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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006-2007 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> Migraine or Cluster Headache?
        
(Message started by: MikeyMike730 on Jun 1^st, 2007, 1:07pm)

Title: Migraine or Cluster Headache?
Post by MikeyMike730 on Jun 1^st, 2007, 1:07pm

Hello all, my name is Mike, I am 23 and am new to the board.

For the past 2 years i have been suffering from migraines. However , the past few weeks i have been getting 'migraine's' a couple times a week. Usually they occur during the night. Could these be some sore of cluster headaches, or just frequent migraines?

Either way, my symptoms and pain are quite similar to all of yours i've read on the board, and Imitrex works. Especially the nasal spray--which is good because i usually vomit constantly when i am hit with a bad migraine and cannot keep any medicine in me.

I need to find out what is wrong, is a neurologist the specialist i would need to see? Or is there some other type of doctor? Thank you so much for your help and responses. I appreacite it!

Title: Re: Migraine or Cluster Headache?
Post by swimchica623 on Jun 1^st, 2007, 3:46pm

Hi Mike!
First of all, we are just sufferers/supporters here, not doctors (well except Annette, but she can't treat you online!) so yes, you need to get to a doctor! I would suggest a neurologist, you can find someone here who is in the same area as you and see if that person has someone to suggest/avoid. Since CH is rare, you might have a neurologist who has no idea what s/he is doing. There is a girl I swam with who's dad was a neuro who obviously had no clue wehat he was dealing with...I talked with him a bit and he said "oh yeah, I have loads of patients with that!" Umm..yeah it only affects a very small number of people, so I knew it had to be wrong!
Anyway, (keeping in mind I AM NOT A DOCTOR) it sounds to me like you could have CH with some migraine traits. Someone said to me that it is very very uncommon to get migraines at night, but it is also uncommon to vomit with CH..though not unheard of. The time period could really fit in with either...kinda infrequent for CH (usually a few times a day) but frequent for migraines. Those are just my non-doctor thoughts....I highly, highly suggest seeing a good doctor until you get a diagnosis you are comfortable with and you feel better...self diagnosis, especially of a head condition, is very, VERY dangerous!!!!!!
So is self medicating by the way...I'm assuming that you had the imitrex for migraines and tehy have just changed their face recentlly and you continued taking the imitrex prescribed for you? Still....SEE A DOCTOR!!!
Hope you feel better soon. :-)
Lisa

Title: Re: Migraine or Cluster Headache?
Post by MR_FLOOR on Jul 2^nd, 2007, 12:18am

I agree with Lisa self diagnoses is dangerous with head ailments it could 1 of 100 things causing these pains see a doc and good luck.

Dave

Title: Re: Migraine or Cluster Headache?
Post by Guiseppi on Jul 2^nd, 2007, 3:50pm

What they said!!!! Seriously there are hundreds of headache types many of which overlap each other. Meds to treat some can be harmful or just worthless for others.

Try and find a neuro who specializes in headaches. Otherwise it's hard to get an accurate diagnosis. Good luck, if it turns out you do have CH then you've found your new second home!!!

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Migraine or Cluster Headache?
Post by Rosybabe on Jul 2^nd, 2007, 4:44pm

Hi MIke!

I agree with the others, you have to see a Neuro, a specialist is the only one who can give you a correct diagnosis..headaches are cause for many things, He needs to run a few tests to dismiss anything that could be causing it. Good Luck and if the diagnosis is CH then we will wait for you here! Take care!

Rosy.

Title: Re: Migraine or Cluster Headache?
Post by horsegirl on Jul 5^th, 2007, 3:07pm

like i say i"m for sur of two things in life ,i have cluster headaches and there is a god,and when i get oh i would say a kip 7 or above i vomit.but only then,maybe its just how my body reacts to pain.i asked this question on a post once cause noone talks about it much and i got only one response and that was getting sick came with the territory

Title: Re: Migraine or Cluster Headache?
Post by Guiseppi on Jul 5^th, 2007, 3:38pm

Getting sick is somewhat less common for CH'ers then for migrainers but I have seen several people post about getting ill when they get hit. I've recently seen postings that the medications they take also make them nauseous.

Before i had my oxygen and lithium to treat these things I remember feeling like I had the flu for a day or so after a big hit. I called it my headache hangover!

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Migraine or Cluster Headache?
Post by horsegirl on Jul 5^th, 2007, 3:52pm

i guess im just different then'ofcourse thats a given,but i get sick with no pills,i do get the reg migrains and i feel quezy the whole time it feels like the headache process .but with the clusters its just a miute of warning and im sick not nauses before or after i get sick ,like i say its only with kip 7 or more.