Hi i'm new here.
I was taken into hospital the other night, put on morphine and diagnosed with cluster headache.
I had one that lasted for just 15 minutes last week, but didn't realise till now that it was my first one.
The one i had the other night was very intense and lasted for well over 3 hours till i had the morphine.
My question is, will i have more on a regular basis or are they just a 'one off?'

You can't have a cluster of one.

That's very true and i feel stupid now lol

What i meant is, now ive had 2, will i have them more frequently?
Is it possible i won't have another one at all for years?

The issue is NOT will I have another cluster but what IS the source of the attack I had.

Cluster-LIKE headaches can arise from a broad range of other medical disorders. It's important to rule out some of these problems, which can be serious.

No one knows if you'll have another.

The Internalion Headache Society says one has to experience 5 attacks before CH can be diagnosed as such.

If they are clusters you are probably in for many more.

That's what i thought, so i can't understand why the doctor diagnosed it as a cluster headache.
Thanks for your help anyway :-)

If you do have clusters, it is likely you will have many more.

Welcome to the board. Yeah, if it is CH, expect many many more visits from the beast. Do spend some time here reading the board. If you end up having CH, you won't find a more comprehensive collection of onformation anywhere. Hoping it's not CH and they get you figured out soon!  ;)

Joe

Think positive :)

Make sure you get a definitive diagnosis since it might not be CH.

If it is then it is not the end of the world :) since most of us respond well to medication (I was headache free for 80% or so of my last cycle) and with a bit of luck you might have years pain free between cycles (I had 4).

I'm thinking positively, but apparantley i had all the classic signs....extreme pain behind the eye, nausea, cloudyness, couldn't look at light etc etc.
Ive done a lot of reading up on the subject since i was diagnosed and fingers crossed, i hope not to have any more..........even though that seems rather unlikely. But, i'm a very glass is full kind of girl so if i do get them on a regular basis i'll just deal with it.
Thanks you for all your help on the subject, i'm sure if i have any more i'll be back lol I will keep reading anyway :-)

Quote:

nausea, cloudyness, couldn't look at light

This is not classic CH.

Take the quiz at the left (cluster quiz).
<===

P.S. - This board is where I get all MY onformation.

Hi holleva!  Welcome to the boards.  Sorry you have to be here though.  I am rather new to these headaches too.  I can only share my experience, since everyone is different.  Mine started about a month ago.  I had 2 attacks that lasted about 15 minutes in one day.  I went 3 days without having another, then they started coming everyday, about 1-2 times.  After a few days, the beast started visiting 5-6 times a day.  I started Prednisone this past Friday, and hadn't had another episode until this morning.  I am waiting on the o2...

IF you have CH, you are sure to have more.  I lucked out and had a family doctor that was familiar with CH.  Many people are misdiagnosed for years.  Just make sure you are working WITH your doctor.  Research as much as you can and don't be afraid to ask questions.  

Have you had any other tests, to rule out other possible causes?  My doc did a MRI on me and it came back normal.  

Best of luck to you!  Hope you find out soon what is going on soon.  

Pamela

Thanks Brew i'll take a look at the test.

The only tests they have done so far is blood tests, but i don't get the results back till next week.

Holly

Sorry to be so blonde but i can't find the quiz......can someone post the link here for me please.

holleva wrote on Jul 21^st, 2009 at 3:43pm:

Sorry to be so blonde but i can't find the quiz......can someone post the link here for me please.

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Thanks for that Brew, i answered yes to 90% of the questions.........just have to wait now and see if i get another one.

The very first cluster headache that I had was at about 17 or so years old. I forget the exact age, but at the time, I was working in construction, and I basically blamed it on the job thinking something to do with it caused it, whether it was something I was breathing or sound, whatever. At the time, I only had the one attack, and not another one for a couple of years.

Of course, a few years later, and while I was at an entirely different job, I got hit again. I still had not been to see a doctor about these things just yet. However, after a few days, I got hit yet again. It was at that time that I figured I'd better visit the doc. The first doctor, as many have experienced, blamed it on a nonexistent "sinus infection" and prescribed antibiotics. She then told me that it also sounded like it could possibly be cluster headaches based on the symptoms. Personally, I never heard of them at the time, and I started to think she was a quack.

Sure enough, a few days later, I got another of the dreaded things, and went back to the doctor. This was a community medical center, so I actually ended up with a different doctor who took one look at me and said, "cluster headache." He then introduced me to the imitrex injections. I got lucky in that the first med tried worked like a charm. He also started me on Verapimil at the time. I didn't have but maybe another attack or two that year, and 2 to 3 years went by before I had another attack.

To this day, my remissions tend to last several years. In my case, it was years after my very first cluster headache before I experienced the true "cluster" in terms of multiple attacks in a cycle.

Anyway, I just thought I'd share a little about my experience since it helps to illustrate that while some people start getting them "full-on" from the get go, mine didn't really get going until years after the first attack I had. Everyone is different. As many have already suggested, it would be wise to get a proper diagnosis first and foremost to rule out anything serious being the cause of the headaches. Then, if it turns out you won the "cluster lottery," ... welcome to your new home, it's nice to meet you.  :-/

Well, i'm not entirely sure if i have been having them as the pain hasn't been that bad as the 2nd one and they don't last longer than 15 mins, but i have been having them nearly everyday...i'm getting about 5 attacks a day right behind my right eye. I can cope with these ones and don't need to take anything for them.

