I just started getting Clusters two months ago.  I'm 26.  Two things I need help understanding.

1.  I have this aftershock after a day of episodes.  It's tender and sore in the area.  It seems like that is normal, but I just want to make sure.

2.  Still in the aftershock and two days after my episodes, I'm getting what feels like an ear infection.  I've already seen the doctor, and it's not an infection, just keeps aching.  Is that common or expected as well?

Thanks for the help.

the posts on page 1 of this say it all. plz check them out if you haven't yet. i've  never had that feeling in my ear, but perhaps some of us have and will get back to you. my tenderness is usually gone after some rest, variations to this for us all.

jess_m wrote on May 14^th, 2013 at 12:40pm:


I'm 28. My cluster headaches are back after 2.5 yrs of break. Luckily, when I had a break I got pregnant and had a baby. I thought I'd never get CHs again. I simply forgot about them. And now, all of a sudden   

They come every 2 days like clockwork. Had 5 so far and they last 2-3 hours. Before I was able to cope without prescription medicine.  I thought I would this time too.  Well, not until #3 happened when (so hard and embarrassing to admit) I started banning my head with a wooden toy and it felt good compared to the pain I experienced. I asked my husband not to go to the park with my daughter and be with me as I was experiencing suicidal thoughts

After that I got a prescription for expensive Imitrex (generic) nasal spray (that I bought with cash) and it didn't work so I had to suffer through #4 on my own. Feeling paranoid about an upcoming round of clusters and upset that I wasted money, I asked for Imitrex (generic) injections.  Last night, got #5 and got a shot and was pain-free within 5 min!!

My symptoms of the aftershock in this cycle DO last 2 days almost right up to the next CH strikes. I also don't know what is normal or not. Right now I don't have financial resources to see a neurologist as my internist advised but I will right away once I can afford it.

My symptoms of the aftershock are:
almost constant foggy vision and feeling
light-headedness
clogged ears
feeling depressed
sometimes it feels like as if there is some infection in my right ear as there is some kind of shooting pain
dizziness
my head is not clear
the right side of my face feels bruised (ice pack seems to temporarily help)
every now and then for a very short period of time, I have painful sensation around my right eye, right side of my nose and on right temple
feeling as if you are on drugs or hungover although neither is the reason
feeling awkward and as if you like in a different reality or something
sometimes mentally slow and absent
feeling wiped out and tired

On the last note, today after the last night's injection my aftershock symptoms are way less prominent. I mainly feel fatigued and slight pain on my right side every now and then. Feeling tension in my right ear and get a foggy/ slightly light-headed feeling that comes and goes.  But I am way alert and able to spend some quality time with my toddler, which I COULDN'T do during the aftershock before I got a medicine that worked and stopped the pain for me.

Feeling hopeful today for the first time in this cycle of CH. So happy to find this post (googled it looking for hungover feeling after the CH attack) and to know that I'm not alone. 

Quote:


I found nothing unusual in your description, Marsi. And I am sorry to say that. The only thing I would say is somewhat beyond the norm is the 2-3 hour length of every hit. Most of us experienced hits of that length from time to time, but not every time. Please pay careful attention to Joe's post above. Everything he offers has been vetted here by personal experience and can greatly assist you in preventing and aborting hits. Keep us in the loop, and God bless. lance

Hi guys! My name is idehya and I have suffered from CH for maybe 20 years and the hungover feeling is normal after an attack.  I suffered 1 last night that lasted about 6 hours. I feel confused and tired right now and the ache is always present on the right side of my head, during these periods - but not debilitating for now. I can function when the headache is minimal.

Thanks to all for sharing.

I know this post is a bit older but it was one that sounded like something I was curious about.  I just asked a question about this in my "getting to know ya" post and I think I found my answers here.

I was gonna say after my weekend of up to 8 attacks I do feel like it hurts to brush my hair or nod or shake my head. 

Thanks again for offering your insights and experiences, it helps me greatly.  My first week as a CH'er has been terrifying but I am find a lot of hope here.  Thank you, thank you!

I relate to this description big time.  Hungover/Worn out.  That is how i feel.  I get woken up at night out of a dead sleep.  I am not myself during the day.  Worn out and feel like a zombie.