Hi Everyone
This sight seems like a great resource, thank you to everyone who keeps up with it! I live in Atlanta, GA. I have been diagnosed with cluster headaches a year and half ago when I was 27. They started when I was 18 and I had them once around 22-24 and did not know what they were until 27. I had a break from 27 until last week (I am now 28 and almost 29) so that would be around a year and half. I am a healthy female and I do not smoke. For the past two weeks they have been back (always when I am sleeping, waking me up with a full blown headache on the right side) but I have been lucky to have several day breaks in between some. Last night was pretty bad (happened around 1am and lasted until 3:30 INTENSE pain) I took an imitrix right away and it seemed to take forever to kick in. Finally around 4:20 I feel back asleep. No more cluster headaches today but just alot of general numbness throbbing and pain on my right side including my ears jaw and teeth (all day). I have taking ibuprofen today but the throbbing does not go away at least it isnt an Attack. I do have a weird symptom that concerns me and this is what prompted me to write on this sight-
my right hand has been numb ALL DAY. this never has happened before and I am worried that I had a mini stroke (I am freaking my self out on the internet reading). IS it possible to have both clusterheads and stroke - or confuse the two? I have all the classic signs of cluster headache but the numbness is starting to freak me out because it has not subsided. I am considering going to the ER but not sure. I have an appointment with the neurologist I saw when I was 27 but I cant see him until 8/23 which is far away. I am going to try to get the imitrex spray and oxygen because the pills take to long to kick in and seem like they make me feel off (left shoulder locks up and I hallucinate and feel numb) but at least it sorta helps with the attack.  Any advice would be appreciated! :) thank you so much!

So here I am 2 years and some months later and I am back! It was so strange reading my posts from august 2012. EXACT same symptoms, exact same thing, same numbness same side of head etc!

oh and what I mean by back of coarse is the headaches started again...last week. Monstrous. The only new thing I noticed this time is severe nerve pain all day after a cluster headache and instead of everyother night it has been every two nights. I have oxygen this time, no imitrex. Tried taking verapamil but afraid it is making it worse...not sure...

Hi there, and welcome back although I'm sorry you have had to find us again.

I don't have numbness in my hands, just around my top lip during a CH. But I understand your other symptoms. I call them after pains. My teeth, cheekbone and temple feels like I've been punched in the face for a few hours  after a CH, and just as it starts to ease off the next CH comes around. I've had as many as 10 per day on bad days.

Oxygen is brilliant if you use it properly. You must have a minimum flow rate of 15 litres per minute with a non re-breather mask. A lower flow and the wrong mask will not work efficiently. Have a look at the yellow tab on the left of your screen titled "oxygen info". Lots of information there that may help.

Imitrex is also fantastic. Forget the pills - as you say they take too long to become effective. The spray is better, but best of all is the auto injections. Easy to use and carry around but expensive. If you can get them, and you don't have any contra-indications or adverse effects,  it's wise to collect a few when you are in remission so that you are well prepared when you need them. It also helps to spread the cost. You can only use 2 per day so I save mine for when I'm out (I never leave home without them) and use the oxygen when I'm at home.

Verapamil is the best preventative but it takes a couple of weeks to become effective, and is usually prescribed with prednisone. The pred acts immediately and should be tapered off slowly so that by the time it's finished the verapamil will be working. You need a very high dose of verapamil - about 240 mgs I think, but if you research on these boards you will find the answer. Hopefully some one else will come along and confirm this.

Finally buy your self some redbull drinks and drink one down REALLY FAST at the first sign of pain. The combination of caffiene and taurine in a sudden hit can often abort a CH if you are quick enough.It doesn't work for everyone, but many here swear by it. Any energy drink with those ingredients will do. ie- monster, rockstar or redbull.

Hope this helps. Come back and let us know how you get along.
Maz.