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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006-2007 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> Cluster Headach (New to me)
        
(Message started by: L2D01 on Feb 23^rd, 2007, 8:14pm)

Title: Cluster Headach (New to me)
Post by L2D01 on Feb 23^rd, 2007, 8:14pm

Can anyone help me out?

Title: Re: Cluster Headach (New to me)
Post by L2D01 on Feb 23^rd, 2007, 8:14pm

Hi, im new to this site, but not new the headaches.

I have been a migrane sufferer for about 2 years (im 18 now). I have recently been experiencing much more sevear headaches. I used to get migranes twice a day for say two hours, every other day. Simply a very bad headache, nausier and general incapacity.

In the last moth my headaches have taken on several other symptoms. Other than increased frequency (2 per day) and the intense pain, centered around the left rear side of my left eye (always) I have also now get a swollen and bloodshot eye, drooping lids and perfuse watering. I also get pain spreading from my eye, to my jaw, temple and sometimes my sholder (all on left side)

I get these regularly and they are very sevear, I oftern feel sick but amnot sick. When having an attack I have to lie down, in a quite place, oftern I am very resless, tossing and turning and clutching my head. I have seen a neurologist and headach specialist and they say that I have a combination of migrane and cluster headaches, by this I think they mean that at this moment I am having “mild” although I use this lieraly, they are excrutiating, although not at the level where im in such a state that I resort to head banging, and migranes, which are slightly different but still happen.

I am a little confused, certainly the majority of my symptoms would sugest cluster headaches (Frequency, location, sensation) they are totally uncontrollable with conventional analgesia, I however feel that although these are substantially more painfull than a migrane or anything else I have experienced, they are not as sevear as obviously some of the persons writing on this sight’s headaches are.

I have been though several cycles, lasting 2 – 3 months with 1 month remissions of lowered intensity and frequency, at best, the headaches seem migranous, at worst I have been known to lie on the kitchen table and cause the nabourgh to complain with the volume and passion of my cries and expletives. These trends of pains appear to be becoming progressively worse, doctors seem relatively bafeled, asking me to have MRI scans (negative) eye tests (negative) eye pressure tests (negative) blood testes (negative) and seem to have come to the conclusion that my headaches are not going to be cured in any conventional way.

Anyway, the specialists would suggest that I have cluster headaches, I believe that the symptoms although not a perfect match are cluster like, and although the pain is not as sevear as some on this site, certainly it is unbearable.

I would be really pleased to hear what people think, at the moment I go to school with 900 other people, none of whom have anything remotely similar and none of who have any idea so it is nice to find a group that may know what it is like.

Thanks for reading.

Title: Re: Cluster Headach (New to me)
Post by andrewjb on Feb 23^rd, 2007, 8:58pm

:). hello L2D01, the people that know will be along soon, iam sure. mean while, read, read, read. youve found the best CH site on the web, bar non. andrew.

Title: Re: Cluster Headache (New to me)
Post by thebbz on Feb 24^th, 2007, 12:31pm

Reading your description is familiar. No one here is the same. There are certainly similar symptoms and reactions,however we all are slightly different. Your in denial in my opinion. I also have a diagnosis of cluster/migraine. One episode may be lighter than others so you are getting off lucky. They do vary in intensity. Read and study is your best weapon. Your young so stay in shape and be ready for battle.
all the best
Hope you dont have these.
jb

Title: Re: Cluster Headach (New to me)
Post by Guiseppi on Feb 24^th, 2007, 1:59pm

I'm 47 years old now. Looking back on my teen years I now believe I had the beginnings of clusters as early as 13-14 years old. Like you, I remember them hurting really bad, but nothing like when I was getting these things in my 30's. That was the worst pain time for me.

Back then if I felt one coming on I could fall asleep and it would stop the headache. Certainly not an option for me now! If it turns out you do have CH, you'll need to understand there is no cure. There is no pill that wiill make it all okay. You need to read like a madman and learn how to manage these things. Lots of people here to help you!

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Cluster Headach (New to me)
Post by Bob_Johnson on Feb 24^th, 2007, 2:23pm

Click on the OUCH button (left) and find the link to their group in the UK. Good group for information and support.

Explore these for excellent information:
http://www.headachedrugs.com/pdf/ha2006.pdf Dr. Robbins site. Then explore the entire site by deleting everything following. com/ and then hit enter.
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Here is a link to read and print and take to your doctor. It describes preventive, transitional, abortive and surgical treatments for CH. Written by one of the better headache docs in the U.S. (2002)

http://www.brightok.net/~mnjday/chtherapy.pdf

Title: Re: Cluster Headach (New to me)
Post by jlk on Feb 25^th, 2007, 11:43pm

The cluster with features of migraine is an interesting diagnosis. One neurologist said that she believes there is a continuum of vascular headaches that run from cluster to migraine and that in between are people who have features of both. Of course, that doesn't really solve your problem though? I was also diagnosed with having atypical cluster and according to one neurologist (there were several) with some migraine features. It still boils down to this: You probably need imitrex to stop the headaches, or oxygen. Have a doc get you one or the other. Also, try some drink with caffeine; it should help. Odd as this may sound, really work hard a relaxing your body and breathing deeply. The more you panic, the more it hurts. It is doable, it really is. You will find some stuff that will help you!

Best of luck! Jules