Posted by Charlie S (206.159.166.182) on June 06, 2001 at 01:14:44:
In Reply to: My daughter's headaches? posted by Michelle on June 05, 2001 at 23:21:15:
fall into another headache category. Little kids are an unfair target for this kind of horror.
Cluster headaches (headache is poor term) affect adults by waking them out of a sound sleep. There is no way we can go to back to sleep during an attack. The pain is so intense that it is usually impossible to sit still. There are few medications, other than narcotics that can modify an attack, and then even they aren't all that effective. There are preventatives and some other abortive methods that are often described here.
Is your daughter able to sleep off an attack, or is that something she does after the worst pain subsides? Clusters are very much as you describe. Mostly, they cause the redness and sinus discharge, as well and making most of us sensitive to light (some exceptions here). I liked be in the dark and in a cool place. Mine lasted for about 20 to 30 minutes and suddenly "drained" away. The one thing is that lying down is not an option during an attack.
Perhaps CH affects children somewhat differently. They are tougher than we imagine but having to put up with that kind of pain breaks all the rules. In many ways this sounds like classic clusters. The all day sessions do not if they are not intense and she can rest. I really hope your little girl has something more easily handled. There are treatments for CH but professionals have to dispense them carefully for children.
Please keep posting and maybe we can give you some ideas. The best of luck to you and your family.
Charlie S