Finally!  After 4 years of suffering, I've finally figured out why I've had the cluster headaches and how to stop them almost completely!  This may work for all of you, so immediately ask your doctor to have some tests ran.  I suspected that I may have been low in testosterone and decided to try a testosterone supplement on a hunch.  Almost immediately after I started taking DHEA, which was is the main ingredient in this pill, my headaches, which I suffered from the chronic form, not only diminished in frequency, but diminished in intensity as well.  I then saw Dr. Todd Schwedt from Washington University in St. Louis.  He is one of the best Neurologists in the country and has done many clinical trials and tests on headaches and cluster headaches.  When I told him what I did and the results of the pill I was taking, he was rather intrigued.  He immediately called for a testosterone blood test as well as others.  The results came in and I was found to be extremely low in both testosterone free and overall testosterone levels.  He is taking me off the supplement testosterone and giving me a prescription patch of testosterone, but he is in agreement with me that my low level of testosterone was most likely the cause of my cluster headaches.  I urge you to ask your doctor to have your hormone level as well as thyroid, cbc and any other blood tests checked.  It may be that simple!
Good Luck!!!  I'm considering myself cured even though I get small headaches once a week that go away, sometimes on their own and only hit a pain level of 3 out of 10 max!!  And I was suffering major attacks daily, 3-6 daily at kip levels 9-10 consistently!  My life was over as far as I was concerned....and this was only 1 month ago!!

what is dhea? what is your gender?   why did you have a hunch on your own that testosterone was low?  good food for thought.  definately a new idea around here that i have not read before. I am new to this websight, but not to the the beast. not a chronic, but feel for those who are. Really hope it works for you.  how long have you tried this regime?
currently i am a topomamx 50mg and no caffeine guy.. and i am a happy camper.   3 months.  good for you!!! anytime someone find something that works it is always ducking awesome!  I hope it is forever.

Here's a thread on the use of testosterone treatment.

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When I saw your screen name, I thought for sure you were going to say it was from being a Cub fan and having to consistently bash your head with your fist.

Seriously, yes, the testosterone therapy has been discussed here at great length. In fact, I printed a study and handed it to my neuro last visit and asked her to be prepared to discuss on my next visit.

That's great news. It's been discussed here several times and is showing a lot of promise for some on the board. Hoping it continues to work for you. Pain free is an awesome thing!

Joe

I saw this discussed a while ago and immediatley got myself tested for testosterone, oestrogen and some others for good measure.  All came back normal so no connection for me.

CubFan wrote on Sep 25^th, 2009 at 11:27pm:

Finally!  After 4 years of suffering, I've finally figured out why I've had the cluster headaches and how to stop them almost completely!  This may work for all of you, so immediately ask your doctor to have some tests ran.  I suspected that I may have been low in testosterone and decided to try a testosterone supplement on a hunch.  Almost immediately after I started taking DHEA, which was is the main ingredient in this pill, my headaches, which I suffered from the chronic form, not only diminished in frequency, but diminished in intensity as well.  I then saw Dr. Todd Schwedt from Washington University in St. Louis.  He is one of the best Neurologists in the country and has done many clinical trials and tests on headaches and cluster headaches.  When I told him what I did and the results of the pill I was taking, he was rather intrigued.  He immediately called for a testosterone blood test as well as others.  The results came in and I was found to be extremely low in both testosterone free and overall testosterone levels.  He is taking me off the supplement testosterone and giving me a prescription patch of testosterone, but he is in agreement with me that my low level of testosterone was most likely the cause of my cluster headaches.  I urge you to ask your doctor to have your hormone level as well as thyroid, cbc and any other blood tests checked.  It may be that simple! Good Luck!!!  I'm considering myself cured even though I get small headaches once a week that go away, sometimes on their own and only hit a pain level of 3 out of 10 max!!  And I was suffering major attacks daily, 3-6 daily at kip levels 9-10 consistently!  My life was over as far as I was concerned....and this was only 1 month ago!!

Makes a lot of sense...I think the brain chems...serotonin, testosterone, thyroid is what is causing it for many of us. I think it maybe a different chem for different folks. That's why everyone responds to something different. So glad to hear something is working for you! :)

CubFan wrote on Sep 25^th, 2009 at 11:27pm:

Finally!  After 4 years of suffering, I've finally figured out why I've had the cluster headaches and how to stop them almost completely!  !!

So many openings, so little time....LOL

Cubfan...aka eternal optomist...
I hope you're right but I'll bet you also believe the Cubs "almost" won the World Series last year ;-)

A Cub fan low on testosterone?? And now they have a test to confirm it?? These doctors and their needless testing!!

Any Cub fan thats been suffering for 4 years..was born in 2006

In all seriousness, best of luck with the treatments. It has heped some people and worth getting checked.

Bobw

I found I had low testosterone from a physical. I was down to less then 7 attacks each week, however Over the last 2 years I was never getting CH free days. After 3 weeks of testosterone I was down to about 5 CHs a week.
         MikeS