Finally Gone, I suffered for several years, at least 8 or 9.  I had run into a friend from work who currently suffers from Cluster Headaches and I had mentioned to him that I was able to get rid of them. He made me realize if I can, perhaps my story can help others, it was a long, long painful trip but I can say they are truley gone. I believe them to be a lack of circulation, I am not a doctor, nor do I pretend to be.   I only know it worked for me. I had woke up with a severe pain above my left eye.  It came and went.  I saw every professional humanly possible... I'd list them but I'm not sure there is enough space here. I had learned to manage my circulation, in turn I was able to clear what I believe was the clot or reason for my pain.  I'm pain free and have been for several years know.  I hope this helps...  I really simplified the process but it may be a starting point for some...

Glad you're feeling better.

What Brew said!!!!


....and I can't wait til potter sees this thread!!!

Anytime anybody achieves a pain free state........I for one am happy. :)

Joe

Maybe Charlie's circulatory technique coupled with remission?

Just a guess.

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking Redd...

Quote:

....and I can't wait til potter sees this thread!!!

[smiley=crackup.gif]

Finally gone, you DO know that they will come back, right?  Not to be a downer...but even with long remissions of some around here there, is no cure for CH and the better we prepare ourselves, the easier it is on us and our supporters.  Most episodics stock up on their meds, 02 etc. while not in cycle, put them away and then go on with their lives with the knowledge that when they come back...they'll have what they need to fight the good fight.  BTW...CH is NOT caused by blood clots.  ;)

Redd,  I thought about that too, but Charlie's circulatory technique was only supposed to be a way to reduce the pain somewhat.  Not make a cycle stop.

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Redd,  I thought about that too, but Charlie's circulatory technique was only supposed to be a way to reduce the pain somewhat.  Not make a cycle stop.

WE know this, but someone who's come across the technique at the end of the cycle, just as remission sets in, could easily view it, albeit wrongly, a cause and effect.

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someone who's come across the technique at the end of the cycle, just as remission sets in, could easily view it, albeit wrongly, a cause and effect.

Very true, unfortunetly.   :-/

Good morning, I was 22 when they came, I didn't realize how many people suffered as I did. I suffered for close to a decade.   I tried everything conventional and what some may view a bit unconventional, everything from acupuncture, to 0xygen treatment. MRI's, CAT Scans, The Script Institute in San Diego and on and on and on.  At least for me I realized I needed to get rid of the demon/pain my self.  I learned how to, and I know this may sound/read weird, but I learned how to manipulate my circulation by focusing my thoughts/energy.  I then was able to focus on where I was hurting and well I felt what I can only explain it as a twinge under my left eye.  It was as if a clot had cleared or circulation was able to flow. I was pessimistically optimistic.  The headaches were gone, I'm 45 now and loving life again.  This worked for me, I'm not a doctor and I just wanted to share my story. I've been pain free for 15 years now.  It's gone...

...finally.

I've been pain free for around two thousand days plus or minus.  I was strongly advised by a member to get o2.  I got it,  I huffed it and it killed the cycle. So the oxygen cured my problem.  Right?  No it didn't. It's called remission.  So be thankful you are pain free but let's not call ourselves cured.  I gotta call bull shit.

           Potter

You're slowin down in your old age potter....LOL!!!!!

DD

If you want to call it a remission, that's fine.  I mean no disrespect for those who are currently suffering, or have had relapses.  I'm glad you escaped the cycle as well, I know there are more then one way to skin a cat, as the saying goes.  If it works, GODs Blessed You, that is for sure.

Good thing you didn't use the "C" word or instead of Potters "bullshit" you would have gotten Potters "Booolshit"

Glad you've been free of this horror for so long. So have I but it has nothing to do with my technique which a good portion of the time shortened my hits during my cycle. It didn't reduce pain unless it stopped them. It's an all or nothing thing....which is probably too bad.

