Hello, everyone! My name is Kevin Entzminger Jr. I'm 23 years old, originally from Columbia, South Carolina, but I live outside of Atlanta, Georgia. I've been dealing with these headaches for about 10 years now. I remember the first time I felt one when I was 13 years old. I literally leaped up from out of my bed and started running around the house like a banshee. My family thought I was possessed, but I knew that the right side of my head was on fire.

     I generally have my cluster headaches on the right side in the early fall season. Not exactly sure why, but typically between August - October is when mine occur. Last year, I had a severely stressful period of my life, and now, I assume it's the trigger of my cluster period then. It lasted for about 3 weeks, four to eight times a day and night, 15 - 30 minutes. Without warning, the pain intensified, my right nostril started oozing, my right eye would turn bloodshot, and of course, the pain of right head is far greater than anything I've ever experienced. My lover witnessed this phenomenon in me and was terrified! As he watched me slam my head against the wall and carpet, I think he was more scared that I was going to either kill myself, or because he was powerless to stop it. You try to tell people about these cluster headaches, but they believe it's just a migraine. I also suffer from those, too, and trust, this pain and FAR greater than any migraine. At least with a migraine, I can get some type of sleep, but when these things occur, I CAN NOT sit still. It's like laying down makes it feel worse. Having your nose run or feeling like a hot golf cleat is being continuously stomped in your head is not a great feeling at all. Even once the pain is gone, I still have a nagging headache. Not as intense as the cluster, it's just this nagging headache so it's almost as though I get no relief.


If stress is my trigger, financial issue would be my culprit for the period I'm going through now. I noticed a pattern though. Last year, I had headaches for an extended period of time, then suddenly BOOM! My period began. This year, same situation. I dealt with normal headaches/migraines for a month, saw doctor after doctor - no help. A few days ago, my period started. I went to the emergency room and they gave me some medication that didn't do anything but laugh at me and the headaches pressed on. Naturally, my lover who flew home from a business trip early in Ohio knew exactly what it was and consoled me to the best that he could.

I've finally gotten the opportunity to see a neurologist this week and I couldn't be more grateful. These headaches have affected my life, my job, my friendships, and I sit and panic worrying about when the next one is going to occur. When the headache is over, all I want to do is just rest because my energy is totally wiped away... not to mention having a snotty nose can get quite nasty - lol. Just trying to make light of the terrible situation.

I'm sure my story is no different than anyone else's. I'm only blessed that someone... some people know exactly what I'm feeling. My Mom and Dad back home worry, my lover is scared, my great job thinks I'm crazy, and friends think it's a migraine. Fact of the matter is, I'm suffering... but surviving. All I can ask for is your prayers through my period, and I pray for those who are also dealing with these. I know it's no joke. I'd appreciate the support.

  Oxygen is gonna rock your world.

               Potter

Hey there and welcome buddy Another 23 yr old

Where are ya?

I've only been dealing with this for three years about so I can't say I know how it feels - but in a sense I do.

The problem with getting CHs is that you never get used to them. Each one feels just as bad as the previous one. There's no built-up tolerance. There's no slowly gained immunity. There's no way to make it hurt even a fraction less. No relief, no prevention, no hope, it seems.

Luckily, I too have recently been diagnosed and I seek a cure - perhaps together we'll find solace.

In either case, welcome.