I suffer from cluster headaches (a type of migraines) and they seem to be more active since my surgery (1/9/07). Anybody have any info? Please help.

I suffer from cluster headaches (a type of migraines) and they seem to be more active since my surgery (1/9/07). Anybody have any info? Please help.

How long since your surgery ? I have chornic migraines as well as Cluster Migraines . ( my clusters only happen about 2 times a yr though) I am worried my migraines will kick in after surgery during the time of the post op diet.

are you eating enough ? Did you recently give up caffiene ?

IF you have the "Right" kind of clusters you might be able to do oxygen therapy . Have you checked into that ?

Mindy

My migraines have increased slightly since surgery also. At first I thought it was due to lack of soda/caffeine but now....9 months later I think not.

I haven't done any new research. I just live with it. I've suffered from migraines since the age of 17. I have been thru all kinds of tests and meds in the last 20 years.

Never heard of oxygen therapy tho??? It that like c-pap or bi-pap for sleep apnea?

O2 Therarpy is only for certain kinds of cluster headaches. Its just what it sounds like you simply inhale oxygen .

http://www.webmd.com/hw/migraines/hw185566.asp

It doenst work for "regular" migraines.

That's worrisome that your migraines have increased since surgery . Its something that I am concerned about for sure.

Have you tried preventatives ? I have had migraines since i was 11 at least 4 times a week. Im now on Topamax 100mg a day . Its the ONLY preventative I have found that works for me . It cuts them down to about 4 a month. But that works for me.

It has some funky side affects but those are nothing to deal with compared to migraines.

HTH

Mindy

I haven't noticed a difference in my headaches since surgery, but I did notice a huge decrease in any type of headache since I've been using a C-pap for apnea.

I got cluster headaches, a migraine a couple times a year, occular migraines maybe once a month or so, and other 'regular' headaches maybe once a week before that.

I too have suffered from migraines since a very early age. I have been on meds for the last 30 years and until recently was having the attacks as often as 3 to 4 times a week. I was fortunate enough to have a mild heart attack due to the meds and my DO started doing manipulation therapy about 1 year ago. I have had only 1 migraine since that time (no more med). I was banded in Oct. 06 and was worried that they would return. They have not. The one attack was triggered by stressing over an up coming surgery for my knee. All is well. I would really recommend that you find a Dr. in your area who can offer manipulation therapy. I have a life again. Paula

Mindy, thank you for the info. I have tried several preventive vasopressors. I just couldn't tolerate the side effects.

And I have had friends and family nagging me incessantly to get a sleep study done to see if sleep apnea is contributing to my headaches.

I broke down just recently and made an appointment. I am seeing a doc about it in 3 weeks.

I just didnt want to wear that cumbersome machine, but if it helps, I guess its worth it.

Lisa I too have cluster, migraine, occular and sinus headaches as well as regular. So maybe cpap will be the answer.

Missy, I too have sleep apnea and have been on a cpap for over 3 yrs. It has helped some what since sleep pattern changes can cause migraines to increase. But it hasnt helped that much . If you have not tried Topamax or Zonegran i would try them . I tried everything for many yrs and then just stopped because I thought " what's the point it wont work anyway "

I was on topamax for a short time went off it, I never gave it time to work . But this last time I thought ide really give it a shot. I have to tell you I didnt realize how BAD i felt until i started feeling " normal" again . Im also on 100mg of wellbutrin which helps as well.

The cpap makes me feel good as well. But If you truely have migraines ( not to be a downer) do not get your hopes up too high that a cpap will stop them. However the cpap will make you realize how little sleep you have gotten over the yrs. You will feel SO much better if you have sleep apnea just from sleeping on the cpap . I cant sleep WITH OUT My cpap now . Once you get use to it you will not want to sleep with out i t. I do not have a headache that is NOT a migraine, I have tension migraines, cluster Headaches, sinus headaches turn into migraines, and I have migraines with Aura as well. So i totally understand.

Mindy

I too have suffered from migraines since a very early age. I have been on meds for the last 30 years and until recently was having the attacks as often as 3 to 4 times a week. I was fortunate enough to have a mild heart attack due to the meds and my DO started doing manipulation therapy about 1 year ago.

Just curious. Did you have heart surgery after your heart attack ?

are you aware of the PFO/migraine theory ?

http://headaches.about.com/od/migraineprevention/a/pfo_escape.htm

This actually might be the reason for your headaches being gone .

Mindy

Yes, I did have a heart cath. about 6 months later. They found a 50% blockage at that time which has since been reversed. They felt that at that time that my prolonged use of migraine med was the cause and they changed the diagnosis to a heart spasm.

i had the opposite effect. I remember my first migrane at 5yrs. old. I have been getting them about 1- 2x a week for almost my whole life. I had the lapband done a little over a month ago and haven't had one since. maybe it's just a coincedence, but my last migrane was the night before surgery. I hope that this trend sticks, i haven't had any type of headache meds for over a month.

Yes, I did have a heart cath. about 6 months later. They found a 50% blockage at that time which has since been reversed. They felt that at that time that my prolonged use of migraine med was the cause and they changed the diagnosis to a heart spasm.

It sounds like your heart procedure could be what "Fixed' your migraines. I have wanted to go get this checked out myself. I saw somewhere that something like 75% of woman who have migraines with aura have the PFO in their heart. I told my husband If i could have surgery on my heart even and it cure my migraines i would do it. The problem is that unless you get in a PFO study docs wont really even test for one with out certain symtpoms showing up .

Im glad your have found relief in your migraines. Your one of the lucky ones i just wish the medical community would open their minds to other conditons taht might be causing migraines. I worry so much about strokes because of my migraines.

Mindy

guys- thanx for all the info. I have since discovered that the onset of clusters (appx. two weeks after my surgery) was because I hadn't taken my medication (verapamil 240 mg 1x daily) for a few days post-op because I was scared of the size of the pill causing problems. However, now, I started with the pill again, I am tolerating it well, and the clusters appear to be under control.

FYI, verapamil is a blood pressure med which is supposed to be effective for clusters as well. I was never sure if it was working but after this episode I am pretty well convinced. Good luck everybody!

OHH Yeah that would do it . Glad you found relief

Mindy