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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> feels like
        
(Message started by: wogdoggy on Sep 11^th, 2006, 1:49pm)

Title: feels like
Post by wogdoggy on Sep 11^th, 2006, 1:49pm

when these headaches start to flair up...does anybody feel like they got a low grade fever ?

my face seems to warm up and it almost feels like theres a "BUG" in my body..can these be the result of a infection or from an allergy other than seasonal?

we all look for triggers ,BUT what if you continue to smoke eat shoclate etc etc after the episodes go away? why would these BAD habits only trigger these headaches once or twice a year.

last question,i have been going to an allergist for my ch's .he was the only doc that knew what they were.can he prescribe oxygen?
I just dont see to much benefit to go to a neurologist,since they dont know what causes them or have any benefits in prescribing meds over the allergist.
what benefits do you see going to a nero to get your prednisone?

Title: Re: feels like
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Sep 11^th, 2006, 2:07pm

I would think a neuro would be more familiar with the condition, and have more of a sense of what medications work, and what to try next. If your allergist is treating you effectively however, sounds like there is no reason to switch. Most important is someone who understands CHs, and is willing to work with you in trying different meds and treatments.

Title: Re: feels like
Post by chewy on Sep 11^th, 2006, 2:15pm

What treatment protocol has your allergist prescribed?

And yes about the fever thing. My whole body feels ill.

Title: Re: feels like
Post by Phil L on Sep 11^th, 2006, 2:34pm

wogdoggy, keep hunting until you stumble across a terrific neuro who knows his stuff. Your allergist may be a grate Doc, but he is an allergist and CH is a whole different ball game.

Title: Re: feels like
Post by Bond007 on Sep 11^th, 2006, 2:37pm

While your allergist may have been informed enough to recognize CH (and that shocks the shit out of me), I'd be skeptical that he can adequately prescribe an appropriate course of meds for the preventative treatment, especially considering that your first try may not work and meds may need to be tweaked or completely changed around until you find the right "cocktail" that's going to work for you. I'd have to imagine that an informed neuro would know best what course of action to take first, and then subsequent courses should the first attempt fail.

As far as you first question, yes, the left side of my face does indeed get rather warm when the Beast comes to call.

Title: Re: feels like
Post by Guiseppi on Sep 11^th, 2006, 2:42pm

I get really warm when the CH cranks up. I can feel the heat waves coming off mycheeks!

I've had good luck with a neuro whose brother in law had clusters, (damn he has since retired), and then great luck, with of all things, a nurse practitioner at Kaiser. While she is not overly knowledgeable about CH, she is open minded, reads what I bring her from the board, and works with me to manage these things. Even my first neuro, who was awesome, only knew a fraction of what I've learned from the board. I think the people who do the best are the ones who do their own research here, then get a doctor to agree with it. Good luck to you.

Guiseppi

Title: Re: feels like
Post by rickyshot on Sep 11^th, 2006, 2:56pm

I always feel like a cold or flu coming to begin my cycles. It is so weird. I keep waiting for the "cold" to go away but by week two I am still the same so I know what's up. This goes on for weeks and I feel like literal crap for 8 weeks. The hits usually come by week four to five. The head rules the body so any number of weird symptoms can occur. The thing about this is that it is NOT just a bad headache. It is a neurological event, of that I am sure. I do not think the medical community really knows what this thing really is sigh..............

Title: Re: feels like
Post by Katherinecm on Sep 11^th, 2006, 5:28pm

I almost always get a low-grade fever when I'm hit.

Title: Re: feels like
Post by Sandy_C on Sep 11^th, 2006, 5:49pm

My body temp will rise, sweats, can't stand anything next to my body with a hit to the point where I feel like I've got a major flu, infection???.

When the hit ends, my body temp drops to where I am freezing to death - shakes, teeth chatter -have to wrap up in a thick blanket.

I can't answer your question about your allergist, as to whether he/she can prescribe oxy. But, allergists can prescribe other meds, why not oxy? I don't Know, I have no experience with allergists.

Title: Re: feels like
Post by kcopelin on Sep 11^th, 2006, 5:53pm

Yep-fevers and bizarro sweating-right side of face. Its all part of what the hypothalumus does-control temp, ect....As soon as I sit and relax, the waterworks start-quite entertaining to those around me-husband actually got out the stopwatch one night to see how long before the show began (what a dork :o)
He has actually commented while giving me a neck rub"there's the lump and, now, you are clammy". How romantic.
PFDAN
kathy

Title: Re: feels like
Post by kcopelin on Sep 11^th, 2006, 5:55pm

P.S. I think I'm allergic to clusterheadaches.

Title: Re: feels like
Post by Chonas on Sep 11^th, 2006, 6:40pm

on 09/11/06 at 13:49:42, wogdoggy wrote:

when these headaches start to flair up...does anybody feel like they got a low grade fever ?

Always.

Title: Re: feels like
Post by BB on Sep 11^th, 2006, 8:14pm

Hi everyone

The low grade fever or feeling hot is the first sign that the hypothalamus starts to release abnormal amount of neurotransmitter, namely serotonin and histamine.

Its the histamine that causes the temperature increase called hyperthermia. Histamine adds to the vasodilatation effect of serotonin and actually REDUCES your pain threshold by causing the nerves to be SUPER sensitive during an attack. Thats why the pain is so horrific.

And thats why antihistamine and allergy treatment can work to help CH but its only HALF the problem, the serotonin needs to be controlled as well, and thats where ergotamine or sumatriptan ( Imitrex ) comes in.

Diphenhydramine is a powerful antihistamine and is often prescribed alongside Ergotamine or Imitrex.

Please go see a neurologist. Allergy treatment will not hold for long, your body will get used to the antihistamine and CH will break through.

Good luck with it all. Painfree wishes to you. Take care

Annette

Title: Re: feels like
Post by wogdoggy on Sep 12^th, 2006, 1:36pm

called a few neuros today..cant get in one till the end of october,,,,the other guy wants me to get an mri before i see him...had one a few years ago with nothing abnormal.I am somewhat aggravated having to sit in a tube first to see a doctor.Seems they only want to cover their ass from mal practice.anyway my appointment with my allergist is saturday.Hopefully we can get the right cocktail.its basically hit or miss with a neuro or an allergist .i am going to bring some info from the mayo clinic on certain different medications and maybe we can find a mix that works.just dont want to jump thru hoops with a neuro who wants to test and test..by the time hes thru hopefully the episodes will end.

Title: Re: feels like
Post by Karla on Sep 12^th, 2006, 2:42pm

I sweat profusly when I am getting hit. I went to an allergist who found nothing wrong with me and sent me to a neuro to be seen. The neuro is more equped to handle writting scrips for verapamil, oxygen, lithium , predison, topamax etc etc etc. They specialize in the brain and you are better off seeing them usually. However if your allergist is going to perscribe what ever you want him to why not keep him?!!

It is very common or just the way it is with ch to have something say alcohol trigger an attack (hit) at the time you are actively in cycle. When out of cycle you can consume all you want. That is why it is important to know if you are in or out of cycle to know what you can and can not consume. Good luck!!