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Title: New Member Post by Shell_C on Jan 12th, 2006, 7:48pm I have had the CH for about 10 years on and off at very random times throughout the year...they are always late at night when I am sleeping...I also have migraine headaches all the time but at all time of the day or night. I almost can tell a couple of days in advance when the CH will start again because I will have a migraine almost everynight for a week and then the CH will start. They usually last about 30-45 min sheer pain and then they are done. They take place anywhere from 5-7 days every night. I have gone to the doctors for years for these headaches and they do nothing. They basically give me 800 to 1000 ibiprofin, which does nothing. I do not want to take any kind of pain pills that are addicting so what is there out there for me. Please Help. Michelle Age 35 |
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Title: Re: New Member Post by Kris_in_SJ on Jan 12th, 2006, 8:02pm Hi Michelle, Sorry you are suffering. Has a knowledgeable neurologist actually told you that you have clusters and/or migraines? If so, my first response would be to find another doc. Ibuprofen is one OTC med that can cause more problems than it solves, and it does nothing for cluster headaches - only causes rebounds. I urge you to take the cluster quiz to the left and read the medical info also. Print out results and take them to your doc (or the new doc). Add this article to your arsenal: http://www.brightok.net/~mnjday/chtherapy.pdf I also recommend starting a headache diary. It should be kept daily, noting the times HA's start and end, intensity of pain, what meds you take, what works and doesn't, etc. Take this with you as well to the doc (or new doc). There are many effective meds out there for both clusters and migraines - but you first need a diagnosis from a reliable doctor who's willing to prescribe what you need. Hang in there, and keep us informed. Kris |
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Title: Re: New Member Post by Shell_C on Jan 12th, 2006, 8:17pm I actually have headaches all my life since I was about 5 years old, I have always been very active in sports so I thought (which I was told early on by a doctor) that I get headaches because I do not sweat out of my head so all my life (soccor, softball,) I have dealt with them. I was about 24 when I got my first CH I thought I must have a brain tumor for the pain to be that bad. When I went to the doctor he just gave me pain medicine. They lasted for 1 week. Then I did not have then for about 1 year and then again 1 week long every night approx 45 min long. I have an HMO for medical insurance and everytime I go more pain meds. The last time I went I told them I went online and I have all the signs for what they call CH except I first feel sick to my stomach and then I get the chills all over and then they start. More pain meds (Vicodin, 800 Motrin, Ibiprofin) so on. Should I try and make an appt with some certain type of doctor? You said a neurologist? Thanks for the info? Is there anything over the counter you think I could get at this point to help? They started again last night I have tried every over the counter migraine medicine out there any ideas? I thought about taking some type of strong sleeping pill but I doubt that will work. Dreading the night tonight any quick help would be great! Michelle |
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Title: Re: New Member Post by Kris_in_SJ on Jan 12th, 2006, 8:25pm Michelle, There are no known OTC meds that effectively treat clusters. In fact, aspirin, ibuprofen, tylenol, etc., can all cause worse rebound headaches - just like narcotic meds do. I urge you again to follow the link I gave you, print it out - along with the "medical info" on the link to the left. Show these to your doctor and request a consult with a neurologist. If he/she refuses, find another primary care doc. Once you read these articles, you'll better understand what I'm saying. There are far too many ignorant physicians out there. In the meantime, try ice, heat, hot showers, exercise, etc. But, try to stay away from OTC meds if possible. PM me if you need support or further info. Hugs to you, Kris |
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Title: Re: New Member Post by thebbz on Jan 12th, 2006, 10:14pm Michelle, You can go to the doctor and demand a referral to a neurologist. Good news...pain meds do nothing for CH so you shouldn't get hooked. Take the cluster quiz if you havn't yet like Kris said. Another thing you may try is caffiene this will sometimes abort and should be used sparingly as it can become a vicious cycle. Two strong cups of coffee has aborted many a headache for me. If you can get ahold of some 02 that would be enough to get to a neurologist. Lots of information in the meds and treatment section. all the best jb |
