About two months ago I recieved my first cluster headache, and now that it is finally gone I am left with the worst opiate withdrawls.  I have been lucky enough to have my better half by my side, but I'm really starting to be a burden.  I lived 29 wonderful years without any real medical problems.  Now I feel like a fucking science experiment.  Take this pill for this problem then take this pill for that pill and so and so forth.  So I finally think everything is over, but now I NEED the pills.  I just wanted to know if anyone else feels this way.  I am literally going crazy with withdrawals. I went two nights without sleeping for more than an hour at a time and i cant do anymore pushups!  I cant stop moving, if I do I think my bones might jump out of my skin.  Please someone tell me Im not alone, and if there is anything I can do to help get through this.......

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Cluster Headache Help and Support › Getting to Know Ya › Newbies, Help us...help you
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You need a doc who knows how to treat headache. Opiates are grossly inappropriate for the vast majority of Cluster people.

Treating your Cluster and getting off opiates are two separate issues: don't confuse them. Get off the med and, at the same time, line up a headache doc.
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LOCATING HEADACHE SPECIALIST

1. Search the OUCH site (button on left) for a list of recommended M.D.s.

2. Yellow Pages phone book: look for "Headache Clinics" in the M.D. section and look under "neurologist" where some docs will list speciality areas of practice.

3.  Call your hospital/medical center. They often have an office to assist in finding a physician. You may have to ask for the social worker/patient advocate.

4. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or ; On-line screen to find a physician.

5. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or Look for "Physician Finder" search box. They will send a list of M.D.s for your state.I suggest using this source for several reasons: first, we have read several messages from people who, even seeing neurologists, are unhappy with the quality of care and ATTITUDES they have encountered; second, the clinical director of the Jefferson (Philadelphia) Headache Clinic said, in late 1999, that upwards of 40%+ of U.S. doctors have poor training in treating headache and/or hold attitudes about headache ("hysterical female disorder") which block them from sympathetic and effective work with the patient; third, it's necessary to find a doctor who has experience, skill, and a set of attitudes which give hope of success. This is the best method I know of to find such a physician.

6. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or NEW certification program for "Headache Medicine" by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties, an independent, non-profit, professional medical organization.
        Since this is a new program, the initial listing is limited and so it should be checked each time you have an interest in locating a headache doctor.
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See the PDF file, below. These are the types of meds which are stardard treatment for Cluster. Print out this article and use it as a discussion tool with any doc you see.