Here it is for those that haven't read it:

I am not sure what mechanism is triggered by this but whatever it is, at least indirectly helps kill the pain. This technique has nothing to do with meditation, relaxation, or psychic ability. It is entirely physical and takes some work. It involves concentrating on trying to redirect a little circulation to the arms, hands, or legs. Increased circulation will result in a reddening and warming of the hands. As silly as it sounds, try to think of it as filling your hand with redirected circulation. The important part is that it has to be done without interruption until it works. Do not give up in frustration. It may not work on the first try. Sometimes it can work quicky but it almost always worked after a time. Try experimenting between attacks. You will find that it gets easier with practice.

I was given less than five minutes instruction in the use of this method. The doctor, while placing his arm on his desk, showed me that he could slightly increase his arm and hand circulation. After several attempts, I was able to repeat this procedure and use it successfully. I had about a 75% success rate shortening these attacks. My 20 minute hits were often reduced to 10 minutes or less. Once proven that I had a chance to deal with this horror, I always gave it a try as I had nothing to lose but pain.

I used to try to imagine I was pushing blood away from my head into my arm. Use your imagination. There is one man who wrote that his standing barefoot on a concrete floor shortened his attacks. This draws some circulation away from the head and sounds good to me. Cold water, exercise, or anything affecting circulation, seems to be worth a try. My suggestion is to not let up immediately when the pain goes. Waiting a minute is probably a good idea.

This technique is very useful while waiting for medication to take effect or when none is available. It costs nothing, is non-invasive, and can be used just about anywhere. It is not a miracle but it helped me deal with this horror. It can be a bit exhausting but the success rate was good enough for me and a cluster headache sufferer will do just about anything to end the pain.

I hope this technique is helpful and I wish you the best of luck.

Charlie

Charlie,

I had started almost exactly as you've stated.  I believe/hope you'll find the path as I did, and end up cured / in remission. g/l

just wanted to mention i have 4 to 6 years of remission between cycles. i hope you never get them again but i HIGHLY recommend that you be prepared if they do.

dont get caught with your pants down.

good luck   

My only comment is that any remission is not related to this technique.

You won't find anyone more than I further away from holistic or crank ideas when it comes to medicine. It isn't that kind of thing.

I can't stress this enough.

Charlie

Charlie wrote on May 25^th, 2010 at 2:26pm:

My only comment is that any remission is not related to this technique. You won't find anyone more than I further away from holistic or crank ideas when it comes medicine. It isn't that kind of thing. I can't stress this enough. Charlie

     Good onya Charlie.

         Potter

"Holistic and crank ideas" nice.  :)  I'm new here and came on strong, I now know why its taken me this long to share my story.  I wish you luck.

You haven't really shared anything substantive.  I've been waiting on the other shoe to drop and find out how I can do it too and what it is going to cost me.  Pardon me if I am reading thing wrong, but your first post sounded like the usual snake oil pitch that ends up with us having to buy something from you or a friend of yours.  I really do hope I'm wrong, and I truly do hope you are PF until you die at a very old age.  If you have CH though I don't hold out much hope for that.

Jerry

I used his technique and poof he was gone .   Unfortunately  just like clusters another will take his place.

        Potter

What technique?? :-?   


Quote:

I had learned to manage my circulation, in turn I was able to clear what I believe was the clot

That is the only thing he said and it certainly wasn't clear and didn't explain anything at all.

Linda_Howell wrote on May 26^th, 2010 at 12:36pm:

What technique?? :-?    Quote: I had learned to manage my circulation, in turn I was able to clear what I believe was the clot That is the only thing he said and it certainly wasn't clear and didn't explain anything at all.

Yep that one.  But he will check back.

              Potter

Maybe, he might just be gone (finally) because everyone here did not clammer to learn his "Cure of the clot"

It wasn't my caveat that the technique is anything but a cure, was it? If so.... ::)

Charlie

I'm not trying to sell anything, and I don't claim to know exactly what was causing the pain.  All I know is it was a huge part of my life for a long time and I wanted to get rid of it. I am not saying what I did will help anyone, all I know is what it did for me. I don't particularly like the word holistic, but I didn't use drugs, so maybe it was. If I can help one person, it will be worth the time to tell my story.  I'll post it this Sunday...

Quote:

Maybe, he might just be gone (finally) because everyone here did not clammer to learn his "Cure of the clot"

LMAO...good one Tatiannia.

