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Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Getting to Know Ya >> Hi from Eastern Canada http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1274376324 Message started by Mahosian on May 20th, 2010 at 1:25pm |
Title: Hi from Eastern Canada Post by Mahosian on May 20th, 2010 at 1:25pm
Hello fellow clusterheads (which I have recently read is what most of us refer to ourselves as),
I'm from Eastern Canada, and was "diagnosed" with cluster headaches about 1 month ago. I use quotation marks because all the doctors I have seen have suggested that it's likely cluster headaches, but all seem to have the common hope that it's something else more mild, which I ironically suspect is because that would be easier on their heads. I just turned 23, midway through my second-ever cluster, which is still ongoing. This cluster started mid-March, and, along with occasional irregularity, I get a 45-minute headache every morning that either wakes me from sleep or occurs very shortly after I awaken. The irregularities are: sometimes no headache at all - sometimes late in the evening in addition - sometimes at 1-2 a.m. in addition. I'm relieved that this forum exists - I have lots of family and friends that are quite supportive, but I think it would be good for me to connect with co-sufferers. I just have a couple of introductory questions, if anyone is reading this and wants to help a brother out. Is 22 a young age to first develop cluster headaches? Has anyone else developed them from a young age? Also, I was recently shown a collection of clips from some documentary about cluster headaches by one of my friends. I would call my headaches excruciating at the very least, but I don't tend to behave how everyone else depicted behaved. My question is - will future clusters likely increase in severity until I eventually reach that point? or is there discrepancy between how people react to a headache? I feel as though the way in which I react discredits the severity of the attack for my witnesses. Maybe this is a bit too long - thanks for reading, if you've gotten to this point now. |
Title: Re: Hi from Eastern Canada Post by shaggyparasol on May 20th, 2010 at 4:47pm
Hi Mahosian. Nope, not too young. A lot of people here started in their teens. 18 for me.
They don't have to get worse and people seem to have different reactions to the pain or different levels of pain. So the people on the videos may not look like you, they don't usually look like me. Also some people here go into a deep meditation when getting hit and say they sit perfectly still and work on their breathing. Since this is new for you, there are still some diagnostic questions. It may take several years to really fine tune everything. In the meantime see what works. Lots of techniques on this site. Keep reading and try stuff. The cluster portion of my life has been a disaster. BUT, if I knew at your age what I know now it would have been a big nuisance, not a disaster. So you are quite fortunate to be where you are right now! 8-) Good luck. --Shaggy |
Title: Re: Hi from Eastern Canada Post by Kat on May 20th, 2010 at 6:56pm
I am also new to this site and am a chronic sufferer of CH. I have varying degrees of pain throughout the day and react in different ways when the pain is out of control. Sometimes I hum to myself, don't know why, sometimes I cry, pound my head with ice, other times I pray, "take me away".
No matter how you react, I can tell you this, I know your pain is real! GL to you and may God bless you in a special way. |
Title: Re: Hi from Eastern Canada Post by Guiseppi on May 20th, 2010 at 10:50pm
I've never been a "run in circles and yell" CH'er. I'm the wrap my arms around my head, lay down on the bed and pump the invisible bicycle type. I also started at around 18, but it wasn't until later in life I realized that's what was happening. They started out being mild 45-90 minute headaches that really hurt and made my eye red!
As far as predicting what CH will do as you get older. It's just too un predictable to put forth the effort. The trick is to learn what works for you and always be ready to do battle. You need a good prevent med, the one you take every day to cut down the severity and frequency of your attacks, and a good abortive regimen, which will hopefull include oxygen. Welcome to the forum, hoping we can help ya! Joe |
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