#cluster headache

[smokinghorse]

A quick sketch comic about Jean's recurring cluster headaches bc I get them also. I think it would definitely affect his ability to work considering how hard it is to function or even speak/see when these take hold for days at a time. (Also fun fact for those who aren't familiar with cluster headaches, often your eye will turn pink and swell up as it starts to water and you'll start to cry and sniffle and salivate for no reason. Hence why his eye looks like that.)

[headpainmigraine]

So, I've just started increasing my dosulepin to 3, after 14 days on 1 and then 14 days on 2.

I think it's had an okay effect on my migraines (I don't think my neuro will agree), but lately I've been getting these weird headaches

They're always on my left hand side, incidentally the same side I keep getting the supraorbital nerve pain

they're located like an inch above my ear, in the place between the corner of my eye and my ear

they feel like I'm getting a cramp in my brain, like a twist of really deep pain that comes out of nowhere and lasts for 15-30 seconds before releasing and then just leaves an ache

kinda feels like a toothache in my head

It's not a stabbing/piercing pain, so I don't think it's an ice pick headache (I've had those too)

and it's not like the nerve pain, so I don't think it's cluster headaches (surely they'd hurt more? unless I'm just used to it because daily migraines have mucked with my experience of pain?)

But I don't know what else it could be.

I'm still taking sertraline, just in the mornings now and the dosulepin in the evening, and that's the only med change I had before this started happening

Has anyone ever experienced anything like this, and what did it turn out to be?

I thought maybe 'brain zaps' because dosulepin is an antidepressant, but I've never had that coming off an antidepressant before, I'm not coming off any of them, and I've never felt them, so I don't know if this is what they're like?

They make my head ache, they make me feel nauseous and sometime I feel it in my neck/shoulder on the left side, but not enough that I'd think it was a muscle spasm thing

Does ANYONE know what this could be, or has anyone felt anything like it before?

I'm still waiting on an MRI appointment, but it's freaking me the math out, man

[quickie-comic]

Once again

The pharmacy

Doesn't have

My fucking pain meds

It's been nearly a week of me calling and being told they haven't got it and since I've got fucking cyclical episodes I can now spend all day anticipating my pain episode at midnight which comes exactly at midnight every night for weeks now and they just keep getting worse with little hope of relief so its likely that I will have to go to the hospital if the pain is as bad as last night (that's what the phone nurse told me to do) girlies I'm doing bad

[onlyhurtforaminute]

KANDAR-SLUGS

[freeinfo1]

Cluster Headaches: Understanding the Agony Within

Cluster headaches are an incapacitating neurological issue that causes horrendous torment and uneasiness. Often referred to as “suicide headaches” due to their intensity, these headaches belong to a unique category of primary headache disorders. Cluster headaches are known for their distinct pattern of occurring in clusters or groups, typically lasting for weeks or months, followed by periods of…

[kamalkafir-blog]

कौन सी बीमारी में होता है सबसे ज्यादा दर्द? खुद मौत मांगने लगता है इंसान

[NEWS] कौन सी बीमारी में होता है सबसे ज्यादा दर्द? खुद मौत मांगने लगता है इंसान [SAMACHAR] Source link

[health786]

[walvitswordsandpoems]

Types of headache.

[chronicsymptomsyndrome]

I know its kind of silly to say “don’t feel bad for canceling because of pain, fatigue, etc” because I know guilt is a reflex you can’t easily refrain from. But you can reason with yourself so instead I’ll say this:

Nobody can feel what you’re feeling but you. Nobody knows the severity of what you would be putting yourself through if you were to “tough it out.”

If you do “tough it out,” the purpose for you doing the thing will most likely not be fulfilled anyway. You probably will not be mentally present or engaged. You probably will not have a good time or get much out of it. Etc.

If people really have such a problem with it, thats a huge red flag. Being transparent about your needs and boundaries is a great way to weed people like that out of your life.

If you have any kind of chronic illness or disability, remember that you probably have a very warped judgement of what is “reasonable” to endure in terms of pain, fatigue, burnout, etc.

You didn’t ask for this, you don’t deserve this, there is no reason you should have to bear the weight of it alone. I bet if someone else was in your position, you wouldn’t mind helping accommodate for them?

