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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> CH vs. Vasculitis!?!?
        
(Message started by: Kimberly on Dec 8^th, 2007, 12:01am)

Title: CH vs. Vasculitis!?!?
Post by Kimberly on Dec 8^th, 2007, 12:01am

Hi -- looking for some input here .. my neuro changed his skectchy diagnosis from probably CH to vasculitis. We were waiting on results from MRI and sedrate. MRI came back fine (other than deviated septum which I have ENT consult for now but neuro didn't care about.) Sedrate came back in the 90's. Neuro immediately sent me to neurosurgeon for Temporal Artery biopsy for vasculitis.

So on top of Topamax 2x/125mg; elavil 1x/150 mg; indacin 3x/50mg neuro added in prednisone @200mg daily for the vasculitis. Believe it or not, the pain has started to subside in the last few days. Nothing had been able to take the edge off the pain since it started on 9 November.

I dunno .. seems wierd to go from CH to vasculitis, doesn't it? Has this happened to anyone before?

Any feedback is great appreciated.
Kimberly.

Title: Re: CH vs. Vasculitis!?!?
Post by Bob_Johnson on Dec 8^th, 2007, 3:54am

A lesson to be learned for everyone: at times it's difficult for the docs to make a definitive Dx because the symptoms are a "mask" for the real underlying disorder.

There are a number of disorders which can show up in the form of a "cluster-like" headache. The key word is "-like": a headache which looks like CH but which arises from another condition.

That you have docs who are working thru the possible diagnostic leads is a source of impatience but also assurance that they are alert to the possibilites. Diagnosis by elimination of alternative possibilities is the way medicine operates.

Title: Re: CH vs. Vasculitis!?!?
Post by MJ on Dec 8^th, 2007, 4:35am

What Bob said.

As I understand it vasculitis is an immune system response where it begins to attack rather than defend and the 200mg steroid dose is enough to take over your immune system in a short time.

Theoretically it could have the similar effects of CH with inflamed vessel and nerve interaction.

Be prepared for some pudgy cheeks.

Title: Re: CH vs. Vasculitis!?!?
Post by Kimberly on Dec 8^th, 2007, 6:55am

Great...the cheeks were plenty pudgy already. :-/

Thanks for the follow-up.

Kimberly.

Title: Re: CH vs. Vasculitis!?!?
Post by E-Double on Dec 8^th, 2007, 7:37am

sorry for themoon face but better you find relief and an answer so you can gain control and move forward.

hugs