Cluster headaches
Discussion
I've been suffering from a headache for the last 5 days now. It goes through spells of immense pain to managable pain, but either way I want to get rid of it.
Over the course of those days I've taken various headache pain relief tablets, with no effect and even dosed up on Night Nurse last night. I felt fine this morning (if a little groggy) but now it's come back after 2 hours in the office.
The pain is on my right hand side behind my eye balls, it is much more comfortable with my eyes shut than open but neither are particularly pleasant.
Are there any cluster headache sufferers in PH land, how would you recommend dulling or getting rid of the pain.
Strangely, the headaches seem to worsen after a pint or 2, however, if I drink 4 or 5 pints I'm fine.
Over the course of those days I've taken various headache pain relief tablets, with no effect and even dosed up on Night Nurse last night. I felt fine this morning (if a little groggy) but now it's come back after 2 hours in the office.
The pain is on my right hand side behind my eye balls, it is much more comfortable with my eyes shut than open but neither are particularly pleasant.
Are there any cluster headache sufferers in PH land, how would you recommend dulling or getting rid of the pain.
Strangely, the headaches seem to worsen after a pint or 2, however, if I drink 4 or 5 pints I'm fine.
My sister-in-law was diagnosed with these earlier this year.
If they are what you have then meds from the docs is the best way, but it's a case of trial and error to get the right type and dosage to suit for optimisation. Think she's down to a mild attack every other day now.
She hasn't ever really exercised though, and I feel sure this would help. Are you fit? Do you do any cardio work outs?
Also, my brother kept a detailed journal of the attacks to see if he could establish if there was a trigger point from say, diet or something.
The worst ones occured around 4am, so the sleep pattern was disrupted, which seemed to compound the problem.
Hope things get better for you.
If they are what you have then meds from the docs is the best way, but it's a case of trial and error to get the right type and dosage to suit for optimisation. Think she's down to a mild attack every other day now.
She hasn't ever really exercised though, and I feel sure this would help. Are you fit? Do you do any cardio work outs?
Also, my brother kept a detailed journal of the attacks to see if he could establish if there was a trigger point from say, diet or something.
The worst ones occured around 4am, so the sleep pattern was disrupted, which seemed to compound the problem.
Hope things get better for you.
I'd say reasonably fit. I'm 6ft and weight 13st 8lbs. I cycle most days (4 miles) and have been doing hi intensity mile runs as well as playing football.
I wouldn't say my headaches are consistent but I've had 3 maybe 4 in the last year and it leaves me completely flat out. I think I am just about getting over this one.
I've got another check up at the docs but I've also been advised to visit an opticians as they can scan for brain tumours etc. It sounds extreme and a bit scary but it's better to be safe than sorry!
I wouldn't say my headaches are consistent but I've had 3 maybe 4 in the last year and it leaves me completely flat out. I think I am just about getting over this one.
I've got another check up at the docs but I've also been advised to visit an opticians as they can scan for brain tumours etc. It sounds extreme and a bit scary but it's better to be safe than sorry!
Edited by Republik on Monday 15th November 16:37
I am not sure how bad cluster headaches are, but I always thought they were very painful so never considered myself a sufferer
But I do get something like you describe, off and on headaches for about 3 days, going from quite painful to manageable pain on the 'off' bits
It's not the headaches that bother me, I can cope with that, it's the feeling they give me;
not hungry to very hungry instantly
totally wiped out- want to sleep for those three days- but it does go off a bit if I do light activities; ache everywhere; no energy
feel sick all the time- but not enough to do anything about it
no pills touch it
I'm on day 2 of one of them now- think this one was caused by a couple of small glasses of lovely port or a very late night
Last weekend I got one too (It's always on the weekends)
Whenever I diet- they go away, I'm getting to the stage where I need to go on another diet just to stop these happening, it's just so hard to stick at the diet
Usually when I diet I cut down on flour goods and milk goods and cut out all chocolate and sweeties/cakes; not sure if this helps you at all?
