Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        New Message Board Archives >> 2006-2007 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> I'm new and need clarification
        
(Message started by: cabezon on Sep 26^th, 2006, 10:14am)

Title: I'm new and need clarification
Post by cabezon on Sep 26^th, 2006, 10:14am

I've had these symptoms for over a year and no-one (doctors) seems to know what it is that I have. It would appear I have the classic "Cluster" headache, but one thing I don't see on any of the messages I've read here is: That no-one mentions the pain upon touching the affected area (eyebrow). Also, the pain experienced when merely furrowing the affected brow.

Does anyone else exhibit any these symptoms? [smiley=huh.gif] Thanks,

Cabezon

Title: Re: I'm new and need clarification
Post by Cathi04 on Sep 26^th, 2006, 10:22am

Hi, Cab, and welcome to the fold. We are all sorry you are suffering, but glad to see you have found a place that will help you cope.
I can't answer your direct question, but I can ask a few which just might point us in the right direction.

1-Have you read the stuff on your left?
2-Have you taken the Cluster Quiz? Very important.and let us know how you score, please!
3- Have you seen a Neurologist? This will help as well.
Please find a Dr who accepts that you are a Clusterhead and will listen and work with you to gain control over the beast.
More people will be around soon, standby for your answer, Cab!

Wishing you PF

Cathi

Title: Re: I'm new and need clarification
Post by cabezon on Sep 26^th, 2006, 10:30am

Kathi, thanks for the prompt reply...I've seen a Neurologist but for different reason - actually this is what led me to him and ended up having a cerebral angioplasti procedure to cure ana aneurysm...but this "cluster-headache" persists.

As per my question, does anyone experience pain in the affected area by merely touching it etc...?
Rgds, Cabezon

Title: Re: I'm new and need clarification
Post by georgej on Sep 26^th, 2006, 10:32am

Good morning,

I can't speak for everyone here, but I nearly always have some muscle tenderness in the affected area during an attack. One aspect of coping for me is to consciously relax the small muscles in the face and neck.

That being said, the muscle tenderness (and the swollen knot that forms at the base of my neck) is only a minor annoyance compared to the attack itself, which is deeper, and cannot be reached with any physical manipulation.

During really bad ones, in the middle of my cycle, I typically mash, grind, and rub away at my eye, eyebrow, temple, and neck in a futile attempt to massage the pain away.

Can't help it--but it's only a distraction, and does no real good. Same goes for twisting my cervical vertebrae around and cracking them during a hit (makes some horrible noises). No relief there.

I'm going to encourage you to go to a headache specialist and get a firm diagnosis, along with some treatment options that you may not have considered yet. CH can be managed, but you have to have the right doctor. I know I'll only be one of the first to tell you this--you're going to hear it again. Also, take the "cluster quiz" at the left side of your screen, and explore all the links there. Much information to absorb.

Welcome to our little shop of horrors. ;)

Sorry you have to be here.

Best regards,

George

P.S.--Does your screen name refer to a really ugly species of fish (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus), or something else? ;)

Title: Re: I'm new and need clarification
Post by Richr8 on Sep 26^th, 2006, 11:38am

I don't believe it is common to experience pain while tuchin/probing the effected areas. It is certainly not for me.

Glad that you found us.

Title: Re: I'm new and need clarification
Post by TxBasslady on Sep 26^th, 2006, 11:45am

I experience this pain as well.

How long this last, depends on how bad the headache was.

Jean

Title: Re: I'm new and need clarification
Post by nani on Sep 26^th, 2006, 4:50pm

Hi cabezon. My eyebrow hurts to the touch right after a CH, but not all the time. I have a question, though. I had brain surgery to repair a burst aneurysm, and they actually cut out a piece of my skull. There were spots around there that were excruciatingly painful to the touch for a couple of years afterward. It also hurt to scrunch my face at all. I know you had a cath, but is it possible that the nerve endings were affected in some way? Might be worth asking the neuro about...
pain free wishes, nani

Title: Re: I'm new and need clarification
Post by marlinsfan on Sep 26^th, 2006, 5:21pm

Cabezon, I sometimes feel tenderness on the skin of my temple for about 30-60 minutes after the attack passes. But this does not happen a lot.

Does your name come from you having a big head [smiley=laugh.gif]?

Title: Re: I'm new and need clarification
Post by Edski_1 on Sep 26^th, 2006, 9:42pm

I have several "nodes" on my eyebrow that get sensitive durring and after attacks. Not as much this cycle as in the past...but certainly there.

I think they are terminal "nodes" of the trigeminal nerve. May not be common, but it seems it's not unheard of...

Good luck and "welcome"...I guess. At least we all understand each other here. :)

Title: Re: I'm new and need clarification
Post by Sean_C on Sep 26^th, 2006, 9:53pm

on 09/26/06 at 10:14:00, cabezon wrote:

Hi Cab, you didn't really give us much to work with. Can you explain in more detail your headaches? Duration/how they feel/how they start, and end/ etc etc. Maybe we'll get more replys.

