If there is a problem (whether the idea or server space) with what I'm about to do, please tell me. I just need a place to vent so I thought I'd create a new thread to use as a diary of sorts.

My husband, Beli had a two-week reprieve in June. The latest attacks have been hard and fierce. The other night I found myself holding back tears as we sat there, him with the ice-pack wrapped around his head and me with the Reiki flowing, watching TV. He was in such agony and I couldn't waive my hand and make it go away. I can usually detach my emotions so I can be strong for him, but I felt like I was about to break. That one took an hour.

Every time we think we've found something we think is working the rules change. These things are like a virus the continues to mutate to be immune to vaccine!

You are only human and you are going to break down from time to time.  I know I sure have more times than I can count (still do on occasion).  Please do come here and vent and "talk" to us.  It's great therapy.

It's frustrating and heartbreaking that there is nothing we can do for our loved one that is suffering.  It's even more frustrating trying to find a treatment that will help.

Hang in there you guys 

Thank you for the kind words.

His supply of herbs showed up over the weekend and so he's back on that routine. We're not sure if it was the herbs, the prednisone, or the seeds stuck on his ear used for acupressure that worked last time. Prednisone being such a strong steroid, we're trying the herb route first. I also want to talk with the doc about oxygen as an abortive agent. Neither one of us likes the idea of the Imitrex pills, but they work.

He thinks the attacks are becoming less intense since restarting the herbal therapy, though it doesn't seem like it from my perspective.

flipperlips wrote on Jul 26^th, 2011 at 10:49am:


He used the spray after the initial diagnosis, but it didn't work the last time he used it and he hates the after taste from the post nasal drip. I'm cool with giving him the injections when needed, but he hates needles. The goof. Personally, I think a little prick is worth more immediate relief. Which is way better than the problems a little prick usually causes. 

Sorry, I couldn't pass up that smart-a$$ comment.

If getting the drip, he's not doing it correctly. The needles are so thin that you can barely feel it. Definitely look into oxygen.
Good luck!

Phil? Laughing at your pain? Tell him I might have to come down there and kick his ass.

E-Double wrote on Jul 26^th, 2011 at 4:31pm:


He has a couple of doses left of the spray, so I'll keep that in mind. What are the needles like in comparison to insulin needles (smaller/thinner/larger/thicker?) I have experience with those injecting my mother. It was like payback for the spankings over the years!

It is believed that our entry into the REM sleep stage is the single biggest contributor to nighttime hits. Which is why you hear many, many reports of people being awakened by a CH attack right around 90 minutes after falling asleep.

Has he tried melatonin? Since the leading theory is that it is the hypothalamus that is responsible for CH, and the hypothalamus is also what regulates our sleep/wake patterns, taking a melatonin supplement about half an hour before bed will bridge us through that tempestuous transition.

It has been found that many, many clusterheads benefit from taking anywhere from 9 - 15 mg (some even higher) of melatonin before bed. You might want to have him give it a try.

It has worked wonders for me.

Happy Birthday to my wonderful support man!  I honestly don't know how you do it, but you are the best!   

I don't know how I would get through some of these nights/days without you.  Thank you!

Happy Birthday JJ 

flipperlips wrote on Jul 30^th, 2011 at 6:14pm:


Thank you, flipper!

Melatonin can be obtained over the counter in the US. No need to talk to the doc.

flipperlips wrote on Aug 2^nd, 2011 at 4:53pm:


Oooh! Cool!

Any interactions that you know of?