Want to see what a cluster headache looks like?
Monday, June 04, 2007
The gentleman has been kind enough to allow himself to be filmed having an attack is not by any stretch of the imagination exaggerating. The pain is described as "having a white hot icepick being driven into the eye socket". Definately not a pleasant sensation. This is the reason part of the reason they have been coloufully nicknamed "suicide headaches"; a sufferer will do just about anything to allieviate the pain. Personally I do not know of anyone who has died. Unfortuneately, attempts can happen. Not because they want to die but want some relief.
I will warnyou that it can be hard to watch someone is this much pain. There is no blood, gore or violence but yet some viewers may find the images disturbing. The video below is just under 9 minutes. Please do not feel like you need to watch the entire clip.
After you finish, ask yourself if you could go through that for 15 - 180 minutes at a time with up to a dozen attacks a day over a period of weeks, in some cases, years without a day "free" from pain. Try to remember there is no cure and painkillers are frowned upon except in the most severe cases.
The reason the clip has been added is to help educate non-sufferers. I hope it has put cluster headaches in perspective. They are not "just a headache".
Paul
Few people even scratch the surface, much less exhaust the contemplation of their own experience.
-Randolph Bourne
2 comments
I will warnyou that it can be hard to watch someone is this much pain. There is no blood, gore or violence but yet some viewers may find the images disturbing. The video below is just under 9 minutes. Please do not feel like you need to watch the entire clip.
After you finish, ask yourself if you could go through that for 15 - 180 minutes at a time with up to a dozen attacks a day over a period of weeks, in some cases, years without a day "free" from pain. Try to remember there is no cure and painkillers are frowned upon except in the most severe cases.
The reason the clip has been added is to help educate non-sufferers. I hope it has put cluster headaches in perspective. They are not "just a headache".
Paul
Few people even scratch the surface, much less exhaust the contemplation of their own experience.
-Randolph Bourne
2 comments
2 Comments:
grueling. informative. thank you. the quote says it all.
By 
deborah, at
4 June 2007 at 05:22
I found this video very helpful with describing to people the pain I go through. While it's nowhere close to this man's episode, it's still traumatic. Thanks for posting.
By 
, at
24 June 2007 at 19:21
Medical terminology can cause confusion at the best of times. If there is a word you do not understand all you have to do is double-click on it and the definition will appear! Don't forget to drop me a line by email at versilleus@gmail.com with your comments, questions‚ recommended resources‚ concerns‚ & especially your experiences with clusters. Or come find me on my Facebook Profile to add me as a Friend. Whether you are a supporter‚ care-giver or sufferer. I would love to hear from you!
*Please do not use this information for self diagnoses. Writing about my experiences with chronic cluster headaches & epilepsy is a good outlet for me. Consult your Dr. with any kind of headache or chronic pain you may have. The 3rd party links on my site I have found to be a good resource to me over the past few years & dearly hope they will benefit you as well.*
