster meds available. Besides, you really DO need to rule out even nastier things than clusters.

You might try visiting your local ER next attack and cry out for Oxygen (12-15 liters/min with a non-rebreather mask). It's just a thought.... Oxygen works extremely well as a cluster abortive for many here, and more and more docs are becoming educated about it.

The important thing is to get that diagnosis. Start keeping a headache diary also. Note the times of day, the duration, the intensity (on a scale of 1-10), what you do that helps or doesn't, etc. That way, even if you have to wait several weeks to see a doc, you've got your symptoms documented.

The important thing is that you not suffer needlessly any longer. Do what you have to do. And you're welcome to rant here at any time it's needed.

Hugs,

Kris

Title: Re: new here: )
Post by Bob_Johnson on Jun 10^th, 2006, 7:03am

MANAGEMENT OF HEADACHE AND HEADACHE MEDICATIONS, 2nd ed. Lawrence D. Robbins, M.D.; pub. by Springer. $59 at Amazon.Com. It covers all types of headache and is primarily focused on medications. While the two chapters on CH total 42-pages, the actual relevant material is longer because of multiple references to material in chapters on migraine, reflecting the overlap in drugs used to treat. I'd suggest reading the chapters on migraine for three reasons: he makes references to CH & medications which are not in the index; there are "clinical pearls" about how to approach the treatment of headache; and, you gain better perspective on the nature of headache, in general, and the complexities of treatment (which need to be considered when we create expectations about what is possible). Finally, women will appreciate & benefit from his running information on hormones/menstrual cycles as they affect headache. Chapter on headache following head trauma, also. Obviously, I'm impressed with Robbins' work (even if the book needs the touch of a good editor!) (Somewhat longer review/content statement at 3/22/00, "Good book....")

HEADACHE HELP, Revised edition, 2000; Lawrence Robbins, M.D., Houghton Mifflin, $15. Written for a nonprofessional audience, it contains almost all the material in the preceding volume but it's much easier reading. Highly recommended.

Title: Re: new here: )
Post by Richr8 on Jun 11^th, 2006, 12:19pm

Mike,

Just wanted to say hi and welcome. I am very glad to meet you, just sorry it had to be here. It looks like you have lots of good info to read and digest. Jump in at any time if you have questions, or just want to talk or vent. We get it!

Title: Re: new here: )
Post by bpdertcdr on Jun 12^th, 2006, 1:00am

Welcome ... we know and feel your pain. See a Doc who knows about CH ... there are Docs listed here ... Imitrex, O2, and I'm taking Methergine right now which snapped a really bad cycle of almost 10 attacks in one day.

Good luck,

Mike