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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Clusters and Stroke 
        
(Message started by: Out0fTheMist on Nov 23^rd, 2005, 10:46am)

Title: Clusters and Stroke
Post by Out0fTheMist on Nov 23^rd, 2005, 10:46am

Hi all,
I am doing a research paper for one of my college classes on CH due to lol yours truly being a supporter of a CH sufferer. In the course of my research I found new research has now linked migraines to stroke. Since I know my hubby died from a massive stroke at age 42 and that he suffered CH's from the time he was 19 and that he began having mini strokes at age 35 that were caught on a MRI during a bad CH, I have no doubts CH and stroke are also linked. Now raising Sam alone and watching her go thru the same signs and symptons and knowing so many others deal with the beast, I had to pass the word. Not to scare anyone but to make your neurologist aware of this. Please push for testing on yourself. The thoughts of another family member going thru what Sam and I have is enough for me to push this issue. For anone who wants to know more on this new research find please check out About.com. Type in Migraines and stroke in the subject line and follow the links. Armed with info is better than being in the dark.
When David was in the middle of his MRI he got hit by an off the wall scale CH. During the test he had to lie still and the mini-stroke was caught in the process of the CH attack. How much more evidence do I need to link the two NONE. Please, Please make your neurologist aware of this research and the new evidence on Migraines linked to stroke. Any of us who suffer CH or even if you are a supporter of a CH loved one, check this out.
Blessings and love to all and wishing you all a pain free holiday.
Ruth [smiley=hug.gif]

Title: Re: Clusters and Stroke
Post by nani on Nov 23^rd, 2005, 11:23am

Hi Ruth, I remember reading your post about this some time ago. I'm still so sorry about your husband, and the fact that Sam has CH. Reading that back then led me to ask that question of Dr Rosen, our columnist for the OUCH newsletter, last month. Here is what he said:

Q: Does having cluster headache increase the risk of having a stroke or TIA?
A: The simple answer is no, having cluster headache does not seem to increase the risk of stroke. In fact, one possible risk factor for stroke seen in some patients with migraine (antiphospholipid antibodies) has been shown to be no more common in cluster headache sufferers than the general population. However, the area has not been extensively researched.
In the medical literature there are a number of case reports of severe, unilateral paroxysmal headache disorders being caused by a variety of intracranial lesions: Arteriovenous malformations, dissections of intracranial blood vessels and infarctions (strokes) of both the upper spinal cord and the brain stem. These are termed secondary headaches and suggest the need to obtain neuroimaging in any new onset severe headaches.
I should mention that cigarette smoking, extremely common in people with cluster headaches, is a significant stroke risk factor. While stopping smoking does not seem to affect cluster headache frequency, it can dramatically cut down the risk of emphysema, stroke, heart attack and cancer.

Dr Rosen is an Instructor of Neurology, Director of Fellowship Training Program, Co-Clerkship Director for Neurology Jefferson Headache Center
Philadelphia, PA

Submit your CH related medical questions to:
newsletter@ouch-us.org

I believe it's certainly worth our attention, and we should follow up with our own doctors. It appears that there has not been a lot of research into CH and stroke relation, but then that seems to be the case in any CH research, really. :-/

My best to you and Sam. She is always in my prayers.
pain free and happy holiday wishes to your home, nani

Title: Re: Clusters and Stroke
Post by Barry_T_Coles on Nov 24^th, 2005, 8:32pm

Hi Ruth

I just got back home from seing a Nuro and one of the things that they looked at in the MRI shots was signs of stroke, there wasn't any.

The only reason they looked for this is that I had passed out a couple of times for no reason and the Nuro explained that strokes wern't considered to be connected to CH.

Kind Regards
Barry

Title: Re: Clusters and Stroke
Post by rickyshot on Nov 25^th, 2005, 11:36am

I would be very interested in a study with those who only suffer from CH without migraines as to any link to stroke. I unfortunatly suffer both CH and complicated migraines and had a TIA a few years back. My neuro feels the TIA was linked to the migraines. Shit if there is any link to stroke with CH I have a double whammy sitting here.

