Posted by Barbara on November 13, 1998 at 16:41:40:
In Reply to: Re: Is it common for these to jump sides? posted by Jerry on November 09, 1998 at 02:44:42:
Let's see:
1) The "eye" cluster has been the only kind for the lat 4 years.
The shoulder and neck thing started this time. He has been to a chiropractor in the past but not recently as he feels that everytime he goes, the clusters start again. He has a disc on the back of his neck that even I can tell needs to be put back in place, but as I said, he won't go...
2)He says he has had several head injuries as a child and teenager, but wasn't specific...(ie: loss of conciousness?, dizziness, concussion etc. with any of them..)
3)When the shoulder and neck cluster start, yes they do eventually effect the eye on the same side, but he said the pain is slightly more generalized throughout his head, but just as intense as when it feels like someone is driving a hot poker into his eye. He finds the ones that start in the shoulder and neck are more difficult to tolerate even than the "eye" ones.
4) I don't think they cross over to a different side during that attack, but the next one is a 50/50 chance of which side and/or type it will start with.
5) His diet consists of mainly junk food, so high salt and cheese, little or no alcohol, usually no sweets and heavy smoker so high nicotine.
6) Normal water intake is zero, unless it comes in the form of Coke or Dr. Pepper which he drinks all day long.
7) Physical exercise, outside of heavy lifting, carrying and going up and down stairs at work, is none at home.
8) He has not recently been on antibiotics. (Not in probably 10 years)
9) Type of foods he hates: Very few actually but he won't eat Macaroni and Cheese, fish, chocolate, or ice cream usually.
10) Type of foods he loves: He's a meat and potatoes guy, with a terrible junk food diet (fairly high cholesterol, low BP luckily).
It'll be interesting to hear your assessment after getting the "facts" :) A few things are very obvious to me and him: He needs to improve his diet, quit smoking, drink more water, get more regular exercise and go to bed earlier. He has a tendency to spend alot of time of the computer at home, and often just sitting in that position or reclining on the couch can start a headache. He's very stubborn and will make the changes when he gets good and ready, but I think this cycle has at least kickstarted some positive plans, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Thanks and a painfree Friday the 13th to you :)
Barbara