The pain is almost unbearable for 45 minutes to an hour or so. It's right behind my left eye on my temple, and when I hold my fingers up to it, I can feel the throbbing blood vessel. I've web md'd, I've googled, and there doesn't really seem to be a quick fix. Excedrin helps dull the pain somewhat, but its still quite an issue. It happens just about the same time, 11 AM, three to four days a week, and I literally can't sit still or get anything accomplished for the duration.

Has anyone else here experienced these or something similar, and what have you tried to alleviate them?

Thanks in advance

2/25/2010 10:09:26 AM

A gun.

2/25/2010 10:18:17 AM

Thanks for your help.

You're a real pleasure.

2/25/2010 10:22:14 AM

Oddly enough, they are called "Suicide Headaches" In any case, how long have you been having this problem? It would be extremely beneficial for you to see a doctor. They will most likely prescribe you a drug from a class called "triptans." Many of these are oral, but in your case you would benefit more from an injectable or nasal spray as they would work much faster. In some cases, there are some options that involve hormones, but that's a second step.

I'm sorry you suffer from these. I suffer from migraines myself and take Relpax (an oral triptan).

2/25/2010 10:29:24 AM

I had them once for a several month stretch back about three years ago, but nothing since then until now. I've read that they can go into remission for years at times. I've got an appointment next week so I'll ask the doc about them then. They really fuck up your whole day.

2/25/2010 10:34:07 AM

Call the doctor back and see if you can get in earlier. Let them know that you have had a sudden onset of headaches and want to be seen sooner. They should consider this to be a more pressing issue.

2/25/2010 10:36:15 AM

it's your diet

eat a lot of sugar lately?


that's what did it to me

2/25/2010 10:49:15 AM

No. I rarely eat sugar besides fruits and Schnapps.

2/25/2010 10:53:21 AM

Oxygen has been shown to alleviate these types of headaches quickly. I also recommend taking Zyrtec to see if the headaches go away. If you smoke, stop, and see if anything changes. Also, try to get enough sleep, as sleep deprivation or erratic sleep cycles can be another cause. Most people think they have cluster headaches, but in actuality, they are suffering from something else.

I used to suffer from the types of headaches you describe, but ever since I started taking Zyrtec, they went away completely. I haven't had one for about a year now. It is interesting that they occur at the same time during the day, it makes me think your sleep has something to do with it. Do you have sleep apnea?

[Edited on February 25, 2010 at 11:02 AM. Reason : -]

2/25/2010 10:54:55 AM

I hooked up on oxygen tank at work yesterday to alleviate one of these. My boss did a double take, adn shook his head at me.

2/25/2010 11:37:03 AM

psilocybin or lysergic acid diethylamide

SRSLY

2/25/2010 11:41:36 AM

I have a friend who gets cluster headaches. The medication her doctors use to manage them is actually an epilepsy drug. However, the side effects are almost as bad as the headaches.

Go see a neurologist.

2/25/2010 11:51:25 AM

I had some severe acute migraines for a few days about a year ago. Bad enough that they actually scared me and I was concerned I had some kind of tumor or neurological disorder. The doctor did an MRI that came back clean and put me on Prednisone that she said would alleviate inflammation in the blood vessels.

I attribute it to stress (lots going on at work that week), lack of sleep (work & prepping for a trip), and blood sugar swings from a massive diet shift for the week that I was trying to get everything done before vacation. I went from very clean eating to nearly all fast food + tons of soda that week. Cleaned up my diet during/after the trip and haven't had a problem since.

2/25/2010 12:10:57 PM

Quote :

"psilocybin or lysergic acid diethylamide SRSLY "

ha... i saw a special on natgeo about this.

2/25/2010 1:15:55 PM

since its always at the same time of the day, you should examine your sleep/wake routines and morning caffeine/drug consumption as well.

2/25/2010 4:55:46 PM

A gun.

2/25/2010 6:33:00 PM

I suffer from these as well. Best thing I ever did after getting them for about 6 years was go here http://ncheadaches.com/. Dr. Matthews is a really good doctor. We tried a few different treatments including an experimental treatment called histamine desensitization, where I had to give myself a shot every night for three weeks. Unfortunately that didn't work for me, but it does work for some. None of the over the counter stuff even puts a dent in the unbearable pain, and most prescription pain meds barely dull it. He now has me prescribed to zomig which oddly enough is a migraine medication, but it's been known to work on cluster headaches for some, and it works great for me. As soon as I feel one coming on (I usually know during a cluster when they're coming, always the same time of night) I take zomig through a spray through my nose, and it completely knocks it out. The stuff is a lifesaver for me. He'll find something that works for you, and he knows a lot about cluster headaches. I'd defintely recommend getting an appt with him.

2/25/2010 7:26:01 PM

Quote :

" ha... i saw a special on natgeo about this. "

me too. that one dude with the oxygen tank looked to be in immense pain.

2/25/2010 10:30:58 PM

^what was the name of the show on natgeo?

2/26/2010 7:36:42 AM

shrooms

2/26/2010 1:06:00 PM

^^ thanks for sharing that link!

I get the worst headaches and I am on day 4 of a headache right now.

I get headaches relating to barometric pressure, if it's a really BRIGHT windy day outside, lots of migraines, sinus headaches, tension headaches . . . and headaches that I can't tell what they are but it's intense pain at the base of my skull, around one side of my face and makes my eye water. Sometimes it slurs my speech and it scares me!

2/26/2010 2:11:28 PM

Quote :

"^what was the name of the show on natgeo?"

it was an episode of explorer : inside lsd. looks like they're airing it again on 3/9

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/explorer/4094/Photos#tab-Overview

also, interesting read

http://www.naturalnews.com/026015_headaches_mushrooms_cluster.html



[Edited on February 26, 2010 at 4:31 PM. Reason : ad]

2/26/2010 4:22:07 PM