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        New Message Board Archives >> Jan-Mar 2003 >> I am a female with Cluster headaches!
        
(Message started by: Vetap on Feb 26^th, 2003, 1:02am)

Title: I am a female with Cluster headaches!
Post by Vetap on Feb 26^th, 2003, 1:02am

Hi.
I am a female with cluster headaches. I heard this was more common with men.
Any info will be apreciated.
I am new to this website.
A friend just told me about it.
OK.
Thanks.
v

Title: Re: I am a female with Cluster headaches!
Post by Ted on Feb 26^th, 2003, 1:08am

What more info are you looking for?

Title: Re: I am a female with Cluster headaches!
Post by parrothead on Feb 26^th, 2003, 1:46am

Welcome Vetap,

Although, most information you read about CH and most doctors you talk to will tell that CH is more common in men. There are many, many women with CH on this site, and it seems to me, just as many women as men.

This site is teeming with folks with an abundance of information. Including but not limited to Roxy, Suzy, Catlind, Cootie, Jonny, Marty, Mark, and Ueli (wow that rhymes). The point is there is an absolute wealth of knowledge here. All you have to do is ask specific questions and you will indeed get an answer. Like you everyone here is a clusterhead.

The tabs to the left will also provide you with much information. I would suggest starting there.

Welcome Aboard,
Parrothead-Mark

Title: Re: I am a female with Cluster headaches!
Post by suzy617 on Feb 26^th, 2003, 2:51am

Hi Vetap and welcome.
I wish it wasnt true that women dont have CH but unfortunetly, not true.
Tell us more about yourself such as, do you take meds, what do you take and as Mark says, read all you can in here. There is so much info here that you can learn more in one day then years of Dr's telling you blah, blah, blah.
Take care,
suzy

Title: Re: I am a female with Cluster headaches!
Post by Charlie on Feb 26^th, 2003, 4:43am

Welcome to the fold Vetap. They're right that there is a wealth of information here and good things to help manage this horror. Tell us more and stick around. Here are two things I think every clusterhead should be aware of. One is a letter which is the best we have that explains CH to employers, friends and family. Simon encourages people to print it.

http://www.ouch-uk.org/ch/note_colleagues.cfm

Here is my old neurologist's technique that I and others find very useful:

Dr. Wright's Circulatory Technique

This is not transcendental meditation, imagery, relaxation, or anything psychic. It's entirely physical and takes a lot of work and concentration. Give this method a good workout. It’s not a miracle, but it’s been helpful to many.

When I was diagnosed, my neurologist said to treat this as a vascular problem. I was told to concentrate on “redirecting” blood circulation in order to retard flow to the head. This is done by trying to “send” blood into the arms and hands or other extremities. When properly done, your hands will become warm and redder with increased circulation. I also found it easier to concentrate on one hand.

This relieves just slightly, the pressure on the affected vessel, which indirectly causes our pain. We all have this ability but it can be exhausting. I was often able shorten my attacks from about half an hour to no more than a few minutes. Sometimes, when awake, I could entirely abort the attack IF I KEPT AT IT. Often, I would suffer only minor discomfort instead of excruciating pain. Do not stop just because your hands are warm or redder. Keep this up until you are sure it's subsided. If you let up or lose concentration, it’s very hard to restart this process. It may take some time but when this works, the relief is almost immediate.

I learned this from the doctor in a few minutes. He simply told me to try to keep blood away from the head. He thought it easiest to concentrate on the arms and hands but any place that works for you is fine. He said to think of it as "filling your hands" with redirected blood. It’s important to keep at it THROUGH the pain. This will be difficult, but it’s the only way this technique will work. Don’t let up until you are sure the attack has ended.

This will not always work, but I think it will always have at least some effect on the severity and duration of the attacks. It can be useful between medications or while waiting for some other drug to take effect. All it takes is a little practice. It was fairly easy to learn and what I'm writing here is more than I got from the doctor, as I've drawn from my own experience.

When awakened in horrible pain, it’s very hard to focus, but I think it’s always worth a try. This costs nothing but hard work, is harmless, non-invasive, and it gives us a fighting chance.

I wish you the best of luck - Charlie Strand

Title: Re: I am a female with Cluster headaches!
Post by NotH20 on Feb 26^th, 2003, 8:28am

Vetap - count me in as one of the female sufferers!! I've had these CH's since I was 15 years old >:(

Tell us more about yourself and your situation and let us know how we can help you.

Mia

Title: Re: I am a female with Cluster headaches!
Post by Bob P on Feb 26^th, 2003, 9:05am

Yes. Male clusterheads outnumber female about 3 or 4 to 1. Here is a page tht has a few articles on it:

http://www.clusterheadaches.org/library/general/index.htm

Title: Re: I am a female with Cluster headaches!
Post by Roxy on Feb 26^th, 2003, 9:29am

Hi Vetap...glad you found us.....and welcome. :)

You are right, the women here are a little outnumbered by the men...but, that's okay....they are all good guys. What info are you looking for? Most of the answers you're seeking can be found by clicking all the buttons to your left, and reading.

Tell us a little about yourself....we will help you in anyway we can.

Tracey

Title: Re: I am a female with Cluster headaches!
Post by echo on Feb 26^th, 2003, 9:32am

Welcome Vetap. You'll find volumes of information available here on the board either through documentation or member knowledge. Information / education regarding CH is power. The more power a sufferer has the less likely that sufferer will become jusy a passive victim in treatment options.

Stick around, join in, vent, support, educate.

Title: Re: I am a female with Cluster headaches!
Post by Mark C on Feb 26^th, 2003, 10:05am

Finally....we found something we are better at than women! :o ;D

Welcome to the board! I will attach a favorite link o' mine to help with requested info.....

http://www.clusterheadaches.org/library/general/index.htm

http://www.drfeller.com/Mark/01/gifs/welcome01.gif

PFDAN's
Mark

Title: Re: I am a female with Cluster headaches!
Post by cootie on Feb 26^th, 2003, 10:15am

Hi Vetap...read what ya need....ask for the rest ! Pam

Title: Re: I am a female with Cluster headaches!
Post by CHILDINSIDE on Feb 26^th, 2003, 10:06pm

;D ??? HEY VETAP,
I KNOW THAT THERE IS A LOT OF INFO HERE, BUT ALL WONDERFUL. TAKE YOUR TIME, AND WRITE DOWN QUESTIONS. WE WILL ALL BE HERE TO HELP. GIVE US A LITTLE BACKGROUND ON YOUR SELF. (I AM CCH MYSELF). WHEN WERE YOU DX, AND WHAT DID YOUR NEURO SAY?
HANG IN THERE, AND GOOD LUCK ;)

Title: Re: I am a female with Cluster headaches!
Post by alikat on Mar 2^nd, 2003, 10:14am

Hi
I heard the same thing. In fact I read that only about 15% of the female population suffered from them. I am a newby as well. It was nice though to find a place of support. In any case, we all suffer from the same horrifying problem. Was more scary mot knowing what the problem was, and not knowing how to treat it. Good luck, and feel better ;).