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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004-2005 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> Self Diagnosed today in South Carolina
        
(Message started by: beerbarge on Mar 11^th, 2004, 11:00pm)

Title: Self Diagnosed today in South Carolina
Post by beerbarge on Mar 11^th, 2004, 11:00pm

Been going on 5 years. Thought it was allergies and had a wisdom tooth pulled(thought I had an exposed nerve). Went to the doctor two days ago because I think the asprin ate a hole in my stomach but I prefaced that my main concern was the headaches and all he was concered about was the stomach. I said I get these headaches that are debilitating and 1/5 of Grey Goose can't even put a dent in them. He prescribed some antibiotics and a new allergy pill.
The wisdom tooth episode was funny. My head hurt so bad and I had run out of painkillers on the 4th of July weekend. I hurt so much I called the doctor on that weekend for another re-fill. He said it should go away. I informed him I had been drinking straight Vodka for 3 hours and it hurt more than ever. He got me filled:)
At one point I Quit smoking for a month and it went away for over a year. Tried again to quit in November and it started again (go figure).
I think it started because of wreck I was in a little over 5 years ago. Put my head into a windshield.
Things I've Tried
1. Large quantities of vodka(mostly Fris & Grey Goose)
2. Aspirin
3. Precription allergy pills 2 kinds
Looks like there is a doctor close by. I'll be contacting him pronto. Get some O2. Have one coming on right now. Used to go away after 1 cigarette. Now it is unpredictable. Had the worse one ever 2 days ago. This is all so confusing. On the bright side looks like I'm going to have to revisit some recreational activities from my college days . Hope to hell it works. This is starting to get out of hand. The funny part is I had to diagnose myself. Thank God for webmd. I almost skipped the cluster headache article. This is a great board and IMO what the internet is all about. Any other recommedations or specific first steps would be appreciated.
I am curious are most of us right or left handed. I personally am a lefty and the left side of my face is what is afflicted with this hellish crap. Sorry for the rant.
Rob

Title: Re: Self Diagnosed today in South Carolina
Post by FZfan on Mar 12^th, 2004, 12:35am

Welcome Rob. Sorry you had to diagnose yourself, but there's a few others that have also. You should still seek out a knowledgeable md/neuro to make sure your self-diagnosis is correct. However, I see nothing wrong with giving o2 a shot while you're waiting. It works for me, in fact, I expect to be sucking it in about an hour or two as my nightly appointment with the demon is almost upon me.

Keep researching and do a lot of reading on this site also. You will find great help here.

Most evidence would suggest that things you have done in the past or things that have happened to you have no bearing on whether or not you are afflicted with this disease. My personal opinion is that if you're gonna get 'em, you're gonna get 'em no matter what.

Good luck battling this, and you've come to the right place.

Oh, almost forgot. I'm right-handed and I have 'em on the right side for some episodes, and the left side for others about equally. Current episode is on the left side.

Title: Re: Self Diagnosed today in South Carolina
Post by Tiannia on Mar 12^th, 2004, 12:43am

Welcomw to Clusterville. Sorry you HAD to find us but glad you did.

There is a wealth of information on theis message board. Get into the doc as soon as you can. Read everything to the left and take the Cluster Quiz.. Read up on stuff from OUCH so that when you go to the doctor, he might actually be more likely to help you more because you have infi

OFWishes to you,
Tiannia

Title: Re: Self Diagnosed today in South Carolina
Post by BobG on Mar 12^th, 2004, 4:23am

Sounds like you've learned that you can't out-drink a cluster headache. Alcohol is probably the most common trigger there is.
Aspirin probably won't help with clusters nor will other pain killers including hard drugs.
Get to a nuerologist that is knowledgeable in clusters. There are medicines and other treatments available to help you get through.
Welcome to the board.

Title: Re: Self Diagnosed today in South Carolina
Post by Giovanni on Mar 12^th, 2004, 5:05am

Alcohol is a definite trigger to most of us with cluster headaches when in cycle. You might want to stay clear of that for now. Some melatonin has helped many of us--see old links on this med. Advice is correct on above with seeing a neuroligists who specializes in headaches to confirm your diagnosis and rule out secondary headache causes. Most general physicians are clueless on these things.

Also, I believe you mentioned investigating the "alternative treatment"; it can be found here:
www.clusterbusters.com

I wish you the best of luck,-- stay around,

John

Title: OT- I uRe: Self Diagnosed today in South Carolina
Post by beerbarge on Mar 12^th, 2004, 5:25am

Thank You for the kind replies. I plan on seeing a neurologist when I get back from Denver next week. Just tol rule everything out.But between webmd and this board I am almost 100% sure this is my issue.

Title: Re: Self Diagnosed today in South Carolina
Post by t_h_b on Mar 12^th, 2004, 6:02am

You should get a neurologist with experience in headaches to confirm your self-diagnosis.

Second step would be abortives (Imitrex, oxygen) and preventatives (verapamil, melatonin, etc) unless you go the psilocybin route.

Alcohol triggers attacks in a lot of us so if you have CH you might not want to drink.

Hope you don't have CH but if you do, you've found the right spot.

Title: Re: Self Diagnosed today in South Carolina
Post by Giovanni on Mar 12^th, 2004, 7:34am

Forgot to mention, start a diary stating time of headaches, length, severity, etc. Also, take the cluster quiz to the left and print it out for the doc.

John

Title: Re: Self Diagnosed today in South Carolina
Post by Bob_Johnson on Mar 12^th, 2004, 7:46am

Your accident is a clue that some follow-up exams may be helpful. Major headache is associated with head trauma for some people--at least talk to the doc about.

Stop the alcohol: if you have clusters it will only make the attack worse.

But strongly agree: getting a good Dx is the first step.

Title: Re: Self Diagnosed today in South Carolina
Post by Janice on Mar 12^th, 2004, 8:44am

Hi Rob, I also was told it was my wisdom teeth & my sinus. After self diagnosing myself, I went back to my regular doctor who had to refer to his medical books to find out what CH was. Not much was known about them 25 yrs ago. One thing you will learn is what works for one person may not work for you, but that you will try anything to stop the pain. Also, for me, what works one season will not work the next go-round. We all are human lab rats to the doctors. My medicine cabinet is full of drugs that did not work. So beware, it can get expensive in your search for something that does work. And then you have to deal with these stupid insurance companies that will not give you the amount of the drugs that work for you. Best of luck to you. But keep coming back to this website. It's truly helped me. the people that I have met have all been super! After all, we have a common bond......a pain from the pits of hell. Hang in there! I will be praying for you.
Janice

Title: Re: Self Diagnosed today in South Carolina
Post by nancyc on Mar 28^th, 2004, 10:53am

Rob, where do you live in SC? I live in Columbia (Lexington county)....drop me an email....may be able to help with a neuro....Btw, my chs are in remission and have been now for over a year...only have some mild breakthrus....they started on the right side but switched to the left after many years of torment... smiles,nancyc