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New CH.com Forum › Cluster Headache Help and Support › Cluster Headache Specific › CH diagnosis?

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CH diagnosis? (Read 1762 times)

Mikeyy

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CH diagnosis?
Jun 10^th, 2008 at 6:54pm

OK, here goes...40 yo male here...never had headaches of any kind...last week I experienced 4 nights of CH magnitute headaches(wed/thurs eves then sun/mon eves) ...with ALL of the key symptoms of CH...then started steroids...have had no headaches since (about a week)...now im wondering what to do (besides wait for next headache)...Had bloodwork taken and I have the results. Can my bloodwork evidence any trend to support CH ? I dont know how to proceed for a diagnosis..please help?

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Redd

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Stevens Point USA Wisconsin
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Re: CH diagnosis?
Reply #1 - Jun 10^th, 2008 at 8:17pm

There are no real tests to "prove" a Ch diagnosis, however the tests are done to rule out other nasties that can have many of the same symptoms. There is a quiz to take over there to the left of the page. Check that out first and foremost.

After that, ask for a referal to a neurologist who specializes in headache conditions. Then go through the tests to rule out the other nasties (some life threatening).

Prednisone is known as a transitional med, a short term reprieve while other meds are building a therapudic level in your system. It's not for long term use. Nasty in it's own right.

After the tests come out free from other issues and a good history is taken your Neuro will tell you if he thinks you have CH. Then we, as members here can help you advocate for your own best treament.

Keep us posted.

"The goal of life living in agreement with Nature." ~Zeno

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Bob Johnson

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"Only the educated are
free." -Epictetus

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Kennett Square, PA (USA)
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Re: CH diagnosis?
Reply #2 - Jun 11^th, 2008 at 9:10am

Redd is correct: there are several conditions which produce "cluster-like" headaches which need to be ruled out. Most general doc lack the needed skills, especially with cluster so seek a doc with headache experience.

Some good introductory materials on the Michigan site.

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

Here is a link to read and print and take to your doctor. It describes preventive, transitional, abortive and surgical treatments for CH. Written by one of the better headache docs in the U.S. (2002)
================
Michigan Headache & Neurological Institute for another list of treatments and other articles:

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

« Last Edit: Jun 11^th, 2008 at 9:12am by Bob Johnson »

Bob Johnson

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horsegirl

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Cluster Headaches

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Gender: female

Re: CH diagnosis?
Reply #3 - Jun 11^th, 2008 at 12:15pm

hi everyone! hav'nt checked in forever. kinda like a watched pot never boils. [hopping for a big break through]. I just wanted to say at work yesterday a R.N casualy told me she also has cluster ha , we were talking about migrains , I said I have clusters , she says " oh me to" she said she ocassianaly gets ha on the top of her head for a few hrs. I laughed and said who diagnoised you , she said she did , then her dr confirmed she was right. Reminded me of my D.O.N [directer of nurses . She almost fired me last year for taking a week of sick pay last year durring my peak. She told everyone at work she never heard of anyone that could predict a ha. All that education and she had never even heard of ch. Education for nurses needs to step it up.

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Bob Johnson

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free." -Epictetus

Posts: 5965
Kennett Square, PA (USA)
Gender: male

Re: CH diagnosis?
Reply #4 - Jun 11^th, 2008 at 1:56pm

Horsegirl, for your DON:

Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2001 Feb;5(1):55-9.

Premonitory symptoms in cluster headache.

Raimondi E.

Catedra de Neurologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, 9 de Julio 3826, Rosario 2002 PKP, Argentina. raimondi@cablenet.com.ar

Cluster headache is one of the most excruciating headaches affecting human beings--especially the male sex. Most of the cluster headache cases are of episodic nature, with active cluster periods lasting generally between a few weeks and 2 or 3 months. A still undetermined percentage of patients report nonpainful sensations preceding the onset of the pain attack for a variable period of time. If occurring only a few minutes or a few hours before the onset of pain, such symptoms are called prodromal. When occurring for several days, weeks, or months before the pain, they are termed premonitory symptoms. The author believes that premonitory symptoms have not been properly diagnosed and emphasizes the need to investigate their presence, because by knowing them advances can be made in the understanding of the physiopathology of this particular cephalalgia. Furthermore, it can also allow the physician to be ahead, by giving preventive treatment and stopping or diminishing the intensity and duration of the pain attacks.

Publication Types:
Review

PMID: 11252138

Bob Johnson

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