Posted by Bob G on August 19, 1998 at 14:14:15:
In Reply to: Re: Thank you for your support... you are all a Godsend! posted by Cassandra on August 18, 1998 at 16:34:36:
Cassandra, Most of us cluster suffer'ers learn to "hide" the problem at first. We don't isist on it, we're forced into it. The reason is that doctors don't know anything about them, our families think we're crazy or just want attention, our friends think we're using it for an excuse not to see them and our employers think we're faking it and just want time off. Nobody will believe how bad it hurts or that a headache will disable a person. It's just easier to cope if we hide the problem. I think it would be best to tell your kids that grandma gets bad headaches and explain everything you know about them. Let the kids know how bad the clusters hurt grandma but there is nothing the kids can do until the pain is gone (except be quiet and leave grandma alone). Then they can be a great comfort with a hug. Children are very smart and caring. They're a lot smarter than most people will give them credit for. Just tell them the truth about what is happening and they will be ok. I raised 2 kids while having attacks
and now I have 3 grand daughters under 6 years old. They all know about my clusters and know what is ok and what is not during an attack. Trying to get your mother to "take care of yourself for a change" wouldn't help. She sounds like the type of person that must be busy and involved. Changing that could make things worse. Clusters are not, I repeat not, caused by work habits or life style. One more thing, you mentioned her GP. Tell her to get the GP to send her to a neurologist. Has she had an MRI and/or CAT scan yet?