Low energy days are truly sacred, take them seriously. Please respect your body’s signals. “If you do not choose times to rest, your body will choose for you” or however the saying goes

It is so much pressure to have to deliberate what sacrifices are necessary for proper self care. Give yourself extra credit for having to deal with that stress on top of whatever is putting you in that position in the first place. Thats a lot at once

You are leading by example and showing others that you would never expect them to hurt or overextend themselves for your benefit. Putting yourself first always inspires other to do the same.

Please be proud of yourself for even considering canceling and putting your needs first. That is so strong of you <3

[discardedtower]

Some first exploratory sketches of Jean coping with cluster headaches ! Inspired by this informative post and discussions about cluster headaches by @smokinghorse and @softaspects ! Bonus sketch i couldn't resist doing after replaying the second tribunal :

[smokinghorse]

Hi btw here’s some writing tips (with some of my own personal hc sprinkled in) for anyone writing about Jean’s cluster headaches in fics (or writing abt them in general), as someone that suffers from them regularly:

They can make you go temporarily blind/cause temporary blind spots in the affected eye.

The eyelids on that eye usually turns red and swells up, drooping downwards.

You’ve probably heard about this but your eye may start to leak excessively, your nose may get stuffy or even run, and you may begin to salivate heavily.

It can make you dizzy as fuck and it makes it really hard to process reality.

I keep aspirin by my desk at all times which I imagine him doing also. (I also hc him carrying painkillers in his pocket everywhere he goes.)

A constant supply of painkillers, caffeine (cold brew black coffee), and pressure to that side of the head is how I personally power through it.

It can make you nauseous.

Your head might start to feel really heavy on one side.

Your head will get really hot, especially on That Side, and you might be able to feel out a bulging vein or two.

It can last for days at a time.

Every little sound makes you feel like you’re getting clocked across the back of the head by a metal pipe.

It can make processing sounds/hearing difficult in some ways bc shit gets really confusing when your eye and temple are pounding.

It kinda feels like your eye and your brain are boiling, or as if your eye is about to pop out of your skull.

It depends on the person but it can get so bad that the afflicted might even start to scream and cry.

Bright lights and loud noises feel like someone is detonating fifty sticks of dynamite inside your fucking skull.

Bonus

I like to hc Harry giving Jean head massages at work/at home/in the field when he notices Jean struggling with it.

(This is all just based on my own personal experience, I’d recommend talking to more than one Clusterhead™️ about this.)

[bellysoupset]

Yes I really wanted a long fic for Luke to have a really bad cluster headache and Vince there for him 🥹🥹

Moving Day - Electric Boogaloo

"Do you guys need help?" Wendy asked, as if she could do much about the large boxes sitting on the back of Daniel's borrowed pickup.

Vince let out a snort at his girlfriend, giving her a once over as he balanced the box on his shoulder. She was wearing heels tied at her ankles and a lemon patterned sundress. This offer was ritual, she was clearly on her way out.

"And you're gonna carry boxes on heels?" Luke voiced his thoughts, leaning to grab a heavy box filled with books.

Wendy pouted, "maybe I am," she frowned, hands on her hips and Vince grinned from ear to ear, taking a step forward so he could steal a kiss.

"God, you're adorable," he planted a kiss on her forehead, chuckling as her nose wrinkled since he was sweaty and she had makeup on, "we got this. Where are you going?"

"Barbie asked me out for brunch, you don't mind, right?"

"Nah, we got this," Vince knew that this was actually just Wendy letting him enjoy Luke's company on his own. Even though they had made up, Vince hadn't been able to hang out with Lucas until now, since he had been forced to stay in Doveport to sort through his moving details, participate in Soph's graduation and see her off to college.

"Alright," Wendy let out a squeal as Vince swatted her ass, "caveman... You two have fun."

Luke was chuckling as Wen walked past them, getting inside her baby pink sedan and waving goodbye before she drove out of the garage, "Ah Wendy..." he let out a fond sigh, causing Vince's smile to grow even more.

"She's the best," he beamed, walking ahead to get a hold of the elevator. Luke followed him, closing the bed of the trunk with his hip and all but skipping despite the heavy box in his arms. He was wearing a snapback to keep the hair out of his face and his cheeks were pink from all the trips up and down they had done already.

