Hey everyone, I feel real bad for posting here because I haven’t been diagnosed with CH and I don’t think I’m having them… I feel wrong for doing this but it’s something I need to do.

I suffer from anxiety that fluctuates between mild and severe and I’m a bit of a hypochondriac, I learnt about cluster headaches late last year and since then every time I get a headache from time to time I get very anxious because I think it’s a cluster headache coming on (typical hypochondriac thinking the worst). At about 10:30pm I felt the bridge of my nose tighten up and I started to feel pains in and around my eye and on the side of my head near my temple that have lasted until now (4am), they come and go, however, they are very mild… only cause little discomfort, it also feels like my checks are slightly numb and my check bones are a little sore but my nose isn’t runny and my eyes are unaffected (not watery ect...). I’m afraid to go to sleep because I think this might be a cluster headache coming on.

I’m also worried because I think this might be early symptoms of becoming a CH sufferer, e.g. my anxiety started off as very mild but got more severe as time went by. Is this the same for CH?

I'm 22, have no family history of CH, don't smoke or drink but I have been suffering somewhat from a circadian rhythm disorder for a couple of years... from what I've researched a persons biological clock is related to CH somehow!

I’m contemplating going down to the ER, anyway I’m really sorry to carry on like this, I think you CH suffers are very brave… I have a lot of respect for you and if there is a place where I can make a donation to help CH suffers or donate to find a cure for the condition I will most certainly donate (honestly). From what I've researched this a truly horrible condition and IMO more should be done to raise awareness about CH and to find a cure. I pray to god they find a cure for CH in the very near future!

Thank you very much for answering, I’ve been up all night worrying excessively.

Thank you for the link Mr. Johnson, I guess a lot of people on here have had experiences with anxiety. I have been seeing a psychologist for several months now and we've been doing cognitive behavioral therapy together and ever since I've started it has brought my anxiety down to mild levels, however, from time to time I do get a short bursts of severity like now but I think I'm handling it alright because if this was this time last year I would have been down at the ER by midnight. But my psychologist won't like the fact that I've been up all night researching a severe condition that I think I have again!

I've been reading through the posts of suffers and they've really inspired me, I’m not even half the person you guys are - I'm total wimp compared to you guys!

Welocme to the board Vae, Bob's spot on with his advice. I'm glad you're already seeking treatment for your anxiety, left to run amok it can rule your life.

As to your headache, a Headache Specialist Neurologist is your best bet. If you go to the ER they'll give you vicodain or fiorinal and send you home. If you go to a GP since you're a woman, he'll diagnose migrains and send you home with Midrin!

If you have the option, get to a specialist, get the full work up done, eliminate all the scary stuff and move forward! Praying you get some resolution soon.

Joe

Hi VaeVictis.

I also do not have CH, and I also have Anxiety Disorder, so to an extent, I know how you feel. My anxiety was much worse about 11 years ago than it is now, and the reason is, well, I've created a sort of rule, or motto for myself.

Do not consume yourself with worry about what might happen in the future, because, chances are, what might happen, won't happen, and then, you've just wasted a bunch of time worrying.

I don't mean that to sound condescending at all. That motto has helped me cope with and chase off my anxiety countless times. I know it's not easy, especially when you let yourself slip into anxious thoughts, to talk yourself out of it. So it's best to remember that when you are not dealing with anxiety, to re enforce that thought process in your mind while it is calm.

So basically, have you ever had a CH? No. Are you having one now? No. The likely-hood of developing CH is very very very low. So why worry about something that's never happened to you, and most likely never will? The answer is, there's no need to.

You just need to tell yourself that every morning, when you wake up. Remind yourself. I do not need to worry about things that are not happening to me.

Good luck, and happy peaceful thoughts! I know that anxiety is like a 'beast' in it's own way, so I'm rooting for ya! You CAN smash that thing! 

Btw I am not a professional. Dunno why, but people like to disclaim like that for some reason after giving out some food for thought like that. Anyways, now I'm rambling. I'll shush now. XD

- Jair C.

^ I wholeheartedly agree with what Batty just said.

Also, I want to clarify again that I do not mean for my original post to come across as demeaning nor do I want it to sound like I'm brushing off anxiety disorder as "no big deal".

I just wanted to share how I've dealt with it in hopes that it may help you too.

Hi VaeVictis,

Sorry to hear of your battles with anxiety - certainly that's something familiar to many around here.

VaeVictis wrote on Mar 18^th, 2011 at 2:32pm:


No, CH doesn't typically start off mild - it typically whacks you upside the head with a crusher the very first time! So I'm betting YOU ARE IN THE CLEAR. No CH for you. Good thing, huh? You got enough to deal with, and I bet you'll deal with it effectively - glad to see that you're on the case and taking action to recover. 

See the PayPalDonate button at the bottom of this page.

The early stages, when Cluster is developing, are often defined by unclear symptoms, vague and wandering pain/sites of the pain, etc.--anything other than the textbook descripton! Not unusual for it to take months, even a couple of years, before a stable picture emerges.

It's at the point where patience is important.

I would not expect a GP to be good at sorting out a headache diagnosis at this stage. Even most neurologists have surprisingly poor education in headache.

A headache specialist is best, if one is available to you. But I'd also "fess up" with your therapist about the anxiety issue. This is the raw material of your therapy and hiding is not useful to either of you.
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LOCATING HEADACHE SPECIALIST

1. Search the OUCH site (button on left) for a list of recommended M.D.s.

2. Yellow Pages phone book: look for "Headache Clinics" in the M.D. section and look under "neurologist" where some docs will list speciality areas of practice.

3.  Call your hospital/medical center. They often have an office to assist in finding a physician. You may have to ask for the social worker/patient advocate.

4. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or ; On-line screen to find a physician.

5. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or Look for "Physician Finder" search box. They will send a list of M.D.s for your state.I suggest using this source for several reasons: first, we have read several messages from people who, even seeing neurologists, are unhappy with the quality of care and ATTITUDES they have encountered; second, the clinical director of the Jefferson (Philadelphia) Headache Clinic said, in late 1999, that upwards of 40%+ of U.S. doctors have poor training in treating headache and/or hold attitudes about headache ("hysterical female disorder") which block them from sympathetic and effective work with the patient; third, it's necessary to find a doctor who has experience, skill, and a set of attitudes which give hope of success. This is the best method I know of to find such a physician.

6. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or NEW certification program for "Headache Medicine" by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties, an independent, non-profit, professional medical organization.
        Since this is a new program, the initial listing is limited and so it should be checked each time you have an interest in locating a headache doctor.

Rather than making an appt to ask about a specialist, consider some of the approaches outlined in the how to find piece. Hospitals, medical associations, the phone book (in the U.S.) have such lists. Social work staff at the hospital are often the best source of information (and, if you hit the right one) may steer you to the best of the lot...

VaeVictis wrote on Mar 19^th, 2011 at 1:49pm:


To answer this question you need to see an optician. There is no way that something like this can be diagnosed with an internet post, even by a qualified optician.

Oi, Vae, I'm just up the road from you and first chance I'll be down to take you to the pub. Have you fixed in no time flat.