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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Getting to Know Ya >> Hello
        
(Message started by: sogna on Feb 13^th, 2008, 2:27pm)

Title: Hello
Post by sogna on Feb 13^th, 2008, 2:27pm

Hi everyone,

I haven't been officially diagnosed yet with CH but some of the symptoms you've describe give me the shivers! :o

The first time it happened for me, a little over a year ago, I was at work. Out of the blue, my left eye began to throb and felt like it was going to burn out of the socket. The left nostril drained like crazy and my upper left jaw ached. After the first hour I felt like my head would explode. No meds helped. I held my head and paced like a caged animal. It lasted about 3 hrs. and left as quickly as it came. After it passed, I was literally exhausted and my skull even felt numb and tingly.

I have really bad sinus/allergy problems, so I thought that was the trouble; until I got another doozer the next day at the same time of day, same symptoms....I was miserable!

The headaches come on randomly but I have them for at least 1-3 days, then they go away for a while. I think they're triggered by a lack of sleep or after some major stress period. My latest episode was Sunday... :'(

I'm so glad I found you guys. I'll keep wading through the forum for more pointers and info, and get myself into the doctor. Enough is enough!

Sorry for my ramblings!
Sonia

Title: Re: Hello
Post by DennisM1045 on Feb 13^th, 2008, 2:53pm

Hi Sonia,

Welcome. Your symptoms sound like clusters. But I'm no doctor ;) Take the cluster quiz linked on the left panel. Then find a Doctor who will refer you to a Neurologist. You need a firm diagnosis.

The meds we take for CH can do more harm that good sometimes. There are many headache types and you want to make sure you're barking up the right tree.

Start keeping a headache diary. You'll want to record frequency, intensity, what you did to cope/medicate, how long it lasted and any other info you feel helps describe what's going on.

I truly hope you don't have CH. But if you do, you've found the right place.

Let us know how we can help...

-Dennis-

Title: Re: Hello
Post by Ray on Feb 13^th, 2008, 2:54pm

Dear Sogna:

I'm sorry you're suffering, but glad that you found us. There is a huge amount of information here. Feel free to ask us questions and read, read, read!

Wishing you well,

Ray

Title: Re: Hello
Post by sogna on Feb 13^th, 2008, 3:05pm

Thanks! I'll go take that quiz.... :)

Title: Re: Hello
Post by Linda_Howell on Feb 13^th, 2008, 6:52pm

There is much to read here. I like to suggest to newcomers that the more you know about this condition the better off you will be in talking to Dr.s We need to be our best advocate where CH is concerned because:

1. Dr.s only get 5 hours of training in medical school on HEADACHES. ALL types of headaches. Because of that many are reluctant to treat women for CH and insist it is a Migraine, or prescribe oxygen, and I could go on and on with examples similar to this.

2. If we are totally informed, then we can speak with confidence about our condition and save a lot of pain, time and money on things that aren't necessary. I can't tell you how many folks here had teeth pulled(healthy teeth) because of mis-information.

Title: Re: Hello
Post by jace77 on Feb 13^th, 2008, 7:21pm

on 02/13/08 at 18:52:15, Linda_Howell wrote:

I can't tell you how many folks here had teeth pulled(healthy teeth) because of mis-information.

very true, went through a root canal, then had it repeated, had the tooth pulled, treated for a dry socket then finally after a year or so diagnosed with CH, even though we specifically asked early on if this could be it and was referred back to the dentist

Title: Re: Hello
Post by sogna on Feb 14^th, 2008, 1:20pm

on 02/13/08 at 18:52:15, Linda_Howell wrote:

Thanks for the info Linda. Wow, 5 hrs on headaches.....that's disturbing. I'm definitely going to do my homework before seeing my GP. You're right, there's so much to read up on. I started my diary as of yesterday (I had another headache yesterday late afternoon... :() That's kinda scary when they want to start pulling teeth! :o

Btw: I recommended this site to a co-worker who has CH too. Hopefull she'll join in. ;)

Sonia

Title: Re: Hello
Post by LarryM on Mar 1^st, 2008, 12:55am

Sorry to hear about your pain. Went through three years of supposed sinus problems, doctor always blamed me for not finishing my course of antibiotics or not taking the accompying medications to dry my sinus's. Finally I asked him to a culture - which came back negative, oh idi he squirm. Had to be me.