"Did you get Jonah's text with the schedule for the wedding?" Vince asked, holding the elevator door open with his foot, so Luke could get in, "we have a suit test...? I'm not worried about the price because I know Leo has common sense, even if Jon doesn't, but am I wrong for starting to get the feel they're buying us suits...?"

"Well, you're-" Luke blinked several times, collapsing against the metal wall of the cargo elevator, "you're one of the best men, of course he is..."

Vince frowned at the weird infliction on Luke's voice, pressing the 6th button and planting his box down on the ground. No sense holding it up all the way, "I can buy my own suit."

"The one Jon wants, no, you can't," Lucas rolled his eyes, but now his smile was a little uneasy and he too put down his box, bracing against his knees, "Uhm..."

"Are you okay?" Vince took a step closer, planting a hand on Luke's shoulder. The guy nodded, although something was off and Vin could tell. It was a really warm day, yes, and they had been carrying boxes for the past 20 minutes, but Lucas had been a quarterback. He exercised daily. Nothing justified how out of breath he seemed or the way his loose wifebeater was covered with sweat and gluing down to his back.

"Yeah, I'm fine..." Luke's voice was slow and strained and he was still bent in half, staring at the ground. The elevator came to a stop. Vince picked up his box and stepped out, planting it on the hallway and then grabbing Luke's box. His friend hadn't moved to get it, which was a glaring red flag.

"I'an-Iuhm- I'aneeet.." Luke mumbled and Vince did his best not to panic. The slurred speech was terrifying, no matter that he had heard it before when a migraine hit him.

"No, stay put," Vince removed the second box, then grabbed Luke's bicep, "c'mon, let's get you lying down..." Wendy had left the front door of her apartment wide open, since they were coming and going so often and Vin dragged Lucas inside.

Luke promptly stumbled over the welcome mat, bracing against the shelf which lined the front door, falling on the cushioned seat that shielded away their at home shoe rack.

"Okay, stay- Stay," Vince pleaded, rushing back to the hallway so he could grab the two ditched boxes. He pushed them inside, then slammed the door shut, turning his full attention to Lucas who was half collapsed, leaning on his seat like the Pisa Tower.

"Luke," he crouched down before his friend, "buddy, hey-" Vince reached in, grabbing Lucas' chin so he wasn't in that weird, terrifying crumpled position and letting out a hiss between his teeth. The right side of Luke's face was collapsed, green eye almost swallowed by the blown pupil, mouth in a weird frown down, tears leaking out of the corner.

No matter how many times Vince saw it, it would never cease being scary as fuck.

"Vvvee- een," Luke struggled to push the word past his unresponsive lips, drooling a little as he did. Vin, "Uhh-uuhtsss..."

"I know, I know," Vince whispered, his heart racing and hands all sweaty, "let's get you lying down, okay? In the dark," he grabbed Luke's arm, throwing it around his shoulders and then wrapped his arm around his best friend's waist, pulling him up.

The minute he did, Luke let out a cry, like he had been stabbed. His snapback fell down as he crumpled, knees buckling from the pain, and Vince silently cursed, jumping to catch Luke by his armpits.

"Alright, bridal it is-" he winced at the thought — Lucas wasn't a small guy — but immediately got to it, throwing both of Luke's arms around his shoulders and-

Luke seized with a gag, whole body shaking with it, "Veee-"

"Shit," Vince gently pushed him sitting back down once more. There was no way he could carry Luke and also contain the mess, "hold on, buddy, give me a minute-"

Lucas didn't have a minute. He gagged again and then his head fell forward, causing Vince to rush to cup his forehead as he vomited between his legs, all over the tulips rug at the entrance.

"Oh Luke..." Vince whispered, shuffling around so he kept his hand on Lucas' forehead, the other one on his back, "get it up, that's fine..." he made a note to text Wendy about the rug, because he doubted that could be salvaged.

Lucas' whole body seized as he retched once more, the only thing keeping him from taking a dive in the mess being Vince's firm grip on him, "you're good, Luke," Vin cooed, knowing he wasn't making much sense, grabbing his friend' snapback before it fell and grimacing as his hair covered Vince's hand on his sweaty forehead, "I got you."

It seemed to go on for forever, but it was probably only ten minutes, as Luke's retches ran empty and turned into painful dry heaves that caused him to whimper, tears running down his cheek and a line of drool hanging from his bottom lip as he struggled to breathe.

