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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Migraines?  Cluster headaches?  Both? &n
        
(Message started by: mom2allyson0526 on Sep 22^nd, 2007, 10:08am)

Title: Migraines? Cluster headaches? Both? &n
Post by mom2allyson0526 on Sep 22^nd, 2007, 10:08am

I'm new here and in need of some help! I was diagnosed with cluster headaches in 1996 at the age of 19. I've had them on and off since then. Sometimes I'll go months between cycles and other times days.

Over the past month I have been suffering with headaches and I'm not sure what kind they are. Last night I woke up to feed my daughter and got hit with one that was pretty typical for right now. It's always on the left side of my face. My nose feels like something is suctioning the drainage back into my sinuses, I get intense burning and then pain behind my left eye, and my head feels like someone has it in a press and is exerting as much pressure as possible. The intense pain lasts anywhere from half an hour to 12 or more hours. It's always only on the left side of my head and face. Afterwards I'll have a mild headache that's noticable but not excruciating. I'm also having spells of intense vertigo. Absolutely nothing touches the pain associated with these headaches. I tried taking 2 Excedrin Migraine pills and it was like I swallowed two pieces of candy and called it medicine. It didn't even begin to touch the pain. I'm also having spells of my face tingling during the headaches.

My dr. ordered a MRI due to the vertigo associated with the headaches and it was totally normal. No lesions, tumors, or anything. He told me I had Meniere's disease because at the time my ear felt like it was swollen up inside. He told me there was no infection of any kind. I saw the Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist and he told me I didn't have Meniere's but instead was having migraines. He prescribed Nortriptyline. So far I am not impressed. It just seems to make me nauseated and tired so far but it's only been 3 days. He told me I need to see a neurologist. I'm waiting on the call from the referal nurse at my doctor's office.

So am I having cluster headaches that have gotten more severe than before or am I having some type of migraine? Or am I having both? What can I do to get some relief until I see the neurologist? Thanks so much for any information!

Title: Re: Migraines? Cluster headaches? Both? &n
Post by Bob_Johnson on Sep 22^nd, 2007, 11:58am

Please be sure that you are not referred to any neurologist: must have someone skilled in treating headache. Don't be shy about calling the prospective doc's office and asking probing questions.

If you want options:

1. Search the OUCH site (button on left) for a list of recommended M.D.s.

2. Yellow Pages phone book: look for "Headache Clinics" in the M.D. section and look under "neurologist" where some docs will list speciality areas of practice.

3. Call your hospital/medical center. They often have an office to assist in finding a physician. You may have to ask for the social worker/patient advocate.

4. http://www.achenet.org On-line screen to find a physician.

5. http://www.headaches.org/consumer/index.html Call 1-800-643-5552; they will send a list of M.D.s for your state.I suggest using this source for several reasons: first, we have read several messages from people who, even seeing neurologists, are unhappy with the quality of care and ATTITUDES they have encountered; second, the clinical director of the Jefferson (Philadelphia) Headache Clinic said, in late 1999, that upwards of 40%+ of U.S. doctors have poor training in treating headache and/or hold attitudes about headache ("hysterical female disorder") which block them from sympathetic and effective work with the patient; third, it's necessary to find a doctor who has experience, skill, and a set of attitudes which give hope of success. This is the best method I know of to find such a physician.

Title: Re: Migraines? Cluster headaches? Both? &n
Post by gore2424 on Sep 22^nd, 2007, 3:22pm

yes i agree with you bob good advice to a newbie Ü Terry

Title: Re: Migraines? Cluster headaches? Both? &n
Post by BlueMeanie on Sep 22^nd, 2007, 3:23pm

You should definately find a good neurologist. A 12 hour CH sounds way too extreme. There are some people who get both CH's and Migraines though.

Title: Re: Migraines? Cluster headaches? Both? &n
Post by lionsound on Sep 22^nd, 2007, 8:59pm

I get CH and Migraines and a few other HA types too....so it is possible....and for me it's possible for them to happen at the same time.

HOWEVER if it's new for YOU please get it checked out by a neuro that is a headache specialist. Some claim to be and are not so please ask them specifically how many HA patients they have.

and keep some kind of log or diary of your symptoms..what you wrote here is excellent to bring with you.

Maybe you can ask your doc for a script for Oxygen to abort the headaches..that might help with both kinds of headaches.

Also you can try ice or heat on your head.

you mentioned feeding your daugher....Are you nursing your daugher?

I'm really sorry you are so miserable...and i hope you get seen soon.
Pain free's for you!

Title: Re: Migraines? Cluster headaches? Both? &n
Post by SCVirus on Sep 30^th, 2007, 2:29pm

I've had a headache which i'd describe the exact same way. I started having them when I was a child. Originally I had both them and CHs, then the CHs stopped (5 years ago [hopefully permenently], around the time I went through chemotherapy, and puberty and I'm not sure if either, both or neither are at all related to the stopping of the CHs). I've had them vary from every few days (every day at the very beginning) to every few months since them. They last basically from the point I get them, to whenever I manage to lose conciousness and I wake up with a mild headache. When I first got these headaches they were almost as bad as a CH (I couldn't differentiate the two, except in that they were focused in slightly different spots, I just thought this was a more 'mild' version), but everytime i've gotten one they've become less severe, and I'm now able to continue to function during them.

They don't seem to fit the definition of any headache, and I'm too stupid to see a doctor about it (since the pain is now managable and the CHs are gone).

I too though these headaches were some form of migraine, until I acually got a migraine, which i would describe as a 'mild and dull pain' (although I'm sure that varies) in comparison.