For those that believe in God...

Why would He allow this Beast of a Devil to torture us?

I'm losing faith by the hour!!! :-[

:(  I am so sorry.

We know what you're going through, and I want you to know you're not alone. [smiley=hug.gif]

Hang in there!!

Atheists get CH, too.

Thanks Melissa, that meant alot to me as all I have for support is here in ClusterVille.

Brian, thanks also!  I am hesitantly and unfortunately starting to understand why there are atheists!

To answer your question as to "Why?"  I'm sorry I can't.  If I had the answer I would be God.  However, I will say in my experience God has never allowed something to come into my life that he did not provide the grace to handle it.  Is it easy? NO!  But then again, I look around at so many others who have issues and I wouldn't trade them problems for a minute.

CH has brought so much in to my life that I treasure that while I would love it if they went away and never came back I wouldn't want to give up what I have gotten just to have been PF.  The friends and supporters I have met here mean far more to me than just dealing with a little discomfort a few times a day.  I'll never forget the first time I actually met another clusterhead and the hug I got from him.  The bond that was formed instantly, and the fast friendship that was cemented that day is priceless.  There have been a number of others as well, but you never forget your first!

What I have learned to do over the last 30+ years whenever I get feeling down and sorry for myself (and we all do at one point or another) is to reach out to others who are hurting or in need and try to help them.  It takes my attention off of myself and focuses it where it does some good.

Hang in there.  We all know what you are going through, and I'll be praying for you.

Jerry

Hi Jerry,
Your reply makes good sense, is comforting and appreciated.

Brought fond memories of the 1st and every in-person contact i've had with other CH'ers. 

Hope to meet you 1 day, PF ;)

Gregg in Las Vegas

[quote author=1C31230635373123500 link=1319405421/0#0 date=1319405421]For those that believe in God...

Why would He allow this Beast of a Devil to torture us?

I'm losing faith by the hour!!! :-[/quote]

Why stop at CHs? The bigger question is: why does God allow suffering and pain? This is a huge question, and perennial to all who believe, and there isn't room here to answer it thoroughly. I will say all believers have to struggle with it sometime, and come up with something that they can live with as an answer. But still, there are a few starting points for us all:

1. What makes us assume the presence of pain and suffering is an argument against a loving God rather than a marker toward a loving God who wishes to alleviate pain and suffering?

2. Why do we assume, given the realities of our material existence, that pain and suffering are necessarily wrong, or evil? Are they not instead indicators of this present reality falling short of the hope we generate for a greater and better future?

3. Who said we would not have pain and suffering in this life? Not the God of Judeo-Christianity. Quite the opposite in fact.

4. And finally, I began to find my own answers to this question by asking, what alternatives did a Creator God have? God could have created a world in which pain and suffering were not possible, which describes roughly a padded cell within which no harm can come, but which does not allow for a free exploration of the world or self. God could have created us without the ability to feel suffering or pain, which is another description of leprosy or a numbness of body and soul, also incapable of feeling joy and pleasure. Or, God could have created us with ability to feel both pain and pleasure, all the while giving us the capacity to aspire for that which is greater and better than our current state.

The third option is the only that makes sense to me. It is actually a bit more sophisticated than in the quick summary above, but that was the best I could do in a thumbnail. In short, we are fallible human beings living in a fallible world, where we receive glimpses of something higher and more noble than we currently know, and which draws us beyond ourselves through hope, for that which we only see partially. Pain and suffering are real and need to be addressed. Hope is real and is the underpinning for our continuing battle against pain and suffering. And every once in awhile, grace breaks through and we not only see more clearly, we are able to live more fully, despite the worst this world can do. Blessings. lance

Well said Jerry!  I used to work with deaf students, and one  young high school girl said to me...in sign language of course..."I would never want to be blind.  That would be the worst thing in the world not to see all the wonderful things there are to see". WOW....I myself, love music, and couldn't imagine a world without hearing it, singing it, playing it or experiencing it! We all have weaknesses, and imperfections, or "disabilities" as we call them sometimes; but we all have strengths too, and the ability to choose what to dwell on. 

