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Topic: How many of us are women in the 40s (Read 489 times) |
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ellenjoanne2003
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How many of us are women in the 40s
« on: Jul 17th, 2005, 12:33am » |
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I have a question. From what I've read, and what my doctor told me. Most cluster headache sufferers are men. Those of us who are women, typically don't begin to suffer from cluster headaches, until they are in their 60s.
I'm a 41 year old woman, and I've suffered from cluster headaches for the past 5 1/2 years. What are the percentages for women who suffer from these at my age (I first got them at age 36)? Also, are there any in this group, or am I just an oddity?
Ellen
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Kevin_M
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Re: How many of us are women in the 40s
« Reply #1 on: Jul 17th, 2005, 1:03am » |
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on Jul 17th, 2005, 12:33am, ellenjoanne2003 wrote:| I have a question. From what I've read, and what my doctor told me. Most cluster headache sufferers are men. Those of us who are women, typically don't begin to suffer from cluster headaches, until they are in their 60s. |
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You'll find that the men thing is old information, and the "not until the 60's" well contradicted on this board.
Quote:| I'm a 41 year old woman, and I've suffered from cluster headaches for the past 5 1/2 years. What are the percentages for women who suffer from these at my age (I first got them at age 36)? Also, are there any in this group, or am I just an oddity? |
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Oddity having clusters, yes. On this board, no.
Don't be surprised at the variety of ages that CH affects women, or anyone. When it comes, it comes, no age requirement.
Glad you're more prepared now. Welcome. Pull up a chair.
Kevin M
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| « Last Edit: Jul 17th, 2005, 1:08am by Kevin_M » |
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RichardN
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Re: How many of us are women in the 40s
« Reply #2 on: Jul 17th, 2005, 1:10am » |
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Hi Ellenjoanne and Welcome
Boy are you getting ready to meet some other "oddities" . . . . that's my guess anyway. It's my guess that as doctors become more familiar with CH and more women are (properly) diagnosed, the percentage will come closer to 50/50.
Came close to walking out of a doctor's office a 15 mos ago (NOT a ha specialist) when after seeing cluster headaches on my chart replied, "oh, it's very rare for men to have clusters" . . . . . that's the only time I've heard THAT. He has proved to be excellent in his specialty, and will know a lot more about clusters before I leave his care.
Be Safe, PFDANs
Richard
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don
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Re: How many of us are women in the 40s
« Reply #3 on: Jul 17th, 2005, 7:39am » |
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Only on week ends.
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KMT
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Re: How many of us are women in the 40s
« Reply #4 on: Jul 17th, 2005, 1:49pm » |
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27 yof  & might be chronic, 8 mo. now. 
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GlendaB
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Re: How many of us are women in the 40s
« Reply #5 on: Jul 17th, 2005, 4:27pm » |
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42 yof, had clusters since I was 16.
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Glenda
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Kiwiinoz58
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Re: How many of us are women in the 40s
« Reply #6 on: Jul 17th, 2005, 4:44pm » |
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Methinks noone here is an oddity because none of us follows any "rules" soooooo we all fit in real well 
I'm female, 58, had classic migrains since 14 yrs old and got the first CH 15 mths ago.
Cheers,
Jacqs
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Kris_in_SJ
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Re: How many of us are women in the 40s
« Reply #7 on: Jul 17th, 2005, 9:00pm » |
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Hi Ellen,
Welcome to the family! Things are a little quiet this weekend because of the big cluster convention. Otherwise, you'd probably get a long earful of great histories and advice.
I can tell you, that I never had a headache in my life (except those minor tension things) until I turned 41.
That's when I had my first cycle. I was convinced I had a brain tumor, but went 10 weeks without a diagnosis from my opthamologist, neurologist and GP. I was PF for 4 years when the second cycle hit at the age of 45. Once again ... GP to neurologist ... MRI, CAT Scans all negative. The magic answer and the ultimate diagnosis came from my headache diary and an immediate, positive response from Imitriex injections. The neurologist called them "premenopausal cluster migraines." My own research uncovered the fact that there is NO SUCH THING! I had Cluster Headache Syndrome!
I guess I was so happy to have a diagnosis, I had no idea I should be upset by having cluster syndrome.
3 more PF years and I got hit with my third cycle last year. However, I had been reading and researching and convinced my GP to work with me. High dose Verapamil, a Prednisone taper and Trex injections kept my cycle to a bearable 6 weeks. I'm still reading, collecting info on standard and alternative treatments and will be ready to face the next cycle when it comes.
This is a very long way to say .... "Yes - women do get clusters, and Yes - they can start in your 40's.
This is a great place to learn and receive support - as well as give it. Please PM or email anytime you need to. The light is always on.
Hugs,
Kris
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ellenjoanne2003
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Re: How many of us are women in the 40s
« Reply #8 on: Jul 28th, 2005, 10:37pm » |
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Thanks for the kind words.  I don't feel so alone now. I'm sorry I took so long to reply, I've been kind of busy.
