Welcome Jennifer but I'm sorry we have to meet because of this horror. Your description is great. Cool, dark, quiet, and alone was what I sought. Mine appeared when I was 23 too.....way back in 1969. Mine woke me out of a sound sleep as well and lasted about 20 minutes for about 5 weeks and I could count on them every spring and fall. A LOT of us have similar episodes. I was lucky in a way that I was seeing a neurologist for the epileptic seizures I've had most of my life. I learned what they were within a week. Back then, there was Cafergot and little else. Cafergot was so ineffective that the doctor warned me about it. By the 70s, I met another neurologist and learned of the technique that I describe below. It was about the only thing I had until the 80s. I used Inderal, a beta blocker that worked for me. Fortunately for you there are more and better treatments listed on the OUCH site and talked about among other clusterheads.

There are people that seem to have "outgrown" the thing but it's unproven. All I know that the last hit I had was when I was 45. I can only hope you have even better luck.

Here is the technique that worked for me:

                                         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. Think of feeling your pulse in your hand. Increased circulation will result in a reddening and warming of the hands. 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. Try experimenting between attacks. You will find that it gets easier with practice. Every now and then it will work almost immediately. I lived for those moments.

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.

I used to try to imagine I was pushing blood away from my neck 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      

Could you PLEASE quit posting in your cutesy colors?  It is SO annoying, and difficult to try to read!

It is one thing to color a word or phrase, but your whole post is too much.

Thank you