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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2003 >> Another newbie seeking input, etc.
        
(Message started by: neds550 on Jan 23^rd, 2003, 7:05pm)

Title: Another newbie seeking input, etc.
Post by neds550 on Jan 23^rd, 2003, 7:05pm

I'm a long-time headache sufferer... "normal" ones when I was young, then "classical" migraines that began in my late 20s and seem to have tapered off in recent years (I'm about to turn 50), and now, for the past two weeks, my first cycle of what has clearly been cluster headache. These are far more painful than the migraines, but without any related side effects or symptoms, other than a slight tearing in the right eye. As awful as the migraines can be in terms of making me feel sick overall, this is much worse because of the sheer intensity of the pain... today, I had attacks at 1am, 4am and 7:30 am, the first time I've had them more than twice in 24 hours during this cycle.

In the past week, I've been at an ER and received a (clean) CAT Scan and a scrip for compazine (to get me relaxed, not for nausea, which I don't have), continued to have the headaches, been to my doc for some pain medicine (percoset pills -- good for calming me, but way too slow-acting), and today, to a neurologist. He's put me on a course of prednisone (60-40-20-10 mgs daily over 4 weeks), with nasal spray for the pain. Too soon to tell if it's gonna work... I'm a little worried about the side effects of the steriods, but if they help...

The neurologist has also ordered up a full MRI, as well as a carotid sonogram (to rule out any obvious vascular problems, presumably). Anyone had one of those, and have they shown anything in terms of underlying causes, etc.? Any other advice regarding diagnostic tests and the like? Just wondering...

My wife came across this site about a week ago, and, while I'm normally a skeptic and a non-joiner of these sorts of things, I've been utterly blown away by the degree to which the descriptions and comments I've read mirror my own (short-term, I hope) experiences.

So, anyone, what can you share? I'm generally not crazy about medication, though I'm willing to try just about anything for the pain...

Head hurtin' in the Philly 'burbs...

Title: Re: Another newbie seeking input, etc.
Post by suzy617 on Jan 23^rd, 2003, 8:21pm

Hi Nedds and welcome to the familly.

sorry you are having such a hard time with the beast. Your doctor seems to be on the ball, alot of them really suck and dont have much knowledge of CH.

Read everything you can on this site. I learned more in one day here then in the 21 years of dealing with CH. Lots of good stuff about meds and if you go over to the general message posts to say hi, more people will see your posts and respond to them.

Good luck to you and hope you are pain free soon,

suzy

Title: Re: Another newbie seeking input, etc.
Post by domm on Jan 23^rd, 2003, 8:36pm

neds - welcome. What's up with Philly? we've seen more folks from your area lately.... Anyway - in the next few days (or as much time as it takes to read and digest this website and the OUCH website) you will learn all about abortives, like oxygen, Imitrex and other triptans, and preventatives, such as verapamil.
Sorry you needed to find us, but you're in the right place.
PFDANs
domm

Title: Re: Another newbie seeking input, etc.
Post by jmorgan52 on Jan 24^th, 2003, 9:12am

Hi Neds

aren't all these tests very expensive? are they worth the cost? Especially if you have a long history of migraine. Why not get you doctor to prescribe imigran/imitrex injection and even take it under supervision to see if it has the desired effect of getting rid of the pain. If it works for you then its a safe bet you have ch. I guess if you want to put your mind at ease and have plenty of insurance or spare cash go for it, but it sounds like ch from your description. Do you get the pain on one side in the eye/temple area with the one nostril and eye red and watering. If so you almost certainly have ch. Save the insurance for the expensive meds.

I'm about the same age as you and had a lifetime of migraine and headaches. Only got the cluster headache name for the bastards back in about 1995. I was never able to get any relief until the Imitrex injection came along. The nasal spray is crap for me as it never worked nor did the tablet form. The Prednisone usually gives some relief for a few days until the effect wears off. You get a short holiday from the pain but then its back with a vengeance and more Pred does nothing.

As for tranquilisers I reckon steer away from them. They don't help. Many also believe relaxation triggers them anyway!

Hope you cycle breaks soon.
John

Title: Re: Another newbie seeking input, etc.
Post by jamie_h on Jan 24^th, 2003, 8:52pm

2 rounds of pred and verapamil helped break a recent cycle for me. Oxygen also helps me abort about 75% of the time. As you can read from all these messages, most CHer's get relief from one or more of the triptans. As for me, Maxalt melts are the only ones that I tried, simply because it was the first one prescribed by my doctor. Thank God it works every time for me! ;D I was blessed to find a good neuro in my state that specilizes in headaches.

Dont give up the fight! >:( >:(

Title: Re: Another newbie seeking input, etc.
Post by JDH on Jan 29^th, 2003, 1:41pm

Hi neds550,
If you're getting hit with CH's then this is the place to be. I've found more info. here than I have in 18+ years of dealing with different Dr's.
If you don't like using meds then try oxygen. It's clean with no side effects and it usually aborts my ha's in about 5 minutes or so.
Good luck and PFDAN's to you!