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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006-2007 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner?
        
(Message started by: Joew on Feb 21^st, 2007, 7:41am)

Title: Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner?
Post by Joew on Feb 21^st, 2007, 7:41am

Hi guys, I am in the early stages of diagnosis. MY GP thinks I have Cluster Headaches (have been having them for 9 days now) although the highest I have had so far would be about a 6 on the KIP scale I think.

I am taking Sumatriptan 10mg nasal sprays which seemed to be working yesterday but not so great today, thinks its time to try another can of red bull....

If you want to know more about me I posted on the who's who for newcomers thread (probably the wrong place to say hi but not been able to think properly recently).

I just had a question (well actually I have loads) but the one I am wondering about most right now is if anyone knows of a link between Raynauds Phenomenon and Cluster Headaches as I have had Reynauds since I was a teen.

Anyway, am going back to the doctors on Friday and hopefully they will be able to refer me to a neurologist, anyone know of a good one in London? My GP has freely admitted that he knows next to nothing about CH which is always reassuring!

Thanks and pain free days (and nights) to all.

Cheers, Joe

Title: Re: Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner?
Post by Guiseppi on Feb 21^st, 2007, 9:22am

I think you're a lucky man to have a doctor who recognizes CH and then admits he's not an expert. I'm far more comfortable with his type then the ones who just try and act like they know everything! There are some great links on the left you can print out for him, we are always trying to educate the med field on the board! Welcome and here's hoping you have a short cycle!

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner?
Post by kcopelin on Feb 21^st, 2007, 12:20pm

Joe,
An interesting question. I also have Raynaud's Syndrome but have never made a connection. Now that I think of it, vasoconstrictors are probably not a good thing for us-but would rather run the risk of losing a finger or toe than get slapped by the beast like I did before I found out about vasoconstricors like coffee...
hmmm, interesting. Anyone else out there with Raynaud's?

PFDAN
kathy

Title: Re: Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner?
Post by Joew on Feb 21^st, 2007, 1:11pm

Am I allowed to swear on this website? Think I am getting my first 7 reallly really hurts. I hate this, red bull not working at all, tried another sumatriptan spray but not doing the job. I hate this, this is horrible. Help. I dont even know what a vasoconstricter is. Am going to try the water x 3 thing. Be back soon. SOrry for no parapgraphs

Title: Re: Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner?
Post by Mattrf on Feb 21^st, 2007, 2:03pm

Hay Joe, hang in there, I am really sorry you are hurting right now but you really did find the right place to come to and yes you can use cuss words, some will be changed automatically but most get by and we all tend to use them every now and then. So please vent all you want you are among friends who understand now.

Matt

Title: Re: Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner?
Post by Mattrf on Feb 21^st, 2007, 2:07pm

I just read the other thread but you didn’t really cover your symptoms.
Give us a run down on what they are when the hit and how often so we can get a better idea and be able to help you.
Have you taken the Cluster Quiz over on the left side of the page?
Do that and let us know what it says.

Matt

Title: Re: Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner?
Post by Joew on Feb 21^st, 2007, 2:49pm

Questions 1-8: All no except no. 2 - my headaches last all day from about 9:45-10am in the morning until quite late at night.

Questions 9-16: All yes except 10, they only occur in the day, all day and 15, they don't go to pain free but the intensity fades, just gone from a 7 to a 4-5 kip (I think, still not sure of the levels. I guess the closer I get to ten the more I will know!

So basically, all day from 9:45 till bed, suffer from increases and decreases in intensity, right eye wells up and nose runs, I can sleep fine and I don't go to pain free until the end of the day, not sure of what time exactly yet.

They started on Monday 12th and been having them every day since except for some reason I got Sunday off so looking forward to Sunday incase I get it off again! Pain has dropped to about a 3 now I think.

As I said Sumatriptan 10mg nasal spray worked yestrday and not today, red bull didn't make any difference, am trying to drink as much water as I can at the moment.

Title: Re: Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner?
Post by Joew on Feb 21^st, 2007, 2:51pm

Whoops, hit the button by accident. Thats basically it though I think.

Oh, the pain is just in the right eye area, just above it, think another attack might be about to start. Hope not. The pain throbs with my heart beat and is very sharp.

Title: Re: Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner?
Post by Mattrf on Feb 21^st, 2007, 3:55pm

Check your PM's.

Matt

Title: Re: Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner?
Post by BB on Feb 21^st, 2007, 6:28pm

Hello Joew

Its not typical of cluster headaches to last all day, waxing and waning like you described. There are many types of headaches, some with similar features to cluster headaches such as some form of migraines, chronic daily headaches, paroxismal hemicrania, hemicrania continua,etc . Treatments for them are different.

I would suggest you ask your GP to refer you to a headache specialist, to get a proper diagnosis.

As Kathy said, Raynauds is a condition where the peripheral blood vessels in your hands/fingers spasm. When the vessels dilate you get a red colour, when they constrict it will go from blue to white as the blood flow is severely reduced. Taking Sumatriptan, which is a vasoconstrictor, can make it worse.

Please get a proper diagnosis before taking these meds.

Painfree wishes to you.

Annette

Title: Re: Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner?
Post by Joew on Feb 21^st, 2007, 7:14pm

Yeah, I'm going to go to the doctors first thing in the morning and sit on him until he refers me to a neurologist! I need to know what is going on for sure.

Thanks guys for all your support. I'll let you know what they say.

Joe x