As he was reduced to a mess of incoherent groans, Vince patted his shoulder softly, squeezing Luke's nape, "done?"

"Urgh..." Luke mumbled, crumpling to the side as Vince pulled him in, coordination so shot that he smacked his cheek against Vin's shoulder and let out a pained whimper, "Vee-en-"

"Ouch," Vince sighed, rubbing his chin against the top of Luke's head, "alright, let's get you lying down."

Lifting Luke was a task on the best of days, no matter how big Vince was, no matter how many hours he spent at the gym. It was an even bigger one when there was a puddle of sick to be avoided and his best friend's head was lolling like a baby's, eyes rolled into his skull and Vin's heart drumming into his ears.

He was huffing and puffing, back burning, as he managed to stumble into the main suite and all but fall with Lucas on the bed, the whole thing shaking as they sank into the mattress.

Luke let out another whimper, curling up and grabbing his hair by the root, hitting his forehead with closed fists and trying to crawl out of his own body.

"Hey, no," Vince rolled on the bed, grabbing Luke's fists and squirming so he could push himself up by the elbows, "no, don't hurt yourself, dude..."

Lucas answered him with a sob, "uuurtssss..." he hissed, whole face scrunching up as he continued to cry, "eel'me..."

No matter how many times he heard that pained infliction in Luke's voice, it'd never cease to break his heart. Vince threw his legs off the bed, sitting by Luke's head and pulling him closer, so his best friend could hide his face against his thigh, "I know," he whispered, a knot squeezing his throat, "I know, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

He ran a hand up Luke's back, his wifebeater was soaked with sweat, arms covered with goosebumps. There was a bruise forming on his cheek where he had slammed it against Vin's shoulder and he let out another gag-sob, teeth gritting as he pressed his face with all his force to Vin's thigh.

"Breathe..." Vin whispered, his voice wavering, running his fingers softly through Luke's greasy hair, pressing the back of his hand to his forehead. He needed a cold compress, medicine pumped through his veins, drugs so strong they'd knock Lucas into next week. However, Vince felt like he could move, not when Luke was pressed to him so tightly.

A couple minutes passed, no sound but Luke's laborious breath, sniffles... A soft snore. His whole body slumping as fight depleted him, tension leaving so quickly that for a horrible split second Vince thought he had passed out instead of falling asleep.

Vin let out a sigh of relief, from deep his lungs, pulling with it a choked out sob of his own. He'd do anything to trade places at this moment, anything but sit there helplessly watching Lucas' brain eat at itself.

Very carefully not to wake his friend up, Vin slid out of the bed, replacing his thigh for a pillow under Luke's cheek and rushing out of the room to sort the mess.

He cleaned the front door, put the boxes out of the way, put the rug in the washing machine even though he thought it'd do fuckall and it was a lost cause. Grabbed a mixing bowl and wet a towel, returning to the room. Someone else might've been hesitant about planting the humid towel over Luke's eyes, scared of waking him up, but Vince wasn't.

Luke stirred, let out a groan, but didn't wake up. Vince's shoulders dropped and he sat on the corner of the bed, keeping the washcloth in place and running his fingers through his hair, worry gnawing at him as the minutes passed by. With his whole face slack like this, Vince no longer could see the partial paralysis, but that didn't mean the episode was over.

About an hour into the sleep, Luke rolled around, letting out a hiss and blindly reaching out, his hand finding Vin's wrist, "Vin...?"

"Hey, it's me, I'm here," Vince whispered, leaning in, "how's your head?"

"Hurtsss..." Luke's eyes were still tightly squeezed shut, "don't feel well..."

"Like you're going to be sick?" Vince guessed, reaching for the empty mixing bowl. His friend hesitated for a second, before nodding as he swallowed in convulsively, struggling to push himself up on his elbows.

Immediately Vin put the bowl under his chin, his free arm wrapping around Luke's back and holding him put, "I got you, let it up..."

A belch rolled past his lips and some specks of saliva fell in the bowl, but all he managed was a weak gag, continuing to hiccup and burp for good thirty seconds.

"You're empty," Vince sighed, patting his back gently, "Luke, you're empty, breathe-"

Lucas shook his head, a harsh heave wrecking through him, loud and guttural, followed by another- "Oh no..."

