I have been in a CH episode for about 2.5 weeks now.  I was first diagnosed in 2002 and have been episodic approximately once a year for close to a month in duration.

I have used imitrex injections at the onset of headaches the last few years.  Prior to that, I took a Relpax pill or a Lortab.

Decided to try acupuncture this time and it kept me headache-free for 2-3 days when I have otherwise been having up to 2 or so per day.  So I will say that acupuncture did help!

Finally, after having a bad CH on Saturday resulting in many tears of frustration and 2 injections of Imitrex, I decided enough was enough.  Have not smoked one cigarette since and have not had one headache since.  This is real.  If the pain of the CH isn't enough for you like it was for me to lay the ciggies down, I can't help you.

For those of you that get CH's and don't smoke, good luck and I suggest trying acupuncture.

Hoping to help some fellow cluster heads.

Welcome to clusterheadaches.com.

Hi!

Glad you have had some PF days!    

I quit smoking 17 years ago..... I still have CH.

Welcome to the board!

Jeannie

I have not smoked for over a month and still have CH.
I think maybe your cycle was over.

Welcome

-g

Used to smoke myself and I did quit because of the demon. Been almost 15yrs. Still get hit but it was a trigger for me.

Smoking was never a trigger for me, but oh man the smell ofr gas and some seasonings just killed me.

Figuring out cause and effect with what triggers CH can be a baffling experience. After 31 years I fear I've given up! Early on I gave up coffee...and cured my CH They came back...I gave up using q-tips on the affected sides ear...and cured my CH. they came back. :'(

Congrats on quitting smoking, probably one of the nicest things you could do for yourself. I never smoked, I'm 49, and have had CH for 31 years. I'd strongly encourage you to read everything on the board and be ready for another cycle. If it truly is CH, I'm sorry to say it will be back.........whether you smoke or not.

Welcome to the board.

Joe

Congrats on quitting smoking.. we should all do it anyways regardless of Clusters.. a trigger for me? Those thick black markers used for easel writing. Many years ago, I had a conference training session full of company managers. I was in the middle of a cluster cycle (the fall one) and was waving this marker in front of my nose as I presented.. within a few minutes I had to stop the training session and excuse my self, stagger to my office and start my oxygen.. back in those days, no 15 - 25 l/min.. noooo only 8.. it took twenty five agonizing minutes to abort. Exhausted I crawled back to the conference room and finished the session.. These days at my current place of work, all of the black markers have been put away including all the coloured ones as well....  :P

Well, I did have a headache last night around midnight.  Caught it VERY early, gave myself an imitrex injection, and went right back to sleep.  Relatively painless.  

Thanks to all replies.  I do realize my headaches may not completely disappear by quitting smoking, but the frequency has been about 1/5 the amount as when I smoked every day during a period.

Thanks again and good luck!

Here's hoping quitting smoking will do it. Quitting suddenly certainly changes all kinds of body chemistry. You have no idea how much I hope that this will do it.

I quit 29 years ago but the hits lasted another 11. I can't say that it was one of my triggers but quitting was one of the best things I could have done for many reasons.

Good luck!

Charlie

i tried quitting cigs i got less headaches but they were way more intense, imitrex wouldnt touch them, o2 helped some but i was in for the long ride every headache, there was no exit on that thruway