Hi

I am new to the list but not new to cluster headaches. I have had a relatively mild form (I think) for about 20 years.  The clusters ususlly last about 6 weeks and occur at intervals of roughly one to three years. I rarely get any warning, the first indication being the sensation of a red hot ice-pick being stabbed into the side of my head, right behind my right eye.  After the first attack, the "shadow" remains between attacks until they gradually subside. After the first attack, further attacks can be triggered by icy drinks (like margaritas) or ice cream. I also have orgasmic cephalalagia (look it up) during an episode. I get the best relief from strong, hot coffee. My OTC med of choice is migraine strength Excedrin. I have never tried Imitrex.

I will probably lurk for a while and read all of the posts I can before trying to contribute anything useful.

Welcome Elliot,

since you already decided to read I suggest you start with the Oxygen threads in the medication forum.

Oliver

I suggest a visit with a neurologist.

 Kinder gentler Potter

Elliot wrote on Jan 3^rd, 2009 at 3:28pm:

Hi I will probably lurk for a while and read all of the posts I can before trying to contribute anything useful.

welcome to the board elliot. i never have anything useful to contribute but i do anyways ;D i like to think of this place as a think tank. if you have something on your mind, post it. ask questions.
like potter said get a diagnosis. make sure you don't have a brain tumer. any advice we give you for ch is utterly useless for other types of headaches.

Welcome to the board! Sure sounds like CH but I'm all for a trip to the neuro. 2 reasons, you really do want to rule out anything more sinister going on in your head. And more importantly, there are many effective treatments for CH which can substantially improve your quality of life. All require prescriptions and all require you work closely with a doc to get you dosing right.

Glad you found us, time to get you a good diagnosis, pull up a stool ahnd start reading like a mad man!

Joe

Thanks to all of you who suggested a visit to a medical professional. I have done that, several times including CAT scans, MRIs, some sort of doppler test for blood flow, EKGs, etc. I don't remember what all has been done over the last two decades. The DX of cluster headaches was made after all other possibilities were more-or-less eliminated. The main thing that convinces me is that they come, stay a month or so, then go away for a year or more.

However, I have already learned that there may be some treatment options that were not available a decade ago.

Good on you for the accurate diagnosis, that's a huge hurdle! Now just read like crazy!!! Hoping we can help you out.

Joe

Hello Elliot,

    Welcome to the group.  I see you have got some good advice already.  Keep reading and ask away any questions you may have.  There are lots of people here to help.

    I looked up orgasmic cephalalagia,  that just blows.

                                        Good Luck
                                           JPC

Hi Elliot and welcome aboard. Good to see you had some very important tests done to determine what you DON"T HAVE and that is a good thing. ;)
Have you talked to your doc about o2? Read up on it and as you can see here it is the main abortive amongst most of us.
What prevents has your doc talked to you about? Also, remember that if those margaritas have alcohol in them that alcohol can be a major trigger for most people with CH"s.
Keep reading!

  Barry :)