Vince glanced down, then felt his stomach freeze with dread as he saw bright red blood in the bowl, Luke's retches fading into the background as he stared at it, "what- what the fuck...?" he immediately let go of the bowl on the mattress so he could cup Luke's face, the possibility of being puked on be damned.

A blood vessel had burst in his right eye and there was blood running down his nose, gushing really. The face paralysis was back and Lucas looked terrifying.

"That's it," Vince decided, "hospital."

-------------------------

When Luke came back to, he was lying on the hospital bed and had the distinct feeling he had missed several hours of his life. His mind was hazy, he couldn't remember much after having thrown up on Wendy's pretty entryway rug... There were colorful dots in his sigh, aura pulsating around the only light sources in the room, the grey light filtering under the door and the blinking red dot on the turned off TV.

He rolled his head and cringed as he saw Bella curled up to his right side, wrapped up in what he initially thought was a blanket, but soon realized was Vin's jacket. She had a hand tightly wrapped around his wrist, vicious grip even as she slept.

Then Luke looked to his left and jerked, startled.

"What are you doing...!?" He hissed, adrenaline suddenly making his heart pound as he took in the scene. Vince was down on his knees on the left side of his bed, hands clasped together, the silver cross he always wore was now wrapped around his hands and his head was bowed.

Oh. He was praying.

Vince opened his eyes at Luke's scared whisper, then his whole face became cartoonishly surprised and he all but tackled Luke into a hug.

"You're up- Finally, you're- You're okay..."

Lucas groaned at being strangled, but let Vince hug him without a complaint, burying his nose against his friend's shoulder. He smelt like bleach and sweat, lavender aftershave long faded. How long had it been since the episode started...?

As if reading his mind, Vince pulled back, making the cross sign and finishing with a quiet "amen", then saying a little louder, "I brought you here a little before lunch... It's-" he sniffled, rubbing his face, "just around 3 AM."

Oh fuck, so more than twelve hours. No wonder Vince looked like a mess. His curls were sticking out everywhere and he was shaking, chin wobbling as he pressed a hand to his mouth and muffled a sob.

"Hey," Luke groaned, reaching out with his left hand so he could tug on the hem of Vince's shirt, "I'm alright... I'm fine."

"You were not fine," Vince's voice came out choked up, "you scared the shit out of me, Luke..."

"I'm sorry," Lucas pouted, although he felt silly saying it and Vin waved off his words.

"I'm just- Just give me a minute," Vince lowered himself to the chair he was occupying, which was far too small for him. He had given the big one to Bell. Lucas chewed on his lip as he watched Vin take slow, deep breaths, not knowing what else to say besides apologizing.

"Uhm- Was Wendy too mad at me? About her rug?"

Vince let out a watery chuckle, hiding his face in his hands and shaking his head, "no, of- Of course not," he laughed, "...Your doctor wants to put you on new drugs. Sumapi-Sumasomething... A spray."

Luke let out a groan, he was always more than a little suspicious of trying new drugs, after he had reacted so badly to his antidepressants.

Vince shrugged, "can't be any worse than the headaches, Luke."

"Fair," Lucas rolled his head, letting his cheek sink against the pillow and allowing his eyes to slip closed for a second, "I missed you."

Vince let out a strangled noise, then he heard the chair being pulled closer and felt his best friend's fingers on his hair, petting. Sleep sank its claws deep into him, pulling him down, "Vin...?"

"Yeah?" Vince continued to stroke away his hair, thumb roughly touching Luke's prickly cheeks.

"Did you punch me?"

"What?"

"My cheek hurts."

[daily-isabeau]

Today we have wide

[everythingisspokenfortbh]

I’m having so many health issues atm I’m legit exhausted

Like, I’ve genuinely spent the past 3 days exclusively doing medical things - meeting with doctors, nurses, running tests, picking up prescriptions etc, and I just got a call from the doctor saying she’s consulted a specialist + had some tests back and so I now also have 2 more prescriptions to collect, as well as a minimum of 4 more doctors appointments in the next week. I’ve just found out today that I’ve also got a severe ongoing infection, possible autoimmune disease, likely Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, a thus far mystery blood clotting disorder (that I had to go to the ER for last week + has caused me daily nosebleeds for the past 4 weeks) and I am in a new cluster period with my cluster headaches.

I am so fucking drained