Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Time for a new Doctor?
        
(Message started by: Sharpstick on May 1^st, 2007, 7:24pm)

Title: Time for a new Doctor?
Post by Sharpstick on May 1^st, 2007, 7:24pm

I have been having these headaches now for about 5 years, and it almost always starts after I physically over-exert myself...mowing the lawn, working out, etc. They only occur once a month or so, for a few months, and then they go away. If I manage not to over-exert I don't seem to have the problem...unfortunately I have a bad habit of pushing myself.

They usually start as pressure in my neck and head, and then my back starts to spasm, and about an hour later...WHAM! THE hot poker in the eye (always the same one, right side). The nausea and vomiting usually start about an hour later, and I'm down for about 12 hours trying to recuperate.

My doctor keeps telling me it sort of sounds like it could be a migraine...maybe not...we keep trying different migraine meds (Imitrex, Relpax, Maxalt, etc.) with limited success. I had an MRI done, but there was nothing there, of course. Maybe time to switch doctors??? He’s seen me in the middle of an episode, and it’s not pretty!

I thought that I had licked this thing, because I haven’t had a headache in over 5 months, but I had one again last night. Stupid me...pushed my workout a little too far. The Relpax didn’t to stop the pain, but it kept me from getting too nauseous.

Just stumbled on this site, and it sure sounds like it fits my symptoms. Especially when I hear you guys talking about the amount of pain involved. Took the test, it looks like this could be my problem, although the nausea doesn’t fit, and I don’t seem to have multiple episodes in 24 hour period. I’m going to talk to my doctor tomorrow, and explore the possibility of Oxygen treatment. Thanks for putting this site together!

Title: Re: Time for a new Doctor?
Post by ClusterChris on May 1^st, 2007, 7:57pm

Have you tried the imitrex injections?? If not, I would highly recommend it! Ask your doc!

Chris

Title: Re: Time for a new Doctor?
Post by ClusterChuck on May 1^st, 2007, 8:22pm

I question if you have clusters, by the length of your hits .. 12 hours is NOT normal. They usually last 30 to 180 minutes ...

But whatever it is, you need a definitive diagnosis. The pain you are describing sucks! I would think it might be time for a new doctor. Try to find a neurologist who specializes in headaches.

Good luck, and keep us informed. We DO care.

Chuck

Title: Re: Time for a new Doctor?
Post by Linda_Howell on May 1^st, 2007, 9:24pm

When the pain hits....Can you lay down?

Title: Re: Time for a new Doctor?
Post by Brewcrew on May 1^st, 2007, 10:29pm

Also, I don't know any other CH sufferers who have an hour's worth of warning before the WHAM! It's usually 10 minutes or less.

Combine that with the 12-hour hits and I'm thinking it may not be CH (but keep in mind, I'm not a doctor).

Title: Re: Time for a new Doctor?
Post by BB on May 1^st, 2007, 10:47pm

on 05/01/07 at 19:24:41, Sharpstick wrote:

If I manage not to over-exert I don't seem to have the problem...unfortunately I have a bad habit of pushing myself.

Hi Sharpstick !

Your symptoms dont sound like CH, but more like migraine. CH dont last 12 hrs or you would be dead! A shadow may last all day but no CH attack would last that long.

Also what I dont understand is , as long as you dont push yourself exertionally, you dont have a problem. So why do you keep pushing yourself until you get these headaches then worrying about medications and wanting to take Relpax and oxygen?

Medications all have side effects. Vasoconstrictors can cause damage to the heart. You shouldnt take them unless you have no choice.

I think first you should ask your doctor to refer you to a good headache specialist to get a proper diagnosis, but in the meantime , just STOP pushing yourself and stop trying different medications unnecessarily.

Good luck with it all and painfree wishes to you.

Annette

Title: Re: Time for a new Doctor?
Post by JohnC on May 1^st, 2007, 11:32pm

I don't know about any patces but I had nose drops that did nothing for my ch but I had a numb throat thats about it.As for a 12 hour hit I've never heard of onr that long but I have had ch for four hours before it's been awhile but I have had some long ones.Go to a headache specialist and good luck
John

Title: Re: Time for a new Doctor?
Post by Sharpstick on May 2^nd, 2007, 12:35am

OK, sorry, need to clarify...the intense pain usually lasts around three hours...and it's possible it comes and goes, since most of the time I don't get up out of bed. I really lose track of the time. I've always thought of it as a single occurrence.

Usually I just roll around in bed cursing (my wife really loves it), and praying for relief. But like last night it hit at 2:30, and it was gone before daybreak. The rest of the time I'm trying to make up the sleep and crawl out of the funk the medication seems to put me in.

When I first started getting them, I thought it was sinus infections gone bad...because I felt like I was running a fever, then chills, but I had no sinus problems at that time. Used to get sinus headaches real bad in college...but you know you have one of those when you bend over.

I'll talk to the doctor about the injections. Thanks for the support.

Title: Re: Time for a new Doctor?
Post by Samiam on May 2^nd, 2007, 7:56am

Hi,

I know how hard it is to try to find out what's going on with you and not finding the right answer.

