Posted by Stephen on November 11, 1998 at 00:38:54:
In Reply to: Re: sinus posted by Jackie on November 10, 1998 at 22:11:07:
Thanks for your replies. I have had these headaches for about five years (every six months for three or four weeks at a time). Always on the right side of my head, lasting about 45 minutes each time. And (I don't have to tell any of you this) it's excruciating. At first I feared all sort of illnesses ("My God, a brain tumor!") but the doctors all assumed sinusitis. I suppose they all diagnosed this because the pain is in a typical sinus area. However, they all ignored the fact that I had none of the other usual symptoms of sinusitis (mucus build-up, congestion, etc). I visited six or seven doctors, and always got the same answer. As soon as I described my symptoms, I could see the word "sinusitis" light up in their eyes. And so on I went, looking for a doctor who might listen. I recently described my situation to a medical friend, who suggested Cluster Headaches. I went to the Internet, and presto! Here was this site describing my condition exactly! What a relief to find this place. Armed with the info I have found here, I will look for a doctor who will listen. (Now I have a few code words such as "migranous neuralgia" to throw around, the doctors might pay attention. Specialists really perk up when you use a few words in their own language.)
Thanks again for your thoughts. I will stay in touch,
Stephen.