Hi all.  I think I am a clusterhead, but figured I would throw out my experiences to see what you all think.  Here is what happens to me, and has been for the past 15 or more years.

I get what I call "sinus migraines", although as I read up on CH, I am inclined to think otherwise.  Here's what I know:

1.  I go through phases where I get them 1-3 times a day.  Usually in the fall/winter months, dissipating in mid to late Spring with ZERO episodes for about 5-6 months.
2.  It starts with a little twinge on the right side (always and only the right side) of my upper nasal/sinus cavity.  Within 5 mins., it feels like someone shoved a screwdriver up through my nose and into my brain.  The pain often radiates up through the right side of my head into the back right of my neck (very sensitive to touch).
3.  These episodes last anywhere from 15-30 mins. and will disappear as quickly as they started.
4.  I typically irrigate my sinuses with anything and everything I can find...saline, nasal spray, medi-pots.  I can tell the episode is on it's way out when I start to feel some drainage down the back of my neck, hence I'm conditioned to pump my sinuses as my way of getting it to go.
5.  I get these usually the same time daily (3am, 3pm) About 2 hours after I fall asleep the "knock knock" of the beginning stages wakes me and I'm up squirting the hell outta my nose for the next 20 mins.
6.  In times past, I have gone to the ER in so much pain.  I did visit an ENT thinking it sinus related only to be told it was possibly CH and there was nothing he could do except a prescription for an antibiotic.
7.  Lastly, when they are intense, I simply cannot sit still.  I have to pace or sit and rock.

From what I have read, it seems more like CH than sinus issues (despite my deviated septum which I always attributed them to).  They started up again about 3 weeks ago and have been a PITA.  I am a school teacher so the 3pm episode always interferes with my work day for 15-20 mins., when I'm forced to get coverage from an admin so I can walk outside while it runs it's course.

I picked up some 10mg. tabs of melatonin earlier today and figured I'd try that tonite.  Any feedback, suggestions or opinions about this post would be much appreciated.

Welcome to the board Bmac. Yeah, it sounds like CH to me. For two reasons, you need to get to a Headache Specialist Neurologist. First off, it's risky diagnosing by yourself or via the internet.

Second, and more important, very few GP's know anything about CH and will tell you something stupid like there's nothing they can do for you but antibiotics! ;) My 2 cents is it sounds like CH to me!

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 attack. 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

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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.

Go to the medications section of this board and read the post "123 pain free days and i think I know why." It’s a vitamin/mineral/fish oil supplement, all over the counter stuff, that’s providing a lot of relief for people who have tried it, it’s a long read, worth the time.

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.

Finally, visit our sister board for “alternative” treatment methods outside of mainstream medicine. As you’ll see from all the success stories on this board, there is something to it.

clusterbusters.com


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

Joe's preachin' the Gospel to ya, friend. It does sound like CHs, but you do need that diagnosis from a good neuro/headache specialist so you can start gettin' the good stuff as Joe said. I would recommend you print your post and take it with you to the doc. It's very clear and draws a good picture of what you are experiencing. You might also take the Cluster Quiz and its answers with you. Diagnosis is clinical, so you'll get asked this stuff anyway. Blessings. lance