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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Getting to Know Ya >> hi
        
(Message started by: wanna_swap_brains on Feb 2^nd, 2008, 2:22pm)

Title: hi
Post by wanna_swap_brains on Feb 2^nd, 2008, 2:22pm

hi all,heres my situation. had the worst headache of my life in mid november 2007,it felt like my left eye was being pulled out of my head,i ended up in a&e for 6 hours on a drip with an oxygen mask on.2 weeks later same pain in left eye 4 nights on the trot,was given sumitriptan tabs and co-codamol by doc,didnt work.2 weeks later 4 nights on the trot again,was given zollmatriptan melts and ibuprofen off doc,didnt work.was given beta blockers to block my "migraine" 2weeks later same thing, always at night thoe.then a different doc put me on tegretol(epilepsy tabs)which i had to stop taking coz of the side effects.i have also been put on anti depressants to stop my depression?? whilst at the docs she was on a "migraine"website seeking advice on how to treat my "migraine"when she clicked on a link for cluster headaches,BINGO.this time she made an appointment for mri scan and neurologist,she also gave me rizatriptan and diclofenac which also dont work.thanks for reading this. stuart p.s got so many questions that need answering and finally found somewhere to get the answers.

Title: Re: hi
Post by DennisM1045 on Feb 2^nd, 2008, 2:44pm

Hi Stuart! Welcome to the nut house. I'm glad you found us but I'm sorry you had to. You are certainly in the right place to find answers.

What works best for me is 100% Oxygen at 15lpm flow rate with a non-rebreather mask. I often back this up by knocking back an energy drink. Whatever is on sale is good so long as it has high Taurine content. Strong coffee works too.

O2 therapy can knock out a CH in 10-20 minutes for me. Faster for some.

If O2 fails me I fall back on Sumatriptan injections. They are a bit of a ride but knock the beast out double quick.

You'll also need to look into a preventative medication. I haven't found my magic bullet yet but I'm still working.

Here is are some links to the latest treatment guidelines:

http://www.plainboard.com/ch/chtherapy.pdf
http://www.efns.org/files/guideline_49.pdf

Here is a link to the Oxygen info at OUCH-US:

http://www.ouch-us.org/medications/oxygen/o2links.htm

OUCH-US is a great place for info too.

Again, welcome...

-Dennis-

Title: Re: hi
Post by wanna_swap_brains on Feb 2^nd, 2008, 2:51pm

thanks dennis,quick question for you,why do i get headaches (not the one in the eye)of varied strength and length up to 50 times a day,is this normal ??? cheers stuart

Title: Re: hi
Post by Linda_Howell on Feb 2^nd, 2008, 3:13pm

Welcome,

First of all you wouldn't want to swap brains with me, I'm chronic. lol

Read this below as a guide about your other HA.

From the IHS International Classification Of Headache Disorders 2nd Edition

SUNCT:

Diagnostic criteria:
A. At least 20 attacks fulfilling criteria B–D
B. Attacks of unilateral orbital, supraorbital or temporal
stabbing or pulsating pain lasting 5–240 seconds
C. Pain is accompanied by ipsilateral conjunctival
injection and lacrimation
D. Attacks occur with a frequency from 3 to 200 per
day
E. Not attributed to another disorder

----------
Paroxysmal Hemicranias:

Diagnostic criteria:
A. At least 20 attacks fulfilling criteria B–D
B. Attacks of severe unilateral orbital, supraorbital or temporal pain lasting 2–30 minutes
C. Headache is accompanied by at least one of the following:
1. ipsilateral conjunctival injection and/or lacrimation
2. ipsilateral nasal congestion and/or rhinorrhoea
3. ipsilateral eyelid oedema
4. ipsilateral forehead and facial sweating
5. ipsilateral miosis and/or ptosis
D. Attacks have a frequency above 5 per day for more than half of the time, although periods with lower frequency may occur
E. Attacks are prevented completely by therapeutic
doses of indomethacin
F. Not attributed to another disorder

There is an O.U.C.H website button to the left of here. There is a wealth of information for you to read and educate yourself about there. We're all here to answer any questions you may have, so don't hesitate.

Linda

Title: Re: hi
Post by DragonSlayer on Feb 2^nd, 2008, 4:43pm

Hi wanna_swap_brains, Welcome to this nut house as was previously mentioned.
I think you are looking in the wrong donor pool for that procedure LOL ;;D most here would be standing in line in front of you if they thought it could work.
There is alot of good knowledge to be absorbed here, keep reading.
PFDAN wishes

Title: Re: hi
Post by wanna_swap_brains on Feb 3^rd, 2008, 1:18pm

thanks all,very helpful info much appreciated.

Title: Re: hi
Post by GrandPotentate on Feb 8^th, 2008, 10:45pm

I'll gladly swap during the month of May! I'm cyclic, and do my best to make up for lost time and will need my brain back for July-March. Weird. eh?

Migraine meds won't do squat for CH. Been there, done that, got loopy, still hurt a lot. But I did quit smoking and didn't notice.

O2 has been good for me. Read up, and discuss with your doc.

Title: Re: hi
Post by Tr1n1ty on Feb 15^th, 2008, 8:52am

wanna swap brains,
great user name and probably explains how we all feel!

ive been on the ibuprofen path and all the others that dont work but soon to get something that will help (o2) and hopefully imitrex (next week) pfd til then i pray!

Title: Re: hi
Post by kcopelin on Feb 15^th, 2008, 10:00pm

I asked Santa for a new hypothalumus.....didn't get it. :'( got flannel jammies instead.
Welcome and sorry you had to find us, but glad you did.
Read on.
hang in there.

kathy

Title: Re: hi
Post by Tr1n1ty on Feb 18^th, 2008, 11:50am

[quote author=kcopelin]I asked Santa for a new hypothalumus.....didn't get it. :'( got flannel jammies instead.
kathy
[/quote]

I want flannel jammies oooh so snug!!!