Posted by Penny on January 14, 1999 at 15:50:28:
In Reply to: women and CH posted by karen on January 14, 1999 at 10:36:16:
Well, I have both migraines (seemingly hormonal) and clusters. Both are terrible experiences but the one difference is that with a migraine I can get some relief by lying still in a dark room (currently I have Imitrex which seems to knock them out in 15 min) but with a cluster, the pain is so intense that I can't even imagine lying still! Migraines really, really hurt but the cluster seems to localize all its force in a much smaller and therefore much more intense area of pain. I always say it is like a very hot sharp poker going into that spot.
Hang in there as the others are telling you. Many of us are helped by oxygen therapy and Imitrex.
As far as differences between men and women sufferers, I was always told early on that more men than women suffer from clusters and more women suffer from migraines. But judging from this site, there are plenty of us women out here suffering right along. I don't know if anyone has ever studied if we suffer any differently than men! I think there is still alot to be learned...