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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Cluster headaches and whiplash
        
(Message started by: casslean on Jun 11^th, 2007, 8:04pm)

Title: Cluster headaches and whiplash
Post by casslean on Jun 11^th, 2007, 8:04pm

Hi everyone,

Does anyone here have experience with cluster headaches AND whiplash? I've suffered from cluster headaches (first episodic, now chronic, though the current remission phase seems to be lasting longer than normal, thank God) for five years, but this past Friday I was rear ended (my Neon was hit by a Toyota Tundra travelling at about 110km/h) and I've been diagnosed with whiplash. Just wondering if anyone has noticed if one affects the other. The doctor at the ER never asked about past headaches, and I was in so much shock from the accident, I didn't think to tell her. In reality, my physical injuries ended up shunted to the back burner because my blood pressure spiked from the stress and they had to get that under control before I passed out.

Anyway, just wondering what, if anything, I might expect or want to keep an eye out for. Any past experiences would be helpful.

Title: Re: Cluster headaches and whiplash
Post by ClusterChuck on Jun 11^th, 2007, 10:45pm

on 06/11/07 at 20:04:40, casslean wrote:

now chronic, though the current remission phase seems to be lasting longer than normal,

Meaning you are NOT chronic.

I have never heard of a relationship between whiplash and cluster headaches. Head trauma and clusters, yes.

Chuck

Title: Re: Cluster headaches and whiplash
Post by Gator on Jun 12^th, 2007, 2:47am

Based on this PubMed abstract, it would appear possible that neck injury could exacerbate CH.

Quote:

Headache. 1990 May;30(6):347-9.

Nuchal features of cluster headache.

Solomon S, Lipton RB, Newman LC.

Department of Neurology, Montefiore Medical Center, New York, New York 10467.

Nuchal symptoms were found in the majority of 100 consecutive patients with cluster headache. In 10%, pain was experienced in the neck with the initial typical orbitotemporal pain; in 37%, pain radiated from the orbit or temple to the ipsilateral side of the neck. Sometimes, neck pain heralded the onset of the attack by a few minutes. During an attack, neck stiffness was reported in 40% and tenderness in 29%. Movement of the neck, especially flexion, precipitated cluster headache in 9% of patients. This was particularly true of patients with chronic cluster headache. Neck movement aggravated the headache in 16 of 100 patients and an equal number reported amelioration of pain by neck movement, especially extension. The nuchal features did not necessarily accompany every attack and were usually overshadowed by the severity of the typical headache. Nevertheless, symptoms referable to the neck occur more commonly than is generally appreciated.

PMID: 2370135