Hey fellow clusterheads! I just found this site, very cool.  I've suffered for many years now, usually for 2-3 months at a time, everyday. Then not again for several months.  Anxious to talk to some of you who understand the pain.  When someone says "Oh yeah I get bad headaches sometimes too" I want to scream!!!

Hi geo   [smiley=wave.gif] and welcome. Yes, we all understand the pain only too well, and all willing to help in any way we can. Tell us a little about yourself, and what meds you have.

All the people who have "headaches" mean well but they have absolutely no idea. There was a whole thread on here a while ago which , if it wasn't so tragic would have been funny. I can't remember the title of the thread but you may be able to find it. Hopefully someone will post a link.

Headache is a rediculous name for what we have, so I guess you can't really blame people for not understanding. I don't tell them I have cluster headaches. I tell them I have autonomic trigeminal cephalgia, or trigeminal nerve compression. Both of which are completely true, and it shuts them up and stops them from offering you an asprin.

There's always someone here to talk to , so drop in any time.
Maz.

Hi Geo and welcome,

I think we can all relate to the severity of the pain. I was undiagnosed for a good while. After one night of thinking I would really do myself some harm as I could not bear the pain , I paid private and got diagnosed. I count myself quite lucky in that they only happen few times a year and last 1-4 weeks.

Have you found a good abortive medication? Imitrex injections and oxygen are the ones that seem to work best. Or good preventative like verampramil. I am  wiped out post migraine  but its sunny here  :o so I am going to try and venture out!

So rest assured we can relate to you. There is a wealth of information on here and support. I have heard vitamin d has helped a lot of people too and a lot of people are deficient without realizing. Batch is the expert on that and no doubt he will post to you.
Take care

In reference to other people driving you mad its understandable but I guess unless you have been through it you simply can't understand the pain. I used to get very angry with people not understanding but now I just accept and take solace in those who do.

For your own comfort, just say: "Thanks for your concern. I've got good control, most of the time." You CAN control your own emotions and, therefore, comfort.

Helpful to understand that, when someone is confronted with obvious illness, pain, etc. in another, they are discomforted too: uneasy with the other person's disress; caught off guard and not knowing how to respond (reflect on how we avoid eye contact/engagement with the obviously disfugured/handicapped, etc.)

NW Florida guy here. 

The only folks around me who really understood were the wife and kids that witnessed the frenzy and obvious nature of a really bad night, or day, or week, or year.

Just let the rest of the attitudes roll off the back of a duck.

There is a lot of info and personal experience available here. Be strong! You can control and wrestle the beast to at least draw.