What are you using to treat your CH? Do you have oxygen? Imitrex injectables? Are you on a decent prevent med like Verapamil, Lithium or Topomax? Have you looked into Batch's daily vitamin regimen? It's under the meds section, "123 pain free days and I think I know why" He's well past 123 days, and it's working wonders for many on the board.

All that being said, I hear you. I'm 51, 33 year CH'er,  will have been married 29 years come September 11, 2 grown daughters, both of whom could rig a regulator onto an E-Tank by the time they were 12!!!,  so what I'm saying is it can be done. It requires you always be ready for the beast. If you're episodic, whether you're on or off cycle, your meds cabinet is FULL, and you always have a full oxygen E-Tank close by.

Dont let the beast rob you of the joys of fatherhood, 2 of the most beautiful things in my life are my little girls, now grown ladies but still my little girls. My suggestion is you do not hide it from your kids, they'll know something is up when beasty comes calling, and the unknown will scare them far more then an honest explanation. Our girls knew when the beast came daddy needed his oxygen, ice and to be left alone. If your wife is not already on the supporters board, send her there. My wife and many other great supporters are sympathetic ears for the trials the poor supporters endure when we're geting hit.

Good luck with the family. Single best decision I ever made!

Joe

I'd just like to say DITTO to what Guiseppi has just said above. I have 7 kids and I've been chronic for 24 years.  Yes...when you're being hit you need to take care of yourself and most likely be alone, cluster headaches takes enough away from us, don't let it take the joy of fatherhood away too. 

I notice that my children recieved a valuable lessen from knowing about and seeing me in pain.  It's a life lessen called empathy.   You'll do fine and so with they.  Please do have your wife sign in her in the supporter section.  She'll be taught what she can do to not feel helpless not to mention other coping stratagies that our wonderful supporters there have learned over the years. 

Linda

atagj wrote on Jun 28^th, 2011 at 2:21pm:

We're going to need you to be a little more specific. How much verapamil? What is the flow rate of the O2 you use? Do you have a non-rebreather mask? That kind of stuff.

If we think you're trying to piss on a forest fire in order to put it out, you'll want us to let you know that.

Reading between the lines, here...I wonder if you are asking about a genetic predisposition to this awful disease, and whether or not you will pass it on to your children?  There may be some evidence for that, but i have 7 children (all grown now) and 13 grandchildren and I am the only one to have hit the lucky lotto of CHs. Not scientific but true nonetheless. Blessings. lance