Posted by Jackie on October 13, 1998 at 22:08:35:
In Reply to: women and clusters posted by Annie on October 13, 1998 at 13:56:24:
With all due respect to your neurologist, I could
understand that she might not have seen many
female cluster patients. But if she hasn't heard
of many, she's not very knowledgeable about cluster
headaches. Yes, there's a higher incidence of
male cluster sufferers, but the ratio of male
to female sufferers is, I believe, 5 or 6 to 1.
That still leaves a lot of women with clusters.
Just read this message board, and you'll get the
drift. Also, I think that many women are misdiagnosed
as migraine sufferers rather than cluster patients.
That was the case with me, and this was from the
head neurologist at Scripps Clinic. So, I believe
the statistics aren't accurate.
I don't think the reason for a higher incidence of
clusters among men is known. I'm not bisexual, and
have never heard of that playing a role in this
illness.
If I were you, I'd seriously consider seeing another
neurologist who knows more about clusters--unless,
of course, your current one is helping you out.
Which I truly hope is the case. For instance, she
has told you about inhaling oxygen, I hope.
Take care,
Jackie