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Cluster headache and cancer

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#1 Thu, 02/02/2017 - 22:41
MarkShepley
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Last seen: 7 years 2 months ago
Joined: 26/02/2014 - 14:04

Cluster headache and cancer

Bit of a weird topic but having just been diagnosed with Lymphoma, I wondered if such a traumatic illness affects the outcome or indeed the pattern of cluster headache?

I am a 54 year old sufferer (since 1990). Bouts are getting longer for me (4 months) but remissions also getting longer (2 years +). I respond well to oxygen / imigran and eventually to Verapamil after it's built up enough in your system.

My cancer diagnosis is not great. It's a rare Lymphoma called Non Hodgkins Mantel cell. I'm already at Stage 3 and the prospect of a likely spell of chemo lasting 6 months doesn't thrill me. This particular cancer is rarely curable, you just suppress it but I guess it eventually wins.

I had a colleague who also suffered from cluster headache. He then got Guillane Barre Syndrome which was very serious and left a lasting impact on him, but he never suffered another cluster bout.........he was 64 when he was diagnosed with GBS.

So I wondered if anyone knew of similar instances where a more seriuos illness snuffed out the clusters?

I can't imagine suffering another bout in 2 or 3 years time which clashes with cancer treatment. It's unimaginable and really haunts me. To combat clusters, I've had to stay strong, fit and positive but I think I need all that to withstand the chemotherapy now (which would be repeated at variuos intervals to keep the lymphoma under control).

Life can be an utter bitch at times.

Fri, 03/02/2017 - 08:58
ElizabethK
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Last seen: 1 month 1 day ago
Joined: 26/02/2014 - 14:26

Hi Mark,

I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis.  Personally I have not come across a case of CH disappearing due to another major condition.  Have you told your Neurologist about your cancer? If not I would urge you to do so, and have a good discussion with them as to how you can prepare for your next bout.  Have you ever had nerve blocks?

take care

Liz

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