hi, my name is casey, i am 17 going on 18 ive had CH over a year now and its literally doing my head in. yesterday i was carried out off my college's training track cuz of an attack, it was humiliating but the pain is so bad tht it doesnt matter whos watching, of course, everyone was watching. i dont no anyone else who suffers from CH and im finding it difficult to deal with, i am currently on propranalol but that doesnt help much, if at all. i'd just like to know what other people try that might help me deal with it better, so please write back if you'd like to chat or have any suggestions.

casey xx

i take public services at college and we were doing army fitness training when it happen but thank you for your reply, i will get a better treatment cuz i cant deal with this any more. thank you glad your getting yours sorted.

well im on 3 tablets of propranalol and it really is rubbish so i'll do that and if im getting nowhere with my doctor i'll find one who knows what they're talking about sounds like a good idea though and i'll give it a try and let you know how i get on.

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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:

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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]

So sorry you're hurting Casey. You have found the best place for real information to help you find real help. Read as much on this site as you can...especially the oxygen info.

Ask questions. There are wonderful people here that know EXACTLY what you are going through. They can help you find what works for you so you can get your life back. It may take a while to find the right doctor and the right formula for you but keep at it until you do. You'll be so glad you did. Then you can share your experiences with the next newcomer and maybe help them find their answer.

Welcome Casey! Good luck with your quest! Any questions yet? 

Hey...

    I feel your pain I've been getting mine since I was 16 or so. I remember being in High school and having to find a room I could bang my head without anyone seeing. I'm 27 now and most people around me are aware of what I go through. I showed alot of co-workers and friends this site and it really opened up there eyes. You are definetly not alone here. I know alot of people avoid using triptans at all costs except for when we get slammed with a k-6 or 7 and above. The imitrex shots have helped though. Especially for everyday things like work and outings. at home I battle with O2 but out I take a shot and good to go (most of the time). Well I hope you feel better if you need to vent PM me I'm a good punching bag 

Hi Casey. The beast presented itself to me over 11yrs ago. You will find a treatment that works for you, or at least will help. It is all trial and error in my opinion. I was many meds. that worked for awhile and then lost their effectiveness. Never give up hope. When I found this site yrs ago many ppl were talking about O2 and Verapamil. I went to a Dr. and told him that I suffered with CH and wanted a script for O2 and Verapamil. I asked if he had a problem with that he didn't. Verap and O2 helped me for yrs. This site and all the ppl are great. I was recently diagnosed with Obstuctive Sleep Apnea and since the use of a CPAP machine CH are less. I no longer take any meds. CH are controlled with 15 liters of O2. Hope this helps.