Posted by Margi (207.148.138.213) on November 02, 1999 at 16:07:52:
In Reply to: Question for people who say that they have clusters and migraines. posted by doug l on November 02, 1999 at 15:25:24:
You know what a cluster feels like, and I know what a migraine feels like, so maybe I can help you.
A migraine is quite commonly preceded by an "aura" or for me, it was a disruption of vision in one eye, numbness in one hand and part of the face, including a feeling of disorientation and panic. I knew I had roughly 20 minutes before the pain started to get myself into a totally dark, soundless room where I would remain for the next 24-48 hours, constant pain - even my eyebrows hurt. Could not tolerate light or sound and MAJOR nausea. The pain from a migraine FOR ME was an all over the head thing, not concentrated in one particular spot. Movement of any kind hurt like crazy. I had to lay as still as possible or the pain would build up again to a crescendo and the nausea would become worse.
The big difference I see from what Mike goes through and what I used to go through is duration and intensity of pain. Clusters are much shorter and have a WAY more intense pain level. Mike has never complained of the aura and barely gets warning that he will be attacked. To a "layperson" a cluster is an attack. A migraine is a headache.
Hope this helps, Doug and I'm sure you'll get lots of response to this one. I believe Cathy, the teacher, suffers both migraine and clusters.
WWW
Margi