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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Could this be Cluster Headache?
        
(Message started by: weareanidiot on May 16^th, 2007, 7:18am)

Title: Could this be Cluster Headache?
Post by weareanidiot on May 16^th, 2007, 7:18am

Two weeks ago, i awoke one morning with a strange kind of headache I had never experienced before. It was "inside the brain", just behind my right eye and didn't feel like a common tension headache. It wasn't extremely painful but definitly worse than a normal headache. One week later, it was the same scenario: I woke up wih the same kind of headache, but this time much more intense. I took some painkillers and tried to go back to sleep, and 40 minutes later I didn't feel it anymoe. Then now, about a week after the second headache, it's gotten worse. It started yesterday while I was up and about, though it never really got around to actually hurting. I felt the sime kind of dull pain that had previously been there when I woke up, but after taking an aspirin it ended. However, about an hore after falling asleep last night I woke up with the most intense headache yet, took a painkiller and lay in my bed feeling sorry for myself until it was over. This morning, it came again, even more painful. During all the attack I've had a strange sensation in my nose, almost as if I had to blow it, but that did't help of course. It was after this that I got really worried, so I googled and found out about Cluster Heacache.

Now, I can be a hypochondriac so I might be worrying over something thats just temporary, but after reading up on the symtoms I'm quite worried. However, I wouldn't descibe any of the attacks I've had this far as "suicide heacaches" and it didn't feel like getting a red hot poker in the eye. The last ones did hurt like hell though. If I'm suffering from Cluster Headache, will the attacks ger more intense over time? Do you think what I describe fits the defintion of Cluster Headache? What kind of doctor do you think I should see? I'm worried and await a reply eagerly.

Title: Re: Could this be Cluster Headache?
Post by chewy on May 16^th, 2007, 7:28am

Go see a neuro.

Title: Re: Could this be Cluster Headache?
Post by George_J on May 16^th, 2007, 9:19am

I'm no doctor, but it sounds like it could be sinus pain.

Try an antihistamine tablet--if it goes away, then chances are that's all it is. If it persists, get your sinuses checked out--you could have a sinus infection.

Definitely not cluster headache, though, unless I'm very much mistaken.

Best wishes,

George

Title: Re: Could this be Cluster Headache?
Post by MR_FLOOR on May 16^th, 2007, 10:08am

I agree with george they dont sound like CHs .Have a sinus survey done.Good luck to you.

Dave

Title: Re: Could this be Cluster Headache?
Post by tommyD on May 16^th, 2007, 1:04pm

I agree with Chewy (!)

Best advice is to see a neurologist.

But I disagree with George and Mr. Floor, however. It very well COULD be cluster headache. I really don't see anything in your description that would rule out clusters, except the one attack where you lay in bed - next time, try getting on you feet and see if that doesn't make things more tolerable.

Not all cluster attacks are extrodianarily severe hot-poker type pain, especially when the disease first appears, and neither do they have to hit every day. Don't want to bum you out, but they often start out slow and get worse as the weeks and months go on. From what I can tell from your post, your headaches last about as long as cluster attacks, they seem to be recurring at about the same time of day, and some of the other characteristics seem clusterish to me.

In any case, welcome, and keep reading the site. Try the button to the left that says "cluster quiz." And let us know how things go and what you are experiencing.

But make sure to see that neurologist, particularly one who specializes in headaches. 'Cos me and the other clowns on this board sometimes don't know what we're talking about.

-tommyD

Title: Re: Could this be Cluster Headache?
Post by michael on May 16^th, 2007, 3:27pm

Go see a good doc!

Sounds a bit strange for a sinus headache. That would be in the sinuses, not behind the eye, and an infection would be a lot more constant.

If an asprin can take it away it is definately not a cluster.

Mike

Title: Re: Could this be Cluster Headache?
Post by weareanidiot on May 16^th, 2007, 3:59pm

Thank you for your advice. I don't think the aspirin took it away, actually, as I noticed it went away just as quicky/slowly when I didn't take anything at all. The "attack" I got during the day was probably what I've noticed you call a shadow. Just to clear things up, I don't have any infection that i know of and my nose is neither runny nor stuffy normally. When I've gotten the headaches it's been feeling thick and swollen but I havenä' had any problems breathing through any nostril. Anyway, I will see a doctor as soon as possible and hope for the best. :(

Title: Re: Could this be Cluster Headache?
Post by UN solved on May 16^th, 2007, 6:40pm

I agree that you should go see a doctor soon if it continues. You must rule out other potential serious problems.

I didn't see anything so far that would rule out cluster headaches. Hopefully, it's not clusters. If it is, it could get worse. Don't go untreated. See a doctor asap.

Goodluck

UNsolved

Title: Re: Could this be Cluster Headache?
Post by Lotus on May 16^th, 2007, 7:55pm

It would be a good idea to get head MRI scan too, it will rule out sinus problems and/or any other organic problems.

In Australia only specialists can order MRI. But check with your doctor, maybe they can order the MRI while waiting to see the neurologist.

Annette

Title: Re: Could this be Cluster Headache?
Post by weareanidiot on May 17^th, 2007, 4:10am

I just got one at the same time as yesterday, and noticed my eyebrow was drooping, so I'm almost convinced now. This is a holiday in Sweden so only the ER is open and I doubt they'd take me, I'll hope I can get an appointment tomorrow instesd. At least I'm glad I know what this is and that there is relief.