But I do get something like you describe, off and on headaches for about 3 days, going from quite painful to manageable pain on the 'off' bits
It's not the headaches that bother me, I can cope with that, it's the feeling they give me;
not hungry to very hungry instantly
totally wiped out- want to sleep for those three days- but it does go off a bit if I do light activities; ache everywhere; no energy
feel sick all the time- but not enough to do anything about it
no pills touch it
I'm on day 2 of one of them now- think this one was caused by a couple of small glasses of lovely port or a very late night
Last weekend I got one too (It's always on the weekends)
Whenever I diet- they go away, I'm getting to the stage where I need to go on another diet just to stop these happening, it's just so hard to stick at the diet
Usually when I diet I cut down on flour goods and milk goods and cut out all chocolate and sweeties/cakes; not sure if this helps you at all?
Sorry, pressed submit too soon
Good way of helping it at night is to wrap a cold wet towel around your head or put a cold wet flannel on your temples, it dulls the pain
Keep active- I presume it hurts whether you are doing stuff or relaxing?
Mine hurts no matter what I do, so I keep active- it more often than not disappears on Monday by midday- suppose my work environment is good for it
(Mine didn't go today though as I was short staffed and was running around like a headless chicken trying to get everything done in time- so it's just aggravated it )
Good way of helping it at night is to wrap a cold wet towel around your head or put a cold wet flannel on your temples, it dulls the pain
Keep active- I presume it hurts whether you are doing stuff or relaxing?
Mine hurts no matter what I do, so I keep active- it more often than not disappears on Monday by midday- suppose my work environment is good for it
(Mine didn't go today though as I was short staffed and was running around like a headless chicken trying to get everything done in time- so it's just aggravated it
)At the worst point my brother recorded 17 attacks in one weekend! I believe that as a result of the way the nerves work and are connected in your face and head that one set can trigger the trigeminal nerve off, and at one point she couldn't tolerate any cool outside air on her face for fear of setting an attack off. I wonder if your cycling in cold air might be a trigger?
Also, the sinus nerve runs very close to your teeth, and she's had a history of grinding her teeth in her sleep, which may well have aggravated things - at one point she was sleeping with a special gum shield to combat this. She also has a few unusual dental issues - she's always suffered with sensitive teeth and is one of twins, and has extra teeth, with her sister having fewer than normal! Perhaps a trip to the dentist for some advice, and who would carry out routine x-rays might be of help too.
Also, the sinus nerve runs very close to your teeth, and she's had a history of grinding her teeth in her sleep, which may well have aggravated things - at one point she was sleeping with a special gum shield to combat this. She also has a few unusual dental issues - she's always suffered with sensitive teeth and is one of twins, and has extra teeth, with her sister having fewer than normal! Perhaps a trip to the dentist for some advice, and who would carry out routine x-rays might be of help too.
I wouldn't be so sure that you are suffering from cluster headaches. Have you been to see a doctor? My step-father suffers from them on an annual basis. He gets them around June time and they last for about 8-10weeks. Cluster headaches are also known as suicide headaches. The pain is supposedly absolutely unbearable. I remember reading it's apparently the worse pain a human can experience. Alcohol and smoking are two of the best known triggers. Best form of pain relief for my step-father are steroids that you inject yourself with but you can only take these for a short period of time. Pure oxygen also apparently helps.
If you seriously suspect you are suffering from cluster headaches then go and see a doctor.
If you seriously suspect you are suffering from cluster headaches then go and see a doctor.
These are nasty, I got my 1st one in March 2008 when in Egypt, it lasted 5 days over my right eye and the Dr. there gave me some serious tablets to help, nothing helped so I eventually went to a backsteet chemist and bought some 800mg Ibuprofen, 2 tablets later it had gone, I now get them every march around the same date, some people can set their clock by them they are so consistent in how and when they come on, I've had scans and various other tests and there are no obvious signs of a trigger.....there are a real nightmare and best advice I can give is take a week off when they come on
Edited by taffyracer on Tuesday 16th November 08:58
I'm booked in to the doctors later today but typically the pain has disappeared.