Why must we all wait with baited breath til Sunday?

I'm sorry but we've been around the block with all the "cures"   for about 11 years now.  We've seen it all.  If something has worked for you and you are not selling something or pushing some quackery...you'd have already told us about it. 

TFH's at the ready...

Quote:

Why must we all wait with baited breath til Sunday?

All part of the marketing "hook". 


Quote:

See Sunday's paper for the full details

Finallygone.......Meet JeffSavage.  You two got a lot in common.

          Potter

No hook, I work long hours and have a family. I promise I have nothing to sell. Some or maybe most here might consider my story a bit out of the ordinary. I'll try to put something intelligible together sooner then Sunday if I can.

Quote:

Some or maybe most here might consider my story a bit out of the ordinary

My technique sure is. The price is right though.

Charlie

     Always see and follow your doctor’s advice.  I am not a doctor or a physician of any type.  I’m not advising that you do anything.  I am just sharing my experience as I remember it.  I suffered from headaches for close to 10 years, I was in my early 20’s when they started.  I had gone to several different physicians and medical professionals.  I had MRI’s and CAT scans done as well, I went to chiropractors, acupunctures and even to a gentleman who took a hot iron to my head, that wasn’t too pleasant as you can imagine.  I figured I would have this pain for the rest of my life. I prayed like no other, and cursed like no other.  I began focusing my thoughts on my fingers and hands, one hand at a time, one finger at a time.  It seemed to ease my pain a little. I found myself doing this all day every day.  I then started to control my breathing while concentrating on my fingers and hands, I felt as if I could control the circulation better.  I figured why not concentrate on where I was hurting and see if I could lessen the pain.  Well, I am not sure what was causing the pain, I can only tell you that while I was in my car going to work I felt a twinge under my eye, perhaps circulation was being released, once again I have no idea if that was what stopped the beast.  I can only tell you I’m 45 now and it’s been gone from that day on or in remission.    Lastly, I would like to give GOD the credit; I really began to dislike him at several points of this journey. But he came through at the end.  I truly believe time answers all questions.  I wish you all well, and I hope you find an end to your cycle.

It reminds me a bit like my technique and you never know.

I was 45 when mine disappeared for the last 19 years. I attribute it to being.........45.

Glad to hear you're doing so well.

Charlie

FinallyGone wrote on May 29^th, 2010 at 8:56pm:

Always see and follow your doctor’s advice.  I am not a doctor or a physician of any type.  I’m not advising that you do anything.  I am just sharing my experience as I remember it.  I suffered from headaches for close to 10 years, I was in my early 20’s when they started.  I had gone to several different physicians and medical professionals.  I had MRI’s and CAT scans done as well, I went to chiropractors, acupunctures and even to a gentleman who took a hot iron to my head, that wasn’t too pleasant as you can imagine.  I figured I would have this pain for the rest of my life. I prayed like no other, and cursed like no other.  I began focusing my thoughts on my fingers and hands, one hand at a time, one finger at a time.  It seemed to ease my pain a little. I found myself doing this all day every day.  I then started to control my breathing while concentrating on my fingers and hands, I felt as if I could control the circulation better.  I figured why not concentrate on where I was hurting and see if I could lessen the pain.  Well, I am not sure what was causing the pain, I can only tell you that while I was in my car going to work I felt a twinge under my eye, perhaps circulation was being released, once again I have no idea if that was what stopped the beast.  I can only tell you I’m 45 now and it’s been gone from that day on or in remission.    Lastly, I would like to give GOD the credit; I really began to dislike him at several points of this journey. But he came through at the end.  I truly believe time answers all questions.  I wish you all well, and I hope you find an end to your cycle.

Hope you haven't been run off of this site before you get a chance to read this.  There are still people here who lurk and read who aren't as quick to jump or seem as jaded.

What you and Charlie are describing is classic visualization techniques and controlled breathing.  My mom used them successfully for years for migraines.  Charlie's technique, which has worked many, many times for me is right on the money and seems very similar to what you do. 

