Posted by Sue on June 29, 1998 at 22:34:43:
I thank God for this site. It has helped me understand more about my husband's headaches. He is 44 years old and was diagnosed with chronic cluster headaches over 10 years ago. He has actually had this bout of headaches for the last 16 years. His first episode was when he was 9 years old. His second episode was when he was in his teens.
In addition to the headaches, he also has a reading problem where, if he reads for 10-15 minutes, he becomes neauseous a couple of hours later. He has had this problem for the last 14 years and has seen various doctors, chiropractors, opthomologists, optomitrists, neurologists, dentists, but still has the headaches and the reading problem.
One doctor told him not to worry about it and maybe it would go away! (He is currently seeing a neurologist.)
He takes amitryptoline, 25 mg each night before retiring. He also takes -- on a three-day rotating basis -- Ultram, Ecotrin and Sine-Off. The amitryptoline has reduced the level of pain and now he only has 3-4 bouts a day when the headache intensifies. Before the amitryptoline, he used to have a higher overall level of pain and 6-8 intense bouts daily and was eating 8 Excedrine a day. The only thing that really helps is Darvon, but doctors seem to be more worried that he might become addicted instead of worring about his living with constant pain.
I thank you all for the supportivness you show each other. It is truly heartwarming in this sometimes impersonal world!