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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006-2007 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> Not sure what I have
        
(Message started by: war_eaglekd on Dec 11^th, 2006, 11:55am)

Title: Not sure what I have
Post by war_eaglekd on Dec 11^th, 2006, 11:55am

Hi. I'm new here & wondering if ya'll can help me figure out my headache problem & what ya'll suggest I should do. I've had headaches for about 13 years. The pain always starts right above my left eyebrow. If untreated, it can spiral around my head & go into full migraine mode w/ eyes bothered by sensitive light & nausea/vomiting. I've been addicted to Excedrin for years because it's the only thing that really helps, of course leading to rebounds. Six years ago, I had a CT done & a cyst was found in the same spot. I didn't do anything about it then because I had been treated w/ Tylenol III w/ codeine & it broke the severity of the headache, so whenever I've allowed it to get fullblown, I know that this will work to break it up, but w/in a few days, the regular headaches will start back up. Now, I have a terrible stomach condition, brought on by the Excedrin & revealed itself when I took Cipro for a parasite. I've cut down tremendously on what I was taking (more than 8 a day) to about 3-4 a week.

I was diagnosed w/ fibromyalgia this year & I had a MRI done & the same cyst showed up again. The rhuematologist is persistent that the cyst has nothing to do w/ my pain, but I find it quite strange that the pain is in the same place. She has prescribed a few pain relievers, that help some, but don't eliminate the problem. I took Topamax for a while & now I'm using Inderal. I'm also using Nasonex, but it doesn't seem to be very effective either.

A friend of mine is getting surgery this week for a deviated septum. I also know someone that did have surgery to remove a much larger cyst than the one I have & said it helped her a lot. So, I'm wondering if I'm down to the point where I have to get the surgery. I don't like surgery at all, I have a horrible time w/ anesthesia & recovery is always slow. But, it looks like I may not have a choice.

Oh, by the way, I have tried Imitrex & it shot my blood pressure up & made my headache worse.

Any opinions? kd

Title: Re: Not sure what I have
Post by georgej on Dec 11^th, 2006, 12:04pm

From your initial description, it sounds as if the headache is migraine. My sense is that the cyst is an unrelated condition.

But we're not doctors here--get a firm diagnosis, and appropriate treatment from your physician.

It certainly doesn't sound to me as if you have cluster headache, though.

Hope you feel better soon.

Best wishes,

George

Title: Re: Not sure what I have
Post by GeorgiaPeach on Dec 12^th, 2006, 10:53am

"w/ eyes bothered by sensitive light & nausea/vomiting. I've been addicted to Excedrin for years because it's the only thing that really helps"

That right there tells me you are one lucky duck! It doesn't sound like CH to me because light sensitivity and nausia are generally migrane symptoms. Plus, if Excedrin works, then probably not either.

Good luck on finding PF days!

Title: Re: Not sure what I have
Post by Tata on Dec 12^th, 2006, 12:08pm

on 12/12/06 at 10:53:32, GeorgiaPeach wrote:

I was misdiagnosed for years as having migraines because of my light sensitivity and vomiting when I had the HA's. Only after a decade of fairly consistant fall /sdpring cycles did I get my diagnosis of having CH--I had never even heard of CH until then. I hope no Dr goes by that criteria for diagnosing CH.
If I were you War-eagle, I would get a second opinion if I were not completely comfortable with my Dr opinion of my condition. Unless I misunderstood you, you're seeing a rheumatologist. I don't understood why you're seeing one for HA's and a cyst in your head--unless those are things related to your fibromyalgia. Maybe to help ease any worries you could request (demand) a referral to a good neuroogist. I hop things work out for you and you get some answers to all of your questions. Take care