Posted by Todd (216.199.5.230) on January 27, 2000 at 19:28:41:
In Reply to: Cluster, tension, migraines posted by VD on January 27, 2000 at 15:45:22:
VD-
You have obviously received some extremely erroneous medical information. Migraines, tension headaches and clusters are all distinctly different entities. The only link they actually share is that all are considered "primary" headaches, as opposed to "secondary" headaches which are secondary to some identifiable preceding event...like getting kicked in the head or having a tumor.
Previously considered 'vascular' headaches, like migraines, clusters have now been reclassified as 'neurovascular', as a result of research completed early last year in England. Physiological and chemical changes which exist in clusters and/or occur just prior to, during, or immediately following an attack sometimes involve the same neurotransmitters and other chemicals as are seen in migraines, but in many cases the actual event is exactly opposite that which is seen in a migraineur. (i.e., if a particular chemical in a cluster increases, it decreases in a migraine).
There are many other specific, identifiable quantifiers which can help an informed medical professional make a correct diagnosis. As clusters are extremely rare (likely less than 1% of the population), MANY medical practitioners are comparatively uninformed about them.
It therefore behooves the thoughtful sufferer to seek out correct information and thus arm ourselves.
You might start by reading this board and following the links to the left.
KTSSU,
T