Do I have CH
Do I have CH
I personally think I have CH however want the opinion of actual sufferers. BTW don't think my locum could diagnose a cold, so hence asking here.
For some history just want to state that I have suffered from Ocular initiated Migraines in the past that I can control as I get a trigger where I get wavy vision. These can occur at any time and if I catch them early (before I get tunnel vision) any tablets half decent, Nurofen Plus, Co-Codamol, etc will stop them, however if I don't they last for hours and I need to be in a dark room.
So with regard to CH, I am currently experiencing nightly headaches that occur at around 11.45pm every day for the past 15 days. These occur when I'm asleep and have the following symptoms, to which I will be a bit graphic.
1. I feel like someone from the SAW movies has created a special multi tipped drill that is being used on the left side of my scalp.
2. I also feel like someone is trying to extract my left eye with a set of salad forks.
3. I feel like my wisdom teeth, that have actually been removed, are forcing my jaw.
4. Noise in particular is a problem, particulary noises like my dog drinking water.
5. If, after the main pain has subsided, I lay down, the headache comes back. If I rest/sleep upright it doesn't.
To alleviate this in any way I find for some reason I have to put my head in my hands with pressure from my palms on my left eye socket, and rock back and forth like a baby (it's the motion that seems soothing, though at my age probably a rocking chair would be better than a crib!)
These tend to last for anywhere between 30 mins and an hour, and I don't know if my dose of 2 x co-codamol and 2 x nurofen plus, actually helps or not to alleviate it, however I won't not take them in case they are doing anything.
From a pain perspective they are far worse than the migraines I get, as my migraines are more of a thumping headache whereas this is very acute and intense. I've also had a hemmaroid op in the past, which afterwards, the act of having a motion was the worst pain I had ever experienced, and used that as my benchmark for 10 when asked my pain threshold. I've now donwgraded that to a 7 in comparison to this.
Other things that I notice is that my left eye is extremely red during the attacks. I don't rub my eyes, just put pressure on my eye socket, so don't think that is causing the redness.
My locum got me to have blood tests, etc, and they came back with high colestrol (I'm 52, drink, smoke and enjoy food, and have had high colestrol for years), and thought my blood pressure was high and that might be causing it.
Checked my blood pressure with a personal monitor, and during the day, typical reading is 120 over 80, a few spikes here and there with tops of say 140 over 95, so maybe some blood pressure issues, but not severe.
However when I have the headache at its worst though, I've done this twice, it was like 180 over 120. I put this down to my system being under duress.
So thoughts from actual sufferers as to whether or not you think I do have this or not.
Either way, for all of you that do suffer, if it's anything like I'm getting, I understand, if it's worse than what I'm getting, I really really feel sorry for you and hope you the best, as what I'm getting, I'd hate to think it could be worse.
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Hello grgardner
Welcome aboard! Sorry you are having such a bad time at the moment. Firstly I must tell you that we are not health professionals, we cannot diagnose or prescribe, but we do have a wealth of experience of cluster headache and some of the other TACs. You certainly seem to have a good few of the symptoms of cluster headache, but co-codamil and neurofen will not do anything for a CH attack. Rather, they may cause a medication induced headache. I suggest a couple of things, firstly - if you haven't already done so - take the 'Do I have cluster headache?' questionnaire. Second, call the helpline and talk to one of our volunteers; leave your name and number and one of our volunteers [all of whom are sufferers or supporters of sufferers] will call you back between 10.00 am and 2.00 pm, or a time you state in your message. I would also suggest you read this from the website, which details how and what treatment to get from your GP and also how to get a referral to a headache neuro: https://ouchuk.org/basics
Hope this helps! Happy to answer questions on the forum, but you'll get on much faster by talking to our helpline and asking all the questions you want.
Val.
Just wanted to update this with the fact I saw a decent doctor the other day and have been diagnosed with as suffering from Cluster Headaches. Am awaiting notification of my referal to a neurologist.
As for the headaches had 3 days of blissful sleep, to only wake today at around 11.45pm as usual with a whopper.
Tried the prescribed Sumatriptan for the first time, was told take 2 tabs, thought i'd try 1 to start, though needed the 2 to cut through it.
Interestingly enough I still feel like the headache is there though it's supressed not gone away, don't know if that's common.
Cheers
Hi again GR, sumatriptan tablets won't cut it for a CH attack. You need the imigran injections or the imigran nasal sprays, read this: https://ouchuk.org/basics and all will be explained. Hope the link works, if not, go to the tab marked cluster headache and a drop down menug will appear, click on the button marked 'The Basics' and you'll see what I mean. Glad you have a referral on the go, do you know who or which hospital it is to?
Val.