Posted by MikeH (64.12.104.173) on May 04, 2001 at 14:32:40:
My world has changed around a little over the last week. I’ve had CH’s for about 15 years, the first 5 with the wrong diagnoses. Originally two different Doctors said it was sinus one of those wanted to operate Lucky for me the headaches stopped so I postponed the operation. Moved to where I live and a year later. Went to the doctor here and to prove I was smart, I tried to convince him I had a sinus infection he said maybe I did but sounded like cluster headaches to him. He sent me to a neurologist and he confirmed CH. Well I done a lot of medication Er-caf helps somewhat, O2 usually helps but sometimes it doesn’t even slow them down. GO figure.
About 3 years ago I noticed my headaches were less severe and not as many. I think I read that as you get older and have had CH’s for awhile they may in some cases slow down. Well I cant tell you how good I felt about that, and it was the only thing about getting old that was worth a sh-t.
Couple of weeks ago I felt the headaches coming on, ordered my oxygen and awaited another mild attack. While waiting I looked up clusters on Mayo clinic site to see if anyone has found a cure (not). Then searched and found this site. I took the Survey, read about different medications, read some letters (made me feel very sad), read some postings and realized there were lots of other people with this serious problem. I had never run into any people before with CH.
Most of the time you tell people you been disabled by headache they think you a wimp or a nut or something worse.
To make a long story no longer, my headaches this time are as bad as they ever have been. 3 to 6 a day 15min to 2 ½ hours. Last night my headache was so bad it left me a dull pain in my head to remind me of my last bout with the demon.
That’s about it, thanks for listening. Im thinking about asking the doctor for imitrex (spray cant handle Injections) and for Veraparmil (do you have to take even when not in cycle).
MikeH