suicide headaches...

[TrailerTrash]

actually cluster headaches. I've read lots of information on this after finally being told from a good neurologist that this is actually what I've got, and not the sinus headaches that my PCP thought I've been dealing with for at least the past 6-8 years. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find anything about what dr's think causes this - I've read and heard from my dr that it could be something with a nerve in your head and a major blood vessel and also something about the hypothalamus and seratonin levels. There are times where the pain is just so excruciating - why some people call them suicide headaches, because it is so bad at times that it actually drives some people to go this far to get rid of it.

Do you know anything else about this? I'm trying to find out all the information I can about it.

... look what i just done said ...

[DarkHippie]

Topamax, my friend. It balances seratonin levels and is often used to combat severe headaches (as well as seizures and bi-polar syndrome)

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[Bob Impact]

(as well as seizures and bi-polar syndrome)
I get Cluster Headaches and i'm Bi-Polar. They've gotten better since I started my Lithium-Haldol treatment. My Doc also mentioned that smoking doesn't help in the slightest, although anyone who's gotten one of these headaces before understands that A) the LAST thing you want to do is get up and smoke and B) exactly how often you contemplate suicide with one of these headaches.

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[The Chairman]

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[HordeKing1]

Cluster Headaches - (Shakes Head). That absolutely sucks. My mom suffers from them and she describes the pain as the worst she's ever experienced including birth. Much much worse than a migraine.

It's really crucial that your doctor is competent in diagnosing and treating this condition. It's hard to diagnose, hard to treat and often misdiagnosed.

That being said, the exact etiology of cluster headaches is unknown, but it appears to be physiological. There is speculation that it's a variant of a migrane, only much more severe.

The most common treatment options include medication, such as "veraprimil" or a better, more efffective one (I don't recall the name) that can only be taken by those who don't have hypertension.

My mom uses an oxygen tank during an attack and she says it provides some relief.

Although I'm very skeptical about herbal remedies, some have reported that "Cayenne" helps them.

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[Bob Impact]

Just to add to what Horde King said, some people do find medication helpful, but it's very difficult to find the right one, there are a great many options available but each one works for a small number of those affected. These medications include, but are not limited to, Maxalt, Cafergot, Lithium, Hot or Cold water, Imitrex(in Pill, Injection or Nasal spray form) <a href="www.clusterheadaches.com" target="_blank">clusterheadaches.com</a> has a full list of the remedies as well as the percent of it's members that these remedies have helped. Most research indicates that Imitrex injections and Lithium work the best, and indeed, when i went on Li for other problems my fall cycle was not nearly as bad as usual, Herbal and over the counter treatments have been widely discredited as having any merit in the treatment of Cluster Headaches.

While Seratonin levels have not been ruled out as a factor in Cluster Headaches, they are not as big of a factor as they are in Migranes, although some research points to the contrary on this point.

I just started my spring cycle of headaches this week (the reason i'm up right now, one just ended at 11:45, and i'm expecting the next around 1AM) and i've found that the water treatment detailed on clusterheadace.com is working quite well for me, I started it today, and my headache was moderately severe, probably around a 5 or a 6 on the richter scale when it should have been at least an 8. I've also noticed that having a partner who is understanding of your plight helps a LOT, Mrs. Impact, God love her, is always on standby with a bat just in case I want my head caved in.

I've also found that when I get one bad enough to send me to the ER Imitrex injections help a LOT, but the pills and nasal spray do nothing, I've also noticed that Maxalt helped in the past, but have been advised against taking it and the Lithium concurrently.

Here's hoping I make it through the night with all of my hair in my head and a Mrs Impact who isn't willing to smash my head in for me!

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This message was edited by Bob Impact on 3-5-03 @ 1:00 AM

[TrailerTrash]

I just wanted to say thanks - especially to Bob. I've heard of Topamax as well as all the meds that were listed. I'm currently taking the verapamil and imitrex nasal combo - but I see the neuro in 3 weeks and I'm going to ask about the imitrex injections and even o2 therapy.

I've read lots of stuff on the clusterheadaches.com website and it is all very helpful. I think I'll stick around there for a bit and see what happens.

Regarding ER visits.. I give tons of credit to the people with CH that go to them. After some of the horror stories I've read, I don't think I'll be going there, I'll just deal with it myself - it's not like they can do anything really really fast or better anyway.

... look what i just done said ...

[Bob Impact]

I've taken two trips to the ER during the two worst attacks I ever had, to get the Imitrex injection, they usually try to get you in as quickly as possible to avoid the scene that takes place in the waiting room, I remember on my first trip I was in the waiting room sitting in a chair and uncounciously slamming my head into the wall behind me so hard I ended up cutting the back of my head open, they let me right in after that. The other time I had my girlfriend at the time drive me there with my head and shoulders out of the car window the entire way. God what bad memories.

Incidentally, I was up until around 4AM last night with a mild one, it seems the water treatment is doing a little good for me.

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Thanks, FlufferNutter and CZM! - <a href="http://bobimpact.coolfreepage.com/">Ron and Fez Drop Archive</a>
My Head is Bloody but unbowed.
Ron and Fez live in NYC or the real nightmare begins.</center>

[HordeKing1]

The big problem with ER visits and cluster headaches is that if it's so bad you have to go, you're not able to drive yourself, and can't communicate what's going on.

Worse though, is that most doctors are not competent to diagnose and treat this condition. I've heard some pretty horrific stories about CH and ER's. If you just need oxygen, which is helpful to many people with CH, and you have a friend to drive you and tell someone about it, the ER can be helpful.

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