@ lance...#3...you hit the nail on the head!  I am a Christian, and try to always look on the positive side also. I know from the Christian Bible and my beliefs, that God even allowed His Son to suffer.  So that He could experience pain as do His human creations. His Son could have chosen not to go through it, but did. For a very good cause. I DO pray for a PF life for my CHer, but most of all, I pray that he would find a way to appreciate each special moment and focus on them. But again, my heart aches for him and all of you who suffer with this; because I do not, and I couldn't imagine.  For us, it is frustrating that we cannot at least take a bit of it upon ourselves, to help lighten your load!

I don't blame you for having those thoughts, and neither does our God.  I feel helpless for all of you.  I don't have the answers; but I know I care a lot. So, for now, use the inner strength He has given you and press on.  We are here for you! 

Beth

Gregg,
The first thing that came to mind for me was:

Friedrich Nietzsche, the German philosopher, famously said: "That which does not kill us makes us stronger."

  8-)

Beth, that was beautifully said.

and I might add:  DJ's tag-line.   "Adversity doesn't build character.  It reveals it."    We are ALL, one huge bunch of characters.   ;D 

Beats me.

I always wonder why there are mosquitos.

Charlie

The pits in Avocados......those stump me ;)

Joe

A cup of hot chocolate tastes so much better to me when I am still shivering from a cold and wet Carolina winter night.

A hug from my wife and daughter feel so much sweeter when I come home on leave.

Life is better when I'm not in pain.

I don't know if that is the reason, but that is what I take from it.

Charlie wrote on Oct 24^th, 2011 at 7:09pm:

Beats me. I always wonder why there are mosquitos. Charlie

No wonder i like you so much Charlie...i have been thinking the same thing the past 40 years or so...

while we're on the subject...i have always wondered "why sheep don't have horns like a bull"  :D :D :D :D :D

Linda_Howell wrote on Oct 24^th, 2011 at 6:18pm:

Beth, that was beautifully said.

DITTO...thank you Beth...Lenny

Thanks guys!

Mosquito's ain't so much of a puzzler; it's mole crickets I wonder about. Man are they ugly. Blessings. lance

AubanBird wrote on Oct 24^th, 2011 at 8:52pm:

A cup of hot chocolate tastes so much better to me when I am still shivering from a cold and wet Carolina winter night. A hug from my wife and daughter feel so much sweeter when I come home on leave. Life is better when I'm not in pain. I don't know if that is the reason, but that is what I take from it.

I like that. :) :)

[quote author=6D40527744464052210 link=1319405421/0#0 date=1319405421]I'm losing faith by the hour!!! :-[/quote]

He won't in you.         


Hoping better for you.

Charlie wrote on Oct 24^th, 2011 at 7:09pm:

Beats me. I always wonder why there are mosquitos. Charlie

Vampires gotta go somewhere when you kill 'em.

Kevin_M wrote on Oct 25^th, 2011 at 11:43am:

[quote author=6D40527744464052210 link=1319405421/0#0 date=1319405421]I'm losing faith by the hour!!! :-[/quote] He won't in you.          Hoping better for you.

Nicely done.......

Kevin_M wrote on Oct 25^th, 2011 at 11:43am:

[quote author=6D40527744464052210 link=1319405421/0#0 date=1319405421]I'm losing faith by the hour!!! :-[/quote] He won't in you.          Hoping better for you.

You are too kind Kevin M!  Thanks for the overdue smile :)

Im new on here and haven't figured my way around the message boards yet, but after 36 years of pain and doctors and meds not working, this cycle of h/a I think I've found my answer and want to share it in the hopes it'll help others.
Vicks inhaler of all things, it's crazy sounding but try it. It's aborted my h/a at it's peak and is still working for me.

You guys are awesome! Some incredible insights on this post.

Vegas, keep your head high. When you do hit your PF stride and get the time to spend on doing the things you love with the people you love, you'll still hate the beast but he'll be in the rear view mirror at least and you'll be looking forward...at least that's how I look at it...

