Hi guys, I found the boards a while back and finally got the courage to post, lame I know.
Anywhoo, I found the boards by just typing in a description of my headaches, and after reading some of the posts on here - like I read somewhere that ibuprofen does not help a CH -I'm not sure what's wrong with me.
I started having these headaches when I was 19, 5 years ago, I was lifting weights in my room and felt fine, went to bed, woke up and had the worst headache on the left side of my head, my eye felt like it was being yanked out and it felt like I had a trapped nerve in my neck or frozen shoulder or something.
So I went to see a aromatherapist to see if she could work the pain out of my neck -It did nothing.
Went to see the doctors, they said it might be because I was taking to many analgesics, which I was taking because of the pain.
He referred me to a neurologist and I had a scan which came up with nothing.
Now im babbling  ::)

Anyway, I hadn't been to the doctors about the headaches for a few years until recently. I find I can relieve the pain with analgesics -and this is a reason I don't think I suffer from CH any more, or do I?!  :-/
The doctor gave me  blood test, and it came back that I have an over-active thyroid, I don't know if this can be a reason for the headaches, after researching I haven't seen anyone make a link.

So I don't know what it is that's causing these headaches, I have the symptoms of a CH, pain on one side in the temple, the brow and the eye (the pain in the back and neck (I think?)), it comes and goes during the day.

they have been bearable for two years or so, but since I got back from University for the summer i've had one everyday :(
and i'm just fed up now  :'(

So I'm finally posting on here, and hoping that someone could shed some light on this :)

Holy crap this post is longer than I thought, sorry guys.

BTW my names Tom and i'm from the Uk.

Hi Tom

Have you tried the cluster quiz ( link to the left)

other than that may be you need to see your neurologist again . a clear scan is normal for ch they do them to rule out any thing more serious.

over the counter pain killers can work for mild attacks but they are usually too slow to be any help but just because you find thay do help doesn't mean they are not clusters. Try drinking a can of Red Bull or similar right at the start of an attack as quickly as you can it might just work better than pain killers.

there are many headache types that can mimic some of the symptoms of ch so seeing a neuro is important.

good luck and God bless

Nigel

Hello Tom. Sorry to hear you’re in pain. In my opinion you probably do not suffer cluster headaches. But, I’m not a doctor so don’t go by my word. Here’s why I think you do not suffer clusters…….you said they came on after lifting weights and later mentioned neck and back pain. Clusters may cause a little pain in the neck but not the back.You can relieve the pain with analgesics. Analgesics and/or pain killers don’t help with cluster pain. It sounds to me, again, only my opinion, like you have a pinched nerve.
Good news is you had a blood test and found an over-active thyroid. Not good you have that but good is was found. And you had a scan that found nothing. That’s what everybody hopes to find.

I have to agree with Bob. Take the quiz as suggested, but follow up with your drs. Yes, CHs involve the trigeminal nerve but that usually sends sharp, ice pick pains running felt in the eye, the nose and/or the jaw. The feeling of a nerve being trapped does sound like a pinched nerve (which can hurt like crazy) but maybe not a CH. Still, if you want, try the OTC preventatives mentioned around here and see if they help. Just don't overdo any of them. Sometimes lifters have a tendency to go too far in any one session. Don't let that carry over to your medical needs, OK? Blessings. lance

Hi Tom and welcome


Quote:

So I went to see a aromatherapist to see if she could work the pain out of my neck

How could aromatherapy possible help with pain in your neck???  Just asking.


Quote:

I read somewhere that ibuprofen does not help a CH

Quote:

I find I can relieve the pain with analgesics

If aspirin helps your headaches, then you do NOT have Cluster headaches.  I do not have to be a Doctor to know this is true.

I don't know if thyroid problems can cause headaches such as you describe but what did the doctor who took the blood test have to say to you?  I am curious now.  Please keep us updated Tom.