cluster headaches

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Q: cluster headaches?
I feel like I am running out of options with the treatment of my cluster headaches, nothing seems to work. I have tried everything from ergotamine to deseril with limited success, I have also tried drinking lots of water, icing the back of my neck and lavender and peppermint oil. What are some other (preferably natural) remedies that I may not have tried?

A: I used to get those. They make you want to just vomet. I also had hypoglycemia and asthma.

I took glyconutrients, phytonutrients and phytosterols. No more disease no more headaches for good. It's been six years of freedom.

Listen to my story here: http://www.glycostory.com/mannalive

Q: Cluster headaches?
I have been diagnosed with cluster headaches. I have never heard of them before? Are they common? I have to take high blood pressure tablets to control them, but my blood pressure is normal, does this mean i will have low blood pressure? Is low blood pressure bad? My doctor didnt really explain very much sorry.

A: Cluster headaches are rare, extremely painful and debilitating headaches that occur in groups or clusters.The pain associated with cluster headaches is considered to be among the worst that a human can experience. Sufferers often report relentless, intense burning or stabbing pain located behind one eye, generally lasting from 30 minutes to 90 minutes and recurring several times a day.

Lithium effectively reduces chronic cluster headaches and episodic or occasional cluster headaches. Around 78% of people treated with lithium have relief from pain within just a few days of starting this treatment. but take after consulting with your doctor.

Q: Cluster Headaches???????????
I was just told that I have a high possibility of having something called cluster headaches, may them be chronic or episodic. How will I know if I get one or not? All I know is that they are really painful and they last either a few minutes, seconds, and sometimes days. I get migraines and I told my brother that and he said that a migraine is nothing and that I better not have these cluster headaches. Does anyone get these? How can you explain them to me? Should I be scared?

A: Cluster headaches are excruciating unilateral headaches, of extreme intensity. The duration of the common attack ranges from as short as 15 minutes to three hours or more. The onset of an attack is rapid, and most often without the preliminary signs that are characteristic of a migraine. However, some sufferers report preliminary sensations of pain in the general area of attack, often referred to as "shadows", that may warn them an attack is imminent. Though the headaches are almost exclusively unilateral, there are many documented as cases of "side-shifting" between cluster periods, or, even rarer, simultaneously (within the same cluster period) bilateral headache. They are often initially mistaken for brain tumors and multiple sclerosis until patients are treated with corticosteroids and then imaged. Trigeminal neuralgia can also bring on headaches with similar qualities. However, with Trigeminal neuralgia the pain is mostly located around the "cheek" area and is described as being more lance-like in quality.

Q: What is the best way to deal with cluster headaches?
I have been getting them for years, but I recently connected the symptoms, frequency, and duration to possibly being cluster headaches. I will see a doctor on Monday, but I would LOVE any suggestions. I have already tried the dark room, cold/hot rags, etc.

A: If your headaches are extreme migraine severity but unilateral (on one side) then they likely are cluster headaches. These are generally characterized with the earmark symptoms of a drilling or throbbing pressure behind one eye or ear, tearing eye, sensitivity to light/sound etc, blurred vision, nausea and/or sweating from extreme pain, a drooping eyelid on the affeted side, and even a bloodshot eye.(I personally always get a bloodshot rearing eye on the affected side).

Firstly, You should rule out all other possibilities with an MRI scan. If that comes back okay, you can discuss options with your neuro. For management long-term. here are some suggestions that have worked for me. Make sure your posture isn't hunched over and your neck isn't strained, that's a big one that's often overlooked and understated. Also make sure you aren't grinding your teeth, or that your jaw has too much tension. This may sound cliche, but I found my cluster headaches were due to TMJ, which was caused by a spinal scoliosis, but my own hypertension and stress while sitting caused the scoliosis over time, and also neck and jaw tension, which subsequently triggers cluster headaches.