Title: Re: Clusters and Stroke
Post by Jasmyn on Nov 26^th, 2005, 2:12am

Hi Ruth, it is really an interesting factor to consider and I hope more research are done soon on the subject.

Better to know the risk factors and always be alert.

Thanks Jas

Title: Re: Clusters and Stroke
Post by Out0fTheMist on Nov 26^th, 2005, 5:01pm

Hi all,
I know there is not much research into CH's much less the link to strokes. The very fact that I know my hubby had a mini stroke during a CH attack while undergoing an MRI gives me enough suspision to challenge everyone to check into it. I also know neuro's deny the link even though I saw the evidence! Since I now have a 16 year old going thru the "beast" I will keep challenging the neuros and anyone researching this. It's worth the fight. Samantha also suffers mirgraines so it makes me double cautious to check each doc/neuro/specialist that sees her.
My blessings and love to each of you and thank you for checking with your neuro's.
I just thought it's better to know and fight than not know. The CH's are bad enough. I hope I did not upset or offend anyone, it was not my intension.
Blessings all
Ruth [smiley=hug.gif]

Title: Re: Clusters and Stroke
Post by aims on Nov 29^th, 2005, 3:10pm

hi ruth,

i myself have strong suspisions on this subject, in 2001 i had a double aneurism, a main artery in my brain burst (not once but twice) and i should not had survived it, which is a severe stroke, which involed 2 7 hour operations. I was a severe migrain sufferer since the age of 14 and could never get proper medical help, since 2001 my health has declined and I now have severe cluster attacks and I swear it is because of my stroke, I have constant photophobia and have to even wear shades in side and cluster attacks which last for months, I am in the process of waiting for an appointment with another nerologist and I am hoping this time they well do a mri scan even thou they may refuse as I have 3 titanium clips in my head and I have been told that with them a mri scan is of a high risk factor due to the clips and magnetic field of mri.

I hope with all my heart that ur daughter will not turn out to be one of us, will think of u often, take care.

aims (kiwi )

Title: Re: Clusters and Stroke
Post by Kate in Oz on Nov 29^th, 2005, 8:08pm

Hi Ruth,

I was searching online the other night for info relating to CH and came across quite a bit about the link between migrane and stroke - but nothing about CH. I don't have the links right here right now but could look them up for you if your interested.

Kate

Title: Re: Clusters and Stroke
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Nov 29^th, 2005, 8:17pm

Hi Ruth,

Keep us up-to-date on your continued research.

I have never worried about stroke from CHA's since vasodialation is usually the cause of pressure along the trigeminal nerve. I worry more about the effects of Tryptans and the possibility of strokes, since Trex causes vasoconstriction.

Of course, I always worry a little, since I'm hypertensive (medicine controlled). Keep researching - every little bit of new info is welcome here.

Kris

Title: Re: Clusters and Stroke
Post by Out0fTheMist on Nov 30^th, 2005, 4:11pm

Hi all,
Kiwi,
Sam is already one of you and has been since she began school. Thank you for the support. As far as your strokes, I know they say there is no link but after seeing David's link I know that is false. My best to you and you are in my prayers. Recovery from stroke is really hard and knowing you also have to fight the beast my heart goes out to you. You are in my prayers.

Kate, Thank you for offering the research links, I have been keeping a close eye on it just because I hope another researcher will start looking into CH and stroke links. I turned in my research paper ( darn C lol) I couldn't get enough info on CH for the research part and was a page short. LOL I am learning not to sweat the small stuff.

Kris and everyone else, thank you also for the support. I am so glad I found this site. Knowing that there are others who suffer the beast and being able to share not only info with each other but also just having a support system of others who listen, all I can say is Thank you, Thank you , Thank you.
Blessings and love to all!
Ruth [smiley=hug.gif]