Well, it's a new year and I have entered into yet another Cluster Pattern. This is my 14th year and like every other year, I can never tolerate or get used to the Cluster Headache. The pattern started on Monday the 7th and so far I've had a total of 8 attacks. Morning, noon, and night they arrive, causing my skull to separate and a waterfall of misery to pour from my eye. The hope of last year being my last has completely went out the window. I've started taking D3, Calcium Citrate and Fish Oil. In hopes to shock my system and possibly disrupt the current attack that has lasted all day, I have taken 50,000 i.u. of D3. Here we go..... I noticed on my fiancé's tumblr today that there are a lot of people who lack hope and take the nickname "suicide headache" to heart. Although I have given up on medical treatment and have turned to a more natural approach, my hopes are high. I have a devoted fiancé who has shown nothing but the best support and spends a majority of her time researching and finding any way possible for me to find relief. I've noticed that Cluster Headaches are becoming more and more recognized in the United States which makes me feel a lot better. Although I don't keep up with this site, I greatly appreciate it.

There's a few of us have given up on medical treatments, JM, and like you we've never given up on hope.

Presuming of course that you've been clinically diagnosed as a CHead, check out a thread on the Medication board called "123 day pain-free". It's a vitamin regime that might suit you and many are getting good results from it. Either way, it can't hurt.

Also consider an OTC product called melatonin. Taken before bed it may help with the night time monsters. Good old oxygen remains the stalwart of the majority and there's heaps of info here on how to use it to great effect. A red bull-type drink guzzled down at the start of a hit may also take the edge off things.

A stroll through START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE will cost you nothing but a bit of your time.

Most importantly, tell your fiancee and number one supporter that we love her and she's especially welcome here as part of our little family.

Cheers ever,

B.

Brian said it all and i don't need to add to that except to tell you that i'm 84 days CH free on the D3 regimen after being chronic for 37 years My CH started in 1973 and had only one 3 year remission that started in 1979 through 1982 so i think that works out to 37 years of dealing with these bastards...So there is hope!  I want to wish you the very best of luck trying the regimen and pray it works for you too....Johnny  ;)

Thank you, and Brian for your support and advice. I would fall to pieces if I was chronic so, God bless you. My last visit to the Headache Clinic of UPMC, the doc told me that I have a Cluster/Migraine hybrid that is out of control so, although, I get and have Clusters, they are unpredictable. I'm hopeful for the D3 plan. I have gone all day without an attack and I have to think if it was all because I took the 50,000 i.u. of D3. Thanks again guys. Take care.

Hello..I too begin the new year in a cycle of ch. I have had them (along with "regular" migraines AND one other variety of migraine) for 2 1/2 years. The longest I have been without headache is 19 days in all that time. I believe mine to have been triggered from a trashed cranial nerve that I needed surgery on a year and a half ago. I have tried EVERYTHING...beta blockers,calcium blockers,O2,"herbs",topomax,tegretol,lyrica,gabapentin,high dose magnsium and all the B vits. The list goes on and on and I am sure you all know it.  A new herb I have been on for a month (gave me 13days headache free) is RHODIOLA ROSEA (Rosavin). , rec by my neurologist Available at Vitacost. I am up to 400 mg a day and ready to increase it. Also going to begin Namenda today. Haven't been able to find any preventative . Today, it was injectable SUMAVEL and TORDAL and oral vistaril to calm my head...now I just feel hungover! What do you all find works best for treating the ch's? I have good luck with the imitrex for the other 2 varieties of migraines but the clusters just go on ad on. Thanks!

As was mentioned earlier in the thread the Vitamin D3 Regimen is helping hundreds of CH sufferers become pain free at least 76 % or higher myself included after 37 years of chronic CH so this is highly recommend as a very worth while shot. There is evidence that this regimen also helps migraine sufferers too. You can find the regimen information here on the medications and treatments page under the threads "Anti-inflammatory regimen and survey" and "123 days pain free and i think i know why" also busting which is at clusterbusters.com another natural alternative which is helping many to become CH free....Best of luck!....Johnny ;)