I had a look on various website and even watched a few videos on YouTube last night, it seems I have the symptoms but they aren't very extreme. Is it possible to have mild cluster headaches? Believe me when they are in full swing they are damn painful, but nowhere near the amount of pain other people seem to suffer.
I had a look on various website and even watched a few videos on YouTube last night, it seems I have the symptoms but they aren't very extreme. Is it possible to have mild cluster headaches? Believe me when they are in full swing they are damn painful, but nowhere near the amount of pain other people seem to suffer.
Missdiane, yours sound like migraines to me, the sickness, lethargy etc. are very migraine like. I get big "proper" migraines where I can't get out of bed but also quite a lot of more minor ones where I can (sort of) function but feel like poo.
I also have TMJ/TMD and I've got an "appliance" (dentist speak) which is like a gumshield that allows the muscles around the jaw to relax overnight. I used to get headaches (not migraines) on a daily basis inter-spaced with migraines following a whiplash injury, I had physio which worked for around 24 hours each time but then I was back to normal. Lots of neck and back pain on a daily basis. Happened to mention it to my wonderful dentist who solved it overnight with the appliance. I thought she was barking made initially and just after more money from me, I had no pain in my jaw (other than when I get migraine pain in that area) but the appliance worked overnight and I now revert to getting headaches when it needs to be adjusted.
For anyone getting serial headaches, I'd definitely recommend a trip to a decent dentist. I can recommend mine in Bristol city centre if anyone locally wants a rec.
I also have TMJ/TMD and I've got an "appliance" (dentist speak) which is like a gumshield that allows the muscles around the jaw to relax overnight. I used to get headaches (not migraines) on a daily basis inter-spaced with migraines following a whiplash injury, I had physio which worked for around 24 hours each time but then I was back to normal. Lots of neck and back pain on a daily basis. Happened to mention it to my wonderful dentist who solved it overnight with the appliance. I thought she was barking made initially and just after more money from me, I had no pain in my jaw (other than when I get migraine pain in that area) but the appliance worked overnight and I now revert to getting headaches when it needs to be adjusted.
For anyone getting serial headaches, I'd definitely recommend a trip to a decent dentist. I can recommend mine in Bristol city centre if anyone locally wants a rec.
I'm another seasonal sufferer - spring and autumn. Doc thinks it might be something to do with the inclination of the sun. I certainly know of a couple of caribbean students who worked with us and had special glasses to help their issues with the angle of sunlight.
They don't last 5 days though. Shooting pains that last for perhaps a minute or two and then die down a bit, disappearing after about 30 mins. I'm susceptible for about 3 or 4 weeks at a time, get them a few times a day. The pain is staggering though - you just freeze with it. By the time I take anything, it's usually too late as the worst of the pain has already gone.
They don't last 5 days though. Shooting pains that last for perhaps a minute or two and then die down a bit, disappearing after about 30 mins. I'm susceptible for about 3 or 4 weeks at a time, get them a few times a day. The pain is staggering though - you just freeze with it. By the time I take anything, it's usually too late as the worst of the pain has already gone.
One other thing to consider is a rebound headache. I went through a patch last year when I had a headache every day for several weeks. Did some intensive Googling and came up with a solution, stop taking the tablets. I was getting a headache, taking tablets to kill it and in turn the tablets were giving me another headache. Took a couple of painful days to break the cycle but it was worth it.
Now I have to balance the risk of a headache turning into a migrane with the risk of a rebounder. Nice, but I haven't had a proper migrane in a month or so, typically they occur at a weekend so whether there is some link to work stress I don't know. My Dad also suffered from migranes but I don't think he's had one since retiring.
Now I have to balance the risk of a headache turning into a migrane with the risk of a rebounder. Nice, but I haven't had a proper migrane in a month or so, typically they occur at a weekend so whether there is some link to work stress I don't know. My Dad also suffered from migranes but I don't think he's had one since retiring.
