It all started last July, I was awaken at 3:30am on the dot by this pain I had never felt before.  I woke my boyfriend up by crys and rocking back and forth.  I couldn't beleive this kind of pain existed. The worst of it was behing my right eye, I could swear I was crying tears of blood.  I took 3 Tylenols (which was a joke) and after an hour the pain subsided enough for me to fall back asleep.  Not knowing anthing about cluster headaches or even that they existed, I remember going to work the next day and telling my co-workers that I thought I had a stoke or somekind of attack in the middle of the night.  Much to my suprise it happened again same time and everything.  As it progressed night after night without fail, I would try to stay awake, take sleeping pills and Tylenol before bed but we all know none of that works.  I finally went to the neurologist.  She had no doubt in her mind that they were cluster headaches, she immediatly put me on steroids and Immetrex.  They finally went away about three days into the pills.
I have now been cluster-free for over a year but I always think about it.  When are they going to come back? What's going to trigger their arrival?  I truly know what everyone with cluster headaches is going through and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.  

Hi Rachel.  Welcome to the family.  I'm so happy to hear that you have been PF for a year.  Like Linda said that sneaky little demon bastard has a way of showing back up right smack dap out of the blue.  Read all you can and ask questions.  The people hear are so awesome.  They all have tons of knowledge about clusters.  They have all been a godsend to me and my hubby, who is the sufferer in our house.

Please don't worry about the next round with the beast.  Just try to live life to the fullest each and every day while you PF.

Hugs,

Jen

Rachel, hi and welcome, i had bouts for 3/4 months at a time over the last 4 years or so but have been pain free for the last 7 months, i think i just got lucky. Like you, i allways think about the FIEND and know he will return one day. every little twinge or tweak in my eye or jaw makes me think he hath returned. Very best of luck to you, there are a whole lot of knowledgeable and helpful people on this site and it makes you feel better knowing that others know what its like.

Good Luck
Terry

Hi  Rachel,

Welcome!   I hope you continue to be pf!  Don't let you guard down though.    Know that we are here if you need us!

Jeannie

Welcome to the board, glad the prednisone and imitrex whipped it for you. Next cycle...(and there will be one...damnit anyways!!!)....ask your doc about oxygen. Been a miraculous treatment for many on the board. The keys, pure oxygen, using a non re breather mask, at a high flow rate, at least 15 LPM. Will knock an attack out for me in as little as 6 minutes with none of the imitrex hang over!!

Glad you found us, hope you never need us again!

Guiseppi