Posted by Karin on July 12, 1998 at 16:52:02:
In Reply to: So THATS what my headaches are! posted by Lee E. on July 09, 1998 at 18:18:15:
Hi Lee,
You may have Cluster (or Horton's) headaches, or you may be having migraines.
If you have woken up at 4 AM from a deep sleep wishing (not thinking, there's a big difference) that somebody could put you out of your misery, you have Cluster.
It's awful.
Either way, do see a doctor!! If you are having clusters, this will not get better without sound advice and (usually drugs) Mine started as headaches when awakening (2 weeks) and even when they started waking me up at night I hesitated in seeing a doctor because I thought it was "wussy".
Keep a "headache journal" It really helps your GP in making a diagnosis.
If you can (and it's tough with the pain) try to note down time, how you felt (did your nose run, was it like an ice pick in your head?, How long did the bout last. What, if anything helped alleviate the pain? etc, etc. The neuro surgeon asked me if my eye got swollen and red and I looked at her in disbelief. (You think with all that pain I'm going to look in the mirror and see what my eyes look like?) But.. if you can do it, do it.
As I stated above, it helps your GP and it also lends credibility. Sometimes doctors won't take you seriously if you can't be precise.
My GP sent me to eye specialists at first since I work with computers, just to be sure and for which I do not fault him one bit, and then a neurosurgeon who after five minutes of my going through my log looked me straight in the eye and said, "You have Hortons headache." I do believe had I not been able to describe what had happened in an orderly manner I may still be waltzing around with specialists.
Now I have Imigran in the refrigerator for the next bout. (Coming soon I suspect)
At the time I met the neurosurgeon, my "episode" had been over for a week.
Your symptoms as you describe them, don't truly fit the "classic pattern" for cluster headaches, but then again, I am a female 38. Cluster headaches are, according to research a predominantly male phenomena.
If you are diagnosed as having clusters, welcome(?) to our little world. I'm not even sure I would wish this in my worst enemy.
Good luck and best regards,
Karin