Thanks

Sean........................................

C

Title: Re: I'm new and need clarification
Post by chopmyheadoff on Sep 27^th, 2006, 7:00am

^^ as above mate - give us a few more details . .

im sure there is another type of headache where the head being sore to the touch is a synptom.

others will be along soon and will be able to advise on this but for now, try and explain your ha from start to finish !!

regards
#chop 8)

Title: Re: I'm new and need clarification
Post by cabezon on Sep 27^th, 2006, 10:27am

To all who've replied- Thanks! I started getting these pains (Iwon't classify them as headaches...) above my left eye - the eyebrow to be exact, and very sharp almost like someone was sticking hot needle in my brow. The interesting thing is that if I furrow my forehead (brow) I get this pain shooting up my forehead above the eye. Interestingly, if I place my finger between the brow and the top of my forehead and furrow my brow - it doesn't hurt. The pain lasts at least two hours - always starts in the early mornig, reaches a peak and subsides sometimes after three hours. I do take Aleve and am not sure if it's the Aleve that makes the pain go-away or that it tapers off on its own. Also, and most important, when I have the pain I cannot touch my brow above the affected (left - always) eye - the pain is unbearable.
Additionally, the eyebrow swells up and becomes numb!

If anyone else has similar symptoms - talk to me. Rgds

Title: Re: I'm new and need clarification
Post by Charlotte on Sep 27^th, 2006, 10:32am

google some of these:

TAC
Trigiminal Autonomous Cephalalgia
SUNCT
hemicrania continua
Paroxysmal Hemicrania

TAC

http://www.mrbully.nl/ch/chtac.htm

http://jnnp.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/76/3/301

paroxysmal hemicrania

http://health.enotes.com/neurological-disorders-encyclopedia/paroxysmal- hemicrania

http://www.emedicine.com/neuro/topic67.htm

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/paroxysmal_hemicrania/paroxysmal_hemi crania.htm

hemicrania continua - which has migraine & cluster symptoms

http://headaches.about.com/od/allheadpaintypes/a/hemicrania_cont.htm

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/hemicrania_continua/hemicrania_contin ua.htm

http://www.current-reports.com/article.cfm?PubID=NR02-2-1-01&Type=Ar ticle&KeyWords=

ictal headache

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ictal_headache

http://professionals.epilepsy.com/page/migraine_headache.html

Title: Re: I'm new and need clarification
Post by chopmyheadoff on Sep 28^th, 2006, 3:24am

strange - if im honest this doesnt sound like cluster.
I think you may have one of the other "pains" that have been mentioned above.

Im sorry i have no experience with them so cant really offer advice - just pain free wishes

I would deffo seek out a neurologist and get a propper diagnosis
keep us posted.

chop

Title: Re: I'm new and need clarification
Post by BB on Sep 28^th, 2006, 5:53am

Sounds like you have Trigeminal Neuralgia affecting the temporal branch. Do you get sensation of tingling and/or electric shock shooting type of pain?

Mention this to your doctor and get him to check it for you.

A good neurologist should be able to work this out also.

Doesnt sound like cluster. Cluster affects the other branches of the trigeminal nerves and is much deeper.

Good luck with everything, hope you have it worked out soon.

Painfree wishes t o you.

Annette

Title: Re: I'm new and need clarification
Post by psuet on Oct 18^th, 2006, 2:56pm

Well since I study the muscles as a massage therapist I have tried to target every muscle that may have an effect on the ch. Some times it is obtainable, some times not. I have realized it is not neccessarily the muscles but the nerve endings in the area. Yes I have experienced the tenderness in the effected area, but some times feel relief by pinching under the muscles on the nerve directly associated. It usually causes me a sharp stab of pain at first, but then relaxing the area because I cut off the transmission of pain receptors or messages going to the area. I have not been able to completely make them disappear, but some times can calm it for a few minutes to get a little relief and some functionalbility. But you have to remember I study these muscles and nerve ending on a daily basis. I find that getting a regular pressure point massage in class helps me get through and aleviate some episodes. If you or anyone is thinking about massage as an alternative, make sure you get some one who is certified and dedicated to the learning processes of Chinese medicines and massage. Spa massages usually don't work for specific areas. Good luck.

Title: Re: I'm new and need clarification
Post by thebbz on Oct 19^th, 2006, 10:48pm

Thanks for the links Char ;)lotte.
jb

Title: Re: I'm new and need clarification
Post by winshots on Oct 20^th, 2006, 6:50am

Hi Cabezon,

When I dance I can (and do) hit any part of my skull to bash it out (doesn't work that way, but ok...).
My CH is always in the right temple. There's always a vain standing out there, throbbing, and if I close that vain by pressing my finger on it, within seconds the pain explodes (as if it could get any worse...)
I've once tried to see what happened if I kept the vain closed and two hours later I found myself on the floor, it knocked me out. Won't try that again.

Ofcourse you want to know what is going on, it's your head and something is wrong, but please please be careful, do not hurt yourself.

PF wishes to you...