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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Do I have cluster headaches or something else?
        
(Message started by: hockeygirl on Aug 3^rd, 2007, 12:54am)

Title: Do I have cluster headaches or something else?
Post by hockeygirl on Aug 3^rd, 2007, 12:54am

Ok, I've had a bloody rip roaring headache since July 14th. I finally saw the doc today about it and he says it's cluster headaches, but I'm disagreeing after reading this site. Can someone have them without the droopy eye? The tears running out of the eye? Pain all over not just on one side? Pain that gets worse, but then better, in a completely random, unpredictable pattern? Not to mention I sleep like there is no tomorrow, which from what I've read, doesn't fit.

The only thing that seems like a cluster headache is the fact that I've had it for two weeks. Maybe I do have them, and if I do, throw me over a bridge now. But, if no one else on here has been diagnosed with none of those symptoms I'm going to keep looking for a better diagnosis.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Title: Re: Do I have cluster headaches or something else?
Post by George_J on Aug 3^rd, 2007, 1:11am

Try the "cluster quiz" on the left side of your screen, and see how you score.

Mind--I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV, but from what you've described, I'd keep looking. See another doc for a second opinion.

Sorry about your head--hope you get things cleared up.

Best wishes,

George

Title: Re: Do I have cluster headaches or something else?
Post by hockeygirl on Aug 3^rd, 2007, 1:24am

Thanks George. I took the quiz and scored in the something else range, not in the cluster headache range. But my PCP seemed pretty dang confident that I'll be fine in a couple of days with his medication regimen (oddly enough, I don't believe him...) I'll keep looking and asking more questions. For other reasons I believe it's potentially pituitary related more likely than this type of head pain. Either way, it's a real pain. Ha ha ha. I'm trying to keep my sense of humor (not very easy, but then again, I could be loopy from medication, it's happened before, then everything becomes funny).

Title: Re: Do I have cluster headaches or something else?
Post by thebbz on Aug 3^rd, 2007, 1:57am

Only a neurologist with CH expierence would make me comfortable with a CH diagnosis. After an MRI and thorough consult. On the other hand if you had CH....after reading here you would probably know it.
all the best
.....meegraines....??????I dont play a doc on the tube either, but I get meeegreiinsse as well when in an episode. They hurt too just not as bad. Get to a neurologist puck girl.
thebb

Title: Re: Do I have cluster headaches or something else?
Post by hockeygirl on Aug 3^rd, 2007, 1:35pm

Thanks BB, I had no idea that this is a neurological diagnosis. I probably should be looking for a neurologist. My womens intuition is telling me that it's more pituitary than anything else, but of course I have to check out what my doc said (whom now I really don't believe and I don't think he believes me either).

Title: Re: Do I have cluster headaches or something else?
Post by starlight on Aug 3^rd, 2007, 3:25pm

That definitely doesn't sound like cluster b/c the pain is one-sided in cluster. Although it can sometimes switch sides (but not too often). I would get it checked out by a neurologist though because that is a pretty extreme thing to have a bad headache for 2 weeks--you probably want to find out what it is. Good luck to you.

Title: Re: Do I have cluster headaches or something else?
Post by chewy on Aug 3^rd, 2007, 3:45pm

Typically CH is not bilateral.

Title: Re: Do I have cluster headaches or something else?
Post by Linda_Howell on Aug 3^rd, 2007, 5:33pm

Quote:

But my PCP seemed pretty dang confident that I'll be fine in a couple of days with his medication regimen

Which is what, if I may ask?

You said you sleep like there's no tomorrow. In my opinion, anyone who says they can sleep with a Cluster headache, doesn't have CH.

Hope you get another Dr. and a better diagnosis.

Linda

Title: Re: Do I have cluster headaches or something else?
Post by BlueMeanie on Aug 3^rd, 2007, 6:34pm

on 08/03/07 at 01:57:42, thebbz wrote:

Only a neurologist with CH expierence would make me comfortable with a CH diagnosis.

If the neurologist has Ch's then yes. ;) I can't diagnose you to have CH's, but can tell you there is a very good chance you don't have them. Too many things that don't fit the pattern.

Title: Re: Do I have cluster headaches or something else?
Post by GrandPotentate on Aug 3^rd, 2007, 10:50pm

The more you read around on here, the more variations you will find. Most of my hits are evening, with a handful waking me during the night (boy, I hate those), and a few during mornings of daytime to keep me on my toes.