Gottawonder, I've heard of some crazy methods before...most, I have tried and some have even worked briefly...though I have no understanding as to why AND why not. I've done the inhaler thing and it worked for a short period of time...hell, even tried that stupid pepper-spray and THAT even worked for a quick spell...intranasal lidocane, Head-ON, Tiger Balm...good times. The beast always came back to get me eventually though. Hope you have better luck.

UN

gottawonder wrote on Oct 27^th, 2011 at 3:08pm:

Im new on here and haven't figured my way around the message boards yet, but after 36 years of pain and doctors and meds not working, this cycle of h/a I think I've found my answer and want to share it in the hopes it'll help others. Vicks inhaler of all things, it's crazy sounding but try it. It's aborted my h/a at it's peak and is still working for me.

Hiya "gotta"....that's...............gonna be a hard sell around here. Yup...it IS a daunting task...but I'd suggest a thorough research of previous posts on subjects like this........and then all the rest. Your success is delightful....and usually temporary (myself included)...what IS important is to prepare for the  inevitable...when it don't work no more. Ya don't wanna be left flailing.....

...would you care to share which meds you have tried?...what doses? how long?

...have you tried verapamil...lithium...and the BIG kahuna....OXYGEN?

...the triptans...like Imitrex, frovatriptan...zomig?

...visited clusterbusters.com for alternative therapy?

...antioxidant therapy?

...energy drinks?

....melatonin...benadryl?

Let us know...we can help....

Best,

Jon

PS...thanks to Lance...and others...

PPS....Pat?....Pat, ya lissening???? Got that copyright yet? Kiss a toad fer me...will ya?

[quotePat?....Pat, ya lissening???? Got that copyright yet?][/quote]

LOL, Jon.  I was thinking about saying something to Pat also, but wasn't sure how to word it.  You did..perfectly.

Except there's no way to flag her. She probably hasn't even read this thread....

Been many medications over the years. oxygen, tegretol, prednisone,verapamil, imitrex, dilantin, sansert, zomig, axert, cafergot, dhe, lidocaine, maxalt, stadol nasal spray, demerol, loratab, catapres, lithium, topamax, neurontin, inderal, atenalol, and melatonin none of which have given any relief. I've spent 34 years rocking in the bathroom on my knees with an icepack and icecold water and trying to throw up the pain. The vicks inhaler has worked for me this week and the pain in my head is fighting to come back and all I can do is pray to God that it works one more time. After all the doctors and all the medications I've tried, it's impossible to believe that this is working, but so far it is.

I feel like we all have a (so far) .    I remember one of my early posts ... I really thought Vit d was GOD!.  LOL.  I once was feeling that ppl here were soo rude.  I didn't come back for a year!    I got over that.

  I have even used the word cure! LOL.    Its such a tough road aint it.

  It don't matter to me who believes what anymore, I just  feel admiration and caring for anyone who lives with the beast.  Or even thinks they do.
   I am soo glad to have you all here.    I have learned to live with it... and  feel like  If this forum helps even one other person to live with it ... well.. then its worth just a little bit of compasion, and understanding, and yes...forgiving.    You all have helped me to survive with it.         Its just such a rough road.   
       Wishing  for PFDs for everyone.          Be Happy

Fought the beast all night with the vicks inhaler, then fell asleep this morning and all hell broke loose. It's back! About 45 minutes of torture.  :'(

For Gods sake....get yourself some oxygen.       

Perhaps you need to try it again... with the right mask/etc

My BS detector is on high alert.

Welcome to the board gottawonder. Vicks never worked for me. Glad it is helping. Tell us a little about yourself, where you are from, how did you take the 02 etc.

Don't mean to steal the thread that I started, but after what i've just been though with this Beast we share in common, I am officially a confirmed Atheist! :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(

You realize that being an atheist requires as much if not more conviction as being a believer, right?

LOL   Brew ... you are wise beyond your years. 

