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Title: Feeling alone.... Post by carliberry on Jul 6th, 2006, 4:55pm Hey everyone! I'm new to both this site and CH. My doctor has been trying for weeks to figure out what my headaches are and how to help. This morning he thought I am showing signs of CH....so I'm doing my research. He told me this is usually a male dominated illness...is that true? Am I all alone out here in clusterville? Are there any other women who want to run head first into a wall or pull out their back teeth just to get the pain to stop? |
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Title: Re: Feeling alone.... Post by Racer1_NC on Jul 6th, 2006, 5:39pm Text books say CH is a "male dominated" illness. From my experience here....seeing female friends go through hell......I'd say the split is about even between male and female. Take the "cluster quiz"......the link is to your left....the 4th from the top. Read everything here. Visit OUCH-US.org. I hope it's not clusters, but if it is, you have found a group that knows what you are feeling and can help. Find a good neuro that treats adult headache patients.....PC Docs rarely know what to do for clusters. Bill |
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Title: Re: Feeling alone.... Post by carliberry on Jul 6th, 2006, 7:51pm Thank you Bill. It's scary to think that what you might or might not have is something you'll have forever and there isn't anything anyone can do about it. It kills me to see the look in my husband's eyes when he knows I'm getting a headache.... |
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Title: Re: Feeling alone.... Post by Kris_in_SJ on Jul 6th, 2006, 7:53pm Hello and Welcome ... From one female sufferer to another possible one. Frankly, any doctor who rules out clusters based on a sufferer's gender, doesn't know his stuff. Far too many women are diagnosed with migraines because that's the "woman's headache." Just a lot of BS! Please read the info to the left and take the cluster quiz. Start keeping a headache diary noting the day, time of day, duration, what you do that helps or doesn't, etc. Also, here's a link to some very valuable cluster info and treatment options: http://www.brightok.net/~mnjday/chtherapy.pdf My best suggestion would be to read all you can, then get an appointment with a neurologist who specializes in headaches and take all the info and your diary with you to the appointment. Regardless of the type of headaches you might be suffering, pain is pain. We're here to help and support. Hugs, Kris |
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Title: Re: Feeling alone.... Post by Linda_Howell on Jul 6th, 2006, 8:09pm There are PLENTY of us women, hon. (Despite what BobP says.) sorry private joke.... Personally my method is to keep the dry-wall contractors in business. Don't pull out your teeth though...makes it hard to chew and the pain will still be there due to where the Trigeminal nerve ends up at. Linda |
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Title: Re: Feeling alone.... Post by marlinsfan on Jul 6th, 2006, 8:11pm Get a new neuro. There are lots of women here (Ï'm not one). Tell you husband to come too, and have him read up on the Supporter's section. |
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Title: Re: Feeling alone.... Post by Charlotte on Jul 6th, 2006, 8:12pm Another female checking in. From this thread, you might think males are the minority. CH is an equal opportunity hell. Welcome aboard. Charlotte |
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Title: Re: Feeling alone.... Post by georgej on Jul 6th, 2006, 8:45pm I'm beginning to think that the male/female thing is a medical urban legend--sorta like the hazel eyes, "leonine" facial features, and the "orange-peel skin", we're supposed to have, whatever that is. Probably printed in some ancient medical journal and then endlessly repeated. Best, George |
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Title: Re: Feeling alone.... Post by Barry_T_Coles on Jul 6th, 2006, 10:21pm Hi & welcome Keep the teeth, I dont have any left on my cluster side and I still get the worst ever toothaches in teeth I dont have. And it's not funny having my wife chew my food for me. ;;D Regards Barry |
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Title: Re: Feeling alone.... Post by LeLimey on Jul 7th, 2006, 3:48am The male/female thing IS an urban legend, if you look at the boards here sufferer's have a pretty equal male/female split and it's very much the same on the UK site. Welcome, you're amongst friends - make that family now! This is one place you'll never hear "Don't eat chocolate" or "Take two aspirin and lie down" or "Women don't get cluster headaches!" Well... you might hear that from joker's, misogynists or anal retentive hun's but we tend not to listen to them ;;D Why don't you tell us a bit about your symptoms and lets see if we can help you Helen (See?! Girlie name!) |
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Title: Re: Feeling alone.... Post by jenrob2006 on Jul 7th, 2006, 8:43am When I was first diagnosed, 11 years ago, I was told that CHers were 90% men who drink and smoke. Well, I dont drink ever, I dont smoke ever, and I definately am not a male. I thought there was something genetically wrong with my femininity (sp?) until I came to this site. You are not alone. |
