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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> lenght of attack - is this normal??
        
(Message started by: layframe on Apr 23^rd, 2006, 11:24pm)

Title: lenght of attack - is this normal??
Post by layframe on Apr 23^rd, 2006, 11:24pm

hey all, new to the cluster migraine thing. Only have been getting them for about 4 months now. But I was concerned the other week when I had one last for about 9 hours and at a constant peak. Is it normal to get one lasting that long? I have went to do the oxyagen and IV thing once but the IV was no help and they left the oxyagen on for WAY too long. Any help or info would be great!

Title: Re: lenght of attack - is this normal??
Post by E-Double on Apr 23^rd, 2006, 11:38pm

There is actually no medical diagnosis called cluster migraine.

There are migraines and there are clusters.
These are two distinctly different HA types defined by the International Headache Society

Sometimes if one has multiple headache types they may overlap.

What you most likely had was a debilitating migraine.

You might have both.
A few here including myself have multiple headache types.

I am sorry that you are in pain.

If anything out of the ordinary occurs from your typical experience, please consult your doctor.

For clusters read these and present to your doctors:
:
on 04/14/06 at 19:50:38, E-Double wrote:

This is a great resource to know like the back of your hand...print it out and give it to the doc

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

It will present the appropriate treatments that you should seek and your doctor should know!!!

If you want an abortive with the least amount of side-effects O2 should not only be requested but demanded from your doctor!!!

http://www.maplefallswebdesign.com/misc/oxygen/oxygen.htm

I have used Zyprexa as an abortive and have found it to work (for me) as fast as Imitrex and without the "hangover"

http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=medsarchive2005;action=display;num=1120904753

:
on 04/14/06 at 19:50:38, E-Double wrote:

If you do have the "typical" wake you up in the middle of the night horrors then.... Melatonin might be very helpful
Many of us (myself included) have found that taking 6-9mg (some take more) about a 1/2 hour to 45minutes prior to bed have Knocked out the night visits and can finally get sleep.

With the exception of 10-12 times.....I have slept through the night since August '04 (went chronic in March 05).....Still get hit during the day but my overall quality of life is better because I am not as exhausted all the time.

Some people report that it seems to make them worse....The fact is that we are all different and respond differently to everything therefore it may or may not...

The one thing I will tell you as far as my experience was that I had to stick with it...The first night I took melatonin, I was awoken with a doozy only I was too groggy to find my O2 .....It got a lot better for me....I then slept through the night but would get slammed about 1/2 hour after waking up....kinda like knocking the beast off schedule.....then again I was peaking and this cycle has been all over the place with no real pattern.
I stayed with melatonin and have had decent sleep overall. (Maybe I should start folowing my own advice again hahahaha!)

It may help and it is natural with not too many sideeffects....also ask your doctor b/c if there are any side effects or contraindications...I think they have to do with mild depression.....

Like I said we are all different.

Best wishes, good luck & stay as positive as you can!!!!

Eric

Title: Re: lenght of attack - is this normal??
Post by layframe on Apr 23^rd, 2006, 11:43pm

thanks for the info. It is a everyday thing...probally 2 or 3 attacks a day, just this one seemed alot longer then normal and no medical professional seemed to be able to tell me if this was normal or not. Just gave me oxyagen for an hour and a half and an IV

Title: Re: lenght of attack - is this normal??
Post by E-Double on Apr 23^rd, 2006, 11:52pm

You probably have both.

Get yourself some proper meds, if you choose to do the med thing. Read the links I provided ;)

GET OXYGEN for home and travel.
The proper set up can be a godsend for many of us!!!!

Stay strong and welcome home!

E

Title: Re: lenght of attack - is this normal??
Post by layframe on Apr 23^rd, 2006, 11:54pm

Thanks man. It's greatly appreciated

Title: Re: lenght of attack - is this normal??
Post by E-Double on Apr 23^rd, 2006, 11:55pm

No thanks required!

I never want to see anyone in pain.

E