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Hi new to the site (Read 372 times)
si10w
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Hi new to the site
Jul 17th, 2011 at 3:25pm
 
Hi all, I'm Simon from the UK.
I have suffered from biannual cluster attacks since i was 18, long time ago now 24 years. I have been prescribed frovatriptan  for the last couple of bouts & found them to cut the intensity & duration of attacks. This is my first time on the forum, but I'm glad i found it. I regard myself fortunate after reading some of the posts. My attacks are every two years but not always the same time year, does anyone else suffer in such a strange pattern?, they last up to six weeks & build in intensity & frequency then tail off in the same way. At times if had access to a gun I'd gladly shoot myself. I look forward to chatting & sharing experiences with you. Till then sorry to waffle on
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Bob Johnson
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Re: Hi new to the site
Reply #1 - Jul 17th, 2011 at 7:41pm
 
First, explore your excellent support group:
Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to Login or Register

What type of treatment is your doc giving to you? Keep in mind that you have a right to demand access to a headache clinic. If possible for you, this would be your best move for most local docs lacking training/experience with complex headache disorders.

Your cycle is quite normal. No concerns.

Read and learn; your best defense and tool for seeking effective treatment.

See PDF file, below, for the commonly used meds in the US. This are the types of meds which you should be hearing about from our doc.
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Explore the OUCH site, left for good material.
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Cluster headache.
From: Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to Login or Register (Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases)
[Easy to read; one of the better overview articles I've seen. Suggest printing the full length article--link, line above--if you are serious about keeping a good medical library on the subject.]

Leroux E, Ducros A.

ABSTRACT: Cluster headache (CH) is a primary headache disease characterized by recurrent short-lasting attacks (15 to 180 minutes) of excruciating unilateral periorbital pain accompanied by ipsilateral autonomic signs (lacrimation, nasal congestion, ptosis, miosis, lid edema, redness of the eye). It affects young adults, predominantly males. Prevalence is estimated at 0.5-1.0/1,000. CH has a circannual and circadian periodicity, attacks being clustered (hence the name) in bouts that can occur during specific months of the year. ALCOHOL IS THE ONLY DIETARY TRIGGER OF CH, STRONG ODORS (MAINLY SOLVENTS AND CIGARETTE SMOKE) AND NAPPING MAY ALSO TRIGGER CH ATTACKS. During bouts, attacks may happen at precise hours, especially during the night. During the attacks, patients tend to be restless. CH may be episodic or chronic, depending on the presence of remission periods. CH IS ASSOCIATED WITH TRIGEMINOVASCULAR ACTIVATION AND NEUROENDOCRINE AND VEGETATIVE DISTURBANCES, HOWEVER, THE PRECISE CAUSATIVE MECHANISMS REMAIN UNKNOWN. Involvement of the hypothalamus (a structure regulating endocrine function and sleep-wake rhythms) has been confirmed, explaining, at least in part, the cyclic aspects of CH. The disease is familial in about 10% of cases. Genetic factors play a role in CH susceptibility, and a causative role has been suggested for the hypocretin receptor gene. Diagnosis is clinical. Differential diagnoses include other primary headache diseases such as migraine, paroxysmal hemicrania and SUNCT syndrome. At present, there is no curative treatment. There are efficient treatments to shorten the painful attacks (acute treatments) and to reduce the number of daily attacks (prophylactic treatments). Acute treatment is based on subcutaneous administration of sumatriptan and high-flow oxygen. Verapamil, lithium, methysergide, prednisone, greater occipital nerve blocks and topiramate may be used for prophylaxis. In refractory cases, deep-brain stimulation of the hypothalamus and greater occipital nerve stimulators have been tried in experimental settings.THE DISEASE COURSE OVER A LIFETIME IS UNPREDICTABLE. Some patients have only one period of attacks, while in others the disease evolves from episodic to chronic form.

PMID: 18651939 [PubMed]
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A couple of sites which are worth your attention: medical literature, films, plus the expected information
about CH.

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to Login or Register
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Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to Login or Register Search under "cluster headache"

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Bob Johnson
 
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