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Title: Re: Feeling alone.... Post by Guiseppi on Jul 7th, 2006, 11:42am Don't listen to Linda or Charlotte, women with cluster head ache claims are faking it! They just want the attention. :P Your doctor is trying, but he's reading a book from the late 70's early 80's. Only men, taller then average, with ruddy complexions got these things back then. They called everyone else migrainers back then. Print out the info on this site compiled from thousands of real people. It's now your job to educate your doctor and help yourself. This is a beautiful site with some fantastic people dying to help you. Welcome aboard! (even if you are a female faking cluster headaches!) Guiseppi |
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Title: Re: Feeling alone.... Post by Linda_Howell on Jul 7th, 2006, 1:20pm Quote:
Joe, contrary to all the Life Insurance actuary tables... you do not have long to live. |
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Title: Re: Feeling alone.... Post by Cathi04 on Jul 7th, 2006, 2:34pm LOL>.Linda!!!!!!!!!!! On the subject of "faking it"............. I think Guiseppi does......... (and he drives a flipping minivan, fer corns' sake!) OH, WAITAMINNIT!!!!!!!!!! Are we still talking CH?????????????????? ;;D ;;D ;;D ;;D ;;D ;;D ;;D ;;D ;;D ;;D ;;D ;;D ;;D ;;D ;;D ;;D ;;D ;;D ;;D ;;D ;;D ;;D Luvnhugznkisses, Anni- Onymous PS, it does stand to reason, a disease, under-researched, misunderstood, and with a small percentage of the population being sufferers, there are bound to be misconceptions...... Leonine??? Guiseppi bears a huge resemblance to Lippy The Lion, in fact!!!!!!!!!!!!! So, facts DO get confused with fiction........... Good thing I got my racecar here.............ZOOOOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!!! :P |
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Title: Re: Feeling alone.... Post by Cat_CH on Jul 7th, 2006, 6:24pm See? You are not alone!!!!! And just reading these forums and taking tips from so many people who experience the same is yes, a HUGE relief! The responses all you people here gives feels so good for someone who is new here, and it is SO much appreciated. I had an attack coming half an hour ago, so I sat down with my O2 (got it yesterday!!), read some of your supporting posts and it feels so much better now! In here it is much to learn and to enjoy. And I cherish my PF hours so much more! Even though I am kind of worn out after a couple of hot CH weeks, I have hade some nice days and meetings with people I love and have fun with. One night I went out dancing and it felt great!! I don't have all the energy and I am not able to do all the things before. But each time I have a good time and remind myselves of that and find a blessing knowing that after all, there is not what I've lost by being a CH sufferer that counts, but that life still brings me beautiful blessing and a lot of love and care. Cat |
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Title: Re: Feeling alone.... Post by carliberry on Jul 7th, 2006, 10:16pm You all are amazing! I told my hubby he should sign on with the supporter's group, and I think after a few more nights of me screaming he might just HAVE to for HIS sanity! ;;D This morning I woke up after two hours of sleep and my headache was milder than the ones I've had lately and I was so excited that it lasted only about 15minutes as opposed to the 2 + hour ones I've been having lately. They're always around my right eye and almost white hot pain. My eye and nose run like a faucet, which is gross and infuriating, my ear on my right side has even run a little during two of the episodes. My doctor has prescribed me an anti-nausea medicine that doesn't work as I take it and still throw up. I try to get up and walk as it seems to make me feel better than lying down, but my body is SOOOOOOOOOOO exhausted that I almost can't walk too long before I just crumple back into bed regardless of how bad my head hurts..... I'm so glad to hear that I'm not alone, although I couldn't wish this on anyone. Thank you all for your support! |
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Title: Re: Feeling alone.... Post by Linda_Howell on Jul 7th, 2006, 11:30pm Quote:
Hon, this is unusual. Clusterheads cannot stand, sit or lay still while having a HA. I am NOT trying to be mean here...but why are you letting your husband dictate to you about a pain he doesn't have and a treatment that cou;ld save your sanity? I don't get it. |
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Title: Re: Feeling alone.... Post by Summerbabe on Jul 14th, 2006, 10:27am :DHey Carli , I am a Clusterhead and 100% woman , your not alone sweetie, it is a male statistic disorder yes, my neuro said the same thing to me, but Hey I got it for sure..Pm me anytime, there are many caring souls here myself included , and we will help you. I know the desperation, I know the pain, I know how you feel....I am in cycle , getting 3-4 hits a night..awful , I have missed work due to exhaustion...afraid to sleep. etc...Here to help, stay strong, this too will pass..All my best, Summer 8) |
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Title: Re: Feeling alone.... Post by Summerbabe on Jul 14th, 2006, 10:32am Hon, with Linda on this one, when I get hit, oh man, I absolutely CANNOT stay still never mind freakin lie down...I pace , rock, cry, and usually curse alot, through things....TRY PACING...WORKS WITH THE FRUSTRATION , I JUST DO IT..Summer |
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Title: Re: Feeling alone.... Post by Kingjames1 on Jul 14th, 2006, 9:25pm Hey Carli- I was wondering which Carmel, USA you are from...Cali, Indiana, or some other. I'm in Indiana, and kind of new here myself. |
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