I am 8 days into my first CH and really struggling. At 56 and male I had suffered Classic Migraines since age 13 (puberty). Usually only 5 to 6 times a year and they only lasted a day. Eventually the headaches were more often but not too bad and onset meds worked most of the time. But, CHs are a whole different world and I don't know if I can do what you all are talking about for much longer. Has anyone else morphed from classic migraines to Clusters?

I pretty much self diagnosed myself before seeing my primary care physician two days ago. She put me on Prednisone and Verapamil. So car the only relief comes from deep breathing exercises while standing and walking. The pain drops a point or two when I stand up, and now is getting to the point where I only sit so it feels better when I stand up. Am I crazy? I have slept about 2 to 3 hours a night until the K7 or K8 wakes me up. I worked for 5 days but haven't been able to go the last three days. 

I am a chronic ch suffer who is currently in remission at this time however while I was getting hit I had 8 attacks a day lasting 1 1/2 hours long each at a kip 10.  I had never had a ha in my life prior to this.  Two years or so into ch I started getting migraines along with the ch still occurring.  I would get 6-12 migraines a month lasting 2-3 days.  I dont think it is common to get both but not rare either.  I would suggest that you see a reputable Neurologist who specializes in ch or ha since you have had a change in the ha type and request an MRI to rule out any thing bad in the brain going on.  It is standard procedure to go this route.  I just want to make sure your around here awhile and not missing something that could have been prevented by seeing a neuro and MRI. You can go to the OUCH.org website (Orgainization for understanding cluster headaches).  They have a page there of recomended drs by state.

Thanks for you comments and suggestions. I am having a MRI next week. You are absolutely right about reading about this and saying "that's me". Its comforting to know there are others of you out there. No one I explain this to understands. My wife used to be good about my migraines, but after a whie I knew how long the migraines would last and just had to beat the bastard back for a day. This is just wearing me down. I'm going to look into the O2. I assume that requires a prescription and is at any drug store. I saw some ads on the web for cans, too. I'm getting a little break down to about a kip 4 after a hot shower and trying the water thing too. Thanks again for being out there, whereever you all are.

yeah jay, oxygen is given by perscription, but some (like me) couldnt get a script for it (dumbass doctor, no ins. ect..) So I use welding o2, its the same stuff only cheaper. Try the red bull at the onset of attack. It helps alot to keep the kip level down.  Once you get the oxygen, you'll LOVE IT. it will abort the damn things in 10 min. when used properly.

Hi JayHedges.  I think the migraines and the clusters are 2 different critters and should be treated as such.  Although take that with a grain of salt because the last time I piped up about migraines I ended up eating my words.

I get both.  Once or twice a year for the migraines (about 20 years) and episodic for the clusters for 25 years. 

You will make it work out just don't get overwhelmed.  You are new to clusters it sounds, so it may take a while to get your cluster-game together.  Most of us find our tools to tolerate the CH, but you have to search for those tools.  Some things work better on some than others.  Doctors don't always know much about them either so it is important to find a specialist.

In the meantime, do the easy stuff that works for most people.  Caffeine/redbull at the onset of an attack.  Sometimes caffeine is sensitive to the migrainers but usually really good for the clusterheads. 

Melatonin seems to work for many.  If your doctor thinks you have clusters, don't leave the office without a prescription for O2 at least 15lpm!!

If you want to skip all that and try mushrooms or seeds go to Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or .

Good luck daddy-o.  don't feel too lonely with the double whammy.   I have had a great, productive life and it got even better once I came to this site!

--Shaggy

Hi Jay,
I started off with having tension ha which then would cause a migraine ha to come on and at some point started getting ch's which at the time i didnt know thats what they were, i just thought they were really bad migraines; that was years ago. I am now chronic and and deff know the diff between a migraine and a ch. I'll take a migraine over a ch any day! Good luck to you and hoping you have a great neuro and can find many pf days!

i get severe migraines at the very end of a cycle. during a cycle there isn't any time space for a migraine. as for precycle migraines i dont think i get those much. i get migraines every once in a while but im not chronic.

I had migraines also as a kid, but mine morphed into CH when I was in my early 20's.  That was over 30 yrs ago, the last 7 or so chronic.  You learn to adapt and deal with them.  The first cycle is the toughest because you don't know what is going on and it is hard to try to learn it all really fast.  You WILL handle it, and it will not kill you.

For a mask, click on the CH.com store on the left side of the screen and order the O2ptimask, and do it yesterday.  They are VERY prompt about getting it out to you and it is very much worth the difference in cost over what you can get from a Med Supply store.  It was designed with us in mind, and the 3liter bag makes a tremendous difference, especially if you use a high flow rate.  Print off the info, esp the prescribing info, and take it with you to your Dr and tell him/her you want the script written as in your print out, except I would change the 15 lpm to at least 25 lpm.  You don't have to use that high a flow if you get relief at a lower flow rate, but I can kill a hit within 5-8 mins at 25 lpm whereas it takes at least 15-20 at 15 lpm.  You hurt less, and you actually use less O2 to do it.

Jerry

wow...that was day 8 when I started this string. Day 22 now and it may as well have been a lifetime. I am set up now with med o2 at 10 lpm (worthless) and my own welding shop with my welding o2, O2ptimask (priceless) and a regulator that gives me all the flow I need. Doesn't measures lpm but based on how fast it fills my 3 liter green bag I am at about 25 lpm. Aborts in 10 to 12 minutes but pf last longer if I do 20 minutes. I am working on my dosing/busting plan already and great advice from all over here and ClusterBusters. You guys have been my angels and I will remember all of you as I fight this winable battle and now begin to encourage others.

What I have learned is we must believe...we must support each other...each of us must have a plan that works for our symptoms and for our lifestyle...nearly all docs are clueless about CH...Nearly all meds are worthless for CH...(but I'm happy for those of you who have found them useful...o2 is my new best freind...shrooms will likely brake my cycle once I get my hands on them....seeds are on order as a back up...I MUST BE IN CHARGE...Not the Beast...not my doc...not my o2 supplier...not all the great people I've met here...It's my life...This is the hand I was dealt...I will deal with it and bring the Beast to its knees...Thanks to all and may hours turn into pf days.

Like you, I've had migraines since I was a kid. Historically, I've gotten an average of 2-3 migraines a month, normally lasting from 1-3 days.  Imitrex helps if caught in time.  Over the last few years, at the beginning of every summer, the headaches switched from the right to the left side and got MUCH worse for a few months.  Just 6 weeks ago my new, awesome doctore diagnosed CH.  The last six weeks have been pure hell, with an average of 2-6 CH a day.  Sumitriptan, 480 mg Verapamil, second round of Predisone started yesterday, Oxygen prescribed and after a bit of flak from the insurance company, I got two "e" tanks, which I've gone through already.  I'm getting an M tank tomorrow and a couple more "E"s to keep at the office.  Co-pay is pretty cheap for the oxygen.  Just when I go a couple of days without a headache, I get slammed again.  I work in an office staring at a computer all day and it can be unbearable.  I've had Intermittent Family Medical Leave Act paperwork in place for years for the migraines, and they've been pretty cooperative at work for the clusters lately (except for the one co-worker who called me a hypochondriac in front of several other workers).  My dr. says that, alas, CH and Migrains can inhabit the same body.  I haven't had a migraine since the clusters started, but I'm curious to see if the Oxygen helps for them, too.

Good luck and best wishes to you, Jay!