Both visualization and controlled breathing have been studied for headache control and there is some success in using both.  Anyone with access to a Google search bar can look it up if they have doubts. 

Both of these have been identified as a natural way to lower your blood pressure and reduce pain.  Women have been doing it for God knows how long to help reduce pain during labor.  Anyone with kids should understand that.

No one knows the future and can tell you with 100% certainty that your headaches will come back.  I hope and pray that they do not.  I, personally, have had very few headaches in the last couple of years.  I would love to believe that they are gone forever.  Reality is they probably aren't.  But not thinking about them every day of my life has afforded me the opportunity to enjoy life.  I can only hope that my magic number is 41 and I can have as many pain free years as you and Charlie have had.

Best of luck to you.

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Donna is correct;  Charlie's posts of Dr. Wright's Techniques, and FinallyGone's technique all fall under the wider umbrella of biofeedback.

It's been studied, although not extensively, and even Dr. Finkel has mentioned it to me;

Here's just two articles addressing it:

American Family Physician

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PubMed

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We simply do not know enough about the mechanisms involved with this disorder to discount any sort of neurophysical reactions that might be controlled by biofeedback methodology in a way that allows for use in battling the beast.  It sure beats prednisone, IMO.

Besides, it's not long til I'm 45, so I'll keep my tinfoil hat on and fingers crossed ;)

Cat

I originally posted as Finally Gone, I"ve since changed my email address, my IP is the same as before. I have yet to have a re-occurance.   It's possible they may come back.  I truley believe I've ended the cycle of pain and I guess I have some sort of survival guilt.  I keep reading that there is no cure and I jus can't buy it.  I understand the pain, hell I lived through it.  If you thought you had the cure for cancer and you saved your own life, what would you do.  I'm not a licensed doctor or selling anything.   

Remission is a great thing.

I appreciate your sincerity, your belief in what has stopped your pain, and your intense desire to help others.

Please understand there are many of us on this board who have suffered for 10, 20, 30 years, even longer with the beast. We've tried bio feedback, diet changes, life style changes, tried changing our sleep cycles, reducing stress, increasing stress, more medications then you can shake a stick at, and ALWAYS, the beast comes back. We've heard every theory every friend or relative has ever pulled out, and insisted we try as THIS is the cure we've been looking for, and all have failed us. That's where our cynicism comes from.

Some on the board are a bit too vocal for my liking, at shooting down anything they disagree with. It's their style, their perogative, as long as they don't violate the boards standing rules they are free to respond as they see fit. I read everything, try a lot of things, dump what doesn't work, embrace what does.

I say all that as a way of suggesting you not take it personal if members of the board don't immediately line up with enthusiasm every time a new person shows up here promising a cure. You've related what worked for you, let the chips fall where they will.

I'm hoping your remission lasts a lifetime. Our experience says there is a strong possibility they'll return. I'd strongly suggest you keep reading on the boards so if the beast should return, you'll be ready.

Wishing you peace and a pain free life!

Joe

Joe, I don't believe it could be said better.  Well done.

FinallyGone/StillGone/and I hope ForeverGone,

Please take to heart what Joe said.  Personally, it didn't work for me.  I'm pushing 34 yrs diagnosed, with several years before with migraines/CH morphing into CH, and for the fun of it the last 8 or 9 chronic.  (I've quite counting)  I've gone a couple of years without it and thought it gone, but even though i moved it found me.  Be prepared.  DON'T feel guilt because you are PF.  Enjoy it!  I do hope you will hang around.

Jerry

Guiseppi wrote on Feb 21^st, 2011 at 10:54pm:

I appreciate your sincerity, your belief in what has stopped your pain, and your intense desire to help others. Please understand there are many of us on this board who have suffered for 10, 20, 30 years, even longer with the beast. We've tried bio feedback, diet changes, life style changes, tried changing our sleep cycles, reducing stress, increasing stress, more medications then you can shake a stick at, and ALWAYS, the beast comes back. We've heard every theory every friend or relative has ever pulled out, and insisted we try as THIS is the cure we've been looking for, and all have failed us. That's where our cynicism comes from. Wishing you peace and a pain free life! Joe

Peace & Blessings
Lady Luv :-/

Thank you Lady Luv, I was only trying to help those suffering not to give up hope, I would love to get into specifics, but it took me years to understand myself.  Still pain free.  I feel I can help, I just don't know how to take those that currently suffer down the same path I went or even if I could... God Bless All.