Visit with a neuro. Get a second opinion. There are a lot of other things that can cause headaches. Most of us have run the gamut and had a lot of other causes eliminated before a CH diagnosis.

Title: Re: Do I have cluster headaches or something else?
Post by rolo65 on Aug 3^rd, 2007, 11:37pm

It sounds almost like something brought on by chemical exposure or mold allergy.

I sure wish I could sleep like that! Try to find a neurologist at a headache clinic and maybe you’ll save yourself from the guessing docs that try to treat you for what they are guessing is the problem.

Get a MRI! Anything that starts that abruptly is very concerning.

I have never heard of anyone just being chronic over night like you said.

I hope this is of some help to you, the good HA docs are almost always booked out 2 months or so.

Hugs for the pain,

Rolo..

Title: Re: Do I have cluster headaches or something else?
Post by BarbaraD on Aug 4^th, 2007, 9:17am

If you have trouble getting into a neuro - you might try going to ER when you're getting hit really hard and "yelling" for a neuro. They may admit you, but you'll get an MRI and a neuro that way. Don't tell them you have a doctor. And for goodness sakes don't tell them he diagnosed you with CH. Just tell them you're brain is coming out your skull. And that it started all of a sudden two weeks ago. Or maybe you think you have a brain tumor.... If you scare the ER doc enough he'll get you a neuro....

Hugs BD

Title: Re: Do I have cluster headaches or something else?
Post by hockeygirl on Aug 4^th, 2007, 12:15pm

Thanks everyone! ;;D You've been so helpful.

I think I will go back to the doctor today (after hours clinic) and have them recheck me. My test results on my hormone levels will not be back for another week or so (why do those things take so long) which will hopefully tell me if it's pituitary or not.

Once I get to sleep, I sleep pretty much all night, except for getting up to pee. Last night I had trouble getting to sleep because of nausea. Fun stuff I must say.

My doc gave me nortriptyline and indomethacin.

Title: Re: Do I have cluster headaches or something else?
Post by GrandPotentate on Aug 4^th, 2007, 9:46pm

Those didn't touch my cluster headaches, but I understand that they are quite effective for other headaches. They did get me pretty loopy, and I quit smoking and hardly noticed.

Please. please find a good doc and find out what's really going on in yer noggin.

Title: Re: Do I have cluster headaches or something else?
Post by hockeygirl on Aug 5^th, 2007, 1:21am

Thank you grand. :) So far they haven't done much for me at all. Not even make me loopy, which right now would be a god send. I did end up at the doc today and he tried a shot of Torradol (I think that's how you spell it) and that didn't do much at all. He also tried O2 therapy thinking that if it was clusters that would take care of them and while it did lower my pain a bit, once I was off the O2 the pain came right back. They have ordered a CT scan for Monday morning. We'll see what that has to say. I hope it points out what's wrong. Were any of you able to be diagnosed using any type of imaging studies?

Title: Re: Do I have cluster headaches or something else?
Post by thebbz on Aug 5^th, 2007, 1:26am

They use imaging to eliminate other causes. CH does not show on imaging.
thebb

Title: Re: Do I have cluster headaches or something else?
Post by hockeygirl on Aug 5^th, 2007, 2:46am

Good to know. Thanks thebb. I appreciate it. It's all so confusing, you know?

Title: Re: Do I have cluster headaches or something else?
Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on Aug 5^th, 2007, 3:21am

It can be a long, frustrating road to get a diagnosis. I really hope you can find something soon that helps.

The symptoms you describe do not sound anything like cluster headaches to me. Course, I'm just an auditor, what do I know.

Keep up with the docs, keep pushing and keep making appointments until you get a firm diagnosis and a path to dealing with it.
PF wishes
B$

Title: Re: Do I have cluster headaches or something else?
Post by hockeygirl on Aug 5^th, 2007, 4:33pm

Thanks MoneeMan! :D

It didn't sound like clusters to me either. If anything it's more like a long term migraine. I think it was a BS diagnosis because my doc thinks I'm faking (he kind of admitted it the other day). He's not into testing me for a Pituitary Tumor either, which I'm betting is the real cause because of other symptoms I'm having in addition to the headaches.