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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006-2007 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> Not sure if I have 'proper' CHs
        
(Message started by: Jake. on May 24^th, 2007, 3:09am)

Title: Not sure if I have 'proper' CHs
Post by Jake. on May 24^th, 2007, 3:09am

Hello folks.
What an amazing community you have here. Before today I had no idea anything like this existed!

Anyways...
Hi, my name is Jake and I'm an ~~alcoholic~~ CH sufferer - or rather I think I might be.
I'm hoping one of you knowledgeable folks might be able to say whether what I suffer with is CH or not.

I've been getting these really bad headaches, off and on, for the last well forever really. I suppose 12+ years.
Until last night I always thought they were 'migraines'.

I take prescribed pills called Naratriptan when I get that weird feeling that means I'm gonna have a bad headache within the next ten mins. Usually, as long as I get a Naratriptan in me as soon as get the warning signs the headache never starts.

...but if I leave it too long before before popping the pill the headache (I'm not sure whether to call it CH yet) starts and then I'm in big trouble.

(Am I boring you yet?)

These are my symptoms that make me think I may be suffering from CH:
The incredible pain that feels like a spike through the right eye and going back to somewhere around level with the top of my right ear.
Only ever happens at night. Often waking me after 1 to 2 hours sleep.
Nose starts running slightly.
I do kinda get the "droopy eyelid" thing too. It's hard to explain but I get a feeling like I want to half close my eye but when I allow it to close a bit it doesn't feel any less painful anyway.
I don't have a particular over-sensitivity to light and I don't vomit.

But here's something that makes me think maybe I don't have proper CH...
I know these headaches of mine are related to stress/worrying. I only usually get the headaches when there's something go on in my life (not happy with partner, getting laid-off from work, forthcoming job interview, etc)
Now that's NOT normal CH, ...is it?

So, what do you think guys, do I have CH or something else? Feel free to ask if there's anything I've missed out.

Thanks a lot.
--
Jake

ps
Sorry if this post is a bit rambling. It's 8am here in England and I've been up all night again due to having my third night in a row with these headaches (I realise 3 in-a-row is not unusual to some of you poor folks but for me it's rare - Thank God)

Title: Re: Not sure if I have 'proper' CHs
Post by MR_FLOOR on May 24^th, 2007, 3:22am

Hey Jake ,

Sounds like CHs to me whats with the alcoholic thing you do know that that is an instant trigger for CH . Stay off the boos and you will lessen the frequency and probably get less hits as well.good luck and pain free wishes to you.

Dave

Title: Re: Not sure if I have 'proper' CHs
Post by artonio7 on May 24^th, 2007, 4:17am

Nice to meet you Jake. Sorry to hear about your headaches. I would suggest that you see a neurologist. You mentioned that you are taking prescribed medication... have you ever been diagnosed as having Cluster Headaches?

Do you have these headaches during certain times of the year that you may have noticed? Try taking the cluster survey ( you'll find the link on the left side of the page)

I would also like to take this opportunity to suggest that you read as much as possible on this site. There are plenty of helpful suggestions as well as pertinent information if you would navigate using the links on the left of this page.

Come back often.

with warm regards,
Tony

Title: Re: Not sure if I have 'proper' CHs
Post by Jake. on May 24^th, 2007, 1:59pm

on 05/24/07 at 03:22:50, MR_FLOOR wrote:

whats with the alcoholic thing you do know that that is an instant trigger for CH

Hi Dave
The "Hi my name is x and I'm an alcoholic" was supposed to be a joke on what they say at AA meetings. Sorry if it wasn't very clear.
You have a good point though. I do drink some alcohol most days but I had never made a connection with alcohol and the headaches. I'll try going without for a while and see what happens.

Thanks

Title: Re: Not sure if I have 'proper' CHs
Post by Redd on May 24^th, 2007, 2:12pm

on 05/24/07 at 13:59:56, Jake. wrote:

CH will not end because you don't have the usual beer with your pizza on Friday night.

What is meant by alcohol is a trigger, is that when in a CH cycle, alcohol will trigger an attack. Out of cycle it will not.

For the vast majority of those folks in cycle, they can't get to the bottom of the first bottle or glass before the beast rears his ugly head.

Title: Re: Not sure if I have 'proper' CHs
Post by Linda_Howell on May 24^th, 2007, 2:15pm

Hi Jake,

Even though your symptoms sound like CH to most of us...we're not Doctors and you really should go and get a proper diagnosis. If for no other reason than to rule other things out, like a sinus infection, and to get on some type of preventative meds and abortives.

If you are diagnosed with CH please ask first and foremost for him/her to prescribe oxygen for you as the first line abortive.

http://www.maplefallswebdesign.com/misc/oxygen/oxygen.htm You can print this out to take with you when you go. Like the Boy Scouts you "must be prepared." ;;D

Linda