Quote:

Still pain free

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Charlie

      I was around 18 years of age when I started getting Migraine Headaches; it was later diagnosed as a Cluster Headache.  My story is based on my experience as I remember it.  My story may sound a little off keel, but when you’re hit with this type of pain you’ll do anything to get rid of it.  My first headache woke me up out of a deep sleep, I was dreaming I was falling and woke up with immense pain over my left eye.  My father was a pharmacist, now retired.  He had sent me to every professional under the sun; finally I went to an ENT, Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor.  He stated I have a condition known as Cluster Headaches.  He told me there was no cure and that I could lessen the attacks by staying away from certain triggers like smoking, caffeine, chocolate and sunlight.  So I thought to myself, who does this guy think he is?  No cure, please; he can’t place that type of burden on me.  I then continued to seek alternative healing methods such as Chiropractors, Acupuncture and even a guy who put some kind of ointment on my head and burnt me with a hot iron.  If you’ve suffered these types of headaches you learn something about yourself, well at least I did, and displaced pain was a relief.  Seriously, I started burning my head with a hot iron and towel so it wouldn’t fry my skin; this is not a recommendation, but for me, it gave me temporary relief.  I snorted Cayenne Pepper, once again not a recommendation.  The headaches only came back stronger.  I looked into the mirror in my car while I was driving home one day and saw a thick ass wrinkle on my forehead, I frick'n broke the mirror off, yes the beast had me good.  I later found out that some individuals call this type of headache; suicide headaches, if you’re in its grasps you probably know what I mean. I went a little overboard missing classes and became a self involved sufferer, you realize that no one understands the pain you’re in.  So I went a little psycho for lack of a better word.  I really thought the rest of my life was only going to be about pain.  It's important to understand that I suffered in pain for almost ten years, not only physical, but I suspect some emotional as well.  If you’re a sufferer, you know what I mean.  I was taking a self defense class; it was from a private party.  It was from a couple, who had a pretty wild belief system, but the Kung Fu was good, and I owe them the world. They were a husband and wife team, he taught me and my friends, she made us dinner and meditated a lot.  She had me listed to this tape where you listen to some soothing music and think of your hand and forehead at the same time.   I found it a little weird, just my opinion.  However, when you’re in pain, you’ll try anything.  I decided perhaps I should try this, heck I tried everything else.  I decided to keep meditating / thinking of my hand.  I did this everyday for weeks, maybe months. I found by concentrating on my hand I could feel the blood flow into my hand, I later found out its called bio feedback.  I remember thinking, this is cool, after a while I could concentrate on all my figures, and then one at a time.  I truly felt like some divine intervention had stepped in.  Please understand I was not religious, at many times I had some choice words for my creator, and I can’t share it here. So I could control my blood circulation,  and then realized by controlling my breathing I could quicken the flow of my blood.  Wow, I really felt like I was accomplishing something.  I really hit my wits end. So here I am lying in bed defeated, thinking of my hand which was by my head.  I felt what can only be explained as a small current of electricity or energy; I’m not sure what it was.  I thought to myself, aha, I got something.  So once I realized I could control this energy, I focused on my pain and pushed and pulled through it.  The next day I was on my way to work and felt a sensation of blood flowing down the side of my nose under my left eye, almost like a popping sensation.  The headaches have been gone ever since.  I later went a little over board with the energy manipulation, but that’s another part of my life.  I’m not a doctor and this is not a recommendation and if you’re litigious, this is for entertainment purposes only.  This is my personal story, my name is Michael, and it’s been a bit over 20+ year’s pain free.  Don't worry, it's my last post here... God bless

"Don't worry, it's my last post here..."  I meant for 2011 and 2012 I guess.  I see this posts has received quite a few views; I still thank god I have not suffered any more headaches.  I troll periodically and my heart goes out to those that still do.