I am 27 years old, diagnosed 3 years ago at 24. My cycles last 4 months typically from the beginning of October to end of January with 1 cluster headache daily lasting about 3 hours.

I have been on prednisone, verapamil, O2 and countless over the counter meds.

I have tried alternatives like massage therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments and many others.

There are two random things that I have found actually help in the abortive process.

Before I get the reactions that are all too common of "you must not have real cluster headaches, because this would never work" I have:

1. Seen countless general practitioners
2. Gotten numerous MRIs
3. Seen "headache specialists"
4. Seen neurologists, the last of which finally officially diagnosed me with cluster headaches

So I am not a migrane person who thinks I have clusters, I am a diagnosed cluster sufferer. 

The first idea came to me from another message board on cluster headaches. One word "Pranayama" This is the art of yoga breathing control. Look it up online and see some simple exercises you can try. Think about it, if one of the treatments is hooking up to an O2 canister (which I have done to slight success) why would training your body to take in more oxygen with each breath be any different? I notice that if I start into Pranayama as soon as I get my first phantom pains, it will reduce the time of the headache by at least half, and sometimes it will reduce it from my normal 3 hours all the way down to about 15-20 minutes. This is a heavenly feeling.

The other, and I am not trying to be provocotive or rude in any way, is masturbating. Before you stop reading assuming that I am some sore of pervert, think about it. Research shows, that the most sure fire way of releasing endorphins in to your brain is by having an orgasm. Endorphins are extremely powerful natural pain killers in your body. I have found that even in the height of the headache, if I masturbate to climax, I at the very least get some relief from the pain for the time that I am actually in the process, and about half the time the orgasm will abort the headache all together.

Please keep in mind that I am suggesting this as a person who seriously contemplated suicide because my quality of life was non-existant. While the masturbating can be a good way of attaining relief, Pranayama is the truth. Look it up right now and start practicing. I am still on my meds, and I will still take a handfull of excedrin even though it does nothing, but practicing Pranayama has given me my life back.

Do yourself a favor and start right now!

orena1 wrote on Dec 22^nd, 2011 at 3:35pm:

I am 27 years old, diagnosed 3 years ago at 24. My cycles last 4 months typically from the beginning of October to end of January with 1 cluster headache daily lasting about 3 hours. I have been on prednisone, verapamil, O2 and countless over the counter meds. I have tried alternatives like massage therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments and many others. There are two random things that I have found actually help in the abortive process. Before I get the reactions that are all too common of "you must not have real cluster headaches, because this would never work" I have: 1. Seen countless general practitioners 2. Gotten numerous MRIs 3. Seen "headache specialists" 4. Seen neurologists, the last of which finally officially diagnosed me with cluster headaches So I am not a migrane person who thinks I have clusters, I am a diagnosed cluster sufferer.  The first idea came to me from another message board on cluster headaches. One word "Pranayama" This is the art of yoga breathing control. Look it up online and see some simple exercises you can try. Think about it, if one of the treatments is hooking up to an O2 canister (which I have done to slight success) why would training your body to take in more oxygen with each breath be any different? I notice that if I start into Pranayama as soon as I get my first phantom pains, it will reduce the time of the headache by at least half, and sometimes it will reduce it from my normal 3 hours all the way down to about 15-20 minutes. This is a heavenly feeling. The other, and I am not trying to be provocotive or rude in any way, is masturbating. Before you stop reading assuming that I am some sore of pervert, think about it. Research shows, that the most sure fire way of releasing endorphins in to your brain is by having an orgasm. Endorphins are extremely powerful natural pain killers in your body. I have found that even in the height of the headache, if I masturbate to climax, I at the very least get some relief from the pain for the time that I am actually in the process, and about half the time the orgasm will abort the headache all together. Please keep in mind that I am suggesting this as a person who seriously contemplated suicide because my quality of life was non-existant. While the masturbating can be a good way of attaining relief, Pranayama is the truth. Look it up right now and start practicing. I am still on my meds, and I will still take a handfull of excedrin even though it does nothing, but practicing Pranayama has given me my life back. Do yourself a favor and start right now!

---

Interesting first post.

Heck I'm up for it.  I'll give it a whack.

          Potter

Quote:

Before I get the reactions that are all too common of "you must not have real cluster headaches, because this would never work"

With only one post here, How would you know what reactions you would get here?   

I'm happy to hear that two things have helped YOU,  But if you read around here for any length of time you will see that yoga...while good for a person overall isn't going to do much,  and sex (of any kind) is the very LAST  thing on any of our minds while suffering with a KIP 10,  for hours.

What kind of Doctor diagnosed you if I may ask?  Was it someone who specializes in headaches?  pure 02 at a rate of at LEAST 25 LPM is a wonderful abortive and taken along with Verapamil or Lithium as a preventative is the best treatment regamine so far unless one goes further with other alternatives which also work wonderfullly.   

Masturbation has been listed several times as an effective abortive if used early enough in an attack. And one of our old timers regularly posts of a "circulatory technique" which does involve deep breathing and meditation.

I list both of these as "emergency techniques" I would only consider if I was foolish enough to be caught away from my oxygen.

read this link:

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

The majority of people who try oxygen have success with it. I average 6-8 minute aborts. Thats from the start of the attack to completely pain free.

Go to the meds section of the board and read the topic "123 pain free days and I think I know why" a daily over the counter supplement that's providing way too much relief to be considered coincidence. It's healthy for you even if you're NOT a CH'er, so for a CH'er, it's a no brainer to give it a try.

