Posted by Lee Rothrock (209.26.117.115) on January 11, 2000 at 19:19:02:
In Reply to: CLUSTER HEADACHES posted by Willie Garrett on April 12, 1998 at 04:15:42:
I am a 62-year young male that have had bouts with Cluster Headaches (CH). The symptoms I encountered were severe headaches in the right front part of my head behind the right eye. They were so severe that it would send me to my knees in a praying position next to my bed and sometimes to the point of crying. Sometimes a real hot shower would help for a short period. I had to quit drinking during the periods of CH.
I went to a Headache Clinic in Ft. Lauderdale Fl. and the prognosis was CH. It was found that the Blood pressure medicine that I was on was causing the CH's. I had my blood pressure medicine changed. I was also prescribed Lithium and a tank of Oxygen to breathe when the CH occurred.
They went away and came back 8 years later when we lived in Texas. I went to another Headache Clinic in Dallas, TX. I skipped the extensive tests that they put you through and the doctor went straight to the core of the problem. He took me off of Restoril, a sleep aid. The CH stopped and now they are back.
After 7 years they are back with force. I have been on the WEB researching the new medicine that I have been on for High blood pressure and other problems. I have read up on the web site http/www.MedicineNet.com for drug interactions. I discovered that one of my blood pressure medicines COVER-HS has a variable effect on the lithium levels in the blood. I will have to consult my doctor. I hate these CH's and feel very much sympathy for those of you that are experiencing CH's.
My suggestion would be to find the nearest Headache Clinic and make an appointment to have your pain diagnosed.
The best, Lee Rothrock (cleeo@gdi.net)