Hi gang,

I've been suffering from CH for 4 years.  I was only recently diagnosed about a month ago.  The first 4 years I was told it was sinusitis.  I usually get a 2-3 week cycle in the Fall and late winter / early spring (that's twice a year).  It would often follow a cold.  During these cycles I would normally only get 2-3 headaches a week.  Oddly, usually on the weekends and almost always at 4am.

Recently, following my normal late winter cluster, I was hit by a new cluster period.  I had about a two week break before the beast reared it's head again.  During this time (the last four weeks) I've had 4 -6 headaches a day and there's no obvious pattern.  The pain scale has gone through the roof.  I've had at least two life changing k10's.

I was prescribed Verapamil and Imitrex.  After some research and 2 weeks.  I stopped taking my meds and starting just taking D3 a Omega 3's.  I'm showing more improvement now than before.  It seems to have reduced the frequency and mostly the severity/length of the headaches.

Other notes: I have high blood pressure.  I'm a smoker (trying to quit).  I live in central North Carolina.  I'm trying to get a referral to a headache and pain clinic in Chapel Hill. At this point I know more about CH than my current gp and neurologist.

This site (along with my wonderful wife) is/are a life saver.
Thank you all.

Sorry if this post is disjointed and generally horrendous.  I'm dealing with a bit of the beast right now.

Hey Knuckles,

Where in NC do yo live?

How long have you been taking the anti-inflammatory regimen of Omega 3 Fish Oil, vitamin D3 and calcium citrate?

Can you give us a bit more history of your CH and latest methods of intervention?

Take care,

V/R, Batch

I live in a small town called Sanford.  It's in the middle of the state.  Less than an hour from Raleigh/Cary, Chapel Hill, Fayetteville and Pinehurst.  Not far from Greensboro either.

The first 4 years I've had CH I wasn't aware of what it was.  I thought I was just unlucky and had seasonal sinus issues.

A month ago things got worse and I was diagnosed and given 180mg/day of Varapamil and 100mg Imitrex tablets.  After about 2-3 weeks of not getting better I stopped taking all of it and started taking the D3 and Omega 3's.  I've been doing that for about a week now and I feel much better.  The attacks haven't been as severe or as frequent. 

   Two to three weeks isn't much of a test is it?   :(

Adding to Linda: ...with one med which is not very effective for Cluster and a second at a much too low a dose.

I hope you can get into the headache clinic where skill and training are more important than self-confidence.

It was this site and my research that helped me take control and make the decision to self medicate until I get into the clinic.

The Varapamil was too low a dose and my Neurologist refused to increase it.  But when I did the research on the side affects I knew I didn't want to be on it if I could help it. (Of course if it had worked and took the pain away I wouldn't be saying that)

The Imitrex tablets worked for 8 - 12 hours but I felt like I got even more headaches after it wore off.  The sulfur content in the drug worries me too.  Not to mention insurance will only pay for a handful a month.

Hey Knuckles,

Thanks for the update and glad the anti-infammatory regimen is working for you.  Lots of CH'ers down in your neck of the woods.  Come up on Skype sometime and meet a few of them.  Being able to go face to face with another CH'er is something special.

Take care,

V/R, Batch