Posted by Robert (12.74.144.11) on January 09, 2002 at 19:32:29:
In Reply to: I have a question posted by Ike on January 09, 2002 at 17:24:55:
During a CH attack the blood vessels in your face swell and pinch the central nerve in your face. This nerve is attached to EVERYTHING on that side of your head and neck. You feel as if you have a toothache in every tooth, a hot poker in your eye, a knife twisting in your head, and your jaw in a vice grip. There is no pulsation (except when mine are about to vanish) and I know I can barely stagger around the house. If I'm driving when I get one I have to pull over and just roll around in the front seat. Nothing phases the pain. The only relief I get is from digging my fingernails into a couple of sensitive teeth I have to confuse my nerves. This doesn't actually lessen the pain it just spreads the pain out or confuses my pain receptors or something. I damn sure wouldn't want to get in a hot bath. I'd prefer rolling around in a few feet of snow. I purposely don't keep a gun in the house because I would probably use it. Have you looked into the possibility that you may have TMJ (jaw disorder)? TMJ can also be very nasty but the pain is different from CH. I really hate that you have headaches and you surely have my sympathy but it really doesn't sound like CH to me.