Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or Melatonin works for me! I have been a clusterhead for 39 years. first attack when I was 17. I was misdiagnosed until a few weeks ago. everything from imagination, to any of the other triggers being blamed. thought I just had some hypersensitivity from my TMJ (jaw problem) After trying to treat me for Migraines, a relief doctor said, "you have classic cluster headaches. (I read up on it and cried when I realized that it was me) After bringing back my meds for the migraines I didn't have, he tried me on a calcium beta blocker that ruined my next day (saturday) with a day long mild attack. During the weekend I did much research on the net. - this was new to me - I found out that us clusterheads are low on melatonin especially during our cycles. I did research on melatonin and found it was used to reset the circadian inner clock for blind people who obviously have no day nite perception to regulate it. Figuring that the cluster headaches are associated with a circadian inner clock gone wacko, I tried the same things done for the blind people. Melatonin is safe, easily available and inexpensive. - $10 for a months worth. - I took 3@3mg sublingual tablets (9mg total) a 10pm, one hour before expected regular bed time and the next morning I was attack free and this cycle was a particularly bad one. (I don't think describing the pain is necessary here though) I have been taking the melatonin regularly for 8 days now and I have been 8 days without an attack. I still get some very mild phantom attacks some times. Usually during my sensitive attack prone times. for me it was 3pm - 7pm - 3 am and when I would get up as well. I am well aware that I am still in my cycle and still have to be careful about any triggers. I can't believe that something that works so well and is so obvious a possible solution, has not been found out earlier. When I first went to my GP with the cluster diagnosis, he looked on a med website under treatment and picked from the list of pharmaceutical solutions listed. Since melatonin isn't in their list of patented medicines, it doesn't get mentioned. No money in it for them. It has been too long since I have felt this good about something. 39 years of torture - OVER!

After 31 years of CH, beleive, me, I understand how happy pain free can make a person!  It's awesome you have found a way to fight back against the beast. That being said..........

Don't assume your worries are over. I would be very suprised if just the addition of melatonin solved your worries. Many on the board have had success with Melatonin helping them dodge the night hits. I'm hoping whatever the melatonin reset, stays that way and you never have to rock and roll witht he beast again...BUT....

In case you do, start using the board here to educate yourself on CH. The various prevents available such as Verapamil, Lithium and Topomax. The abortives like oxygen, imitrex, zomig. The way many people are using energy drinks to abort their hits. The "alternative" treatments discussed on "clusterbusters.com."

Knowledge is never a bad thing and in the case of CH it's your best friend. Again, so glad you have found relief, hoping it's permanent!

Joe

Melatonin works for me, to a large but not total degree. I get best results when I start it as soon as I feel myself slipping into a cycle (disturbed sleep, eye twitch, manic energy levels). When I use it at the same time every night, it gets my circadian cycles back in line (and benefits serotonin) - a lower dose will stop 80% of the pain.

I add magnesium, taurine and CoQ10 as daily support, and take kudzu if things get bad.