For ongoing symptoms, you need to find what works best for you.. Usually powerful pain medication is the last resort option for people for obvious reasons as they want to avoid addiction. Many chronic migraine sufferers find relief with oxygen therapy, eg:small tanks or cannisters with oxygen masks. I've seen forums where many extol the virtues of oxygen therapy use. I personally use Excedrin Migraine, guided meditation, or (believe it or not) a bite of a Habanero chili pepper. The heat from the Habanero bite stimulates an endorphin rush which often aborts my cluster headache. The tradeoff is a really hot mouth for about two minutes until it naturally wears off. The capsaicin level needs to be significant though (a few drops of specialty extreme hotsauces work as well *eg: Blair's or Dave's) I've also found that controlled deep breathing, relaxing, and neck and shoulder massage can work just as effectively. The idea is that once people have their headaches the inclination is to stress further which often exacerbates the headache and prolongs it. Sometimes for me, just finding a peaceful place to sit alone, "letting go", finding a "Zen" place, relaxing my breathing, and visualizing my blood vessels and nerves going from a dilated state to smooth and normal, while massaging the back of my neck is all I need. The imagery can be icy waves washing over a hot coal until it turns blue and dissipates. It just depends. The key is too find the ability to relax though, after years of suffering cluster headaches I've learned that stressing the state you're in makes it worse, while "letting go" and finding peace can normalize blood vessel tone. The key is to be able to do it In the throws of a cluster headache and all of its crippling pain.
If you cannot manage that method, you should try alternative aborting methods such as huffing pure oxygen, a bite of a Habanero, or Excedrin Migraine tablets,

Cluster headaches are said to be in the same family as migraines in that they originate from the same place but manifest themselves slightly differently. Whether it's oxygen therapy, Excedrin Migraine, Habanero Chili Peppers, Guided Meditation, or all of the above, I'm fairly certain one or all of the things I've mentioned would work for your cluster headache..

Good Luck.

Q: What Should I Do About My Cluster Headaches?
Experiencing cluster headaches since Monday. I called the doctor's office and they said I won't be able to see the doctor until February 11. What should I do? Nothing I take eases the pain. Is there something that I can maybe buy over the counter?

A: Caffeine may help. Another thing (I get cluster headaches) that helps sometimes is peanuts if you're not allergic to them. There's an enzyme in them that helps with headaches. I don't know how or why, but it was recommended to me by another nurse and I've used them ever since (and I HATE peanuts!).

Ibuprofen with a cup of coffee may help some but if it gets too bad, a trip to the ER isn't out of order so you can get some relief until you can see your doctor. Let them know how bad the headaches are, keep a journal, and let them know that you can't see your doctor until February so if they give you a script, you will have enough medication to last until your appointment.

Q: is it possible to suffer from both cluster and tension headaches?
after some research, it seems like I consistently suffer from tension headaches, with occasional episodes of cluster headaches (maybe only 4 times a week)

is it possible to suffer from both types?

A: Yes, why not, one leads to another at some point in time. I just helped a guy in Canada get over his after over 6 years of suffering from cluster headaches and am currently working with a guy in Scotland who is thinking about surgery which I think is not needed. I will be glad to work with you to help you get out of your problem also. I think it took the guy in Canada about a month to get over his. Here is the first main exercise to use in order to get over them. There are a few other steps, but this is the first one.
Sit on a chair and place your left elbow on your right knee. Take your right hand and place it over your left shoulder. With your fingertips find the muscle next to your spine and press down on it and hold.
Relax now, take a deep breath and exhale and don't tense up any part of your body.
After about 30 seconds, you should feel a release coming in your low back. As that continues to come, slowly lower your body forward at the same rate of that release until you are completely on your right leg. Continue to hold if you feel more release happening. After 30 seconds remove the pressure but rest your body there for one minute longer. Then reverse and do the other side. Start doing this a few times a day, 4 or 5 should be good so that you get your back loosened up. then it will be time to move up to your shoulders and neck. Let me know how things are going and I will be there to support you and help you all the way.

Q: Does anyone know what foods are good to eat for cluster headaches? Because I can't take these anymore?
I have been getting cluster headaches for about 10 years now, and let me tell you it is the most painfull thing ever. Is there anyone out there that has these also?

