Welcome, Guest. Please Login or Register
Clusterheadaches.com
 
Search box updated Dec 3, 2011... Search ch.com with Google!
  HomeHelpSearchLoginRegisterEvent CalendarBirthday List  
 





Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Send Topic Print
New member (Read 594 times)
Susan V
CH.com Newbie
*
Offline


I Love CH.com!


Posts: 1
Miami, FL
Gender: female
New member
Sep 2nd, 2011 at 8:06pm
 
I found this website today after being told by my neurologist that I have cluster headaches. I am a 52 year old female with no significant past medical history.
My symptoms started 2 months ago with pulsatile tinnitus in my right ear.  after about 1 month 1 developed severe ear pain with a burning sensation, and a "tightness" and tingling to the right side of my head. My blood pressure was elevated and I went to the emergency room as I thought I was having a stroke. 
A CT scan was negative but they admitted me for observation which turned into 4 days of testing including a MRI, echo and carotid doppler studies, all of which were negative. The only thing that controlled the pain was IV narcotics. The final diagnosis was Ramsey Hunt syndrome and I was discharged on antivirals and antibiotics.
I followed up with a Neurologist at a major medical center where I live. He assured me that I did not have Ramsey Hunt syndrome and I stopped the antiirals and antibiotics. He ordered a MRI with contrast which again was negative. I also underwent a cerebral angiogram this week which was negative.
Meanwhile the unilateral pulsation continues constantly, at times with severe throbbing that literally knocks me down.
He prescribed Indamethacin today. Not sure If cluster headaches is what I have. I am so frustrated because I am incapacitated by this.
Back to top
  
 
IP Logged
 
Linda_Howell
CH.com Moderator
CH.com Alumnus
*****
Offline


Do not feed the Moderators


Posts: 11927
Santa Maria, Ca.
Gender: female
Re: New member
Reply #1 - Sep 2nd, 2011 at 8:43pm
 
Susan,

Beside what you already told us, can you give us a clearer run-down on your symptoms?  Indomethacin isn't normally prescribed for cluster headaches and after all the testing you've said you had, I'm wo ndering why cluster headaches came to your mind. 

If you do indeed have cluster headaches and can be diagnosed as such, there is a world of information and treatments.  Preventatives as well as abortives.

I feel your frustration hon.

Linda
Back to top
  

Hurt people.....hurt people.   Think about it.
WWW calientev8 N/A N/A  
IP Logged
 
Bob Johnson
CH.com Alumnus
***
Offline


"Only the educated are
free." -Epictetus


Posts: 5965
Kennett Square, PA (USA)
Gender: male
Re: New member
Reply #2 - Sep 3rd, 2011 at 9:07am
 
It's nice to hear from someone who is working with some skilled docs.

At this stage, it's premature to start looking for cluster-specific treatments. While some treatment may abort an attack, that does not confirm that you have Cluster. In fact, this can be misleading if it closes off a solid diangostic work-up.

You are at an age when new Cluster cases become less common, i.e., makes it more important to consider other causes before coming to a firm conclusion. (That is, new "cluster" situations may be a disorder which mimic many of the Cluster symptoms.)

While this is a difficult position to be in, good judgment says: continue to work with your docs until you have as clear a Dx as possible.

This link will be a bit scary at this stage but I suggest you print it out and give to your docs. It's some of the medical literature which deals with disorders which mimic Cluster. At best, they will say--doesn't apply to you. And that will give you relief.

      
Link to: cluster-LIKE headache.

Section, "Medications, Treatments, Therapies --> "Important Topics" --> "Cluster-LIKE headache"

Hope you will stay in touch: you'll find a ton of support, as well as helpful experience here.
Back to top
« Last Edit: Sep 3rd, 2011 at 9:10am by Bob Johnson »  

Bob Johnson
 
IP Logged
 
Guiseppi
CH.com Moderator
CH.com Alumnus
*****
Offline


San Diego to Florida 05-16-2011


Posts: 12063
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA USA
Gender: male
Re: New member
Reply #3 - Sep 3rd, 2011 at 10:12am
 
Welcome to the board Susan, great to see you're working with people who take you seriously. Wishing you a speedy diagnosis and some pain free time soon.

Joe
Back to top
  

"Somebody had to say it" is usually a piss poor excuse to be mean.
 
IP Logged
 
B.Baer
CH.com Veteran
***
Offline


I Love CH.com!


Posts: 154
Northeast Pennsylvania
Gender: male
Re: New member
Reply #4 - Sep 3rd, 2011 at 12:55pm
 
Welcome aboard, relax and sit a spell, great things to be learned here.

Hope they narrow down your aliment, should it be CH.... Fear not, read as much as possible. Great bunch of helpful folks here.
Back to top
« Last Edit: Sep 3rd, 2011 at 12:56pm by B.Baer »  
Barry Baer  
IP Logged
 
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Send Topic Print

DISCLAIMER: All information contained on this web site is for informational purposes only.  It is in no way intended to be used as a replacement for professional medical treatment.   clusterheadaches.com makes no claims as to the scientific/clinical validity of the information on this site OR to that of the information linked to from this site.  All information taken from the internet should be discussed with a medical professional!