Like many have said here I don't think this is cluster's. Cluster's are just that, a cluster of what they call h/a's They will have a clear start, peak, and end to them which for many of us will repeat a couple of times a day.

I beleive it's time to go to a Dr. that knows just how to treat headaches. What I have found is if a Doctor has never had headaches himself and I mean Migraines or Cluster then he won't have a clue as to how to treat them nor understand the pain.

In the mean time I think if any of us knew what triggered our clusters we would avoid that at all costs.

Best of luck to you,
Sami

Title: Re: Time for a new Doctor?
Post by Sharpstick on May 2^nd, 2007, 8:52am

Maybe I'm relying to heavily on the hot poker in the eye symptom that literally pushes me over the edge. I just haven't found anything else that comes close to describing what's happening when I get one of these. Guess I'll keep looking. Thanks.

Title: Re: Time for a new Doctor?
Post by Guiseppi on May 2^nd, 2007, 10:28am

You and your eventual neuro will find it really helpful to keep a headache journal. What time it starts, how fast it builds using the KIP scale, how long it stays at its peak and how long it takes it to retreat.

I used to describe mine as an all day because it would hit for 90 minutes of intense holy sh$% that hurts pain, then a 4-6 hour "headache hangover!" So when someone asked me how long they lasted, I'd say well all damn day! The diagnosis will be found in the details. If it turns out to be clusters, stick around this board, a bunch of fantastic people with more combined knowledge then you'll find anywhere, good luck whichever way it goes, headaches suck!!!! :-[

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Time for a new Doctor?
Post by Rosybabe on May 2^nd, 2007, 5:27pm

HI!

I am with Annette on this one, if you know that pushing the limits brings the pain...Why are you over doing it????

Hope you find a good Doctor, I am wondering if your BP gets out of wack when you over exercise and that is what is causing the migraine...taking triptans without taking something to lower the BP will not do any good...

I am saying this because my Mom's migraine comes in the same way as yours but she suffers from HT also and the neuro told her that is the high BP what triggers the migraine and is she only treats the pain, the triptans won't work , she has to take a sublingual to get over the pain by bringing the BP down to normal..

I am not a Doctor so, I strongly suggest you go ahead and see one who studies all the possibilities and help you find the relief you need.

Good Luck!

Title: Re: Time for a new Doctor?
Post by Jackie on May 2^nd, 2007, 6:04pm

There is a particular type migraine that is triggered by over exertion.

Wondering if that might be the case.... [smiley=huh.gif]

Jacks 8)

Title: Re: Time for a new Doctor?
Post by Rosybabe on May 2^nd, 2007, 6:25pm

on 05/02/07 at 18:04:04, Jackie wrote:

There is a particular type migraine that is triggered by over exertion.

Wondering if that might be the case.... [smiley=huh.gif]

Jacks 8)

I found this on Webmd..

Medical Information from the Cleveland Clinic: Migraines and Headaches: Headache Triggers: Exercise
When you exercise, or exert yourself physically, the muscles of the head, neck, and scalp need more blood to circulate. This causes the blood vessels to swell, which can lead to a condition called exertional headaches.

Headaches that most frequently occur due to exercise or over-exertion include jogger's headache and orgasmic headache (sex headache). While these may occur in isolation, they are most common in people who have an inherited susceptibility to migraine (one or both parents have migraines).

It has been found that most exertional headaches are benign and respond to usual headache treatments. Some exertional headaches are particularly responsive to Indocin (indomethacin), an antiinflammatory agent available with a doctor's prescription. Still, in order to rule out other medical causes, a doctor should evaluate your headaches.

Reviewed by Department of Neurology, Department of Pediatric Neurology, The Cleveland Clinic.

and here is the link if you want to check the site..

http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/guide/triggers-exercise

Title: Re: Time for a new Doctor?
Post by pieface_49 on May 2^nd, 2007, 6:59pm

Hello Sharpstick,
Have you read the testimonies on the opening page of this site. The experience of those that suffer with clusters.
http://www.clusterheadaches.com

You did not say what kind of doctor you are seeing? Here is some good info concerning types of headaches:
http://www.headaches.org/consumer/educationalmodules/completeguide/differenttypes.html
Please note "How do I choose a Doctor". Perhaps your migraines morph into a cluster? It is the other way around for me. I get a bad cluster and the migraine follows. Hope you find out what is wrong. Misdiagnosis sucks.

Donnie

Title: Re: Time for a new Doctor?
Post by writer on May 4^th, 2007, 10:22am

No, I'm no doctor either, but:

I've never heard of ONE SOUL who could lie down during a cluster attack. One is driven to pace, walk, or sometimes, crawl. But lie down? Horrors?

Routinely, those with migraine lie down in a dark, quiet room until the headache passes. Also routinely, they vomit. Some cluster people are said to vomit, but not many.

I agree with everybody else: keep trying to get a clear diagnosis. And read on!!

Lots of luck--

Barbara