Cluster Migraines are b*****ds! Any other sufferers?
Cluster Migraines are b*****ds! Any other sufferers?
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Morningside

Original Poster:

24,147 posts

258 months

Tuesday 7th June 2011
quotequote all
Had a very nasty attack yesterday and I can see why they are nicknamed 'Suicide Headaches'. frown

Never felt as bad as the one I had yesterday morning. Fortunately I called the doctor who gave me some more maxalts. This eased it (slightly) until I came back to normality.

I still feel a bit 'out of worldly' and a damn stiff neck but at least I can function again.

This pure oxygen seems interesting. Anyone tried it?



Edited by Morningside on Wednesday 8th June 12:12

bexVN

14,696 posts

240 months

Tuesday 7th June 2011
quotequote all
My colleage/ friend at work has been suffering horrendously with Clusters for quite a while. She has just started on O2 therapy 15litres for 15mins (once or twice a day can't remember which) and it has reduced her epsiodes from daily to a couple of times a week.

Some people get aattacks once in their life others get them recurring.

My hubby had them for about 6 weeks 3-4yrs ago but not since (phew!) my friend had them about 18months ago for a few weeks but this time it has gone on for longer and looks likely not to go but just be managed.

You have my sympathies.

alfa pint

3,856 posts

240 months

Tuesday 7th June 2011
quotequote all
I get them in spring and autumn, occasionally when initially walking out from inside. I'm lucky that they don't last long, but jesus the pain stops you in your tracks.

There's quite a lot of support on the web, including a sufferers' forum - however, many of the idiots on the latter are the self indulgent 'my clusters is much worse than yours' as they try to black cat you.

Good luck with it.

Jasandjules

72,560 posts

258 months

Tuesday 7th June 2011
quotequote all
A friend used to get them a lot, but started on some tablets IIRC and it improved a lot - I can ask her what if you like and see if your doc can give you some?

scdan4

1,299 posts

189 months

Tuesday 7th June 2011
quotequote all
i get them from time to time - just migraines, rather than cluster. I will have one big one that lasts a fair few hours, then makes me feel wiped out for a couple of days.

Had one last night topically - woke me up at midnight, was clinging onto the edge of reality for 5 hours before the "treatment" kicked in enough for me to sleep.

treatment:
1) be sick. lots.
2) when nothing more to come out take some soluble, strong co codamol and desperately try to keep it down
3) wrap wet towel around head, (with ice if poss) and wait for pills to work enough to let me sleep.

possibly not the best of coping mechanisms, but you have to go with what works i guess.

Lemmonie

6,314 posts

284 months

Tuesday 7th June 2011
quotequote all
I suffer migraines but over Christmas / New year last year i suffered a bout of cluster headaches. So much worse than a migraine i cant even explain. It lasted 2 weeks. I already too Imigran tablets (Sumatripan) but after two hospital visits to A&E for painkillers I got the imigran reperscribed as an Inhalor as it works quicker. ALso was on solpodol (codine and paracetemol) Tramadol and Diclofenec for the pain!!! Even then it only took the edge off!

Morningside

Original Poster:

24,147 posts

258 months

Tuesday 7th June 2011
quotequote all
I am taking Gabapentin, Solpadol and Maxalt Melt.

Today its just been 'thumping'. A right bh, but I can cope with that (just).

'scuse spellings

HUW JONES

2,005 posts

232 months

Tuesday 7th June 2011
quotequote all
High flow O2 during acute episodes do help quite remarkably.looking at min 12l/min.Your GP should be able to obtain with a HOOF request.High dose prednisolone eg 60mg once daily for a few days is said to help.I think anyone with clusters should see a neurologist incidentally. Obviously you might have been there/ got t shirt etc and your circumstances may contraindicate above. This does not constitute specific advice for you...aren't cars ace!

Morningside

Original Poster:

24,147 posts

258 months

Wednesday 8th June 2011
quotequote all
HOOF??? Ah, Home Oxygen Order Form.

Thanks for that. I will make a proper appointment to see him and will raise these questions/requests. He saw me a couple of days back as an emergency. Telling the receptionist that I was close to suicide** may have persuaded her that I was serious.

Yes, cars are ace! But also a great drain on your finances frown

.** I would like to point out that I cannot see me doing this. But anyone who suffers from it can see you would do almost anything to get away from the pain.