A: It's not what you SHOULD eat but what you need to avoid. The book at http://clusterheadachecure.com has been a great resource to me.

Q: Can anybody tell me what type of herbs can i use for cluster headaches. WIZ23?
Please looking for a cure for headaches (cluster headaches not mi grains). There is a difference in the two headaches.

A: You gave me the wrong e-mail address. I tried to write you back and it would not send.

Herbs for headaches: Bromelain{Found in pinapples-ant-inflammatories} ,MSM{Found in certain foods in small amounts-anti-inflammatory and given to racehorses for same reason and found in some joint formulas},Feverfew{Not for people on blood thinners because it thins blood like garlic}

Now imagine what might happening. There is an artery in the brain that gets inflamed and presses on the nerves so this non-drug anti-inflammatories helped me. The drug ones have warnings to make things worse in the long run.

Write me instead of giving your e-mail so I can just reply.My e-mail is dukster21@yahoo.com.

Q: Cluster headaches please help before they totally ruin my life?
Im suffering from cluster headaches and am at the moment enduring a long period of attacks. I can get as many as three a day and always one in the middle of the night - which wakes me up in absolute agony. Im scared to go out of the house because the pain is too unbearable and I never know when its going to start. When I go to sleep I just know Im going to wake up in the most terrible pain and the tablets wont help because the attack is already well underway. Problem is that Im starting to get really depressed about it - Im married with kids and I have to keep myself normal and working and together for them - but its becoming too hard for me. How do I just keep it all together?? Please if there are any cluster sufferers out there I need you right now - help me.

A: I suffered from cluster headaches in pretty much the same way you did and got no help from the doctors. They said they were migraines, but whatever they were they were dibilitating. This is not to scare you, but I had a brain hemorrhage and after the surgery......brilliant......NO headaches. They said there was no connection but something rectified the situation.

Just recently through some new drugs I was prescribed (read my 360o) they began again but this time I was literally on the floor with the pain begging for help.This time even morphine didn't help and only made me sick. Luckily it was me that made the connection between the drugs and the pain and I told the doctor I wanted to come off everthing but the bare essensials. It worked and now I'm pain free again.

Sending you a hug because I know how desperate you become. One thing I did find helped me and this sounds insane but it worked to a degree. I bought a super power charged vibrator (Toshiba Magic Wand) and used in on my neck, pulse points and anywhere it seemed to confuse the pulsing pain that went straight into my brain stem.

I also went to see a chiropractor who released all tenseness that came with the pain I also had a fantastic massage afterwards. This really seemed to work.

I don't know your age, but I do suggest you have your blood pressure checked and TELL your doctor you want these cluster headaches investigated by a specialist because you can't function. Don't be afraid and write a diary because any specialist will want to see if there is any pattern also include your food intake. It's boring but exclude the obvious first.

Sometimes you don't realise how much this affects you until you are pain free. I for one feel so damn happy to be rid of these headaches and I wish the same for you.

By the way if the vibrator doesn't work on your head you have a perfect excuse for putting it to use elsewhere

Good luck

Misha

Q: can marijuana trigger cluster headaches the same way as alcohol?
i am a daily consumer of marijuana. here lately i have been having crippling cluster headaches on my right side. is this an allergic reaction due to the different types and potency of marijuana available? i get the same types of headaches sometimes when i drink alcohol as well. the pain sets in before i can get intoxicated.

A: Cannabis can actually be useful for defeating headaches, but it really depends on many factors.

1. Cannabis (as with any substance) can affect everyone differently. There is no guarantee that cannabis will help with your headache(s) simply because it is useful for someone else.

2. What are you smoking from? Are you smoking out of a metal pipe (generally perceived as a no-no)? Is the pipe clean (built up residue/tar/by-product from smoke, after referred to as "resin" can be headache inducing.

