I discovered this site about a year ago and I have to tell you, it's been a godsend to me.  I had a lot of guilt about how debilitated I was in a cluster cycle and thought I was just weak.  Not that I would wish this suffering on anyone else, but it is comforting to know I'm not just a whimp.

I've suffered with cluster headaches for about 10 years.  It took 7 different doctors and countless MRIs to finally get a proper diagnosis.  This is my fourth year of treatment and I've yet to find something that works predictably.  Immitrex, lithium, Verapamil, Kudzu, Oxygen, Prednezone, Cayenne, melatonin, b vitamins, cannabis, acupuncture, water therapy...it goes on and on.  I have come to LOATHE the spring--not only because of the headaches but because of the drugs.

In any case, my story is probably the same as yours, but the point here (which I seem to have taken a long time in coming to...sorry about that) is how grateful I am that you all share your stories.  It's a dreadful thing to go through, but for the comfort in knowing I'm not weak, that I'm not alone, you have my endless gratitude and empathy. Thank you!  And nice to meet all of you!

Echoing Lance on checking dosing, etc. It's useful to take a fresh look at old tools.

And, along this line of thought: When someone uses a variety of standard treatments and they don't work and/or work a brief time only, this is a sign that you may not have Cluster!

Sounds a bit nuts until your doc takes a fresh look at the disagnosis thru the filter of these articles:


Link to: cluster-LIKE headache.

Section, "Medications, Treatments, Therapies --> "Important Topics" --> "Cluster-LIKE headache"