Hey,

I'm Theodore and while I've been a member here since 2007, I haven't really been back in a while other than to look for that post about a "miracle breakthrough" every time a new cycle starts.  When I'm not in a cycle, I tend to not think about the headaches.
Anyway the last time I was here I didn't get a warm welcome.  I was accused of being a troll after my first post about using ginger root to abort. I came here to learn and to share my experiences, not engage in some petty internet bullying. So I left.
My cycle this year started about three weeks ago, almost 14 months since my last one ended, and I wanted to learn more so I came back with the hope that things will be more civil this time.

About my headaches.

I'm 37 and have been suffering periodic cluster headaches since I was about 22.  I had no idea what they were at the time so I would just down a lot of pain pills and that seemed to work at first. Eventually I noticed the pattern and thought it was seasonal allergies. It wasn't. I went through all kinds of tests (like I'm sure everyone here has) trying to pinpoint what was causing these now severe headaches. Everything came up negative. Finally a neurologist diagnosed cluster headaches and put me on a medication called Amidrin.  That seemed to work for a while at aborting the CH but not 100% and it made me feel lousy with the high caffeine AND sedative.  When it worked I had no headache but I felt like a zombie and when it didn't work I had a headache and still felt like a zombie.  I stayed on that for a few years before trying something else that wasn't as bad on my liver, heart, and kidneys.

Treatments I've tried that haven't worked for me:
Amidrin
Acupuncture
Chiropractic
Hypnosis
Mushrooms (cluster buster)
Sinus Buster nasal spray

Abortive Treatments that have worked for me (60-75%):
Red Bull (or other high caffeine drinks)
Raw Ginger root
Strenuous exercise (push-ups, skipping rope, punches, kicks) until I am breathing so heavy and cannot move anymore.
I will use all three if available. I always carry ginger root in my pocket and 2 red bulls in my backpack.
I'm considering O2 but worried about the long-term effects. (Oxygen is the most corrosive substance in the universe)

When I fail to catch the CH in time or one of my treatments fails to work I know I'm going down for about 3 hours.  I prefer the dark and quiet. I prefer to lay down as I try to focus on the pain and mentally block it. If I'm relaxed, I can block the pain maybe 90% for a few seconds at a time before  it crashes over me. I grip my head, thrash around, scream NO NO NO. Then I try to relax again and focus and block. I know this sounds like a crazy claim but it's true. It's those brief moments of respite that keep me from completely losing it (although that happens too sometimes). If the CH is really bad, afterward the spot behind my eye will be sore all day with a burned-out kind of feel. If the CH is normal to mild I recover and feel Ok. 

Anyway, that's where I'm at with these beasts.  I'd love to hear of more non-medication recommendations and would be happy to go into more detail about what has worked for me.

When I'm not suffering these horrible headaches I do plant biology research, study karate, and play music with my wife.

cheers,
--theodore

darth_malted wrote on Dec 12^th, 2010 at 11:31pm:


Hi Theodore

I'd not worry about oxygen corroding your lungs as they are designed to process oxygen very well.

If you search through Batch's excellent posts you'll find details about how the US Navy requires all it's pilots and air crew to use oxygen from take off until landing on all flights. If there was any risk around this level of use of oxygen then they would not be risking planes costing tens of millions of dollars plus the crew which cost another few million to train.

If you read up the oxygen link on the left you'll see how we are now using oxygen very effectively. I find that I can abort CHs in typically 6-8 minutes which is a life changer.

Hey Theodore,

Sorry to hear about your initial experience at this site    I'm really glad that you have come back! 

I honestly don't know that much about the side effects of 02 but seeing as I don't like taking meds, I can tell you that I use 02 to abort my headaches AND IT WORKS!!! 

The best bit is that at the right flow rate it only takes about 10 mins.

Best abortive I have ever tried - so I'm sticking to it!!!   Highly recommend you listen to these folks and seriously consider giving the 02 a try.  It changed my life and many others too!!

Good luck!! 

Kate

darth_malted wrote on Dec 12^th, 2010 at 11:31pm:

    Actually water is the universal solvent.   Do you drink water?  Don't be too worried bout oxygen it freakin rocks.

                   Potter

Guess you haven't been reading much here.  Click Batch's profile and read what an expert has to say.

                 Potter

Hey Theodore....

A bunch of us are heading up your way in January from all over the US for a get together. Come join us and meet a bunch of clusterheads (we will have 02).

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

Thanks for all the great comments.

It seems like the take home message from all of you to me is:

"We don't think what you are saying is true or important. Just take the Oxygen and shut your mouth boy until you can agree with us!"

Thanks for setting me straight.

--theodore

Marc wrote on Dec 14^th, 2010 at 8:20pm:


That's a real coward's approach. If you have something to say, say it.  Don't hide behind "I was going to say something negative but I didn't".  You already did.  I put up with 3 hour CH multiple times a day, I think I can handle your snide remarks.  If your comment is so bad that you're worried about getting cited, then send it to me personally.


--theodore

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

As per one of my personal  hero's  Marc.

          Potter

Well you never responded to my invitation to meet a bunch of clusterheads in your own back yard so I guess you have no interest in doing so.

Look Theodore, the 2 things that seems to work so well for so many on here are 02 and mushrooms.

You stated in your first post that mushrooms did not work so everyone focused on the 02.

I see nowhere where people disrespected you about anything. Marc may have started to but changed his mind. My advise to you (as if you care lol) is to take a deep breath and realize we want nothing but the best for you.  Thats it.

Quote:

Yella belly.

Have at it then. Do your research. Personally, I'm the type who doesn't like to reinvent the wheel. If you think there's some poisonous side-effect to O₂ therapy, then you'll need to convince yourself before you pursue it. None of us will be able to do that.

You got questions? Ask. Somebody will answer. That's why we're here. Some of us have even stuck around to help noobs like you even though we've been pain free for months or years. At the very least, that deserves a little gratitude and humility on your part.

Marc wrote on Dec 16^th, 2010 at 8:14pm:


Not to mention that if you are like I am, being in-cycle has every nerve in your body wound-up so tight they are ready to start snapping.