Please answer someone!

I am so worried. Please answer. 2nd post. Husband cluster headaches, 2nd time in life. Just been made redundant. Last week completely deaf in one ear. Lasted whole day Hospital emergency. Vital signs exam, said fine, stress. Taking occasional strong pain relief, begins with s, does work but he can't take these forever. Suffers occasional Migraines but regularly, at least one ordinary headache per week. Please reply someone. Thank you

[ajg33]

Hello
Im sorry your husband is going through this. First how do you  know its cluster headaches? Has your husband been to a headache specialist? Where do u live? Google headache specialist in your area. I had 2 cluster headache cycles in my life and they are no joke almost makes migraines a piece of cake. There is also a support site called ****************.com. There are alot of treatment for cluster's. Usually the best is to sttart with a prednisone taper while starting verapamil of lithium high flow oxygen for aborting headaches. What are his symptom's . You said taking a strong pain relief staring with an "s' sumatriptan? By your post you need to be more knowledged about "cluster headaches" and I want to help and need more info and the most important thing is he NEEDS to see a "headache specialist". Alot of times regular neuro's dont have too much experience with cluster's. i hope this help's some.
Anthony

[grungema3]

Thanks, Anthony ,so much.
He was in hosp for a week with bad pain in head, eyes and in chest couple of years ago. Thought he was having heart attack. Hundreds of tests. One of the consultant anaesthetists is a good friend so she made sure we had good people. End result was cluster headaches and migraine which, because of the severity, apparantly, can cause chest spasm.
Gave him those tabs, sumatriptan, helped loads. No more chest pain since then.
We thought we'd  like him to see a neurologist to make sure nothing sinister re. added deafness symptom. What's a "headache doc." called? If, all is clear re. the neuro, then we can ask to be referred to one.
Have you ever heard of someone losing hearing with a cluster? Only lasted a day but was so frightening.
He was crying with pain. Only seen him cry twice, when his dad and my mum died.
Did your clusters start from stress? Told you, just been made redundant.
Thanks so much for your help. Will visit site you recommended.
P.S Live in London. Just had to give up health ins, can't afford it now. Could go for one private consultation only.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
As mentioned from the other post, he would also benefit from further evaluation of the ear symptom ( deafness) by an ENT doctor to rule out ear conditions. Since cluster headaches may present with nasal congestion also, ear symptoms such as pain or decreased hearing loss is possible, especially if mucus reach the inner ear via the eustachian tube located in the nasal passage. The fluid can cause pressure to the ear drum  or other structures also. A referral to a neurologist or headache specialist is also highly recommended. Take care and best regards.

[grungema3]

Hi Rowena, latest is that husband did go to doc. Tripped over step as went in. Doc thought he'd collapsed. THEN took seriously. Into office, big painkilling injection, urgent referal for mri. Gave him codeine when he first went! He tripped when he went back to tell doc what he could do wth his codeine given the previous day!
Will keep you informed.
Lovex

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How is your husband? What was the result of the MRI? Continue his medications as prescribed to ease the symptoms present. However, if he trips more at present, extra care is highly recommended to prevent any additional injury. The imaging study will greatly help in determining the underlying cause. Take care and hope to hear from you soon.