It was my sons 4th birthday... shortly after the party was over I was sitting on the couch when without warning, I was struck with the most agonizing pain in my life. It hit me so hard I fell to the floor crying and writhing in pain. It lasted about 45 minutes. I wanted to die. I've never ever had a migraine before but I assumed that is what it was. Then 3 hours later it hit again, stronger than the first time. I had to keep looking in the mirror because I thought my eyes must be bleeding, they felt like they should have been. This has been happening every 3-5 hours since then, like clockwork. When I'm not praying for death to take away the pain I'm consumed with fear of the pain. I'm so tired, I want my old life back.   :'(

TiffyRose,
Glad you found us.  You'll find a wealth of knowledge and support on this and other boards for people with CH.  Have you been doctor diagnosed with CH?  Have you learned of using 100% Oxygen to abort the attacks?  (you need a perscription from your Dr, and diagnoses of CH)

You'll find O2 is the #1 most used attack abortive.  It leaves you clear headed after the attack unlike most of the other abortives (Imitrex etc).

You have a few things going for you.  Primarily you have a diagnosis and that allows proper treatment.  Most of the time those with CH aren't properly diagnosed for years (I myself wasn't properly diagnosed for over 10 years).

Please keep us posted.

Jeff

Welcome to the board Tiff. Are you working with a headache specialist neuro yet? We have seen the best results from doing so. There are hundreds of headache types, some which mimic CH, and it’s important to eliminate those before arriving at a firm diagnosis. I’ve had CH for 33 years, they haven’t killed me yet! You need an organized approach to managing them so they don’t manage your life. I use a 3 pronged approach, many use a similar approach:

1: A good prevent med. A med I take daily, while on cycle, to reduce the number and intensity of my attacks. I use lithium, it blocks 60-70% of my attacks. Verapamil is the most common first line prevent, topomax also has a loyal following. Some have to combine lithium and verapamil together to get relief.

2: A transitional med. Most prevents will take up to 2 weeks to become effective. I go on a prednisone taper, from 80 mg to zero over a two week period to give me a break while my prevent builds up. Prednisone will provide up to 100% relief for many CH’ers but is harsh on the system and should only be used for short periods of time.

3: An abortive therapy, the attack starts, now what? Oxygen should be your first line abortive. Breathing pure 02 will abort an attack for me in less then 10 minutes, that’s completely pain free. Read this link as it must be used correctly or it will not work.

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Imitrex nasal spray and injectables are very effective abortives. I use the injectables, they’re expensive, and I rarely use them, mostly just when I get caught away from the oxygen. The pill form generally works too slow to be effective for CH’ers.

For now, get some energy drinks. Rock Star, Monster, any containing the combo of caffeine and taurine, chug it down as fast as you can when you feel an attack starting. Many can abort or at least really reduce an attack using these.

Read everything you can on this board, if you are a CH’er, knowledge is your best ally. We’ll help you all we can.

Joe

You did not mention seeing a doctor or seeking treatment after this attack. Please, do not assume that it's Cluster. There are many conditions which mimic Cluster, some of which are rather serious.

Likewise, do not start any treatments on the assuption that relief of pain is cure. Diagnosis first; treatment only when a competent doc has made the judgment and guide you.
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LOCATING HEADACHE SPECIALIST

1. Search the OUCH site (button on left) for a list of recommended M.D.s.

2. Yellow Pages phone book: look for "Headache Clinics" in the M.D. section and look under "neurologist" where some docs will list speciality areas of practice.

3.  Call your hospital/medical center. They often have an office to assist in finding a physician. You may have to ask for the social worker/patient advocate.

4. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE; On-line screen to find a physician.

5. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE Look for "Physician Finder" search box. They will send a list of M.D.s for your state.I suggest using this source for several reasons: first, we have read several messages from people who, even seeing neurologists, are unhappy with the quality of care and ATTITUDES they have encountered; second, the clinical director of the Jefferson (Philadelphia) Headache Clinic said, in late 1999, that upwards of 40%+ of U.S. doctors have poor training in treating headache and/or hold attitudes about headache ("hysterical female disorder") which block them from sympathetic and effective work with the patient; third, it's necessary to find a doctor who has experience, skill, and a set of attitudes which give hope of success. This is the best method I know of to find such a physician.

6. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE NEW certification program for "Headache Medicine" by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties, an independent, non-profit, professional medical organization.
        Since this is a new program, the initial listing is limited and so it should be checked each time you have an interest in locating a headache doctor.
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Cluster Headache Help and Support › Getting to Know Ya › Newbies, Help us...help you

You can add your location by editing your profile. CP Member --> profile

I'm in Boise, Idaho.

Quote:

I'm so tired, I want my old life back.

We hear ya. We really do. The thing is, if you have CHs (something a good headache specialist needs to tell you) then while you won't have your old life back, you can learn to live a good life during and between cycles. There is help available and as bad as these are, you can adapt. Everything changes but not necessarily for the worst. Keep us informed of your progress. Blessings. lance