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Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Getting to Know Ya >> Can anyone help, plsss! http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1270498458 Message started by chrisn24 on Apr 5th, 2010 at 4:14pm |
Title: Can anyone help, plsss! Post by chrisn24 on Apr 5th, 2010 at 4:14pm
Hi,
Thanks for taking the time to read and reply if you can in advance. Im in my mid 30's, I do have somewhat of a stressful life, career wise, but I don't believe what I have is stress related only. Here's my dilema. As far as I can remember, I have mild headaches on a regular basis, I would say on average once a month. Most of the time, I can already blame myself for the headache because I either slept late, didnt eat well or bad sleeping habits while Im sleeping, such as arching my neck, back, etc... When I have these headaches, they normally last from 1 to 4 hours as I can endure the pain and if I really want to get rid of it quickly, I either take a nap or take an aspirin, tylenol or panadol. I don't consume alcohol during the week and most of my headaches occur on weekdays, not weekends, so I know the pain isn't from a hangover but I do smoke and often times I feel when I have a headache in the morning, I remember that I smoked a little too much the night before (but again no alcohol), so I blame it on smoking. However, 6 days ago, I suffered from an unbearable headache which I can only describe as a huge amount of pain on the right side of my head, around the temple area, and felt very sensitive behind my right eye. To the point where if I pressed lightly on my eye lid towards the back of my head, it actually provided me with a little relief, but the head pain was still there. As I normally do for all headaches, I tried to go to sleep, this time I took two panadols, put a cold towel on my right eye and over my forehead, and the result was nothing, just pain, pain and more pain. Finally at some point I managed to fall asleep in the early hours of the morning. The pain stayed with me the whole day but not as strong as it was in the evening and early hours. At mid day, the pain came back strong, so I went to the pharmacy on my way home. The pharmacist recommended Excedrin or Voltaren but both were out of stock, so she gave me Advil. I took two and the excruciating pain has never returned since, but.... Now the pain comes and goes, from the right side to the left side, not strong pain though, but enough to remind me that its there. The same with the eye pain, it now sometimes happens on the right and at times on the left. When I compare the past week to my past headaches, this is very unsual not only because the pain is overwhelming but because its not pain all around the head, but only on either sides and most of the time combined with behind the eye pain. Am I suffering from cluster headaches? Is there anything I can do at this stage just to self-diagnose myself until I can pin-point and say yes I suffer from cluster headaches or should I be rushing to the hospital and expect the worst? Thank you again for those who take the time to reply. |
Title: Re: Can anyone help, plsss! Post by chrisn24 on Apr 5th, 2010 at 4:41pm
Hi,
Thanks for the prompt response and recommendation. Will do the needful as far as sourcing the right specialist. Unfortunately the list provided through the links will be of no use to me as I live in Middle East where healthcare is not at its best nor is it easy to find specialty care as I am use to in the states or canada but will have to try and find one before my next trip back home in a few months... Thanks again, much appreciate it! |
Title: Re: Can anyone help, plsss! Post by shaggyparasol on Apr 5th, 2010 at 7:14pm
Hey Chrisn. I agree with BobJ. I am no expert, but have had clusters for 25 years and read a lot of people's stories on this site.
If I were you I would find a headache specialist and figure out what type of medication, foods, techniques alleviate the pain. You don't sound like a typical clusterhead to me. If you think you are, between now and the appointment read more on this site and see if our pain techniques alleviate your pain. People use caffeine or red bull fairly successfully, lots written here about it. Maybe a doc can prescribe oxygen as noted all throughout this site. Aspirin, ibuprofen not so good for most of us. Hope you are not one of us and hope you find out what it is. --Shaggy |
Title: Re: Can anyone help, plsss! Post by neuropath on Apr 5th, 2010 at 10:10pm
Hi Chris,
As Bob mentioned, it can take some time for hallmark symptoms of CH to crystalize. In the meantime (hoping that it isn't CH), I would keep a detailed diary of your headaches, become conscious of any triggers and do some more reading on this site. If it is CH, this is the site to understand all about it and to get prepared for an appointment with a qualified neurologist, or better still, a headache specialist. Good luck. |
Title: Re: Can anyone help, plsss! Post by chrisn24 on Apr 6th, 2010 at 7:40am
Hi Bob, Shaggy and Neuropath,
Thanks very much for your assistance and advice. Ill try all the options made available to me and see where that leads. Sure I hope its not CH but at the same time, I hope its not something worse either! Thanks again! Regards Chris |
Title: Re: Can anyone help, plsss! Post by chrisn24 on Apr 6th, 2010 at 2:48pm
Thanks Bob,
Now the pain alternates from the right to left temple and also pain behind the left eye, not just the right like it did a week ago. The pain is nowhere near last Tuesday, not on the temple nor behind the eye, but its there... Its annoying more than anything else... Will continue to read through information on this till I find the right specialist. Will update profile as well! Thanks again! |
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