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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Newbie with a concern
        
(Message started by: malbers on Sep 28^th, 2006, 8:11am)

Title: Newbie with a concern
Post by malbers on Sep 28^th, 2006, 8:11am

:-[ :-[ I started with a cluster type headache in August My neurologist explained to me what this type of headache is but I have a few concerns. First of all I have suffered from migraines since I was a teen, but this developed like I said in August and is still persisting. When it ll began I had the ice pic stabbing type headache in my left eye, cheek, I could feel it in my neck also. I had it everyday for about the first 2-3 weeks. no droopy eye, slight sinus congestion, and the headache was not as severe as I,ve read it can be. Just painful enough to give me a lot of anxiety. Anyway my concern is now that I get the headache every few day and the pain has subsided alot with each "attack" I have been noticing that after an attack, the top of my head and down the left side becomes very sore for a few days then subsides. Then all of a sudden I will get another "attack" and the same thing head gets sore. My neurologist says it is all part of it. I thought the headaches were isolated to the eye and cheek area like I've read. Has anyone experienced this with cluster headache. Can it be part of this syndrome to have the knives in your head also. I have my EEG today, and my MRI on Monday but would really appreciate any feedback at this time. Thanks Marie

Title: Re: Newbie with a concern
Post by BarbaraD on Sep 28^th, 2006, 8:33am

Marie,

Good move getting the MRI. That will rule out other malfunctions.

Mine starts behind my eye (with the eye swelling) and goes wild from there. Yes the cheek hurts, the teeth, the shoulder, etc. Feels like someone is poking a hot iron in my eye, a drill in my ear and a stake thru the top of my head (all on the same side).

Ask your doc about O2 (first line of defense) and down a can of Red Bull at the first sign (shadow). Sometimes this will abort the full blown headache. If you're not getting hit with the high numbers you're a lucky little thing.

Hope the MRI shows up something that can be cured (or at least treated), but FYI read everything on this site before you go back to the doc. It's years of experience all piled into one place.

Let us know how it turns out.

Hugs BD

Title: Re: Newbie with a concern
Post by Giovanni on Sep 28^th, 2006, 8:36am

How long does this headaches last? Sounds like to me that you might have a mis-diagnosis on the headache type.

Take the cluster quiz to the left and report back.

John

Title: Re: Newbie with a concern
Post by Bob_Johnson on Sep 28^th, 2006, 8:38am

Virtually all medical Dx are a collection of symptoms which describe a condition for the majority of people: almost no description fits 100% (except "heart stopped = death" <bg>).

Variation in the experience (symptoms) of cluster is common and most especially when the condition is first starting. Many of us have had running comments about changing patterns of location, duration, intensity of pain, etc. In my personal experience, it took about five years before a stable pattern of CH developed.

These variations have no inherent significance (although they might offer a clue to a sharp doc to pay attention to some other Dx.)

The residual pain is very common. Some of us find that, after a full blown attack, even a wisp of moving air will trigger a little pain when the hair is moved!

I seriously doubt that the MRI will show anything--they are rarely of value for cluster Dx--although the negative finding (no other problem) is a confirmation for the doc that he has the correct diagnosis

You might consider one of these books.

MANAGEMENT OF HEADACHE AND HEADACHE MEDICATIONS, 2nd ed. Lawrence D. Robbins, M.D.; pub. by Springer. $59 at Amazon.Com. It covers all types of headache and is primarily focused on medications. While the two chapters on CH total 42-pages, the actual relevant material is longer because of multiple references to material in chapters on migraine, reflecting the overlap in drugs used to treat. I'd suggest reading the chapters on migraine for three reasons: he makes references to CH & medications which are not in the index; there are "clinical pearls" about how to approach the treatment of headache; and, you gain better perspective on the nature of headache, in general, and the complexities of treatment (which need to be considered when we create expectations about what is possible). Finally, women will appreciate & benefit from his running information on hormones/menstrual cycles as they affect headache. Chapter on headache following head trauma, also. Obviously, I'm impressed with Robbins' work (even if the book needs the touch of a good editor!) (Somewhat longer review/content statement at 3/22/00, "Good book....")

HEADACHE HELP, Revised edition, 2000; Lawrence Robbins, M.D., Houghton Mifflin, $15. Written for a nonprofessional audience, it contains almost all the material in the preceding volume but it's much easier reading. Highly recommended.

Title: Re: Newbie with a concern
Post by Giovanni on Sep 28^th, 2006, 9:02am

Might want to take a look at this and see how it fits your symptoms:

http://headaches.about.com/od/otherheadpain/a/ice_picks.htm

John

Title: Re: Newbie with a concern
Post by georgej on Sep 28^th, 2006, 9:59am

on 09/28/06 at 08:38:22, Bob_Johnson wrote:

Variation in the experience (symptoms) of cluster is common and most especially when the condition is first starting. Many of us have had running comments about changing patterns of location, duration, intensity of pain, etc. In my personal experience, it took about five years before a stable pattern of CH developed.

Agreed. In my case, it took about two years for a pattern to show up.

Nearly everyone will give you a slightly different description of where the attack takes place--in my case, it begins high on the forehead on the left, extends into the region behind my eye (the most intense, stabbing pain), at which time the edema, tearing, and sinus congestion begins. Then it extends across my temple and down the back of my neck on the left side, and terminates at a swollen knot at the base of my neck.

The residual achiness is also very common. I get it as well, particularly after a severe or extended hit.

Sorry you have to be here, but welcome to CH.com. Read all the information at the left side of your screen, paying particular attention to the "oxygen info" link. Oxygen is a highly effective, cheap, and safe abortive for many of us.

Regards,

George

Title: Re: Newbie with a concern
Post by JeffB on Sep 28^th, 2006, 2:39pm

Hmmmm. Headache every few days? Just one a day? What makes these different from the migraines you've experienced?