manjiru Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 Greetings my suffering brethren. I'd like to begin by thanking my good friend Ron S. (Astro?) for turning me on to this site. Knowing of his cluster suffering for years and first hearing about his "unorthodox" hallucinogen treatment regimen, I was admittedly amused, particularly given our similar regimen in college for different reasons... My headaches began about 4 weeks ago while at our beach house in the northeastern part of Brazil near Fortaleza. It is extremely hot and dry there and my days consist mostly of kitesurfing under a blazing hot equatorial sun. They would begin in the evenings between 7-9pm, starting on the right side of my head just behind the ear. The pain would then travel behind my head to the other ear and down the back of my neck. At first I attributed it to dehydration and sun exposure, but after a day or two of remaining indoors with plenty of liquid, I ruled that out as the headaches persisted. No amount of painkillers would make a dent in the throbbing, searing pain, and both alcohol and opiates would only exacerbate it. I turned to valium to get any hope of sleep and regardless of the severity of the pain the night before, I would wake up pain free and remain that way until nightfall every day. Upon my return to California a couple weeks ago, I met with my GP, who recommended an MRI on my brain. I won't bore you with the details of my insurance company's nightmarishly slow approval of the procedure. The MRI apparently showed "chronic sinus disease" and my GP recommended I see an ENT specialist, which I did later that day. He was unconvinced that the sinus infection was the cause of my headaches but recommended I go through an antibiotic regimen anyway and also see a neurologist, which I've yet to do as I was traveling for business all last week. The severity of the pain at night has subsided considerably even before the antibiotics treatment, so I don't believe there is a cause/effect here. Will try to get in and see a neurologist this week, but open to any ideas or suggestions from the community here. Thanks for listening and hope to hear from someone soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diamondmaker Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 Doesn't really sound like CH to me. CH usually is one sided and the major pain stays basically behind one eye, with same side nostril plugging and the eye on same side tearing and eyelid "drooping". You need to see a good neurologist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trytosurvive Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 You need to see a good neurologist. Agree with Diamondmaker Manjiru, sorry about the pain, it all sucks. I hope you do not have CH and there is another explanation. Question for ya, are you able to lay down or do you rock,pace or bang your head off the wall? This should be the first question a good Nuro asks. Unlike Migraine, you cant really stay still or lay down with CH in a full blown assault. I have collection of staples from all the head splits during an attack. I have had it switch sides but never like you are describing. However nothing would surprise me. Let us know how you made out at the Doc's. Good luck! Another descrption for me anyway, Like a brain freeze caused by eating ice cream or a real cold drink to fast, but you can X that pain by 1000 and have that intense pain last for up to a couple of hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bejeeber Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 Will try to get in and see a neurologist It doesn't sound like CH to me either, but regardless, there's something valuable to be learned from veteran CH'ers here, and that is don't just see "a neurologist", as in a garden variety neurologist. Definitely hold out for a headache specialist type neurologist, as the garden variety sort typically have woefully inadequate training regarding headache disorders, and misdiagnosis sux. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diamondmaker Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 [smiley=thumbsup.gif] true indeed Jeebs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ajax Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 Never doubted the board! I asked him to reach out even though the symptoms were clearly different. A wealth of knowledge in our little community. Still riding high from the conference! It was hard to leave early and keep emotions in check. Nothing better than knowing your not alone... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manjiru Posted September 23, 2013 Author Share Posted September 23, 2013 Ajax! Not Astro... What was I thinking?!? Anyway, thanks to all for your input and will let you know if I make any progress! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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