Posted by Ueli (194.230.29.66) on July 15, 1999 at 20:28:59:
In Reply to: atypical CH posted by Steve on July 15, 1999 at 15:17:44:
My neuro also said that I am an atypical CHead.
The main differences to a 'typical' case are:
First, I was a late starter at 56, as our survey shows only 2.5% start at 50 or later.
Second, I have a little bump in my gum, I can feel it with my tongue, but nobody was ever able to see something special. However, during a bout it is often a little sore for hours and then, 5 or 10 minutes before an attack this 'hot spot' begins to hurt more. This forewarning even wakes me up at night and gives me ample time to get on O2.
Third, the main area of pain was not in the usual eye or temple region, but just below the cheek bone, with radiation to the teeth, some to the nose, and very little to the eye area.
Fourth, I had an extremely rapid raise time, from 10% to 90% of to maximum pain it took only 2 minutes or less. The duration of an attack was rather short, seldom longer than 15-20.min. Also the end of an attack was rather abrupt, in a few minutes from max to about half and then - like letting escape the gas out of a balloon - down to almost zero in 5 seconds.
I did use the past tense above, because since I was diagnosed correctly and got the proper medication, I didn't have a full-blown attack, only 2's and 3's on the official Kip-scale. (I'm taking Verapamil, 480 mg/d).
However, my current bout is at least 5 month too long for my taste.
Pain free nights and days,
Ueli