Hello. I am new here. Just found the site yesterday. I am in the middle or hopefully the end of my first CH.
I am a 45 yo female, and totally confused. I had never even heard of CH, and now I don't know how to handle everything that has come my way and will be coming in the future. This is scary stuff.
I am relieved to know that the excrutiating pain is as bad as I thought. My husband and daughter both have migraines, but they are generally able to function while having one. I was beginning to feel like a weenie with these headaches of mine because they would totally take over.
My Dr. has put me on Maxalt and Tylox. Any input on those two drugs?
Will the CH bouts continue to worsen each time I have one? What does everyone mean by shadows?
What advise do you have for someone recently diagnosed?
I am afraid to go anywhere in the evening because I don't kow when they will hit. Sometimes they hit me before even going to bed, while watching TV...
Looking forward to hearing from you all.
Thanks for the great info that everyone puts out.
TanyaE

Thanks Bob for the write back. Scar stuff we're dealing with here.
I will keep reading, and reading like you suggest.
Looking forward to getting to know more of you.

Hi,

I am new the site!  I am 32 and have had attacks since college.  I have been lucky and NOT had an attack in 3 years.  That all ended about a week ago.  I thought I was feeling better.  I was wrong.  I am having a bad morning.  An attack at 1:15 am and an other at 7:30 am.  2 Imitrex injections later and my head is dancing around another one. 

My doc has me on the Imitrex (Thank God) and Midrin.  All while waiting for the Verapamil to build up. 

Any tips to help with the anxiety?  I am also afraid I could become chronic.

I am sooo glad you are here!

Thank you

I am feeling much better than earlier today.  I have been doing a lot of reading on this site today.  Thanks again, to all the postings and information.

Getty, thanks for posting this one from Chuck, it stays a GREAT Welcome and still is true!

Welcome to you!

Colorado_Loki wrote on Mar 8^th, 2006 at 5:50pm:


How can I say this in a nice way?

Your Doctor is a fucking idiot and knows nothing about CH pain if thats what he told you!!

Plus, your Verapamil dose is way to fucking low, talk to his ass about that!

Keep reading, you have alot of that to do if you have only been in this game for a year!

Arm yourself with Knowledge!

shenke wrote on Mar 8^th, 2006 at 8:15pm:


Congrats Kid, PF talk is always welcome here....it gives folks hope.

Weenie?.........I dont think so!...Nuff said!

I hope you sleep well, its one thing we all need.

Hello all,

I am so glad that I found this board.  I haven't had a CH since 1999 until last week.  I woke up with the worst feeling, not only in my head but just thinking that this was beginning again.  Last time it took me 6 months to get over the cycle.  It was pure hell.  Now 7 years later I have three children all under the age of 4 so I am really scared.  The last time I had them blood pressure meds and beta blockers did not work.  The only thing that did was periactin (antihistamine).  I loved it because I felt better but I hated it because it made me sleep about 13 hours a day.  With three kids I am really between a rock and a hard place on that one.  I am so happy there is a med that helped me but I don't know if I can function taking it now. 

My doctors had a hard time even figuring out what was wrong with me years ago because I am a woman and women apparently don't get them as much as men.  I told them that I had done the research and I knew they were not migraines but clusters.  I feel the burning starting in my head now and I am so scared to go to sleep because I know I will wake up again with one.  Last night I had one at 2 a.m. that was the worst I have ever had.  Childbirth for me was no where near to that in comparison.  I thought I was going to die.  I was screaming, rocking, banging my head.  This one took 60 minutes to go away which never happened before.

So I am going to try Allegra (non-drowsy antihistamine) that I am sure won't work as good (or if at all) as the Periactin did.  My doctor thought it would be more safe than falling asleep on my three kids apparently. 

Anyone else had luck with Periactin or any other antihistamine (sp?).  I am so glad I found you all.  I am sure it will make this cycle more bearable to have people to talk to!

