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        New Message Board Archives >> Jul-Sep 2003 >> newbie ? residual HA's
        
(Message started by: DianeM on Aug 27^th, 2003, 9:02pm)

Title: newbie ? residual HA's
Post by DianeM on Aug 27^th, 2003, 9:02pm

HI Everyone,

I have been diagnosed with what the Neuro called combination CH and migraines. Frankly I don't think he has a clue. I have had Migraines before and these HA's don't feel like them. I have had them for years but just this spring they were worse and I decided that I needed to see a GP who suggested they might be CH. AFter researching this site and the cluster traits I decided to see a neuro and hence I have CH's. At least I know what they are and are not now.
Anyway they lasted for about 6 wks starting in April and that is when I normally get them although I think I have had CH's at other times of the year. They weren't that bad to begin with but they were bad in April.
So here is my question for you all. I seem to have a severe episode followed by what I call a residual HA. It is not severe pain but it is disruptive nonethelesss. Is this normal for some of you? It lasts for days sometimes and NOTHING stops it. I find it more disruptive than the CH. My CH have never been a 10, but maybe an 8 and mostly 4-6. I have been given Imitrex pill form and I was only given that at the end of the last cycle so I am not sure how it will work for me.
The neuro suggested putting me on something full time that would stop the cycles and it wasn't pred. I told him I didn't want to go on anything until next spring. Is there something that will stop them from happening or is he talking about a migraine med? Sorry can't remember what med is suggested.
Thanks in advance for any info you can help me with.

Title: Re: newbie ? residual HA's
Post by Hooter on Aug 27^th, 2003, 9:45pm

Dear Diane

Sorry you are suffering, and welcome to the board.

I am no doctor so I can't tell if you do have Ch or one of the mutant migraine syndromes which mimic CH. The only way to be sure is to very carefully examine the symptoms and characteristics, which you seem to have done.

I'm sure you will get a fuller answer soon than I can give, but I get CH and migraines as well. CH never lasts that long (mine are never longer than an hour) but migraine, if not treated properly can last for days. Before I got the right treatment I could get a migraine type headache for more than 24 hours.

It sounds like you need better medication to me, and that may mean juggling different ones depending what type of headache it is. I take Zomig for migraine, but this doesn't work for CH for me, so for this I use Imigran(Imitrex) and 02. The Imigran/trex tablets are not usually recommended as they are too slow. Nasal or injectable is better.

If you are being debilitated like this it sounds like you do need a preventive, but which one depends again on what you are trying to prevent, the CH or the migraine.
Verapimil is the main one for CH, but there are quite a few that work to prevent migraine but don't do diddly squat for CH e.g. Pizotifen.

Sorry this is long but it is a complicated one if you get both. For what its worth, I make a judgement about what type of headache it is in the first minute, if it is manageable (i.e. probably migraine or low level CH) I take the Zomig and follow up with the 02 if that doesn't work. If it kicks in VERY hard straight away, I use the Imigran, then follow it up with the 02 if I get another breathrough later.

You MUST NOT take two different Triptans together in the same time period though.

Wendy the Brit

Title: Re: newbie ? residual HA's
Post by cootie on Aug 27^th, 2003, 11:17pm

Hi DianeM......could that be what they call 'shadows' yer haveing inbetween ? Brad had an unusually lot of them this past episode......Pam that is good at shadow puppets

Title: Re: newbie ? residual HA's
Post by Hooter on Aug 28^th, 2003, 3:53am

Thanks Cootie, forgot that bit. Trouble is, I can't really tell the difference between some of my migraines and a CH shadow, but for me the treatment is the same-Zomig.

Title: Re: newbie ? residual HA's
Post by suzy617 on Aug 28^th, 2003, 5:21am

Last year my cycle started with about 3 weeks of shadows and overall ill feeling but I am usually able to control them by taking Advils every few hours. Its when the real ones come is when I drop the Advils and pick up the Imitrex.
I dont suffer from migraines but I would think that you could treat the shadows with the same meds you take for them.
Feel better,
Suzy