Hi everyone. I've been lurking the site and boards for a few weeks and I find it incredibly wonderful what you guys do here. It is a big relief to find a place like this.

For a long time I wasn't sure of what was going on with my head but through reading and research  I've come to conclude that  I've been suffering from Cluster Headaches for about a year and a half now.

In March of 07' while crossing the street I was hit by a car. The impact did not cause any bodily damage besides a head wound in my left upper, back parietal lobe-ish area of the skull (seeing as how my head broke her windshield.)  I got stitched up (8 of em) and was seemingly fine. A bit nervous from the occurrence, but fine.

About two months after though, I started to experience severely bad headaches. I went to a Neurologist and after a few visits, an MRI, and CAT scan he said that I had very sever migraines. I knew this wasn't the case as I have suffered from migraines before and the amount of pain and anxiety and utter restlessness when these headaches set in was unlike anything I had ever felt before.

Unfortunately, when I turned 19 my insurance ceased to cover me. I tried applying for insurance through my job but it wouldn't cover the costs of a Neurologist. I cannot say how many headaches I got per day when they started but recently have been getting 3 every night. The first around 1 am, the second around 5, and the third around 9 or 10 in the morning. The first lasts about 1-2 hours (on really horrible night it can go on for 3 or 4) the second around an hour tops, and the third around 1 to 2 hours. They only occur on the left side of my head, where the wound is and am positive it was triggered by the accident. They usually go away from a period as short as a week to about a month and a half.

In August of this year, out of personal curiosity I tried psilocybin mushrooms in the peak of a cycle and noticed that for about 3 weeks my headaches were gone. I did some research on this of course, and have thereafter been highly considering taking small quantities as a treatment.

It is very difficult to deal with. I am a full time college student with a full-time job, and currently searching for a health plan that may aid me, meanwhile having to deal and cope with the attacks and the emotional upheaval they cause.

Thank you all for reading. I look forward to your opinions. =)

:]

Welcome.   :)

Glad to hear that you've had an MRI and a CAT scan--that at least reduces the chance that you are dealing with something more sinister than cluster headache (at least CH won't kill you).  

Nevertheless, I'd be remiss if I didn't say that--insurance or not--you really ought to contact a headache specialist.  Explain your circumstances, and see what can be done about making an appointment.  There are other sorts of TAC (trigeminal autonomic cephalgia) that respond differently to different medications.  Some symptoms may be similar to CH, but the regimen your doctor may follow could be entirely different.

Again, welcome.  Whether or not you are finally diagnosed as having cluster headache, we'll be happy to try to help in any way we can.

All the best,

George