Welcome, ai. Sorry you have to be here, but I'm glad you are. There is lots of info and support here.
I've never had luck with antihistimines, and they are not a standard CH treatment. Look over on the left at the oxygen info link. It's very effective when used properly. Here is a link for standard CH treatments. Most people use a preventative and an abortive. Print these and take them to your dr. You should be able to get a prescription for oxygen and some meds as well.
Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or
Read, read and then read some more...information is your best weapon.
pain free wishes, nani

After a 3 year absense, I am back.   Remission is bliss, but the support here is incredible.

I am more frustrated than anything.  Feeling like a walking science experiment of Imitrex, Topomax and Stadol. 

Challenging this prick of a beast each time I feel a tingle in my nostril or a twitch of my eyelid.     I'd rather fight than be drugged.   Has anyone had success with O2 or water treatment ?   thanks,

Welcome everybody but sorry you are here because of having to deal with this horror. We all do or have done so. I've been free of it for about 15 years but I feel at home here. I don't know why the beast is afraid of me. There are some stories about an age factor. I'm 59 but for some, CH started in middle age. It drives me batty. 

Anyway, these goons know of what they speak. Lots of good stuff here.

Here is something that worked for me most of the time. It ain't easy but it's worth the effort:

         Dr. Wright’s Circulatory Technique:

I am not sure what mechanism is triggered by this but whatever it is, at least indirectly helps kill the pain. I do know that this technique has nothing to do with meditation, relaxation, or psychic ability. It is entirely physical and takes some work. It involves concentrating on trying to redirect a little circulation to the arms, hands, or legs. It can described as a conscious circulatory flexing. Increased circulation will result in a reddening and warming of the hands. Try to think of it as filling your hands with redirected blood. The important and difficult part is that it has to be done without interruption through the pain. Do not give up in frustration. It may not work on the first try. Every now and then it will work almost immediately. I lived for those moments. Try experimenting between attacks. You will find that it gets easier with practice.

I was given less than five minutes instruction in the use of method. The doctor, while placing his arm on his desk, showed me that he could slightly increase his arm and hand circulation. After several attempts, I was able to repeat this procedure and use it successfully. I have had about a 75% success rate shortening these attacks. My 20 minute attacks were often reduced to 10 minutes or less. Once proven that I had a chance to effectively deal with this horror, I always gave it a try as I had nothing to lose but pain.

Perhaps it will help if you think of it as trying to fill the arm as if it is were an empty vessel. I used to try to imagine I was pushing blood away from my head into my arm. Use your imagination. There is one man who wrote that his standing barefoot on a concrete floor shortened his attacks. This may be similar as it draws some circulation away from the head. Cold water, exercise, or anything affecting circulation, seems to be worth a try. My suggestion is to not let up immediately when the pain goes. Waiting a minute is probably a good idea. So long as you do not slack off, this has a chance of working.

This technique is very useful while waiting for medication to take effect or when none is available. It costs nothing, is non-invasive, and can be used just about anywhere. It is not a miracle but it helped me deal with this horror. It can be a bit exhausting but the success rate was good enough for me and a cluster headache sufferer will do just about anything to end the pain. It gives us a fighting chance.

Charlie      

Daniel,

Welcome!
You'll find lots of information about ch right here at this site. And lots of people who know what you're going through. We come from around the world and we're here to help when you need advices/vent.

Best wishes & PF time,
Sanna

hi...my name is kaz and last friday i had my first headache...Ive never been one to get a headache but have had INCREDIBLY painful headaches above my right eye at 9.00am every day since. It goes from 0-painful in about 30 seconds! my eyelid goes droopy too. I sometimes feel like I'm going to pass out. About 12ish I'm feeling better. No painkiller as yet has touched it. The doctor says I have cluster headaches. I'd never heard of them so feel a little bit afraid. I'm a teacher and am worried because I dont know how long this will last, how long a break I'll get before the next 'lot'... It was great to find this site! I don't think I'm suffering anywhere near as much as many of you, but it's reassuring to know there are other's I can 'talk' to. I have 2 little ones to look after so this all seems a bit daunting at the moment. I'm looking forward to 'meeting' you all.