Migraine or Cluster Headache
Posted , 3 users are following.
I've been suffering with severe headaches for the past 10 years, the pain is sudden, intense always one-sided in my temple and behind one eye often waking me from my sleep, I go through periods where I have them for weeks or months then not at all.
I've been going back and forth to my GP practice since, first been told they are tension headaches and then migraines advised to take over the counter painkillers which don't work.
Eventually a nurse said I was suffering from cluster headaches and prescribed me Pizotifen to reduce the headaches. Lately the headaches have increased so I went back to my GP Practice and saw a doctor who at first said they weren't cluster headaches but wasn't sure if it was a migraine either blaming them on my life style as I work nightshift but increased my dosage of Pizotifen and prescribed me with Sumatriptan.
I'm at a loss I'm barely sleeping due to my headaches and it's impossible at the moment to change my work. All I want is a definitive diagnosis so I can get my headaches under control.
1 like, 4 replies
StevenRose Vanessa92374
Posted
They do sound like cluster headaches to me as this is what I get. You do have to be persistant with drs as they can fob you off.
I would first of all nag them for an MRI brain scan. Next nag them to send you to a neurologist as they have been going on for so long. Sumatriptan is a good med to get rid of them, but you need a better med to prevent them in the first place. What strength Sumatriptan are you taking? This drug comes in many forms and its worth seeing which one is best for you. I would say you need the epipen which will get rid of the pain very quickly, then you could ask for Pregabalin, but see a neurologist who specialises in headaches, they will know more about dosing than your GP.
Good luck Vanessa, let us know how you get on, take care and best wishes
Vanessa92374 StevenRose
Posted
Thanks for the advice I will definitely keep going back to my GP practice and asking for more test such as a MRI scan. My Sumatriptan is 50mg tablet form currently but doctor would only give me a prescription for them on a trial basis.
StevenRose Vanessa92374
Posted
Good luck anyway, I know what pain you have been going through trust me! Let us know how you get on.
Take care and best wishes
tony67143 Vanessa92374
Posted
all I can say is that I think that it is histamine related as histamine rich foods trigger an instant attack for me.
so, aged cheeses ,cured meats, tinned fish, seeds, tomatoes(esp tomato sauces), spinach, citrus fruits(and any very ripe fruit), all out. also vinegar and alcohol(do not drink!). but, that being said, no matter how good I am and how healthily I eat, twice a year I seem to have a major episode that can last up to 3 months(for some bizarre reason this is always around the equinoxes).
the pressure and pain around my trigeminal nerve is literally mindblowing. I find that if I suck the spit out of the little holes on the roof and corner of my mouth, it helps to relieve the pressure a little and maybe makes the attack pass a little quicker...
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