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Title: Apparently I don't exist.... Post by lgodm on Jul 4th, 2006, 1:54pm Hi, I had my first cluster headache a little less than a year ago while at work. The only time I had ever had headaches previously was from caffeine withdrawal and by last year I had already kicked that habit. What told me that something was off was my eye tearing up and becoming swollen. I got home and described it to my boyfriend, thinking it was a migraine but he suggested to me it was a cluster headache. Two days ago I began to have another one and immediately got online to find out ANY information I could. The reason I'm saying I apparently don't exist is because I only get them during my period. This is my third episode and I haven't had anything like this between menstrual cycles. According to what I've looked up, no correlation for women has been found. Are there any other women or any loved ones of those with ch that have this same pattern? Thank you! -Kat- |
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Title: Re: Apparently I don't exist.... Post by LeLimey on Jul 4th, 2006, 3:05pm Hi Kat, You sayy they seem to be correlating to menstrual cycles.. do you mean you are getting them monthly or just once a year but that they happen to coincide with that? |
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Title: Re: Apparently I don't exist.... Post by lgodm on Jul 4th, 2006, 3:16pm I guess you are right, it just so happens that every time I've gotten them (right now I'm trying to remain human through the third one) I get them during my period. But it seems to be about every four months, so. I don't know if I'm making any sense right now. |
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Title: Re: Apparently I don't exist.... Post by LeLimey on Jul 4th, 2006, 3:29pm If you look on the left of the screen at the menu youll see a button (4th down) marked cluster quiz. Whilst it's not 100% it will give you a good indication of where you stand, see how you do! You'll need to see a HA Specialist neuro though for an accurate diagnosis. When you can, tell us how long your hits last and what happens and roughly how long your cycle is too.. we'll do what we can to help! Helen |
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Title: Re: Apparently I don't exist.... Post by lgodm on Jul 4th, 2006, 4:18pm I just took the quiz and scored 100%. The hit I just had lasted about 2 and a half hours. The last two times this happened it was for about three and a half. It feels like someone just jabs a sharp object into the back of my head. I start sweating and pacing and rocking and swearing up a storm. I run to make tea, drink the entire pot hoping it's just a caffeine headache but it doesn't really help. My eye starts watering and my neck starts burning and perhaps because I'm a very verbal person I just start talking to myself nonstop I guess as a defense mechanism. And sure enough, about 20 minutes ago, it just vanished. Leaving me feeling incredibly exhausted and achey from being so tense. It seems like the pattern has been about every four months. The first two times it's happened I've only had two attacks. But this time I've already had two minor ones and this big one. As you can tell, I'm still in rant mode. If anyone can give me any other general advice, I would greatly appreciate it. About an hour ago I ran out and bought a monster energy drink because I had read that some drank red bull and it seemed to help. I didn't notice a difference, but perhaps that's why I'm fine now. Thank you so much! |
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Title: Re: Apparently I don't exist.... Post by LeLimey on Jul 4th, 2006, 4:46pm Hello again Kat, You can tell it's the 4th of July, its the Helen and Kat show and usually there would be tons of people here! In a cluster attack the blood vessels on the affected side of your head swell by up to 20x their normal size which is what causes the excruciating pain. We use vaso-constrictors to reduce them back down again in order to get rid of the pain. Caffeine as in hot coffee works very well and energy drinks work because caffeine is mixed with taurine which intensifies the effect. There are several things you can do to help yourself while waiting to see a neuro. You DO need to see a neuro if for no other reason than to rule out anything else more sinister. Alot of us swear by icepacks to relieve pain. Others find a hot shower helps, its finding what works for you that counts. Getting your face right up cloe and personal with the air con vents in the car is delightful too! Alot of people use melatonin for night time hits. Have a look at OUCH US (http://www.ouch-us.org/index.shtml). Alot more info on meds, treatments and doctors which might help you. We'll get you through this between us! Helen |
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Title: Re: Apparently I don't exist.... Post by Linda_Howell on Jul 4th, 2006, 5:16pm Oh Bollocks Helen. I'm here. I'm just 3 hours later than her first post. ;;D What youy describe sounds a little strange in that you have them so infrequently as well as a 3.5 hit is rare. Not impossible, just rare. If you read some of the posts from people you will come to the understanding that while we suffer from the same condition we are all different in how we react to meds, etc. Let us know if you have a competant Dr. & if you've been diagnosed. Print off things to take to him/her when trying different meds. Most of us start off with Verapamil as a preventative and oxygen as an abortive. Oyxgen works for about 70 % of us and is cheap, and safe. You're not alone anymore. Linda |
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Title: Re: Apparently I don't exist.... Post by LeLimey on Jul 4th, 2006, 5:38pm Linda I love it when you use rude words - Go on .. say "Arse" again ;) Kat I swear by O2, it's my favourite abortive of choice and I can't recommend it enough. There are alot of prescription meds to try, I've only hesitated in mentioning them so far as I didn't want to overload you and I know that if you are like me, you'll be here reading somewhere ready to ask questions! We'll be waiting with answers where we can - that is to say the others will... its nearly this bird's bedtime ;;D Talk at you again soon Helen |
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