Welcome to the board, continue reading on the board as education is the key to an effective treatment regimen. We've seen too many doctors and neuros who are clueless on the current treatments of CH and leave people with the impression "therer's nohting I can do but suffer."

Glad you found us, hope we can help you.

Joe

(give it a whack.....yer killin me Potter! ;D)

Certainly this isn't the first time it's come up and again I volunteer my services to any ladies who'd care to try a new technique.

Purely in the interests of science, of course.

AussieBrian wrote on Dec 22^nd, 2011 at 6:03pm:

Certainly this isn't the first time it's come up and again I volunteer my services to any ladies who'd care to try a new technique. Purely in the interests of science, of course.

truly Brian...you are a man among men!!!

I too am glad something is working for u man! Whatever works is one of my motto's. That being said your a bigger man than me cause if Im in a cluster the LAST thing I think about is "giving it a whack".  :o Again I am happy for u!

I say whack after the hit as a celebration, lol!!  I like many are a bit exhausted though after the hit.  Exhaustion is when I use to have dandy hits.  I've adopted my techniques and they are not these two, but it if works for you, keep at it.

All the best!

Chad

Linda_Howell wrote on Dec 22^nd, 2011 at 5:01pm:

Quote: Before I get the reactions that are all too common of "you must not have real cluster headaches, because this would never work" With only one post here, How would you know what reactions you would get here?    I'm happy to hear that two things have helped YOU,  But if you read around here for any length of time you will see that yoga...while good for a person overall isn't going to do much,  and sex (of any kind) is the very LAST  thing on any of our minds while suffering with a KIP 10,  for hours. What kind of Doctor diagnosed you if I may ask?  Was it someone who specializes in headaches?  pure 02 at a rate of at LEAST 25 LPM is a wonderful abortive and taken along with Verapamil or Lithium as a preventative is the best treatment regamine so far unless one goes further with other alternatives which also work wonderfullly.

Amazing, as a moderator you should be ashamed of yourself. You ask how I would know what reactions I would get, and then you go on to post exactly the reaction that I anticipated. I know what reaction I would receive, because although this is my first post, I have been scouring the message boards and internet for over 3 years looking for any ideas or new techniques that might help. Everytime someone posts a new idea some a$$hole like you comes along and questions the diagnosis and then explains why this technique wouldn't work. Obviously in your mind you are one of the only ones who actually suffers from CHs and therefore you know more than anyone else. So, although I already wrote these things preemptively to specifically avoid YOUR post, here are the answers to the very dumb points you raise.

1. I was diagnosed by a top neurologist in Chicago.
2. I am not suggesting yoga as a whole, only pranayama, the art of yoga breathing.
3. I am already on verapamil and I have an oxygen tank sitting next to my bed and sitting next to my desk at work.
4. I know that sex is the last thing on your mind in the middle of a KIP 10, that is why I am suggesting it here, otherwise you may have come to it naturally. My point is, force yourself. I was of the mentality of this is not f-ing living, I need to try anything and everything to see how I can have a real life going forward, you are a little more close minded apparently.

So, although you are not worth my or anyone's time, and should be removed immediately from being a moderator, those are my answers to you. I do not care even a little if you personally do not try these techniques as you are not a person I care to help. I posted this for people with open minds who like me are looking for any possible way of helping themselves with this terrible affliction.

Enjoy your Kip 10s and your sleepless nights. I will be breathing and fapping them away.

Linda Howell is our angel of mercy.  Don't fuck with Linda.

                Potter

Potter wrote on Dec 23^rd, 2011 at 1:41pm:

Linda Howell is our angel of mercy.  Don't fuck with Linda.                 Potter

Then tell her not to be a condescending dick. Especially to a first time and now last time poster. Was looking for help and sympathy, and to pass on what I have learned. I will do that elsewhere. Goodbye.

orena1 wrote on Dec 23^rd, 2011 at 2:13pm:

Potter wrote on Dec 23rd, 2011 at 1:41pm: Linda Howell is our angel of mercy.  Don't fuck with Linda.                 Potter Then tell her not to be a condescending dick. Especially to a first time and now last time poster. Was looking for help and sympathy, and to pass on what I have learned. I will do that elsewhere. Goodbye.

I'm sure your superior techniques will be welcome wherever else you decide to go.

              Potter

Potter wrote on Dec 23^rd, 2011 at 2:17pm:

orena1 wrote on Dec 23rd, 2011 at 2:13pm: Potter wrote on Dec 23rd, 2011 at 1:41pm: Linda Howell is our angel of mercy.  Don't fuck with Linda.                 Potter Then tell her not to be a condescending dick. Especially to a first time and now last time poster. Was looking for help and sympathy, and to pass on what I have learned. I will do that elsewhere. Goodbye. I'm sure your superior techniques will be welcome wherever else you decide to go.               Potter

Wow, just what I have come to expect from these message boards. You are correct, I am the one acting superior, not those dismissing out of hand new ideas and techniques.

You really think that these ideas of yours are something we've never heard of before?

 

       Potter

Ridiculous suggestions as we have decades of experience and know better. 

We also learned that attitude will make you or break you, you are broken! >:(

Potter wrote on Dec 23^rd, 2011 at 2:25pm:

You really think that these ideas of yours are something we've never heard of before?          Potter

Haha! Wow, just wow. Very supportive support group you people have here.

Locked pending review.