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Supporter's Corner >> Supporter's Corner >> I feel so helpless...
(Message started by: HeatherC on Apr 9th, 2003, 9:08am)

Title: I feel so helpless...
Post by HeatherC on Apr 9th, 2003, 9:08am
My husband who has been in nonstop intense pain for 6 days, just left for work holding his head as he stepped out the door. He was just diagnosed with CH yesterday after spending 2 days in the ER trying to figure out what is wrong. It seems like all the symptoms poin to CH- but why is his pain constant? Does this mean he is chronic??
He has peaks of intense pain, but there is always moderate pain. How do your loved ones function at work? We have a 11/2 year old that I stay home with so there is more pressure on him to have to go to work.
He has never suffered from headaches before and is normally such a fun loving guy, well the past week he has been like a zombie and I can't do anything to help him, I can't stop crying.

Title: Re: I feel so helpless...
Post by Margi on Apr 9th, 2003, 9:51am
Hi Heather,
I'm so sorry to hear your hubby is hurting.  No, continual pain is NOT a cluster symptom.  Cluster pain comes in attacks and there is pain freedom between them.  There are multiple attacks per day but most follow the Kip Scale of pain as mentioned in the button to the left.
What meds is he on?  It could be that meds are causing residual or rebound pain for him.  Cluster attacks will wake the sufferer from a deep sleep and the pain ramps up to unbearable strength.  Is this happening for him?  Do his pupils become different sized (from each other)?  Another classic symptom.
I'd sure be pushing for him to get an MRI and an appointment with a  cluster knowledgeable neuro if I were you.  There is a list of them at the OUCH website, under recommended doctors.
Hope this helps - best of luck to you both.  Whether it's cluster pain or not, it's still very hard for spouses/s.o's to watch and be powerless to help.  Be strong for him, lady



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