Hi all,

My names Caire and I have jus joined this site tonight. My dad is 54 and had a bad motorbike accident in 04, since then he has suffered from daily headaches. However, he would lie down for an hour and hen head back to work. He cannot stand bright lights and always has dark sunglasses on.

However, early hours of last monday morning he woke with a pain and all i can describe the event was it appeared he had gone mad. He was shouting rolling around the bed and screaming out in pain with his head. he was taken to A&E and admitted.

CT scan came back clear and lumba puncture was clear. He has sore heads in the mornings while on tablets in hospital and the drugs make him drowsy so at the minute his head just feels doped up and dizzy he says.

We are awaiting an MRI scan were the dye in the head will show up the blood vessels etc. BUT it was only today that the nerologist suggested to dad that he might be suffering from "CLUSTER CLUMP HEADACHES" she didnt elaborate or go in to any detail.

So I have just returned from the hospital and have done a bit of reserach and found this site please any advice answers suggestions would be very much appreciated as for a week i have had no answers and I want to know from your experience if this sounds like cluster clump headaches.

And also the cause? is it likely to have developed from my dads accident. And what to expect.

Thanks,

claire

Hi Claire,

I haven't heard of the clump part of 'cluster clump headaches' before - I'm assuming the neuro was referring to what we just call cluster headaches, which I'll just be abbreviating to "CH".

There are those who believe CH can't be caused by an accident and recent theories about their cause include a defective hypothalamus.

Personally I've seen too many reports of CH either induced or dramatically worsened by head trauma, and I think the writing is plainly on the wall that that sort of injury can induce it.

It's a seriously horrific thing to be saddled with alright - or it used to be. That's my perspective at least because as a 30 + year CH'er I've gained significant relief, as have many others, through info and advice found at this site and at clusterbusters.com.

You and/or your dad need to make these message boards your mecca and the info here your CH bible. Just entrusting a treatment plan to a doctor without question tends to be a recipe for disaster!

Some brief rundown of important CH points:

Never trust any neuro at all except for a headache specialist. Garden variety neuros are all to often ill informed about CH.

High flow 100% O2 (which is more effective than how doctors usually prescribe it) as outlined in the left side oxygen info link is a super popular abortive around here since it is so effective and non toxic.

Others will give you the rundown on drugs. Personally after being on pretty much all of them, including heavy drug cocktails, I'm currently favoring these two non prescription approaches for prevention:

The relatively new vitamin D3 based regimen which has some folks here reporting going into remission, and appears to just be good for the health regardless: START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

The very powerful clusterbusters approach, which has been known to the online community for years now, and has enabled many CH'ers to go into remission:

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

Video talk on the subject by a CH'er: START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE


Sorry that your dad had this terrible accident, but CH can be treated effectively in most cases!

Hi Claire

You've come to the right place where you can learn a huge amount about cluster headaches (CH) and how they can be treated.

I agree with bejeeber that there seems to be a link between head injuries and CHs, partly as that is how I am sure mine started.

Start reading through the forum and you'll be well clued up for when you discuss things with the neuro. It sounds like there isn't a firm diagnosis yet, just a possible one, so it is a matter of the medical people doing the appropriate medical investigations to determine if it is CH or something else.

I hope your dad gets a quick diagnosis and effective treatment.

Hi Claire,
Hopefully your dad can get into a qualified headache specialist and rule out tumors, etc and properly diagnose if in fact he has CH's or not.

Have him take the Cluster Quiz located at the yellow tab on the left side of your computer screen.  Plenty to read and learn understanding CH traits, treatments, etc on these yellow tabs.

We can probably point you in the right direction for a recommended headache specialist.  Where does your dad live?

If you see him suffering, this may sound cruel, but leave him alone!  You dad probably feels many helpless emotions and may not want you to see him like this.  Best to bring him a bottled water, a Redbull/energy drink, an ice pack and let him be.  You can read much about how to be a supporter in the Supporters board section of this website.

I am a firm believer in head trauma associated with MY personal history of CH's.  Mine started at age 11 after I smashed my head in a closed head injury.  I'm now 43 yrs old and have been suffering as an (ECH) Episodic Cluster Headache survivor for 32 yrs.  Typically mine occur on odd years in the late Summer/early Fall, every other year.  I was in another accident 6 yrs ago resulting in head trauma/coma and went into a 6 yr remission.  Currently in cycle (period of time afflicted by daily/nightly CH's) of 16 weeks.  So based on MY personal experience starting CH's after head trauma at age 11 and going into remission after head trauma...needless to say, I am a firm believer there is a correlation of head trauam and CH's, at least for ME. 

I must note that most CH'ers report never having head trauma that they are aware of. 

Ice packs, frozen peas, cold wash cloths, firm massage, head in front to A/C or fan, shower, these all help for many of us to slightly ease the pain, but not abort the attack.

Energy drinks containing Taurine and Caffeine may help him if he slams it fast, the entire 8 oz can, at the onset of pain.

Medical treatment of 1. Transitional, 2. Preventative and 3. Abortives are all required for most effective CH treatment.

Plenty to read here, but start with getting into a qualified doc ASAP for proper diagnosis.

You've got the world's best resource for CH's right here if that is in fact what your dad may be afflicted with. 

Pain Free Wishes to him!

-Gregg in Las Vegas

Welcome to the board Claire, you've already received a wealth of knowledge from these boys, they know of what they speak. Thanks for doing the footwork for your dad. If it does turn out to be CH, keep this site bookmarked, and nudge pops onto this site. ;)

Joe