Posted by Cathy (24.95.189.21) on July 30, 1999 at 11:23:18:
In Reply to: The pain of migraine V cluster migraine posted by Jayne on July 30, 1999 at 08:59:55:
Jayne:
I experience both types of HAs and cannot, repeat, CANNOT compare the two types of pain. The discomfort is very different as is the way I react to each "affliction".
MIGRAINE: Usually only on one side of the head; behind the eye; pain travels down into the nasal area causing stuffiness; can't apply the Kip Scale to the pain...the pain can be, what I consider, mild to moderate; it is not a severe pain, as clusters are; it is, however, VERY annoying; my eye sometimes waters; my nose usually runs; I don't cry due to the pain; I will cry, however, because it is debilitating to me; I can't handle any kind of noise; light makes it worse; I get very sick to my stomach and always vomit; I need to sleep it off, usually with one hand covering the side of the head that hurts; I CAN sleep with a migraine; it usually lasts 2 to 3 days, without any kind of intervention from medication (i.e., Imitrex); I have missed work due to the migraines; I can't function; stress seems to be a key factor in my migraines, along with my period;
CLUSTERS: pain on one side of the head, always right side for me; I get a stuffy nose along with pain that travels from behind my eye, down through my jaw, into my teeth and gums; occassionally, even my ear has hurt; the pain is excruciating---like someone sticking a red-hot poker into your eye and twisting it around and around for a few hours, with no let up; the Kip Scale describes the levels to a "t"; however, even at a 2 or 3, the pain is very different than a migraine; I cannot sit down with a cluster; I cannot relax or try to sleep; I always cry because of the pain; I have done many things from scream, hit, punch, pace, rock, etc., but never am I able to sit still (this is NOT saying that others can't sit still, tho'); the ch lasts for anywhere from 45 minutes to a few hours; when it is over, I am very tired and weak; need to rest--but only when the ch is completely gone; I do not get sick to my stomach, altho' some have stated they do; I get violent and very loud; noise and light have no effect on the ch;
Now, as to whether I would rather have a migraine or a cluster???? I truly can't answer that. With Imitrex I can abort either kind quickly, so I don't care in that instance. Without the Imitrex, however, a migraine with moderate pain that puts me in bed for 3 days....or a cluster with SEVERE pain that lasts for 3 hours. I still don't know which I would prefer. Knowing the cluster will be gone relatively quickly, you'd think I'd pick the cluster. But, the pain is SO intense that I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. If the migraine is only "moderate" pain compared to a ch, then why not pick the migraine? Because of the "side effects" of the migraine and the fact I am "out of order" for 2 to 3 days.
I have actually had a migraine and a cluster at the same time. That confused my body to the point I had to go to the ER. Do I lay down? Do I pace? Why am I puking? I just wanted to curl up in a ball and hide in a dark hole. Never wanted to die---have never been to that point---I won't allow that to happen. My head chopped off, yes, but never suicide.
I hope this has helped you.