What is the best way to deal with cluster headaches?!


Question: I have been getting them for years, but I recently connected the symptoms, frequency, and duration to possibly being cluster headaches. I will see a doctor on Monday, but I would LOVE any suggestions. I have already tried the dark room, cold/hot rags, etc.


Answers: I have been getting them for years, but I recently connected the symptoms, frequency, and duration to possibly being cluster headaches. I will see a doctor on Monday, but I would LOVE any suggestions. I have already tried the dark room, cold/hot rags, etc.

If your headaches are extreme migraine severity but unilateral (on one side) then they likely are cluster headaches. These are generally characterized with the earmark symptoms of a drilling or throbbing pressure behind one eye or ear, tearing eye, sensitivity to light/sound etc, blurred vision, nausea and/or sweating from extreme pain, a drooping eyelid on the affeted side, and even a bloodshot eye.(I personally always get a bloodshot rearing eye on the affected side).

Firstly, You should rule out all other possibilities with an MRI scan. If that comes back okay, you can discuss options with your neuro. For management long-term. here are some suggestions that have worked for me. Make sure your posture isn't hunched over and your neck isn't strained, that's a big one that's often overlooked and understated. Also make sure you aren't grinding your teeth, or that your jaw has too much tension. This may sound cliche, but I found my cluster headaches were due to TMJ, which was caused by a spinal scoliosis, but my own hypertension and stress while sitting caused the scoliosis over time, and also neck and jaw tension, which subsequently triggers cluster headaches.

For ongoing symptoms, you need to find what works best for you.. Usually powerful pain medication is the last resort option for people for obvious reasons as they want to avoid addiction. Many chronic migraine sufferers find relief with oxygen therapy, eg:small tanks or cannisters with oxygen masks. I've seen forums where many extol the virtues of oxygen therapy use. I personally use Excedrin Migraine, guided meditation, or (believe it or not) a bite of a Habanero chili pepper. The heat from the Habanero bite stimulates an endorphin rush which often aborts my cluster headache. The tradeoff is a really hot mouth for about two minutes until it naturally wears off. The capsaicin level needs to be significant though (a few drops of specialty extreme hotsauces work as well *eg: Blair's or Dave's) I've also found that controlled deep breathing, relaxing, and neck and shoulder massage can work just as effectively. The idea is that once people have their headaches the inclination is to stress further which often exacerbates the headache and prolongs it. Sometimes for me, just finding a peaceful place to sit alone, "letting go", finding a "Zen" place, relaxing my breathing, and visualizing my blood vessels and nerves going from a dilated state to smooth and normal, while massaging the back of my neck is all I need. The imagery can be icy waves washing over a hot coal until it turns blue and dissipates. It just depends. The key is too find the ability to relax though, after years of suffering cluster headaches I've learned that stressing the state you're in makes it worse, while "letting go" and finding peace can normalize blood vessel tone. The key is to be able to do it In the throws of a cluster headache and all of its crippling pain.
If you cannot manage that method, you should try alternative aborting methods such as huffing pure oxygen, a bite of a Habanero, or Excedrin Migraine tablets,

Cluster headaches are said to be in the same family as migraines in that they originate from the same place but manifest themselves slightly differently. Whether it's oxygen therapy, Excedrin Migraine, Habanero Chili Peppers, Guided Meditation, or all of the above, I'm fairly certain one or all of the things I've mentioned would work for your cluster headache..

Good Luck.

keep a migraine diary, learn your triggers, see a neurologist, and have patience.





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