My dentist made me a night shield but I couldn't get on with it, rebound headaches are common, i was in a spiral a few years back with Solpadeine, I now find sports massage works wonders, had a few bouts of whiplash over the last 2 years and struggle with neck and shoulder tension and it builds quickly with me, sports massage alleviated 60% of my headaches overnight, 35% of the aches I can cope with but the other 5% are crippling and I then chuck whatever I can down my throat to help them on their way!
alfa pint said:
I'm another seasonal sufferer - spring and autumn. Doc thinks it might be something to do with the inclination of the sun. I certainly know of a couple of caribbean students who worked with us and had special glasses to help their issues with the angle of sunlight.
Bright light definitely gives me migraines. The low sun in those months coupled with, say, a desk near a window could definitely be a contributory factor?alfa pint said:
They don't last 5 days though. Shooting pains that last for perhaps a minute or two and then die down a bit, disappearing after about 30 mins. I'm susceptible for about 3 or 4 weeks at a time, get them a few times a day. The pain is staggering though - you just freeze with it. By the time I take anything, it's usually too late as the worst of the pain has already gone.
This sounds like a typical cluster headache, I could get rid of them in 30 mins by some £15 a tab prescribed (can't remember name), once the adrenaline kicked in I felt like I was floating on a cloud..fortunatley they disappeared at 45 but I couldn't think of any worse intense pain that zaps you of energy over a period.Piglet said:
Missdiane, yours sound like migraines to me, the sickness, lethargy etc. are very migraine like. I get big "proper" migraines where I can't get out of bed but also quite a lot of more minor ones where I can (sort of) function but feel like poo.
Well I have always had like bigger painful heads which come on about 3pm or about 9pm, proper banging head, my pillow feels like a brick, light really hurts, I think that banging my head against the wall would be less painful- in fact I do recall a night when I banged it against the door frame once in a bid to bang it out, so I always thought these were my migraines and the other longer less painful ones were just a bad head,
I don't get what I used to know as a normal headache now- it's always one or the other as described before
The proper migraines I have down to a tee now and I can fall asleep quicker to get rid of it, usually only last a couple of hours now. I just frantically move about in bed to physically wear myself out so I fall asleep, usually when I wake up, the storm has passed and it's wonderfully quiet
Edited by missdiane on Tuesday 16th November 20:58
missdiane said:
Piglet said:
Missdiane, yours sound like migraines to me, the sickness, lethargy etc. are very migraine like. I get big "proper" migraines where I can't get out of bed but also quite a lot of more minor ones where I can (sort of) function but feel like poo.
I just frantically move about in bed to physically wear myself out so I fall asleep, usually when I wake up, the storm has passed and it's wonderfully quiet Edited by missdiane on Tuesday 16th November 20:58
It is definitely worth a visit to The City of London Migraine Clinic (www.migraineclinic.org.uk). Have a look at the website for more information but they are the only charitable headache/migraine clinic in the UK and won the 2010 Migraine Heroes Best Clinic 2010. You can call Rebecca on 02072513322 and she will answer any questions you have.
P.S. When waiting in reception ask Rebecca if you can see the Pistonheads/Car magazine in her draw.
P.S. When waiting in reception ask Rebecca if you can see the Pistonheads/Car magazine in her draw.
alfa pint said:
missdiane said:
Piglet said:
Missdiane, yours sound like migraines to me, the sickness, lethargy etc. are very migraine like. I get big "proper" migraines where I can't get out of bed but also quite a lot of more minor ones where I can (sort of) function but feel like poo.
I just frantically move about in bed to physically wear myself out so I fall asleep, usually when I wake up, the storm has passed and it's wonderfully quiet Edited by missdiane on Tuesday 16th November 20:58
alfa pint said:
missdiane said:
Piglet said:
Missdiane, yours sound like migraines to me, the sickness, lethargy etc. are very migraine like. I get big "proper" migraines where I can't get out of bed but also quite a lot of more minor ones where I can (sort of) function but feel like poo.
I just frantically move about in bed to physically wear myself out so I fall asleep, usually when I wake up, the storm has passed and it's wonderfully quiet Edited by missdiane on Tuesday 16th November 20:58
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