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        New Message Board Archives >> Oct-Dec 2003 >> Clusters and Tumors
        
(Message started by: Dhark on Nov 17^th, 2003, 9:24am)

Title: Clusters and Tumors
Post by Dhark on Nov 17^th, 2003, 9:24am

I'm a 31 yr old mother of 2 girls who has suffered from CH since the age of 6. Back in May of this year I was found unconsious beside my car and taken to a local hospital where I remaind in comma for 3 days. During this time the doctor ran a CT and an MRI where he found a growth on my left frontal lobe. When I came to he questioned me as to if I have ever had any head trauma as a child, which I had not. I told him as a child I suffered from headaches and nose bleeds often but that was it. He asked if I ever had a CT or MRI done as a kid I told him no. From what the several doctors I am now seeing say I have had this tumor in my head for some time probably since the age of 5 or 6, it would grow a little then go into remission it has been doing this for the last 25 years only now its not going into remission. The tumor is growing at a rate of 10% per month and is slightly larger then a golf ball right now. My cluster headaches are up to 5 or more a day with medication only easing them but not getting rid of them. I am on 9 different medications 4 of which are for the cluster headaches. Along with suffering from CH I am also manic-depressive, PTSD, OCD, disassociated with feelings (this is a personality disorder) and a cutter.

The cluster headaches make it really hard to work on my other disorders especially with them happening so frequently. The medications I have to take for the headachs make it hard to be a parent to my girls and I am a single mother, I try my best to suffer through but most times I just have to break down and take the medicine. The girls are understanding but its not fair to them.

Anyway I just needed to vent I suppose. Thanks for listening.
Dhark

Title: Re: Clusters and Tumors
Post by floridian on Nov 17^th, 2003, 9:48am

Sorry to hear about your problem. I can only pray that now that the tumor has been discovered, some effective treatment can be directed at that and you improve.

Title: Re: Clusters and Tumors
Post by drnoe on Nov 17^th, 2003, 10:00am

Hi Dhark, welcome
Your poor aching head! I'm sorry you have SO much on your plate.
This place is good for venting and sharing and maybe there are some friendly clusterheads in your area.
Tumors are something we've all worried about and there's probably some info here on them. I'm sure your experiences would be valuable to others.
Hope for the best
Dan

Title: Re: Clusters and Tumors
Post by Jimmy_B on Nov 17^th, 2003, 10:01am

Good Post on why it is so very important to get an MRI of the head, even when you are showing classic Cluster Headache symptoms.

It's good to be sure.

Good Luck Dhark & Welcome Aboard...

Jim

Title: Re: Clusters and Tumors
Post by ckelly181 on Nov 17^th, 2003, 10:06am

Hey dhark,

I'm so very sorry about your situation. I have a good friend who has Dissociative Identity Disorder, fibromyalgia, PTSD, and a number of other health problems. If you ever need a sympathetic ear from someone who is in similar straits, email or IM me and I can get you in touch with her.

She's a great supporter, even with all the stuff she goes through. She knows because she's been there and she loves to help people.

Hang in...

Chris

Title: Re: Clusters and Tumors
Post by taraann on Nov 17^th, 2003, 12:02pm

Hi Dhark so sorry to hear of all the H*ll You are going through right now! What medications do they have you on. And what do they plan to do about your tumor? I also suffered from PTSD a few years ago but am living a "normal" life now and have none of those awful symptoms anymore and haven't needed any of those "PTSD drugs" for almost 2 yrs now. It must be so hard suffering all of that and caring for your kids too (I also have young kids) If you ever need to vent or just talk feel free to email me or IM me anytime (all that contact info is on my profile)

Hey Chris, I also have fibromyalgia, diagnosed with that at age 15, but thankfully that isn't as vicious as it used to be, seems as though since my first pregnancy I rarely have any major pain from the FM that bothers me anymore! So sorry to hear your friend has it so tough. (btw amitryptyline was great for me at bedtime when I was younger, it helped me sleep through the night, instead of tossing and turning trying to get comfortable)

Title: Re: Clusters and Tumors
Post by Lori on Nov 17^th, 2003, 12:06pm

I'm so sorry you have SO much to deal with! It's bad enough having the pain of CH to deal with, but you have so much more and being a single Mom. BUT I believe that you are on the road to finding help now, so just take one day at a time, ok? Can the tumor be removed? If so, do they say that will stop the headaches? Vent away and let us know how you are doing. If you need to talk privately, feel free to email me.