Posted by Rio (38.150.94.163) on April 27, 2001 at 11:47:30:
In Reply to: What can we do for you posted by Gary Gloucester on April 26, 2001 at 16:31:40:
Just reading the words of others who have suffered with this - brings comfort, and I thank you and the others on this board for sharing.
To be honest, I only recently discovered the term Cluster headache - with the discovery of this webpage really. When I read how one eye might tear up, and the running nose, and the "stabbing, ice-pick pain" - I nearly fell on the floor - in relief - I was NOT crazy, it was NOT "all in my head" - so-to-speak. How many patronizing looks have I endured when explaining these symptoms in the past, and how many times have I been told "well, that does not really sound like a migraine - maybe your stressed out."
I have been suffering vicious head pain for about 10 years. I have been through the usual maze of Doctors - from ER Doctors who give me the usual MRI,dope me up and send me on my way... to Sinus Specialists -- where I underwent massive sinus surgery, hoping to find relief (a hell all its own thank you very much), I have been to Neurologists who said "Migraines are rough" and sent me home with Imitrex. I have been through so many patronizing, condascending doctor appointments, where I have been CRAWLING on the floor in agony, only to hear them say "You really shouldnt cry, it makes it worse."
The same day I found this site, which was,just two days ago, I also found a site for the Michigan Head Pain and Neurology Institute in Ann Arbor. I was encouraged by the info on their site and the stated 80% success rate at diagnosing & treating Clusters as well as other (and there are MANY)head pain conditions.
I have an appointment on May 8th, where they will run tests on me -- MRI, EEG, EKG, full blood work up, and I have been told I get all results right then and there and will not leave with out answers as to my condition and therapy to start immediately. They also insist that all chronic sufferers see their Psy. department, for possible depression which we all know can come with long term pain.
My latest Headache went away at exactly 12:03 AM this morning - it was 4 days long.
Sorry so long winded, just feels incredable to be actually speaking with others who "KNOW".
Thank you for listening -
Rio