Severity levels or impostor syndrome?
Severity levels or impostor syndrome?
Hi Everyone.
I went to the doctors today as my headaches are getting worse.
I've suffered from the most horrendous stabbing pains in my left eye that nothing helps, I end up jamming my palm hard into my socket to try and relieve a pressure that feels like my eye might explode out of my head! I've even contemplated that it would probably feel better to simply scoop my eye out with a spoon..ahh the sweet relief!
The last month or so I've developed a droopy, red eyelid. Weepy eye. Weird nose sensation and a sore/tense jaw with and around my headaches.
My doctor believes I have CH (he himself is a sufferer), gave me Meds for when it occurs and directed me to you guys.
My question is:
Does this condition have severities? Not every headache developes into the stabby, stabby pain. Sometimes I have all other symptoms, my eye feels 5x bigger than it should, I'm irritable and in a fog. Is this still CH?
I've read this website and honestly I'm not sure if I'm petrified, don't belong here or I have imposter syndrome.
Any advice would be welcome. X
Thank-you for taking the time to read this.
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Hello
Welcome to OUCH. I am glad that your GP pointed you here. Cluster Headaches can feel like a lonely and isolating condition so I am pleased you have made contact.
I can only speak for myself, but not all of my attacks are the same ferocity. When this first happened, I kidded myself that there was a mix up and I really didn't have Cluster Headaches. I remember being nervous about my first contact with OUCH incase I was just being a weak wuss and the people here all had far worse headaches. Having done some reading I also didn't want to have CH as it sounded no fun at all and I worried about what it would mean for my quality of life/ work.
I don't mean to be glib at all, but with the right diagnosis and the right individual treatment it can be a manageable condition. Please ring the Advice Line and have a chat and also ask for a suggested Neurologist name for a local referral.
Take care and please do ring the Advice Line.
For me, the pain can really vary. On a scale of 1-10, I think of 1-3 as the ones I don't need to medicate and 10/10 as the really nasty ones. With the latter ones, my thoughts can turn a bit dark, weird and irrational in a "I must have done terrible things to deserve this" sort of way. In a typical episode most will be 6/10 or 7/10.
I wouldn't worry about how people here might perceive you but I'd strongly recommend getting advice (and solidarity) here and then fighting to get what you need including consultant appointments, access to enough/appropriate medication (for me, that would be adequate supplies of Sumatriptan injections) and so on.
Good luck.