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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006-2007 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> Is it a cluster headache?
        
(Message started by: BobbyHowie on Oct 31^st, 2006, 11:03am)

Title: Is it a cluster headache?
Post by BobbyHowie on Oct 31^st, 2006, 11:03am

Hi there,
Been suffering really bad headaches for 18 months or so. Been to doctor, dentist, optician, neuro-surgeon for a couple of scans so may have try the mumbo-jumbo stuff now. Pain is always down the right side of my head down behind my right eye to the base of my skull.
Feels like really tight cramping which gets pretty nauseas.
Used to start mid-afternoon and peak a few hours later and would only pass after a lie-down. They now appear night and day and no painkillers help. A doctor suggested taking mild anti-depressants for a "phantom" headache (can't remember what they're called) which worked for a while. Funnily enough they went away for a few months after I broke my leg skiing and was off work for 3 months. Now the anti-depressants don't work. And am I getting used to them or are they easing? I really don't know.
And do you know I was almost disappointed they didn't find a tumour? It gets so depressing.
Don't know if they wake me up at night but when I do, they're there, just gnawing away. Sneezing, bending down, any exertion brings them on.
Sorry for the rant, just got no-one to talk to. Is this similar to anything you guys have had?

Title: Re: Is it a cluster headache?
Post by RichardN on Oct 31^st, 2006, 11:15am

Hi Bobby and Welcome

First, you need to take the "cluster quiz" (4th link down on the left) and let us know how you do.

Many of your symtoms don't sound like CH (we're hoping it's not) . . . but if it is (or isn't) there are folks here with experience with just about any kind of ha pain you can imagine . . .so please reply with the results of the quiz and give as many specifics as you can.

Be Safe, PFDANs

Richard

Title: Re: Is it a cluster headache?
Post by Richr8 on Oct 31^st, 2006, 11:16am

Hi Bobby and welcome,

Some of your symptoms sound similar to CH, however, you really need to take the CH quiz on the right panel to be sure. Perhaps someone else here will better recognize your symptoms and be able to make a reasonable assessment of your condition. I do know that excertion, bending down, and sneezing are not typical triggers, nor does lying down usually help CH.

Anyway, dig in, take the quiz and let us know what you decide. Agiain, someone else here may recognize your symptoms and give advice on how to proceed. There are lots of knowledgeable folks here.

Title: Re: Is it a cluster headache?
Post by BobbyHowie on Oct 31^st, 2006, 11:25am

Hi Richard,
Took the quiz but got a mixed-bag! Some pointers to CH and some not.
No - 1-3,5-7,10-13,15-16
Yes - 4,8-9,14
I'm guessing there are no easy answers! I don't thrash around as much as I used to - am I getting more tolerant? Jeez, what a thought.
Thanks very much for the prompt reply.
Bobby

Title: Re: Is it a cluster headache?
Post by Richr8 on Oct 31^st, 2006, 11:33am

I'll take a risk and say based on your answers you probably do not have CH. Thank heavens!
Hang around though, because I know some folks here have insight into other headache conditions and can probably refer you to some good info.

Title: Bump
Post by Richr8 on Oct 31^st, 2006, 12:15pm

Any advice for this gent?

Title: Re: Is it a cluster headache?
Post by roy21302 on Oct 31^st, 2006, 3:19pm

Hi Bob sorry you have had to find this site, but welcome. Judging from you answers above, all those no's, I would suggest you might go back to your Neuro. I'am concerned when you say that you get pain after sneezing, and bending. Did you tell the Neuro about this trigger? I think you need some more investigation and make sure you tell about the sneezing and bending bringing it on. Has any Doctor said you have CH, and if so what Meds have they suggested?
Cheers Roy

Title: Re: Is it a cluster headache?
Post by BobbyHowie on Nov 1^st, 2006, 2:58am

Hi Roy,
Waste of time going back to the docs - they just say headaches happen. So I just asked, "What am I supposed to do? Accept it for the rest of my life?" They'd no reply. No mention of CH, just read about it last week in the papers which was the first I'd heard of it.
I've had a couple of scans but nothing should up - and no, I don't mean my skulls empty. Although sometimes............. :)
Thanks everyone for their replies.
Bobby

Title: Re: Is it a cluster headache?
Post by AussieBrian on Nov 1^st, 2006, 3:06am

Don't worry, Bobby, we know all about doctor shopping to find one who'll at least take you seriously. Many of us spent ten years and more getting shunted from pillar to post to find in the end it was CH.

Guess it's it's up to you to decide whether you can live with them or not, or whether you should just keep pushing.

Cheers and beers,

Brian down under.

Title: Re: Is it a cluster headache?
Post by Giovanni on Nov 1^st, 2006, 7:44am

Bobby,

Can you find a neurologist who specializes in "Headaches" ?

Have you had an MRI?

Good luck to you.

John

Title: Re: Is it a cluster headache?
Post by BobbyHowie on Nov 8^th, 2006, 10:18am

Thanks guys. I've had a couple of MRI's but they couldn't see anything wrong. Didn't ask if there were any headache specialists - didn't realise they existed!
Maybe worth trying again as I'm not having a good day today at work. I do hate having these in public!

Must say it's great to have this support. It's a great site although I've a lot of reading to do to catch up with the threads!
Bobby

Title: Re: Is it a cluster headache?
Post by RichardN on Nov 8^th, 2006, 12:45pm

Hi again Bobbie,

. . . . and keep reading. I think the general consensus is that you DON't have CH . . . and that's the good news.

The other good news is that, even tho' it doesn't sound like CH, you've stepped into a family of folks who have an abundance of info/experience in not only multiple types of ha's combined with CH, we're all too aware of the difficulties of finding a correct diagnosis, combined with a doc who takes your condition seriously.

Be Safe, PFDANs

Richard

Title: Re: Is it a cluster headache?
Post by roy21302 on Nov 8^th, 2006, 2:19pm

Hi Bobby, glad your still on here, please mate get yourself off to the Doctor, make sure you tell them how bad the pain is and unbearable-------Make sure you tell them about the pain coming on when you sneezing or bending, I think that this is significant!! You owe it to yourself to get this sorted, good luck Cheers Roy