Title: Re: Could this be Cluster Headache?
Post by weareanidiot on May 17^th, 2007, 10:21am

Another question. After I've been hit and it's over, I'm getting moderate tension headaches that painkillers don't take away completely. Also, a lingering pain remains at the spot that really hurts when it comes over me. Is this normal? Does it suggest my problem isn't CH, but something else? Also, I have jaw problems since i removed my wisdom teeth 5 years ago, which makes sleeping with eiter cheek to the pillow uncomfortable, and frequently makes my jaws "lock" so I can't open my mouth more than a few centimeters. I read somewhere that there might be a connection between jaw problems and CH, could ayone tell me more about it?

Title: Re: Could this be Cluster Headache?
Post by starlight on May 17^th, 2007, 12:12pm

It doesn't sound like CH but I am no doctor. You described the pain as being a dull pain, usually CH even if mild, has more of an explosive quality. Even if mild, it will probably be the worst head pain you have felt. If you don't feel it is of that severity, it is probably NOT CH.

Title: Re: Could this be Cluster Headache?
Post by swimchica623 on May 17^th, 2007, 2:25pm

Same with everyone else...but I'd like to add that I would start a headache diary if I were you, just in case symptoms get worse or increase. I have a regular journal and pieced the beginning of things together that way, but it would have been nice if I started a separate one from the beginning.
Hope you get it sorted out soon,
Lisa

Title: Re: Could this be Cluster Headache?
Post by Sandy_C on May 17^th, 2007, 7:59pm

Lisa (swimchica) is absolutely right on! Start logging in every time you feel headache pain, it's location, the time it began and ended, it's severity, throbbing, piercing, etc. Even go so far as to add what you ate or drank right before it began. This will be immense help to your doctor when you go in.

It may, or may not be CH. As others have said, find a good doc - neuro, and bite the bullet and be checked out for anything and everything that could be causing your pain.

Click the 4th button down on the left of your screen and take the cluster quiz, then let us know the results. There is more info on these boards about CH than you will find anywhere else, but you really need to get a proper diagnosis. Reason? Because medications prescribed for one headache could be deadly for another.

Sandy

Title: Re: Could this be Cluster Headache?
Post by weareanidiot on May 19^th, 2007, 10:05am

Thank you so much for your replies, it feels much better knowing that poeple care and are trying to help.

Anyway, I saw a doctor yesterday, not a neurologist but a "normal" one. I was afraid he would patronize me and recomend ibuprofen, but he actually though it was eiter migraine or CH, though he wasn't sure. Since I've only had 5-6 headaches this far and have only had the chance to look at my eye in the mirror once it's hard to know what's causing the headaches. He prescribed my imigran(which i guess is what imidrex is called in Sweden) nose spray, but I haven't had any headaches since then so I don't know if it will help. Tension headaches have been constant for three days straight though and normal painkillers won't kill them. I'm still hoping it's a sinus infection, even though the doctor didn't comment it when I told him I though that's what it could be. I will wait and see and hope for the nose spray to work, though I'm thankful I haven't had a heaache since thursday morning. :)

Title: Re: Could this be Cluster Headache?
Post by UN solved on May 19^th, 2007, 3:37pm

If you've only had 5 - 6 headaches in over a 2 week period, that doesn't sound like CH. Alot of us get that in a day or two.

I've not seen or heard any information saying that CH was related to any jaw problems.

PF Wishes

UNsolved

Title: Re: Could this be Cluster Headache?
Post by rolo65 on May 19^th, 2007, 5:29pm

I have the same thing going on with my TMJ and initially thought it was the cause of the HA’s, but after reading up on CH I found that CH can irritate the jaw. Trigeminal nerve pain radiating into the jaw. My CH’s started over the ear at first, and then moved to the temple where it lives now. Good luck, sounds like how it started for me.

Title: Re: Could this be Cluster Headache?
Post by gMike on Jun 8^th, 2007, 10:05pm

When you see your doctor ask him/her about the possibility that you are suffering from a variant of Hemicrania Continua. This is a condition where there is a continuous headache on one side centered near or behind the eye. It can also travel into teeth on the affected side.

The treatment is an old medication called Indomethacin that relieves the pain almost immediately. I suffer from this condition and experience symptoms similar to what you describe. Only a doctor knowledgable about headache conditions will have heard of this condition. A neurologist is your best bet but, if you are like me, it will take 6 - 8 weeks to get an appointment.

Best to you!

Title: Re: Could this be Cluster Headache?
Post by Lapsi_Harmaahapsi on Jun 10^th, 2007, 6:37am

In the past my cycles begun with 1 attack/day and maybe 4 days a week. Also, I thought normal painkillers worked since the pain went away in less than an hour.

So might be CH, it seems to be different for each individual.

Title: Re: Could this be Cluster Headache?
Post by Charlie on Jun 10^th, 2007, 8:06pm

For me, if a headache wakes one out of a sound sleep, it's a good indication of CH. The pain is always bad enough to prevent getting back in bed until the attack is over. With a migraine, it's the opposite.

CH tends to hit several times a night. It can be like clockwork at times.

Charlie