Hello everyone, I am Mark and I have bad migraines since about 1995. The Cluster headaches started in 2005 then skipped till 2008 then skipped again till now. is this a common thing?  The first time I had nothing and I wanted to die, the second time I had oxygen and that helped, this time I have imitrex injectors and oxygen. and I am much better off. I am 49 years old will they go away as I get older?  Thank You.

Hi Mark and welcome

You're another of the "lucky ones" with both CH and migraines. There are a few of us here so we understand what both are like.

CH is anything but predictable. Often it'll change on people over time, which could be in skipping a year or appearing more than once a year, it could be changing sides to what medication worked doesn't and vice versa. However having a good understanding of CH, including knowing how it can change and having multiple different options to try makes a huge difference.

For oxygen you can read about it in detail via the link on the left. The key combination is getting on it quick, a high flow rate (15lpm or higher) and a non-rebreather mask. Using 25lpm I abort my CHs in about 5 minutes or less, which is a whole lot better than a 45-75 minute ride with the beast.

Some people find that CHs die out as they get older, but it doesn't work for everyone.

Have you got anything to prevent your CHs? Something like verapamil / lithium / topomax?

A lot of us are getting great results using vitamin D3 - START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE, with a 75%+ success rate.

Keep reading and you'll learn a LOT about CH from people who really understand it.

Managing both types of headache at the same time requires sophistication/skill. If you are not working with a headache specialist, find one. The average doc, even neurologists, lack training/skill that we need.
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LOCATING HEADACHE SPECIALIST

1. Yellow Pages phone book: look for "Headache Clinics" in the M.D. section and look under "neurologist" where some docs will list speciality areas of practice.

2.  Call your hospital/medical center. They often have an office to assist in finding a physician. You may have to ask for the social worker/patient advocate.

3. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE On-line screen to find a physician.

4. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE Look for "Physician Finder" search box. They will send a list of M.D.s for your state.I suggest using this source for several reasons: first, we have read several messages from people who, even seeing neurologists, are unhappy with the quality of care and ATTITUDES they have encountered; second, the clinical director of the Jefferson (Philadelphia) Headache Clinic said, in late 1999, that upwards of 40%+ of U.S. doctors have poor training in treating headache and/or hold attitudes about headache ("hysterical female disorder") which block them from sympathetic and effective work with the patient; third, it's necessary to find a doctor who has experience, skill, and a set of attitudes which give hope of success. This is the best method I know of to find such a physician.

5. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE NEW certification program for "Headache Medicine" by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties, an independent, non-profit, professional medical organization.
        Since this is a new program, the initial listing is limited and so it should be checked each time you have an interest in locating a headache doctor.
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Explore this site and consider buying his books. Top drawer headache doc in the Chicago area.

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

Welcome to the board Mark. Some find there headaches just stop as they get older. Some in their 30's, some in their 50's, some even elder. Then we have members of the board on their 70's still getting hit. It's another one of those frustrating variables.

Another vote for the "Batch regimen" The D-3 regimen referred to above. It's had me out of cycle going on 3 years. ;)

Joe