Having suffered episodic clusters for about 10 years, this time around i was able to diagnose and treat myself, something every doctor have failed to do. I have this site and you good people to thank for that. I have also embarked on some public education drives to educate people about ch, maybe some doctors will be able to get some info as well, since it seems many do not know aboout ch.It seems that the beast have left for the time being. i have tapered off the verapamil and its been two weeks without a hit. I plan to continue visiting with you guys to keep abreast of any new info, that way i'll be ready to kick the beast ass when it comes back in about two years. To all new cluster heads this site is your lifeline, hold on. :D

Not only did you survive you kicked some beast butt! ;) Glad he's done with you this go round, doubly glad you're sticking around. We always like to say, "Enjoy your pain free times, always be ready to do battle with the beast."

Joe

Many Thanks for that post Suresh, Good news like yours gives us all Such a lift here!  ;)

Respect

Gary

Congrats on surviving the cycle. I hope you really have two years before the Beast returns.   
   I am just finishing up a cycle myself. Since the only thing I do to get thru mine, is sit on my cold back porch, (my oxygen) I sometimes fear that Spring will get here too soon. I havent been able to get any oxygen from Dr. yet. I do use Verapamil as a cyle buster.But this site has given me a lot more courage when dealing with The Beast. It has taken a lot of the worry and stress out of it, which seems to make the pain easier to take for me. It is also comforting to me, to know that when the headache stops, I will be OK. There seems to be no real effects from the headaches, other than the sleep loss. So its just a matter of time.
    I also figured out about 30 years ago when I had a lot of toothache pains, that pain is really only a signal from your brain. I mean, how else can ya really describe what pain is? Anyway, I believe that you can actually concentrate on cancelling that "signal" out, by telling your brain to ignore it. It seems to help me. Maybe this sounds crazy to you, but it may work for some people. Of course my frickin eye still cries. :(
    Best of luck to ya!  Stay P.F.

Hi IOH,
You got what it takes...Positive attitude!

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It has taken a lot of the worry and stress out of it, which seems to make the pain easier to take for me.

CH.com does that to us, it doesn't make the pain easier, it makes YOU Stronger!

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how else can ya really describe what pain is?

Pain is individual...What is pain to one, is 'just a f****g headache' to another!

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telling your brain to ignore it

That's the spirit!
We can beat this together!

O2 is the flaw in your armor IOH!

Respect

Gary

suresh wrote on Mar 9^th, 2011 at 12:15pm:

To all new cluster heads this site is your lifeline, hold on. :D

Suresh-
This site has indeed been my lifeline too!  I've been getting these since 17 and this cycle was so much better as a result of living here on the message board (my wife got a bit jealous I think until she found out how much better I was this time around).
Congrats on such a great attitude! This time around I felt so much more in control because I was able to suggest treatment plans to my Doc and I too have been educating as many people as will listen - even if they don't want to listen! - (I regularly posted my progress on Facebook)
-Gary