Posted by Robin (64.154.12.126) on December 09, 2001 at 12:28:25:
Hi....
I am so glad I found this site. I have learned so much from reading here. I have never been officially diagnosed with Cluster Headaches, but I have headaches that are similar to what you all have described...however there are some differences that confuse me.
I do go through periods of headaches. I have often called them my tired headaches. I begin to feel somewhat nauseaus and know that if I don't take a nap, I will have a horrible headache. Those times come and go seasonally. When I try to take a nap I will lay down for a few minutes, doze off for for about 15 minutes and wake up with my heart beating really fast and unable to lay there any more. It is frustrating because I know that a headache will come shortly. As the headache comes on it starts out dull and lasts for a long time, but it is only on one side....kind of like an arrow was shoved through my temple and into the side of my nose. I have often thought it was a sinus headache, and cold air often makes it feel worse. It is kind of like a toothache when exposed to cold. On the Kip scale they only reach about a 6 and sometimes like last night a 7. (I really pity anyone who gets worse than that.) Often times I will put heavy pressure on my (left) eye which relieves the pain somewhat. I also get a sneezing sensation along with it. Sometimes I sneeze...sometimes I don't...but it causes my eyes and nose to water and the pain gets worse. Last night as the pain got a bit duller I went to bed. The whole night I dreamed that I had a severe headache and that my eye was swollen. I woke up once with a headache that was probably a 5 or 6 and then a couple of hours later I woke up with one that was a definate 7. I took some naproxin and laid back down and pushed on my eye. In a few minutes the pain went away and I woke up....not well rested, but without pain.
I guess what I am wondering is if any of you have this type of headache. Do any of you get what I have called my "tired headache" (where you feel extremely tired before the onset of the headache)? I know that migrane sufferers have some sore of aura that occurs, however my headache is only on the left side from my temple to my nose. Do any of you just have somewhat mild symptoms that don't leave you screaming? Is it possible that my CHs (if that's what they are) are only beginning and they will get worse with time?
I appreciate any info you all can add to what this site (and others) say is "typical" for cluster headaches. I know I should probably discuss these with a DR. and have on occasion. However, I know they will pass and they are not bad enough to make me terribly concerned. I also don't have insurance...therefore unnecessary visits to the DR are avoided.
Thanks for any info you can give.
Robin