Hello everyone, I'm new to the site, but not new to Cluster Headaches, now not sure if this is weird but I have named my Headaches Marla Singer from The movie Fight Club. I love that move. I'm 30 years old, male and have been dealing with periodic visits for Marla since Feb 09.  Just got woken up at 4:00am for my 5th Marla visit in 24 hrs. Seem to hit me 2 to 3 hours into sleep. She woke me and I put the O2 on and slammed a Redbull. Seems to have pushed her back for now. But I know Right when I go back to sleep give it 2 hrs and she'll be back.  She came for a real bad visit at 7:00pm yesterday that lasted 1hr 18mins. A real kicker. Was good all day yesterday Had 3 visits in the morning yesterday as I did not sleep the night before for fear of her damn arrival. but yeah went to sleep at 6:00 am by 8am woke and put on O2 10mins she was gone. Fell back asleep a little after 10am she was back O2 on 20 minutes later she was gone. Fell back asleep 12pm she woke me up again put O2 on 1hr later she was gone and I was up for the day.  So now I'm sitting here it's gone 4:30 and I am debating going back to sleep or just staying up. This round of visits started back in December and have become more and more frequent.

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And like clock work she's back 2hrs of sleep and I am awoken again by Marla... Seems this time she is very angry about the O2 & redbull that pushed her away 4hrs ago. O2 did nothing but piss her off this time, surprisingly though she didn't stay long. Now I know cigarettes are said to be a trigger. But it was the one thing that kicked her ass out the door. She seems to be getting more pissed every time she comes back. This time hitting my ear and upper teeth, she spared the eye. I am exhausted since she likes to come roughly 2hrs into sleep. And this is every time I sleep no matter what time of day. debating going back to sleep for another 2hrs so I at least have close to 6 total. But not sure if I wanna be in pain again today. Might just wait till tonight when she'll return with a vengeance.

I posted to your other thread up in the newbies section, you're definitely someone who should try the melatonin route as you seem to fall victim to the REM sleep attacks. Melatonin is an OTC sleep aid, CVS, Walgrens or any vitamin/health food store, start with 9 mg about 30 minutes before bedtime. May have to adjust dosing up or down, down if you're a walking zombie the next day, up if it's not blocking beasty out. Some go as high as 15 mg. Some split the dose in half, half quick release to get them to sleep, half slow release to get them thru the night.

I just flew out of Orlando last night for a bike tour class at Lake Louisa State Park. Some FANTASTIC riding out there. [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Joe