Hi I'm Malika and im 24 and i live in the UK. Ive been suffering from awful pain in the left side of my head for about two years, they would come and go with huge gaps between. However I had to go doctors recently, I had put it off as I didnt want him to think I was crazy or tell me its just a headache as its not a "normal" headache. Ive been in constant pain almost everyday for the last eight weeks. I cant describe it, I get a kind of burning pressure build up, like someone has stuck a hot poker into my head and I lose the use of my left eye. I cant even open it , also I have a pressure build up behind my nose and it just constantly drips :( the pain is so intense all I can do is cry and hold my head. Im having about 8 attacks a day and between them im scared of when the next one will occur. Ive been suffering in silence :( I had told my mum but she just didnt understand and looks at me abit strange when I have a headache. I know shes just worried but it doesnt make me feel any better. Im starting to feel and im sad to say it, like im on the edge. I feel like no one understands me. Some of my so called friends think im making a fuss about nothing, as "its just a headache" but ive never felt anything like it before im not sleeping im cranky and turning into a recluse as i dont want to have a headache outside. The headaches are becoming more frequent and alot more agressive, too be honest I feel like pulling my head off! Theres only so much screaming, holding your head and rolling around on the floor you can do before you start to feel like your going mental :S I was wondering if anyone could offer me some advice, is there anything i can do to ease the pain when I have a attack? Its just I have been refered to the hospital so im kind of left alone to deal with it till I get my hospital date the doctor said asparin may help, is this true? Im so glad I fount this site, I was starting to think I was the only person feeling this way. I just hope someone responds to me.

Thank you

Welcome Malika and sorry you had to find us!

When you feel a hit coming chug down an energy drink (Red Bull, Rockstar and the like) as fast as you can. The drink should contain caffeine and taurine (at least 1000mg).
Strong coffee can help too.
Also try ice on your head / your neck or hot showers.
Stay away from alocohol as alcohol is a common trigger.

Get to a neuro ASAP and make sure you get a prescription for O2 and a preventative.
I'm not familiar with the UK health system but there are others here that can help you get the needed things prescribed.

Oliver

Forgot to add:
Until you get to the neuro READ, READ, READ and ASK, ASK, ASK!
The reason being that most of the time we have to educate our docs about this condition.

Yes try to get to a neuro as soon as possible so he can weed out other things that it might be. I sounds like it could be clusterheadaches but it needs to be diagnosed by a doctor.

Try to get in to see any doctor while you wait. If it is clusters, the Nr#1 thing that brings relief in most of us is breathing 02 (oxygen) with a regulator that will blow out at least 10-15 LPM using a non-rebreather mask. The other things that works well is Imitrex that you inject. Both will usually stop the headache within 10-15 minutes.

Continue to read all that you can and go into the doctors office prepared. Good luck.

P.S. Aspirin will do nothing for this type of headache.

malika,
Gizmo has given you some excellent advice.
I also hope you go back to yur Mum with some of what is posted here, so she understands these are NOT your garden variety 'owie-I have a headache', kinda headaches. This is labeled as the worst pain known to man. Be sure, though, CH will not kill you. Please post here with any specific questions you have, and I suggest you keep a diary for awhile, of your CH.
As for aspirin-prolly not gonna help. You really need a Neuro's DX and some 02......and a shoulder to lean on.
I'm so sorry you are suffering, Malika, but really glad you found Clusterville. The people here are wonderful and will really be of great help in sorting this out!
PF wishes to you,
Cathi

Thanks for your responses :) The doctor (GP) I saw today told me to keep a headache diary, which I started today. He was very honest and said that he doesnt know much about them thats why he is sending me to a neurologist and he told me to do some research hence me finding this site. Thanks for the tips :) until this afternoon I didnt even know there was such a thing as a cluster headache. My GP said that I may have to have sumatriptan injections im not sure if that is the UK version of Imitrex that Jimi mentioned. I cant get anything though until I see the neurologist and I cant see him till until I get a letter with a appointment date (UK health system) and my doctor said I wont get a date until January! Hence me trying to find out what can help until then. This is definatly the longest most intense course of headaches ive suffered im really thankful for the info you guys have given me so far :) Thank you :)

Yes Imitrex is the brand name of the sumatriptan injections.
Since Imirtrex is a heavy drug and should only be used twice in 24 hours (ignoring dosage reduction here) it is usually the last resort if all other things fail.

gizmo wrote on Dec 19^th, 2008 at 4:35pm:

Yes Imitrex is the brand name of the sumatriptan injections. Since Imirtrex is a heavy drug and should only be used twice in 24 hours (ignoring dosage reduction here) it is usually the last resort if all other things fail.

Malika

It is called Imigran here, not Imitrex and I would hardly call it a "last resort". There are only 2 abortives licensed here for CH treatment, 02 and Imigran injections. Your GP can prescribe BOTH of them without you seeing a neuro although I think you should as soon as you can to get a sound diagnosis.


Can I suggest the best and quickest way to get UK help is to ring the OUCH UK Helpline on 01646 651 979
Leave a message and a trained fellow sufferer will call you back and will be able to answer any questions and give you resources to help you navigate treatments here in the UK

Wendy