Posted by Zoe on August 04, 1998 at 05:38:54:
I decided it's about time I tried to find the cause of these indescribably excrutiating headaches I've been suffering in the middle of the night for the past 18 months or so.
I'm 25 and fairly healthy, drink a fair amount of wine (a couple of glasses a night) but don't smoke. I am woken in the night, about every 2-3 months, by the most appalling pain I have ever experienced. I have to get out of bed as lying down seems to make it worse. I sit upright in the living room and feel the need to thump my hands against my temples to "punch out" the pain. Painkillers have no effect but after a period of an hour or 2, the pain subsides.
Do I suffer from cluster headaches? Should I see my doctor about this?
In addition to these night-time attacks, I have recently been suffering from a persistent headache. It's not as severe as the headaches in the night, but still painful and distracting. It's mainly a burning sensation behind the eyes with stiffness in my neck. This one started on Saturday and got worse on Sunday. Yesterday it wasn't so bad, but today it's got worse again. I can hardly bear to look at the screen, even though I have the brightness turned rignt down. I have felt really agitated too, like PMS.
I would really appreciate some advice. I'm so tired of saying "I've got another headache" and of hearing people say "maybe you need glasses".
Thank you.
Zoe