Hello StickE. Have you been diagnosed by a neurologist that specializes in headaches? The reason I ask is because after reading your past messages I have to question whether you have cluster headaches or is something else going on. There is no such thing as a Cluster Migraine headache. It is either a Cluster headache or a Migraine headache. Two totally different conditions. Please try to see a headache specialist and then let us know what you found out. We do care.

If there were such a thing as "a" cluster, it wouldn't be called a cluster would it?

When I say "a cluster" I don't mean just one attack. I know that's not a thing. It was a four-day cluster that ended that Monday. Jesus, it's been a long week, cut me some slack.

StickENote wrote, When I say "a cluster" I don't mean just one attack. I know that's not a thing. It was a four-day cluster that ended that Monday.

The reason they are called cluster headaches is because they form in clusters, mine came twice a day, same time in the morning and arvo, and the odd one during the night. So, whether it be one or more attacks a day, each separate attack is classified as a CH.

Cluster headache belongs to a group of primary headache disorders, classified as the trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias or (TACs). Cluster headache is named after the demonstrated grouping of headache attacks occurring together (cluster). Individuals typically experience repeated attacks of excruciatingly severe unilateral headache pain. Cluster headache attacks often occur periodically; spontaneous remissions may interrupt active periods of pain, though about 10–15% of chronic CH never remit. The cause of cluster headache has not been identified.

The International Headache Society criteria is widely accepted, and the following link describes CH pretty thoroughly, including why the term "cluster" is used.
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I have cluster headaches every three years and they are horrible but I also have migraines. Now my case may be a bit different as my migraines are due to military service (desert storm) My clusters started out of the blue in 2006 and after the first week of multiple times a night and some day time clusters I have gotten a migraine from the messed up sleep patterns but they are never even close to the pain level of a cluster attack.  My new neurologist is going to put me on verapamil after the holidays are over.

Why is your neuro waiting until after the holidays? Will you be taking prednisone along with the verapamil. The prednisone will knock down the attacks until the verapamil builds up in your system. Usually about a week.

OK so my doctor never contacted me about helping with the cluster headaches other then telling m I needed a EKG so I went and had one like 2 weeks ago and never heard anything since. Damn VA! Anyway this years clusters are so very different then the past. In the past the clusters on a scale from 1 to 10 in pain were all above 7 this year I have had two at 10 and the rest maybe 5/6 ish. I am on a prescription called  Gabapentin 300 mg 3 times a day for migraines - no clue as to  its effects on clusters. I am taking the D3/calcium/mag/ etc. you all told me to try the last time. Another thing different is its already slowing down on how often I have the attacks and it started the 19th of December. My last 3 times I had them were all 8 to 10 weeks of attacks multiple attacks per day/night.  The last time I was asked about what cluster headaches were I told the person this: think about the worst headaches/migraine you ever had or heard of  she said ok then I said that a cluster is that on steroids and then some.  I was trying to be nice as it was a woman from my congregation. Thanks for taking time to read this I hope it is helpful to someone, Mark

Mark,

Every time I hear about vet's having problems with the VA I get worked up...  Hopefully Trump will privatize the VA hospitals so the incompetent idiots on the dole can be fired and productive medical professionals can be hired.

Don't forget to try Benadryl (Diphenhyramine).  It's in the info I sent.  In addition, you might want to start taking CoQ10 and the 3-month course of vitamin B30.

Most of the top neurologists here in the US and Europe who treat CH'ers and migraineurs on a regular basis are now prescribing co-enzyme Q 10 (CoQ10), magnesium and Riboflavin to their migraineurs.  There are a growing number of RCTs using this treatment and the results indicate better than a 50% reduction in the frequency of migraines.

Drinking 6 glasses of water a day and avoiding all glutens and sugars including high fructose corn syrups will also help.  Fresh fruit is ok...

Take care and please keep us posted.

V/R, Batch

I just to add that I was taking the following this time around and it very well might be why my clusters were so different this time. 2 turmeric with piperine 2 times a day, 2 boswellia 1 times daily(for inflammation) then the large amount of Vitamin D as told on this site along with the other recommendations on this site. I followed all of them and my clusters rarely ever hit a 10 of the pain scale although my usual schedule was always 10 weeks this time it was 12 but I had 1 or 2 weeks with no clusters at all in the middle which is not normal either. The only other thing I did different was my location, I moved from NH/Maine to California after the last attack. I hope this helps others. Mark

Hey Mark,

How much vitamin D3 were you taking daily and for how long in weeks?

The change of location from NH/Maine to California means more direct sun so your skin generates more cutaneous vitamin D3

Take care and please keep us posted.

V/R, Batch