Cluster is a problem but does not have to become a burden. It's beyond elimination--so, we are left with learning how to control and respond to it--without giving up our lives to the effort. To a significant degree, developing a state of mind around our response is no less important than the medical stuff we use.

At least explore and reflect on:  Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or
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Having said this, knowing what you are dealing with is important.

 
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 better overview articles I've seen. Suggest printing the full length article--link, line above--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]
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Current therapies: Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

Here is a link to read and print and take to your doctor.  It describes preventive, transitional, abortive and surgical treatments for CH. Written by one of the better headache docs in the U.S.  (2002)
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Michigan Headache & Neurological Institute for another list of treatments and other articles:

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or
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Hope you have a good  headache doc. If not, get back so that we can give you some leads.
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As time allows, extend your understanding by exploring the buttons (left) and the many internal links.
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Finally, glad you are here to support us.

Danisman77 wrote on Jul 24^th, 2009 at 5:31pm:


Hi Danisman and welcome to the board.

Hey pal, we totally understand how you are feeling, trust me we have all been there. Have a real good look at the above quote that you typed a number of days ago. Do you really want this horrible little shit to dictate how you and your family live your lives..? I didn't think so.

Like you, I also was loosing the battle to keep my sanity during cycles. for almost 20 years i had docs prescribing nothing more than smarties to combat this excruciating pain. I recently found this site and my life has changed forever. My last cycle which ended a couple of months ago was the most manageable that I have ever experienced.

Please read the section to your immediate left. I can stop an attack within 5 mins using a non rebreather mask at a flow of 15lpm. Also get yourself over to the meds and remedies section and read up on the many preventative and abortive strategies available.

Today my friend, you can take back your life from the beast...

Best Wishes



Lefty...!

It can indeed be difficult to keep on living when you let it get the better of you. Been there more than once, but I just keep putting one foot in front of the other - because I have to.

Please DO read what has been linked by Bob Johnson.

I will also add my voice to the "oxygen" chorus. Learning how to use it at high flow rates has truly changed my life - and gives ME the power to deal with the attacks.

Don't let anything stop you from getting O2 immediately. Even if you have to go with welding O2 like myself and many others. There truly is hope of getting some control back!

Marc