Posted by Jeff van Brunt on October 13, 1998 at 15:44:41:
I am now in my third year of suffering from cluster headaches. The first year it went undiagnosed and was treated with just pain pills etc. However, the doctors tried an Imitrex injection and that just made things worse.
I am atypical, or as my Nuro says, a tough nut to crack. When an episode hits me the pain never goes away. It just varies in intensity. 0 - 10 scale. Always at least a 3, shooting up to 10.
I have been treated with O2, high dosage during 8-10 level pain and consistent 2 lpm rest of time. Prednisone, Sansert, & Verapamil. I am on the Verapamil now.
This year's episode has now lasted since the first of August and is still continuing. The Nuro is giving it 5 more weeks before he calls it Chronic and he wants to put me on Lithium.
This year I had a two week period where I totally went numb on that side of my head as well as my arm and shoulder. In addition I lost some control of my arm in terms of funtion and strength. Finally, I also lost the ability to focus / concentrate and starting talking like a stroke victim. MRI was done with nothing found.
Has anyone else experienced this type of episode? My Nuro says that it was all my body reacting to intense pain.
What are the side affects of Lithium? I have heard some horror stories so I am curious.