Hi there Ryan

Wish you knew about us before.We had our convention in Dallas Texas july 11-july 13.There you could have met us.And also get answers on all your questions+more.

But of course we will try answer your questions as good as possible.Just fire away.

I am Svenn from Oslo Norway and is called The Mad Viking on the board.

We are all family here , so welcome to our family my friend and as i said.Dont hesitate to ask whatever questions you have and some of us will try answer them as soon as possible.You can also contact our family services if you feel thats safer then here in the open until you feel you know us better.  familyservices@ouch-us.org   .  There you will meet the best friends you ever have met.Linda is our leader.Then its Cathy , Jackie and me. Once again just feel free and contact us and welcome to our family here


Very best from

Svenn

Ryan,

Browse around this site and you'll get all kinds of helpful advice.  I just joined the forum a couple of weeks ago during my cycle and man did I find info on aborting this monster without drugs.  Definitely stock up on the energy drinks as the others said.  You can try the Melatonin (3 mg to start going up to 9mg) to prevent the CH during the night.  I tried this pumping exercise that The Spaniard posted in another thread and it actually aborted the CH for me everytime since I started doing it.  That may have worked at your party.  Since I have been diagnosed, I do have Imitrex on me at all times incase I have shadows leading to an onset.
As the others said, get to the neuro and get treated.  Maybe you can get scripts for O2.  I NO fan of the preventative drugs, but you might consider them. 

Good luck and wishing you PF days ahead.

Critical that you find a neurologist who has experience with complex headache disorders. We have had too much experience with docs who know less than we do!

LOCATING HEADACHE SPECIALIST

1. Search the OUCH site (button on left) for a list of recommended M.D.s.

2. 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.

3.  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.

4. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or ; On-line screen to find a physician.

5. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or Look for "Physician Finder" search box.  Call 1-800-643-5552; 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.
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Go to the kink and print out the article. An excellent introduction to Cluster, symptoms, treatments, etc.

 
Cluster headache.
From: Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or (Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases)
[Easy to read; one of the best overview articles I've seen. Suggest printing the full length article if you are serious about keeping a
good medical library on the subject.]

Leroux E, Ducros A.

ABSTRACT: Cluster headache (CH) is a primary headache disease characterized by recurrent short-lasting attacks (15 to 180 minutes) of excruciating unilateral periorbital pain accompanied by ipsilateral autonomic signs (lacrimation, nasal congestion, ptosis, miosis, lid edema, redness of the eye). It affects young adults, predominantly males. Prevalence is estimated at 0.5-1.0/1,000. CH has a circannual and circadian periodicity, attacks being clustered (hence the name) in bouts that can occur during specific months of the year. ALCOHOL IS THE ONLY DIETARY TRIGGER OF CH, STRONG ODORS (MAINLY SOLVENTS AND CIGARETTE SMOKE) AND NAPPING MAY ALSO TRIGGER CH ATTACKS. During bouts, attacks may happen at precise hours, especially during the night. During the attacks, patients tend to be restless. CH may be episodic or chronic, depending on the presence of remission periods. CH IS ASSOCIATED WITH TRIGEMINOVASCULAR ACTIVATION AND NEUROENDOCRINE AND VEGETATIVE DISTURBANCES, HOWEVER, THE PRECISE CAUSATIVE MECHANISMS REMAIN UNKNOWN. Involvement of the hypothalamus (a structure regulating endocrine function and sleep-wake rhythms) has been confirmed, explaining, at least in part, the cyclic aspects of CH. The disease is familial in about 10% of cases. Genetic factors play a role in CH susceptibility, and a causative role has been suggested for the hypocretin receptor gene. Diagnosis is clinical. Differential diagnoses include other primary headache diseases such as migraine, paroxysmal hemicrania and SUNCT syndrome. At present, there is no curative treatment. There are efficient treatments to shorten the painful attacks (acute treatments) and to reduce the number of daily attacks (prophylactic treatments). Acute treatment is based on subcutaneous administration of sumatriptan and high-flow oxygen. Verapamil, lithium, methysergide, prednisone, greater occipital nerve blocks and topiramate may be used for prophylaxis. In refractory cases, deep-brain stimulation of the hypothalamus and greater occipital nerve stimulators have been tried in experimental settings.THE DISEASE COURSE OVER A LIFETIME IS UNPREDICTABLE. Some patients have only one period of attacks, while in others the disease evolves from episodic to chronic form.

PMID: 18651939 [PubMed]

HI Ryan

I don't have much to add - others have given you great advice and words of wisdom!   Just wanted to say welcome and tell you that we're here to help-  CH really sucks but its manageable-  you'll get through it- sounds like you have before-

Definitely talk to a neuro about preventatives abortives and oxygen.  Someone mentioned (Maalstroom I think)  our great secret - Red Bull - really any energy drink with 1000 mg of taurine has been known to knock down a HA for me and others-  Chug it at first sign of a headache.   

Also-  gulping down two large cups of black coffee has stopped many a HA for me from ramping up

Print out the medication info and get yourself to a doctor as others have stated.  You'll feel much relief and start to feel more in control of this thing once you are on the right meds and in less pain. 

Hang in there !  We're listening

Kelly

The night hits  ( to me ) are the worst. Man... I've tried going to bed setting up, anything, whatever. Sometimes the O2 isn't quick as the trex at night, but during the day O2 is my buddie. I've even named him "Oxy".

the only thing i might add is consider getting away from the excedrin as it is very good at causing rebound headaches, at least for me.

oh and welcome, this sight is a great place for learning,crying and helping.

karl

Get some O2 and use it properly -- it can be your best friend.

And WATCH out for the Excedrin -- it can be great every once in a while, but can cause rebounds when used too often. (Damned if you do and damned if you don't -- but be careful with it).

You MUST be your best advocate with these things. Read, Learn - go to your doc armed. These things HURT, but you don't have to hurt any more than necessary. Keep your arsenal of weapons (Red Bull, frozen peas, O2, etc) handy and at the ready for when the Demon visits.

Welcome to Clusterville. You'll find we're a tuff bunch of old cooties around here. We KNOW how you feel and are here to HELP you fight the BEAST.

Hugs BD