You always come up with something good.!! LOL

Well, it's true. Being an atheist (from Greek: a - against or not + theos - god) means you believe that there is no God.

Being an agnostic (from Greek: a - against or not + gnōstos - to know) means you claim that you cannot know whether or not there is a God.

If you believe that there is no God, you have to be able to provide what you consider to be proof of that. Being an agnostic requires no such proof.

I've long noticed that a very high proportion of CHeads are deeply religious. God as a cluster trait?

Brian, CH has caused me to re-evaluate my beliefs.  After careful consideration and looking at my life from all sides I became more convinced, not less, that there is a God who is personal and who loves me in spite of who I am and what I've done.  He does not condone my sin, but is willing to forgive it when I ask.  I've looked at evolution and found it requires much more faith for me to believe in it than for me to believe "In the beginning God. . ."  I've looked at other religions from around the world and find them lacking.  I tried turning my back on God and walking away, but every time I looked around He was still there waiting for me to return, and He accepted me back graciously.  If I am right in my belief CH is the closest to Hell I will ever be.  If I am wrong what have I really lost?  On the other hand those who do not believe cannot say that.  I like my odds a lot better!

By no means am I trying to hijack DJ's site and make it a preaching place, nor am I trying to "cram my religion down anyone's throats".  All I'm doing is sharing what I believe in answer to a question from the vantage point of one begger who found bread telling another where he can find it too.  Each of us have to come to this decision on their own.

Jerry

AussieBrian wrote on Nov 2^nd, 2011 at 7:04pm:

I've long noticed that a very high proportion of CHeads are deeply religious. God as a cluster trait?

Given the highly intense nature of CHs, I suspect that it has the effect of making people either highly religious or atheist.

AussieBrian wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2011 at 7:09pm:

Atheists get CH, too.

Quote:

Brian, thanks also!  I am hesitantly and unfortunately starting to understand why there are atheists!

Quote:

I am officially a confirmed Atheist!

One point Brian may have meant, CH doesn't care what is believed. 

It is a lot to bear, Deej created this site partly because, holy shit, this is terrible, what can we do.  Many minds together have found ways to combat and cope and it has been called a God-send by some, because when looking online, it was great to find someone realized we need to help each other.  Many times that is what it takes, regardless of what is believed.  Through the pain and despair, finding the next step that will help is, with CH, mostly the only answer.  That possibility could come from this board when it gets to helping oneself in mind.  It may be a God-send, or a rare cluster angel.

gottawonder wrote on Oct 27^th, 2011 at 3:08pm:

Im new on here and haven't figured my way around the message boards yet, but after 36 years of pain and doctors and meds not working, this cycle of h/a I think I've found my answer and want to share it in the hopes it'll help others. Vicks inhaler of all things, it's crazy sounding but try it. It's aborted my h/a at it's peak and is still working for me.

Vicks inhalers contain a vasoconstrictor, so perhaps it's not surprising that it may be beneficial to some. 

Interestingly enough, the vasoconstricting ingredient in Vicks inhalers is levomethamphetamine, the levorotatory configuration of methamphetamine.  (Complex organic molecules can be either left or right-handed, and each configuration has different physiological effects.)

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End pedantic aside.  ;)

Best,

George 

@kingofpain
Nietzsche also said: "God is dead"

I think that statement is appropriate when considering this condition...imo. The universe is a cruel mistress.

SplitBrain wrote on Nov 5^th, 2011 at 3:14pm:

@kingofpain Nietzsche also said: "God is dead" I think that statement is appropriate when considering this condition...imo. The universe is a cruel mistress.

Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz.

My friends all drive porsches, I must make amends.

Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends.

So oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz

Janis Joplin


I bet Janis got her Benz...and I don't think the Lord had anything to do with it. What she did have was CHOICES...she made some BAD ones.

It's not what happens to you...it's how you react to what happens. Per DJ..."adversity does not create character...it reveals it"

I don't blame the Lord for ch...just like I don't blame the yeast for beer..

Best,

Jon

Well, she lived with a Porsche, passing shortly after the song.



It was Kozmic though.

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