My last major attack was on the night of July 4 (a kip 10 that lasted for 3 hours, and made me cry like a baby). I saw my doctor (a board certified headache specialist, who has treated other cluster sufferers) on July 7. The Melatonin, and Verapamil really made a difference. I have only had 3 or 4 minor attacks (about kip 5 or less), that easily controllable with over the counter migraine pain relievers. The nice thing, is that I haven't had any attacks at night (don't you just love the way they wake you up out of a sound sleep?). The last attack was about 1 1/2 weeks ago. I think I'm done with this episode (it lasted about 5 weeks). I hope I don't have to deal with my usual November episode since I had one this summer (which was the case,when I last had a summertime episode [in 2000]).
Hugs,
Ellen
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kimmeesue
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Re: How many of us are women in the 40s
« Reply #9 on: Jul 29th, 2005, 2:50am » |
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47 yo female...first episode age 25...lasted three months. Didn't return for15 years then remained episodic for about 4 years...have been chronic for three years now.
You are most definitely not alone.
Kim
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brainfreeze
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Re: How many of us are women in the 40s
« Reply #10 on: Jul 29th, 2005, 1:27pm » |
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I'm 43 and was diagnosed when I was 27. It was chronic for 1 year and now is episodic. I heard about the men/women ratio thing too. And it took some time to convince my neuro I am a women with these. Now he just shakes his head in utter disbelief.
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Susan
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Sandy_C
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Re: How many of us are women in the 40s
« Reply #11 on: Jul 29th, 2005, 3:14pm » |
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Im 59 year old female with first Ch bout in 1999, at the ripe old age of 54. I think I could be classified as one of those "oddities".
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Kirk
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Re: How many of us are women in the 40s
« Reply #12 on: Jul 30th, 2005, 2:56am » |
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None of the wonderful supportive women I have met on this board in the last six years are oddities.
Pretty damned weired sometimes but not any odder than the rest of us 
Please stick around they are wonderfull help. 
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Smurf
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Re: How many of us are women in the 40s
« Reply #13 on: Aug 15th, 2005, 5:04pm » |
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[/b]on Jul 17th, 2005, 1:49pm, Kim Y. wrote:| 27 yof & might be chronic, 8 mo. now. |
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Hey Kim,
I'm 43 and the CH's started when I was 23. About 15 years ago, I did have one dr say it was [b][/i]IMPOSSIBLE[i] for me to have clusters, because I was a woman (I laughed at her, told her she shouldn't be a dr and walked out without paying the bill).
Just the other day, my NEW neuro said it was rare for women, but I was one of the minority. I told him to brush up on his info and to check this site out (if he knows what a computer is) I DO also suffer migraines once in a while, but I can usually stop them ahead of time because I get the "aura" or squiggly vision. Migraines are way different - yes they hurt - but they are waaaaay different than CH). I'd take a 3-day migraine over a cluster cycle anyday, but that's just me knowing how they both feel. So, in summation:
BS on the over 60 crap.
BS on the men more than women crap. My Mom is 72 and has had these all her adult life, as did her Dad. I think it is more genetic than anything. I heard mostly Western European and Americans (because a lot of us came from Western Europeans). I, for example, am 100% Irish descent.
P.S. I've never had children, and had to have a histerectemy last year because of fibroid tumors - Thank God I don't have those cramps with the clusters like I use to - wow that was bad!!!!
Sorry so long - had to vent a little I guess - whew feel better.
Smurf
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Sandy_C
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Re: How many of us are women in the 40s
« Reply #14 on: Aug 15th, 2005, 6:52pm » |
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59 year old female, first cluster episode at 53. Go figure.
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Robyn
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Re: How many of us are women in the 40s
« Reply #15 on: Aug 20th, 2005, 4:44am » |
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I am 43 and have been getting episodic CH for about 10 years. I have learn't not to worry to much about statistics. My daughter has a disability and we were told that 5% of children suffer from it and 1% of that 5% are girls. My daughter just reckons that our ancestors gave us bad genes. We have decided that we are not statistics we are just us!! 
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Kiwiinoz58
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Re: How many of us are women in the 40s
« Reply #16 on: Aug 20th, 2005, 6:51pm » |
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I'm 58, joined the CH ranks 18 months ago and was chronic straight up.
"We are not alone" is the truest statement, just look at all of us oddities on here
Cheers,
Jacqs
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We are here for a good time not a long time. Time then to think outside the square and to give and get the best possibles of love and life.
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nani
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Re: How many of us are women in the 40s
« Reply #17 on: Aug 20th, 2005, 7:32pm » |
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My first episode was at age 16 (2 weeks post-partum). Episodic until age 42 (entering peri-menopause). Have been chronic since (5years). I have no idea whether hormone fluctuations were of any influence. 
I know that I'm hypothalmically (sp?) impaired.
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Redd
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Re: How many of us are women in the 40s
« Reply #18 on: Aug 21st, 2005, 11:04am » |
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40 yof
chronic since this began at least 15 years ago or longer.
odd? I guess some would say yeah to that 
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