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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Is this a Cluster Headache?
        
(Message started by: Chi08 on Apr 23^rd, 2008, 9:44pm)

Title: Is this a Cluster Headache?
Post by Chi08 on Apr 23^rd, 2008, 9:44pm

Hi - quick introduction, I am 25 and female, and to make matters complicated I have started getting migraines (often with blurry vision preceding it, or just blurry vision for a few minutes and no headache) this past year. Now I think I have developed cluster headaches.

This morning I woke up and when I put in my contacts my right eye felt very irritated. I took out the contact but it was the same. This same feeling of eye irritation happened a month or two ago but in the separate eye and not as bad. I put it back in because I couldn't find my glasses and all day the irritation continued, along with a red eye and a drooped eyelid (which also happened to a lesser extent a month or two ago and I didn't have time to research). My nose has been running, on the right side. I googled and seem to have the classic symptoms of cluster headache.

Except, the headache that developed this morning (after the eye symptoms started) has been with me on and off all day and is now fairly constant, but it is pretty dull, not the horrible headache I have been reading about.

To complicate things worse, I also had one of my aura-type blurry vision episodes that happened in the middle of the day today for 15 mins... it's been a while since I had one.

At home I found my glasses and took out my contacts, which actually made the eye irritation worse.

I have googled extensively and while I seem to have a cluster headache, the "headache" part doesn't seem to be as severe. The eye problems are actually worse for me.

Thanks for any input!

Title: Re: Is this a Cluster Headache?
Post by mezza on Apr 23^rd, 2008, 10:18pm

Welcome to this site-

Look to the left of this screen and take the cluster quiz to help you determine if you may have cluster headaches. You may want to revisit your doctor to discuss this with him as that is the only place an official diagnosis could come from-

It is hard to tell from what you describe whether you may have CH,- but i will tell you ch are very very painful and my pain is not dull pain but very sharp intense stabbing pain that lasts for 30-45 minutes on average if I didn't use an abortive. My eye does tear, nose doesn't run much ( but many folks indicate that their nose runs) can't lay down, I'm holding my head, pacing, sometimes crying - pain in my neck, inside of nose, my temple and brow line- Absolutely the most intense pain I have felt!!

Good luck to you

Title: Re: Is this a Cluster Headache?
Post by CostaRicaKris on Apr 23^rd, 2008, 10:19pm

My eyes aren't "irritated" as you describe. When I'm having an attack, it feels like my eye is being squeezed out of my head. It is definitely not a "dull" pain. Your description of the pain does not sound like CH to me.

Here is what an attack "looks" like

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAf_QFmTPkw

But no one here can diagnose you. I recommend you see your neurologist. Some of the other symptoms sound like CH, but they could be coincidence - hard to tell. CH is often misdiagnosed, when someone already has another type of headache, I imagine it becomes more complicated.

Good luck to you
~Kris

Title: Re: Is this a Cluster Headache?
Post by kevmd on Apr 23^rd, 2008, 10:40pm

hopefully you are one of the fortunate ones who do not have it. It does not sound like CH entirely. The on and off all day thing could possibly be shadows that we get. At this point i am not even sure if a neuologist would be able to diagnose it as CH. You may have too wait and see but I would see if a Neuro anyway as it could be anything

Title: Re: Is this a Cluster Headache?
Post by brewcrew on Apr 23^rd, 2008, 10:49pm

The visual symptoms you describe sound like they might be occular migraine. Try Googling occular migraine and see if it fits.

Title: Re: Is this a Cluster Headache?
Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on Apr 24^th, 2008, 3:44am

Cant hurt to get your eyes thoroughly checked out for general eye health as well as vision. Before i was diagnosed, I thought the headaches had to be an eye problem. I got a thorough exam, but my eye health was fine.
I would schedule the eye appt and schedule the neuro appt asap.

Title: Re: Is this a Cluster Headache?
Post by Giovanni on Apr 24^th, 2008, 5:16pm

Thank god it doesn't sound like a cluster headache to me. Brewcrew might be onto something. As others have said see your doctor ASAP.

Best of luck to you,

John

Title: Re: Is this a Cluster Headache?
Post by Peaches on Apr 25^th, 2008, 5:17am

Best to see a neurologist and eye physician as well just to be sure.

My cluster episodes do begin with eye irritation and profusely running sinus on one side.

One way to define a cluster headache as opposed to a migrane is this: A cluster "headache" isn't in your forehead or temples at all as the familiar headach is. For almost everyone the pains are one only one side of the face, the pain primarily occurs in the cheek/face, behind the eye, sometimes into the inner ear, down the side of the neck etc.
If you read the posts on this fantastic site you'll see all of the possible symptoms posted.

Hope you don't have CH migranes are enough to deal with.

Title: Re: Is this a Cluster Headache?
Post by starlight on Apr 26^th, 2008, 10:05pm

It doesn't sound like cluster headache--cluster headaches have a distinct beginning and end to the headache--yes there can be "hangovers" and "shadows"--but there are "episodes" of headache which don't seem to be a part of your symptons. And I thank God for that for you. Star