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Title: Re: New Member Post by Barry_T_Coles on Jan 12th, 2006, 11:30pm Hi Shell C Barry from down under, welcome but really hope you don’t have Clusters. I would suggest you demand that you get a referral to a Neurologist for confirmation one way or the other as there are other things that can mimic CH. When you get the referral go armed with as much info as you can glean from this site and anything we can point you to as the Nuro may not have heard of CH anyway and He/She may need the info to be able to help you in prescribing meds or oxygen. If you’re not keen on meds then oxygen is the way to go, have a look at the link to the left on oxygen info. There is a heap of info to the left; read, read and read again to acquaint yourself with the condition. Do the cluster quiz, as a start it will give you some idea what you are dealing with. Hears a link to the Mayo clinic for a starter. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cluster-headache/DS00487 Keep us informed as to how you are going. Kind Regards Barry |
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Title: Re: New Member Post by Mr. Happy on Jan 13th, 2006, 2:35am on 01/12/06 at 20:17:17, Shell_C wrote:
Nyet. There are no quick fixes. Using this place for long term goals is a better idea. We're all going to be at this for a while. Planning is everything. RJ |
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Title: Re: New Member Post by BarbaraD on Jan 13th, 2006, 6:33am Shell, I'm with everyone else. Take the Cluster Quiz on the left and QUIT taking the OTC stuff. You're probably just making them worse. You might get some Melatonin and take it about 30 minutes before going to sleep. It might help you get thru the night. Take about 9-12mg before going to sleep. But the other stuff will just make them worse (rebounds). Pain meds DO NOT work on Clusters! What are you taking for the migraines? Imitrex or Cafergot works for the migraines (not pain meds) and will most of the time abort a CH (your doc should KNOW this if he/she knows anything about headaches at all). Check out the meds site and go to him/her prepared with information on both types of headaches. The week long bouts doesn't seem typical for CH, but CH is not always typical in everyone so that may just be a fluke. The main thing is read all the info available on the left and go to the doc prepared to DISCUSS your condition. If he/she won't LISTEN to you and DISCUSS it - FIND ANOTHER DOCTOR who will. There is NO reason to suffer any more than you have to. Hugs BD |
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Title: Re: New Member Post by marlinsfan on Jan 13th, 2006, 6:35am on 01/12/06 at 20:25:29, Kris_in_SJ wrote:
Kris, I've had luck with Excedrin. I think the caffeine in it is what does the trick. |
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Title: Re: New Member Post by crazydog on Jan 13th, 2006, 7:19am If Aspirin does not upset your digestive system then you might give Excedrin Migraine a try. Ultram is a prescription non narcotic opiate that might work and is generally considered not habiting forming like narcotic pain killers. Caffeine has a very unique property that when combined with other drugs will cut down on the amount of drug required to normally make it effective or makes it effective when it would otherwise not be. Unfortunately, for most people with CH, the pain comes on so fast and without enough warning that analgesics are not an effective means of acute treatment. So if your one of these people then you need something that works faster than a pill. Not sure what others would say but from my experience even with strong pain killers and advance warning, with CH, you’re still going to have pain. For example, on one attach I took 20mg of Hydrocodone 2 hours before reaching a crescendo and it was still a pacer and I was banging my head with my fist. I took less than half that when I had all 4 impacted wisdom teeth extracted and felt no pain at all. Now compare that to an Imitrex self administered injection. It does not work for everyone but for me it works within 5 minutes and I am completely pain free. You don’t want to end up like I did before deciding to go see a doctor. I about destroyed my digestive system on OTC’s. http://www.waltdavis.net/crazydog-ch-profile.pdf |
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Title: Re: New Member Post by BarbaraD on Jan 13th, 2006, 10:13am The Excedrin works for me BUT be careful how often you take it because it WILL cause rebounds. If I hit a 5 in 3 seconds I'll pop about 3 Excedrin Extra Strengths along with a LOT of black coffee to abort, but will not repeat it for several days. If that doesn't do the trick, I go to the cafergot. Be careful with OTC stuff. Hugs BD |
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Title: Re: New Member Post by imnotbub on Jan 13th, 2006, 10:22am I swear by Red Bull. Keep a few in the fridge, and pound one down as soon as you feel the beast knockin'. It helps me. Shortens the hit and keeps it from screaming up the Kip scale. |
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Title: Re: New Member Post by burnt-toast on Jan 13th, 2006, 8:42pm Welcome aboard, The following links may help and there is a wealth of information on the site. Do some google searches and such - there is a lot of good information starting to be published on CH. http://www.emedicinehealth.com/articles/9362-6.asp http://www.aafp.org/afp/20050215/717.html Best Wishes on your journey Tom |
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