My name is Catherine. I'm glad that I found this site, and I'm looking forward to talking with people who know what I'm going through. I've suffered from CH since I was 17 (I am now 24). My cycles usually last one month, and then I'm in remission for a year. Recently, I've been getting them every other year, which has been amazing. However, I'm about 3 weeks into a cycle right now, and I feel so frustrated. Nothing works to relieve the pain, and I keep crying out for someone to help me, for these stupid things to just go away. Advil, Excedrin, and other painkillers do nothing. My attack last night started at 4 a.m., and lasted well into the afternoon (although the pain started to dull by then). My head still feels sore, and I'm walking around in a daze. I had to miss work and class today, and I'm scared to fall asleep tonight.

How does everyone manage their lives with this horrible pain? Like everyone, I have responsibilities that are hard to just "put on hold". Between grad school and my job, it's impossible to keep up; and I doubt my professors or my boss really understand. I wish I could "work through it", but it's impossible to function, as you all know. Ughh. I just want my cycle to be over. I know it should be over soon, but right now I feel like  will never end. I feel so miserable every day. 

Anyway, it's nice to meet everyone. I hope I can find some relief here with people who understand.

While you're busy getting yourself to a qualified headache specialist or neurologist for a proper diagnosis, preventative plan, and abortive strategy (Jeannie mentioned O₂, which is a primary abortive), click on this link:

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

Print out many copies and give one to each person to whom you don't wish to explain yourself anymore.

Now get busy. You have work to do.

Cat wrote on Jan 26^th, 2010 at 4:00pm:


I guess you're getting the impression already that many of us get proactive about fighting this beast off. The lucky ones amongst us find significant relief and only have to do a minimal amount of managing the life with horrible pain.

It's not the old, weak O2 therapy that doctors still prescribe that is the most effective BTW. You'll have to educate yourself here on this site about it and your other back up options. Don't strictly rely on what any doctor tells you to do/take.

Here's the O2 info:
Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

Welcome Cat.
   stick around, and read all you can.  Youll learn how to manage it better, and even if you just need to vent we are here for ya
   Do try to get the Oxygen....you won't be sorry.

Please, don't assume you know your diagnsis! There are many disorders which have symptoms of cluster but which are not cluster headaches. Find a good headache specialist, not a general neurologist, if at all possible.
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LOCATING HEADACHE SPECIALIST

1. Search the OUCH site (button on left) for a list of recommended M.D.s.

2. Yellow Pages phone book: look for "Headache Clinics" in the M.D. section and look under "neurologist" where some docs will list speciality areas of practice.

3.  Call your hospital/medical center. They often have an office to assist in finding a physician. You may have to ask for the social worker/patient advocate.

4. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or ; On-line screen to find a physician.

5. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or Look for "Physician Finder" search box.  Call 1-800-643-5552; they will send a list of M.D.s for your state.I suggest using this source for several reasons: first, we have read several messages from people who, even seeing neurologists, are unhappy with the quality of care and ATTITUDES they have encountered; second, the clinical director of the Jefferson (Philadelphia) Headache Clinic said, in late 1999, that upwards of 40%+ of U.S. doctors have poor training in treating headache and/or hold attitudes about headache ("hysterical female disorder") which block them from sympathetic and effective work with the patient; third, it's necessary to find a doctor who has experience, skill, and a set of attitudes which give hope of success. This is the best method I know of to find such a physician.