3. Have you tried vaporizing? Vaporizing is a GREAT way to get high (as are edible and other smokeless methods). While cannabis can be beneficial for headaches, some people may be more negatively affected by the smoke. The composition of smoke definitely have the potential to cause headaches, try using a vaporizer...the high is something I like to refer to as being very "clear-headed".

4. Is this an allergic reaction? No. But I would like to ask you, just how often do you smoke? If you're smoking all day, every day, this is not good. All things in moderation...an overindulgence can always yield negative results, and that goes for anything, not just cannabis.

5. Are you drinking plenty of water every day? I went through a phase where my addiction to caffeine was horrible and I wasn't hydrating properly. Not drinking enough water, coupled with too much caffeine (diuretic)...and I was noticing a lot of headaches, I cut down the caffeine intake as well as increased my water intake and that remedied the problem quite well.

6. The only connection between something like this and potency that I could ever see would be that a less potent strain would mean that, to get your desired high, you would have to smoke more, and, as I said before, smoke inhalation could contribute to this somewhat. But a more potent strain would only be beneficial, really.

Check out the link below (yes, it's NORML and some anti-cannabis folks will scream "Biased source!", but they provide external links to their sources).

Q: Can someone give me advice on cluster headaches?
I've had this recurring headache since March. I think its' a cluster headache but I'm not sure. Almost every day as soon as I wake up, at work. I can't find any over the counter medications that will work. It's always on the left side at the temple.

A: If you think its cluster headaches consult your doctor. There is medication that can be taken at the onset that will stop it in it's tracks. A cluster headache comes on fast and is so painful you can't function during it. If your functioning it is most likely not a cluster headache. Pain on one side could indicate a jaw problem (see your dentist), a neck problem (see a chiropractor) or just plain stress (try a massage therapist). Your best bet is to start with your MD to eliminate anything serious and go from there.

Q: I was exposed to bleach & chlorine gas, now I'm allergic to bleach and have cluster headaches, Anybody else?
After a massive inhalation accident involving bleach and Rydlyme in an enclosed space I now have cluster headaches and the slightest whiff of bleach gives me a really bad headache within two minutes. Smoking cigarettes is no longer an option, as it results in a headache within a few minutes, some of them last several hours and are extremely painful.

A: M hmm!! and have you had blood pressure checked? since this accident? Chlorine poisoning usually results in heart damage.

High blood pressure can lead to headaches of the migraine type.

Excellent reason for not smoking!!! That might even help me to quit!

Suggest you go see a cardiologist for complete work up!

Q: Anyone else suffer cluster headaches or know about them?
Every 6 months or so, my father is stricken with cluster headaches. He will have on the average 3 episodes a day, and they last about 15 minutes. This will go on for about 3 months then they just quit. The pain of these are so intense he's actually begged my mom to kill him to stop the pain.
Does anyone out there have any ideas how to minimize the agony while these episodes are occurring? He's on several meds for this condition, but nothing seems to help much. What works for you?

A: I never have heard of them but here's these site's.
Sorry it sound horrible :(

Q: Any ideas how to cope with 'Cluster' Headaches?
I tend to suffer from headaches and migraines but for the last 10 days I have been waking up with a headache. I was once advised by my GP that it could be Cluster Headaches. Has anyone got any info on that please?

A: Yes, go to a doctor who can treat you properly.

I have had migraines and cluster headaches for 20 years, now
there are so many new 'great' meds on the market, it is a shame
not to use them. They are great, non addictive and deal only
with the head pain.

If your GP has no knowledge of this, ask him to send you
to a neurologist.

Honest, it is wonderful to have no pain.

good luck to you

Q: Are cluster headaches sometimes triggered by orgasms? I've been in a 'cluster' phase for almost 4 days and 2?
2 of my headaches were triggered by orgasm. There's sex headaches and cluster headaches . . . do they co-exist? Or are they mutually exclusive? Do try and be serious. :) Thanx in advance for the scientific closure.

A: Yes, you can get a headache that way. Headaches are spasms in the walls of the blood vessels. Sometimes the nerves that send signals of orgasm may also cause the blood vessels to spasm. They're not supposed to, but stuff happens.