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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Migraine or CH?
        
(Message started by: patmat on Oct 12^th, 2006, 11:46am)

Title: Migraine or CH?
Post by patmat on Oct 12^th, 2006, 11:46am

Just discovered the site, lots of news to me! Thanks all.

I'm going in to see my doc tomorrow, looking for some moral support here... I think my headaches of some 25 years now might be cluster not migraine, even though Doc previously diagnosed migraine (after previous doc told me to see a shrink!).

Anyway, here's why I think I might have CH. Anyone agree/disagree that the symptons are in the realm of CH?

- Eyeball wants to explode out of my head.
- Always have sinus congestion at same time.
- ALWAYS on one side only (left).
- Pain is uncomfortable, but NOT high KIP… maybe a 5? Just keeps me from concentrating on tasks, etc.
- It's been the same pain level for all these years.
- Some periodicity- often random, other times, will get 1 attack per day at about same time for a week.
- Longest period with no attacks: maybe 3-4 days.
- Untreated, discomfort lasts a few hours.
- May be accompanied with pain in left temple, left/back neck, nausea.
- Never had auras.
- Usually responds well to triptan (Zomig), but may take an hour for full relief.
- Nope, never tried any of the others abortives, and Toprol & Topamax do nuthin'.

Thanks,

Patrick

Title: Re: Migraine or CH?
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Oct 12^th, 2006, 11:49am

The fact that it's not a high kip makes me wonder. Usually they are so wrechedly painful that I am rolling on the floor whimpering. The pain also rarely lasts hours. What kind of tests have been done so far? Some symptoms sound clusterish...others not so much.

Title: Re: Migraine or CH?
Post by Richr8 on Oct 12^th, 2006, 11:56am

Patrick,

Hello and welcome. It sounds like you have many the classic symptoms for CH. Have you taken the cluster quiz on the left? This will hep you determine whether or not you really have CH. Also, before you go to the doc, read up here:

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

Many of the best treatments are captured although there is no known cure. I would also suggest that you read al of the information about Oxygen (also on the left panel)as it brings relief to many of us in aborting attacks. If it is determined that you do have CH, do not leave his office without a script for Oxygen.

Please read all that you can and just ask any questions you may have. There is usually someone here 24/7.

Title: Re: Migraine or CH?
Post by TxBasslady on Oct 12^th, 2006, 1:16pm

I agree with Rich.

Take the quiz. Let us know how it turns out.

Even though your symptoms have some classic CH characteristics, there are other type headaches you may be suffering with.

Doesn't sound like migraines to me...but I'm not a doc.

Best of luck to you, Patrick. Let us know what you hear from your doc.

Jean

Title: Re: Migraine or CH?
Post by lionsound on Oct 12^th, 2006, 4:17pm

Hi Patrick,

Is the doc you are seeing a neurologist?
It may be time to get yourself to a headache specialist. You could have CH or migraine or both. I get both and and few extra :). And when they are all mixed up it's hard to sort them out. A good doc can do that and get you proper treatment.

You can also read about Oxygen here on this site, ask the doc about it and that may help you abort the headaches. With me it can abort my CH and sometimes my migraines.

please let us know how you make out.
be well and PF,
lionsound

Title: Re: Migraine or CH?
Post by patmat on Oct 12^th, 2006, 4:28pm

Thanks all for the comments, hope to learn more shortly.

Lionroar, he's my HMO guy, his job is to prevent me from seeing a specialist.

Pat