Cluster Headaches and Migraine Combined: A Hell on Earth Experience

While at work this past week I was afflicted with a classic migraine on top of a cluster headache. It landed me in the ER and eventually admitted as a patient in the hospital where I work. The pain was incredible and when the photophobia and nausea hit on top of the incredible pain of the cluster, I went down for the count.

The cluster was already in its second week but the onset of the classic migraine was an event I hadn't experienced in a very long time and it took me off guard completely. It seemed as soon as I felt any pain relief, it would again rebound with a vengeance that surpassed the previous wave.

The nausea and sensitivity compounded. I could count the nasal hairs in my right nostril. I could count the strands of hair on the right side of my head. The beat of my pulse in the right temple was excruciating and the tearing and coldness around the right eyeball and the searing pain behind the right eye was incredible. I felt like I had to sneeze very badly but just couldn't. There was a pressure against the bone in the right side of my nose that would not go away.

After a while, I didn't care what they did to me. Take me out of my misery. That may sound melodramatic to a reader of this blog--but only if they never experienced clusters or migraine headaches. If you have ever had one, then you would know what I am talking about. Have one episode and you feel wiped out. Keep having them over and over again and you feel totally depleted.

You will have experienced a hell on earth experience. Right now, I have been told I also experienced a touch of viral meningitis on top of everything else. And this has really wiped me out. I am striving to get my health back and get on with my responsibilities of life and work. As I get stronger, I will blog on some of the the experiences I had along this road--as a nurse--as a pain specialist--as a patient in a place where I work...it hasn't been easy in any one or all of these roles.

But right now, I need to try and focus on getting better.

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Technorati Tags: migraine, cluster headache, health and wellness

Fighting Cluster Headaches

Well it is official...I am fighting a cluster. It started last Friday when I awakened to what I felt was a dagger searing my right eye and a jackhammer banging my right tempo. The very act of breathing air through my right nostril hurt and I could count the hairs on my head. The clincher came when my husband asked me what was wrong with my right eye lid. I asked him why and he said it was drooping. I knew then I was dealing with Horner's Syndrome.

Every night since that dreadful night a week ago, I've experienced severe pain in the middle of the night that has left me fearful of falling asleep. In addition, the cluster has now spread to daytime attacks as well.

I made an appointment and saw my neurologist and was placed on medication immediately. For years I have used Inderal LA and Elavil effectively. However I had built such a tolerance I required extremely high doses the during my last cluster. In addition, I gained close to 10 pounds a month on the meds I took and I was having great difficulty getting those additional pounds off my already large frame.

I wanted to try a different drug combination this time, so my neurologist is trying me on Topamax. We are raising my doses quickly so I can try and break the cluster quickly since it has already been going on for a week. I am remaining optimistic because I really want this to be successful. I am using several different rescue meds including Indocin, Fioricet with codeine, and Imitrex. And I use heat whenever possible. I have found Indocin to be very good so I often start with that drug first. I have also used Naproxen with relief and have found if I take it with caffeine it has worked during time when I can not take meds with sedation properties. I am thankful that I haven't been plagued with a lot of nausea. Light sensitivity can be an issue however.

When I have attacks, I will take my meds, take a couple minutes to close my eyes and focus my thoughts on positive expressions or quotes or affirmations, etc. I feel it is important to think positive thoughts in spite of discomfort. Taking a couple minutes to separate myself for this exercise is important when I have to function in spite of my pain. It is like giving myself a pep talk to encourage myself to get through the challenge ahead of me. I then do the best I can to do just that. Sometimes the meds will kick in and I will feel relief and be grateful for that; and when they don't take away the pain, I get myself home at the end of my work day, take the next dose of medication, lay on my heating pad and pray for relief to come.

It is now Sunday and I have been taking my Topamax now as directed and I am still having the headaches. I am not giving up hope however. I am still ramping up on the meds. I will be increasing my dosage in a few days and then I may feel the relief I need.

In the meantime, I have created a headache log to keep track of how I am responding to the new meds. I have just taken a spreadsheet and labeled the columns by date , time, activity, intensity, action, response. I put date and time of headache onset, what I was doing at the time, what I did or what meds I took and how I responded. I enter something like "the headache was a 6/10 and then went down to a 2/10 in 3/4-1 hour." I also added a notes column where I put down things like "ate ice cream or had pop corn at movies; or was near a lot of smoking people, etc." This might help in identifying triggers, etc. The whole idea is to capture information that might help identify triggers, or patterns or identify the effectiveness of medications or treatment combinations.

Hopefully this cluster will resolve quickly. I have a tool box that I have built over the years with a variety of tools in it. I will pull them out as needed. I must remain optimistic. I know my thoughts effect how I feel. The best I can do is a day at a time. I will work with my doctor and as a team we will beat these! I know we will! I'll keep you posted!

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• New Treatment for Cluster Headaches
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Technorati Tags: cluster headache, medication, health and wellness

Happy Father's Day!

I just wanted to take a few minutes to write a Happy Father's Day wish to all of the fathers out there! I always say I have been fortunate to have 3 fathers - my own dad, and the fathers of my two husbands! I was very fortunate to have fathers and not "fathers-in-law" like so many folks have. All of the fathers in my life were loving and showed it in their own unique ways.

I love to see good fathers! And I believe a father can be a good one regardless of whether they live under the same roof as their children or not. Good fathers:

• Are actively involved in their children's life. Good fathers make the effort to watch their children play sports. They have a desire to know what their children's dreams are.
• Talk regularly with their children. Whether a father is or is not living in the same home as their children doesn't matter. Good fathers make a point of talking with their children either in person or by email and/or phone on a daily basis.
• Recognize and take responsibility for the child/children's financial needs. There are men out there who have children but do not take the responsibility of child support seriously. Their children often suffer for it. Good fathers recognize that they may have a financial responsibility to their children and they take care of it without complaint.
• Put the needs of their children above their own. If a child is ill and needs medical attention, the good father makes sure proper care is obtained.

I consider myself to be blessed to have a husband who demonstrates the qualities of a good father. In fact, the relationship I saw between my husband and his daughter was a testimonial of his character as a man and was one of the things that made him attractive to me.

The fact that his daughter often calls him just to visit with him between weekend visitation says a lot about their relationship. Almost every night, his daughter calls to say good night to him and I think that is a precious thing. She makes sure he is up-to-date on the important things in her life. The sense of humor displayed by the both of them is a reflection of the closeness they share. Visitation weekends do not need to be totally structured with activities. They demonstrate enjoyment in just being together - laughing, chatting, and enjoying quality time together. I make an effort to step back during weekends so they have some uninterrupted time together.

One young 12-year-old is blessed with a wonderful father. There are many others out there who share that and it is such a wonderful thing. Others however may be less fortunate. There may be a history of a critical past relationship that may have led to a barrier in communication. Some children suffer the loss of a father during their young years and not know what it is like to have a father actively involved in their life. And for some, not knowing a father leaves an empty void in a child's life.

Father's Day is the perfect time to reach out to each other. Take time to consider letting go of old grudges of the past. Make time to see Dad and let him know there is an opportunity to possibly try and reconcile a strained relationship. There is only one life and we are not promised another day. It is important to try and live each day to the fullest. Open closed doors and explore who/what is inside.

Fathers - reserve at least one hug with your child's name on it and invite them to come get it! Resolving painful pasts may not be easy but it can be very rewarding. Doing so creates an opportunity to develop a fresh start with your child. Carrying grudges on your shoulders is a heavy burden that takes much energy. Free up that energy to be used on something positive! Have a wonderful day!

Indie

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Technorati Tags: Fathers Day, dad, health and wellness