So is this my new home? I hope not lol but if they get severe like the 2nd one then thanks...thanks alot lol

Well sorry to hear you're still in pain. If you're not already doing so, start keeping a headache calendar. When they start, how long they last, how fast they build, how high they build, how long they stay at peak, how fast they go away. Try and identify your triggers, common triggers include alcohol, marijuana, sleep disruptions, strong odors especially petroleum based, and stress. Stress is weird, it's a trigger for some when they're under stress, a trigger for others when they RELAX from stress and get the "let down" attack.

Do you have any effective treatments for your attacks? Does your doctor have you on any preventative medications?

Joe

I would say definately stress is the trigger for mine. My doctor has given me Imigran to take when i get a bad one. So far i havn't needed them.
I like that idea about keeping a diary on them though, i'll do that, thanks!

holleva wrote on Aug 3^rd, 2009 at 10:38am:

I would say definately stress is the trigger for mine. My doctor has given me Imigran to take when i get a bad one. So far i havn't needed them. I like that idea about keeping a diary on them though, i'll do that, thanks!

The diary is going to be a big help in determining any pattern or possible triggers.  Any changes in eating or drinking habits, stressors, etc?

You said you were diagnosed at the hospital...meaning in the emergency department?  I'm surprised as CH is probably low on a list of differential diagnoses for an ER doc, and your presentation looks exactly like what one would expect to see during a migraine attack.  Any family history you know of?

holleva wrote on Jul 21^st, 2009 at 3:51pm:

Thanks for that Brew, i answered yes to 90% of the questions.........just have to wait now and see if i get another one.

When you say "yes to 90% of the questions," what do you mean by that? If you are experiencing clusters, you should really only be answering "yes" to the questions 9-16 for the most part. Did you take a look at the "Evaluation" portion following the quiz...

Evaluation

Questions 1-8 are not normally associated with cluster headaches. If you answered "Yes" to a few of these questions, you probably don't suffer from cluster headaches. Please do your research and see a doctor!

Questions 9-16 are normally associated with cluster headaches. If you answered "Yes" to most of these questions, you may suffer from cluster headaches. Please do your research and see a doctor!

It is very important, as some others have already suggested, that you find out what type of headache you're actually dealing with.

Hi Holleva,

Your symptoms certainly sound cluster headache-like, but I wonder if it isn't another type of headache that you are suffering from.  The reason why I'm wondering this, is because of the fact that you mentioned that morphine stopped the headaches.  While morphine works for alleviating migraines (a former hairdresser at the place I get my hair done at, who suffers from severe migraines, uses morphine to deal with them - nothing else works), it usually has no effect on cluster headaches.

Well whatever ive got i had a really bad one last night, not even the immigran could touch it. I was sat with my head in my lap for 6 hours, in between the pacing. Had nausea.
Started with a pain behind my eye again, which after half hour was excrutiating. I couldn't see properly out of that eye, it was really cloudy.
Guess i'd better go back to the docs and get a proper diagnosis.

Ellen Joanne, it wasn't just morphine, they put me on oxygen straight away.

Oh damnit I was hoping it'd be a temporary issue that'd resolve itself. Looks like your brain has decided to take the long, hard road. :'(

Diagnosis is everything. You need to find a neuro, who specializes in headaches. There are hundreds of headache types, and worse, many people suffer from more then one type, migraine and cluster for instance. Getting the correct diagnosis is critical in achieving an effective treatment plan.

For now, keep some energy drinks on hand, Monster, Rock Star, Jolt, any containing the combo of caffeine and taurine. many can abort or reduce a hit by chugging one of those at the first sign of an attack. Strong coffee helps in a pinch.

Do stick around here and keep reading. If it does turn out to be CH, this is the BEST source of info. Wishing you luck and some speed on the diagnostic journey.

joe

Is it normal to affect your ear? When ive had these attacks, i find it really difficult to actually sit up or lie down, the pain gets worse and i have an intense pain in my ear. It lessens a bit if i keep my head in my lap.

holleva wrote on Sep 16^th, 2009 at 12:10pm:

Is it normal to affect your ear? When ive had these attacks, i find it really difficult to actually sit up or lie down, the pain gets worse and i have an intense pain in my ear. It lessens a bit if i keep my head in my lap.

If your head is in your lap.   oh never mind.

Potter wrote on Sep 20^th, 2009 at 11:19am:

holleva wrote on Sep 16th, 2009 at 12:10pm: Is it normal to affect your ear? When ive had these attacks, i find it really difficult to actually sit up or lie down, the pain gets worse and i have an intense pain in my ear. It lessens a bit if i keep my head in my lap. If your head is in your lap.   oh never mind.

?? Thanks for the support, i was rushed into hospital thursday night with another one............but i won't be coming back here...........talk about rude!!

holleva wrote on Sep 16^th, 2009 at 12:10pm:

but i won't be coming back here...........talk about rude!!

Yeah your right...! How dare they offer you support when you need it...Some people... ::)

PS.. Potter says what he sees..You gotta admire that..!!


Lefty..!