does anyone know of any way to relive the pain of cluster head aches my wife is in tears for 15 mintes 4 times a night does anyone know of anyway of reliving the pain even just a bit we know its not curable as yet but there are many suffers out there is there any one who could give some advice we have seen doctor who is unale to help as not enough resurch has been done in this area
2006-09-08 10:14:16 · 12 answers · asked by the tipper 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
Your poor wife !!! it sounds terrible. have found some info hope it helps.. Best wishes...
A cluster headache is a rare type of headache that is more common in men. Cluster headaches start suddenly. The pain is usually behind or around one eye and is very severe. The eye and nose on the same side as the pain may become red, swollen and runny. Cluster headaches also cause restlessness. These headaches can be frightening to the sufferer and his or her family.
A cluster headache can last a few minutes or several hours, but it usually lasts for 45 to 90 minutes. Cluster headaches typically occur at the same time each day for several weeks, until the "cluster period" is over. The most common times for cluster headaches seem to be between 1:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. and around 9:00 p.m. Cluster periods usually last 4 to 8 weeks and may occur every few months. At other times, no cluster headaches will occur.
What causes cluster headaches?
Cluster headaches do not appear to be related to other illnesses or to diseases of the brain. They do not seem to run in families.
Some of the causes of cluster headaches may include:
some medications (such as nitroglycerin)
heavy smoking
an interruption in your normal sleep pattern
problems with the hypothalamus, which controls your body's "biological clock"
How do I know if I have cluster headaches?
Your description of your headaches will help your doctor make the diagnosis. The time and pattern of attacks are very important, so keep a diary of your pain. Family members or others who see you during a headache can also help by telling the doctor how you look and act. Don't be embarrassed to tell your doctor about your attempts to relieve the pain (such as banging your head against furniture). These attempts are common, and talking about them will help your doctor judge how severe the headaches are.
Your doctor will also give you a physical exam. Tests will probably not be needed to diagnose cluster headaches, but your doctor may order tests to rule out other illnesses.
Can I do anything to prevent headaches once a cluster period has started?
During a cluster period, it is important to keep to your usual routine, remain calm and avoid changing your sleep pattern. Once a cluster period has started, a change in sleep pattern, particularly taking an afternoon nap, seems to bring on the headaches.
Drinking alcohol will also bring on headaches during cluster periods. This happens very quickly -- before you finish the first drink. Alcohol should be completely avoided until the cluster period is over. Stress may bring on attacks, and the headaches may start when you are relaxing after a stressful time.
What treatments are available?
Several treatments are available for cluster headaches. It is important to work with your doctor to talk about side effects of different medicines, pick the right treatment for you and set up a schedule for taking the medicines your doctor prescribes.
Your doctor will probably prescribe 2 medicines. One medicine is taken regularly during a cluster period to reduce the number of headaches. In order for the medicine to work, the level of the drug in your blood must be high at the time your attacks usually start.
The second medicine is taken to relieve the pain when a cluster headache occurs. Attacks begin too quickly for you to reach medical help. You must be ready to take this medicine as soon as an attack begins. You may want to teach family members about your headaches and medicines so that they will be able to help you when you have an attack.
Medicines taken by mouth work too slowly to give relief for cluster headaches. For this reason, your doctor may prescribe a medicine that is taken by inhaler, as an injection (a "shot") or as a rectal suppository. Other treatments that work for some people are rapidly breathing pure oxygen through a mask or using a local anesthetic (numbing medicine) in their nose.
How do most people cope?
Although cluster headaches are very painful, with the right treatment most people cope very well. Preventive medicines work well to reduce the number of headaches during cluster periods. When a cluster headache does occur, medicines can greatly shorten the headache and reduce its severity. It is important that you work with your doctor to find the right treatment for you.
2006-09-08 10:24:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Several treatments are available for cluster headaches. It is important to work with your doctor to talk about side effects of different medicines, pick the right treatment for you and set up a schedule for taking the medicines your doctor prescribes.
Your doctor will probably prescribe 2 medicines. One medicine is taken regularly during a cluster period to reduce the number of headaches. In order for the medicine to work, the level of the drug in your blood must be high at the time your attacks usually start.
The second medicine is taken to relieve the pain when a cluster headache occurs. Attacks begin too quickly for you to reach medical help. You must be ready to take this medicine as soon as an attack begins. You may want to teach family members about your headaches and medicines so that they will be able to help you when you have an attack.
Medicines taken by mouth work too slowly to give relief for cluster headaches. For this reason, your doctor may prescribe a medicine that is taken by inhaler, as an injection (a "shot") or as a rectal suppository. Other treatments that work for some people are rapidly breathing pure oxygen through a mask or using a local anesthetic (numbing medicine) in their nose.
2006-09-08 10:19:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Avoid drugs, amongst a few other things already mentioned.
My wife rarely didn't have a head ache when I first met her, she hasn't had a bout of them for around three years now. Contact me if you want some information on how we approached the problem, perhaps you might want to have a chat with her directly. Anything we can do to help.
Whatever you decide, good luck!
2006-09-11 02:42:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
don't grit your teeth!
it can do weird things to your body!
But try cold wash clothes folded on your wristed!
if you want to sleep better try rubbing the space between your eyes and on the top of your nose that low ridge! message it for a deep sleep!
be as still as you can!
pills don't really do anything so i say why bother....
Keep yourself around the color blue the light blue and light greens! they are easier on the eyes less straining!
Keep a log of all the food you eat in case that brings it out more!
Good luck!
you have my wishes to get better!
Mad luv
2006-09-08 10:30:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
my wife has had these cluster migranes for a month now, she to has been in tears, and also Ive noticed her emotions are up and down, can get very angry very quickly!! we went to the docs and was given
pizotifen tablets to take for a month, 2 once a day, trouble is theyve got sedatives in them
2006-09-08 10:18:34 · answer #5 · answered by Ian S 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Poor thing headaces are really bad. Look at the foods she is eating that might help her it has for me because since I have not eaten bread I have not had so many headaces which is good. I hope you get some answers.
2006-09-08 10:17:48 · answer #6 · answered by louise E 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Go back to your GP and insist on seeing a specialist!
2006-09-11 22:42:22 · answer #7 · answered by Mizz Julie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try cutting out dairy products, and buy caffeine free tea and coffee, maybe head massage, hope something works for her its horrible having headaches i have migraines all the best
2006-09-12 06:42:41 · answer #8 · answered by bluebell 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She doesnt have the headaches its all for sympathy or like Mandy says, she probably is using it as an excuse.
2006-09-08 15:01:18 · answer #9 · answered by Mariah&Lydias_Mom 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Try going to a chiropractor, they can sometimes help with headaches
2006-09-08 10:17:44 · answer #10 · answered by irish_yankee51 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