Post-Ictal Headache

[Zoofemme]

CLuster headaches are caused by dilation of the blood vessels...from what I understand, swelling is something that is often seen with them. It took a long time for me to be diagnosed because they aren't common for the most part and they aren't common at all in women. They aren't like a regular migraine...think of them as a migraine on steroids. When I was a kid I would lay screaming and bang my head against the wall...my parents thought I was throwing temper tantrums They would take me to the doctor and it would be dismissed as a reaction to some chemical or trying to get attention. I was finally diagnosed when I was in the military.

They tested me for triggers...caffeine, chocolate, cheese, msg, etc. Artificial sweetners are a definite trigger, I haven't found one yet that wont trigger a cluster migraine within 15 minutes...including Splenda. I avoid these at all cost. I read the labels on everything I buy because they will sneak asparteme and splenda into a lot of things. If I drink too much tea I run the risk of it due to the tannins, or too much citrus. I can drink 1 glass of ice tea or 1 glass of lemonade/ orange juice... 2 and I'm taking chances. Those are it that could be found. The rest of the time it is anybody's guess.

I've only been given epinephrine via IV. I think they also give it to me to calm me down when the caffergot doesnt work...the pain is so intense it sends my blood pressure sky-rocketing.

 

[Rae1889]

Yeah
so i assume you go to the hospital for this often?
As far as I know, you can go into anaphylactic shock for several 'odd" reasons. I say odd, because people dont think of these as allergies or potential triggers for anaphyaxis

It can be triggered by excerise and physically stressful events. pain, and emotional trauma. so i wouldnt be surprised if what you are experiancing is shock from the pain. but that does sound like a good remedy for intense pain.

I wonder if they can invent some small dosage pills of that, or an EpiPen for you if you bring this to their attention?

 

[Zoofemme]

Actually no, I don't go to the hospital at all anymore. It got to be too expensive. A trip to the emergency room runs in excess of $5000 around here. I could go and have them take care of the headache and wakeup the next day and it would be back again. It is what puts the "cluster" in cluster migraines/headaches. They occur in clusters/groups/cycles. You can have them for hours/days/weeks/ or months on end. There might be breaks in between. I've gone maybe 6 or 7 months withouut one. I've been dealing with them for over 36 yrs...since I got out of the military it has been pretty much grin and bear it. I have to be screaming bloody murder and forced to go now...I was getting close though.

Over the past year I've also been dealing with regular migraines on top of the cluster type. I didn't know it until I explained it to the neuro. It is part of the reason I went to her. Headaches day in and day out...pain ramping up to unbearable around my eye or just pounding away endlessly on top of my head. For me, a regular migraine may not hurt as much as it does for another person. But, it was all wearing me out and probably contributed to lowering my seizure threshold. A lot of things have apparently been contributing...I've just been to stubborn to notice them

 

[Rae1889]

bummer that it lasts that long
I have cluster seizures, that finish after either lying down or taking my meds. or just dying out on their own. alot of simple partials and sometimes a few complex partials in a row.

I used to have cluster tonic clonics all the time. I dont have them as often since being on meds for a longer period of time. But the last one I had was last monday after an allergic reaction.