Hello and question
Hello new friends! I am so happy to find this group. I have suffered migraines since I was 9, now 57. But this past week was something else. Last Sunday I was feeling fine and then out of nowhere i was hit by a sudden onset of head pain like nothing I’ve ever felt. I was in ER 3 times in 5 days with these sudden onsets. I guess they are called thunderclap headaches or some such. Whatever they are, my migraine meds don’t work on them. Pain meds only temporary and I can’t keep going down that road. Would love any insight you might have. It’s been devastating. I am a professional singer and had to miss performing this weekend after spending months of preparation. Thanks for your thoughts.
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your experience with us. I'm sorry to hear you've had such a rough time recently, I understand how frustrating that is. It's very alarming when we have new and/or different head pain and always a good idea to have it checked out like you did.
Let me share a link with our information on Thunderclap headache with you here; https://migraine.com/search?s=thunderclap.
It may be time to reach out to a doctor who is an expert in treating migraine and headache disease. These expert doctors are board certified in headache medicine - all neurologists are not. Here is more information on these doctors are different and how to find one; https://migraine.com/blog/really-find-headache-specialist/
https://migraine.com/blog/seeing-a-board-certified-headache-specialist/
https://migraine.com/living-migraine/change-thoughts-new-care/
https://headaches.org/resources/healthcare-provider-finder/.
Will you let me know what you think? Wishing you a low pain day, Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator Migraine.com TeamThank you so much. I didn't know neurologists vary in their headache expertise. I will research your links and share any progress. 😀
My pleasure! I look forward to your updates! Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator Migraine.com Team
Welcome to the migraine.com community! We are glad you've found us. I'm sorry to hear that you have had these sudden, intense headache episodes. Migraine by itself is pretty awful, but cluster attacks are scary because of the rapid onset and ferocity. I'm glad you went to the ER to get evaluated. What types of tests did they give you? I know with severe headaches, they will often do brain imaging to rule out bleeding or clots and things like that. A headache disorder's impact on our lives can be tough to manage. I'm sorry your attacks caused you to miss your performance. How are you doing now? Any more sudden attacks? Warmly, Cheryl migraine.com team I'm hopeful to have found you. I can't remember all the tests (and I was pretty out of it) but CT scan among others. Had an MRI several times years ago. I haven't had a severe sudden onset but the headache is always there in varying degrees of severity throughout the days. This is new for me. Usually they are gone after one bad day. But this has gone on and on. The acupuncturist thinks he can help after a period of treatment. It's the only thing I haven't tried till now.
Haven't has a severe sudden onset in a few days*
, I'm glad to hear that you've had a break from the sudden onset of attacks. The CT scan in the ER was probably done to rule out a stroke or bleeding in the brain. It is a fairly common test, but it should really be followed up with a headache specialist. Nancy gave you some great resources. Here is a link to help you find a headache specialist in your area.
https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/find-a-doctor/
Depending on your location, you might have to drive a bit, but the care you get from a specialist is often worth the drive. I hope this helps, and you continue to have many days without the sudden onset of headache attacks. Warmly, Cheryl migraine.com team
