suicide headaches

12 Jan, 2011 - 11:03 pm

I am starting to really understand why they are nicknamed suicide headaches. I finally got an appointment to a neuro who told me i had tension headaches because it is impossible for females to get cluster headaches. He gave me anti depressants and sent me on my way, i am really frustrated at the lack of understanding of the way this affects lives. I am trying to get through my diploma of nursing with two small children and although im determined to do it i am at breaking point. I feel sorry for my children because i have lost all patience and cannot get out there and play with them anymore because i am so drained physicaly and mentally. I just want some help.

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13 Jan, 2011 - 9:50 am

Dear Irene
Take a breath, you know the facts, you now know what to do and that is to find another neurologist. My neurologist never ever mentioned tension headaches to me. Take heart, know that our disease is one of ups and downs and ons and offs.
You know that women get Cluster Headaches--note I have put in upper case!
You know that you are not on your own.
Actually antidepressants are used as treatment for CHs. so dont be put off by that. When first mentioned to me, I raised my eyes a little -- who me!!!
BUT, I know too where you are coming from.

Wow I did not know you were doing your nursing--good on you! Tough with small kids. You are not at breaking point Irene--you are too tough yourself. Give yourself a breather. Do you have someone you can lean on a bit??
Can you take a break from your studies for a while?? (I am an old--and I mean old nurse)
You need to find another neuro who is a bit more understanding and knowledgeable.
I am assuming you took with you a record of your headaches etc.
What are you doing for the pain now.
Come back and tell us what you are currently doing.
How old are your children by the way--it is nice to know about our families.
I have just become a grandma for the second time--a little girl Emily, she is a delight and has helped me through a tough spot as well.
Will be looking out for you.
Heather

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13 Jan, 2011 - 11:10 am

I just sent you a private msg heather . I have 3 year old twin girls, ella and Madison. The hard thing is that i dont have any support i do everything on my own, but ive gotton this far so will soldier on.
Irene

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14 Jan, 2011 - 9:58 pm

Irene,

A silly question perhaps, and I don't wish in anyway to sound unsympathetic, especially when you are studying for a diploma in Nursing, and therefore have a clear understanding of symptoms, your body, feelings and soul, but I assume your GP sent you to the neuro and the neuro has subsequently diagnosed you with tension headaches.

Yes, woman do get CH, Dusker is testament to that, and I fully agree with Duskers comments that perhaps you should find a more sympathathic neuro.

However, despite all of that what makes you believe you have cluster headaches?

You have a lot on your plate Irene with 3 year old twin girls and study, and you have my full support, and even if it is not related to CH, I would be happy to chat privately with you, if you believed it would be of benefit..

However in the meantime keep positive, keep going, and even if you do have CH I assume, as a newly diagnosed person, they will be of the episodic kind, so they will be gone soon for another year

Look after yourself and your daugthers

Guy

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16 Jan, 2011 - 4:15 am

Hi Irene. So the Neurorolgist's diagnosis was purely based on "females don't get cluster headaches"? How incredibly frustrating for you! As Dusker has said (and we all unfortunately know), you have to arm yourself with information because most of the time you will know more than your Doctor. Keep good records of when attacks hit and what, if anything, may have triggered it to demonstrate you are pro-active about your condition. Then keep trying until you find a Doctor who is willing to take an interest in your case ( I think I went through 5 ).
Then you must just be strong, be positive, and KNOW that between all of us we will come up with a solution eventually.
Best wishes to you and your family,

cheers peter.

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26 Jan, 2011 - 11:44 pm

I actually don't bother with Neurologists. My new GP asked me if I wanted to be referred to one when I first went to her and told her what I have, and I said "nope."

I told her they dont offer any more than what you can sop why bother, plus they tend to bnot believe what I say. They seem to have the attitude opf "I am a specialist and you are not, so there is no possibility you could know more than me about what you have"

So, I just tell my GP what I want to have prescribed, and she makes a call or does whatever, and gets the approval and prescribes. I turned up once during an attack and was put on oxygen at my wife's request, and when she saw me in the pain I was in, she immediately prescribe opiate paint relief drugs, which do help a lot. (They also get rid of RLS which is a nice side effect)

So, why bother with a neurologist?

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27 Jan, 2011 - 12:06 am

Hi Roger
Nice to have you back
For me neurologist--why bother?
For diagnosis, or perhaps more importantly to ensure that there is no hidden underlying problem ie aneurysm or tumour that could be causing the headaches.
This was the main concern my neurologist had was to be sure that there was not an underlying condition that was causing or being masked by the headaches.
I would agree that once agreement or perhaps non agreement has been reached and only prescriptions are required these can be acquired from GPs if they are in agreement.
Cheers
Heather

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28 Jan, 2011 - 1:08 am

I went to a neuro once, he didn't order any tests, just prescribed drugs. Waste of time he was. I went to a GP and they ordered a head scan. My current GP also re-ordered a scan last time I saw her. (I didn't go and have it tho, - waste of time)

But yeah, I suppose they do have more of an idea at the begining, when there might be doubt over whether it is CH or not. But like you said, after you know, a GP is fine.

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