Hello, I'm Ben. New here but have read at the site in years past. Have suffered the chronic beast for about 15 years I guess, but have had it diagnosed for the past 7-8. Oxygen bottle at teh bedside ready and waiting continually, take Lithium and Verapimil as preventatives, not sure of their effectiveness anymore. There are periods of time when there is relief, but few and far between. Last time I was pain free was when I flew to Calif. I was prepared for a week of misery, but was surprised that I was pain free. Of course the night I returned home I was struck again.

I have read that perhaps teeth might be a cause of the clusters, and because of my age and dental condition I have been exploring having the uppers removed. But since finances prohibit that it can't be done. However there is an upper tooth that is rotting out and its pain caused me to go to the dentist last week to get it pulled. Of course they put me on an antibiotic in case there was infection before they will yank it out. But that's where it gets funny, I started the antibiotic on Tuesday morning and haven't had a cluster since. I suppose I'll have to wait the upcoming week 'till the tooth is pulled to see if that indeed is the cause of the beast, or is it perhaps the antibiotic that is preventing them?

Any input would be appreciated. It'll be nice to meet y'all.

Hi Ben,

   I wish I had a dollar for every horror story I've heard about people having their Perfectly healthy teeth pulled because they though it would help and despicable dentists who would do it.  You said you have other dental problems so this may not be the case...If you look at a picture of the Trigeminal nerve pathway,  some of them go to the jaw and teeth and that is why we feel like someone is hammering in nails in every tooth on the affected side.  Please just make sure, if you are to have teeth pulled that it is indeed necessary for those other conditions.

Antibiotics have no connection to cluster headaches that I am aware of.  Either to hurt, or help. 

It's nice to meet you too Ben.  Welcome to the family.  We're all here for support, help and information.  The more educated you are the better your chances of being treated correctly.  An educated sufferer hurts less.

There is no better place than here and on O.U.C.H. (link to the left) for information on the entire web.  You've got lots of reading to do my friend, but ask questions anyway.

Linda

Hi Ben & Welcome

2 teeth remain left upper jaw; 1 tooth left lower jaw, a nice set of upper & lower titanium dentures = Oz $ 6,000 & 14 years later I still have CH.
Definitely wasn't the best investment I ever made.

Does your dentist drive a Porsche like my dentist.

Cheers
Barry

hello again. I was pain free that one week. Beast came back Monday night and has increased each night since. One hit each night until Friday when it hit me four times and then last night I lost count of it's hits. I'm tired and frustrated. The O2 doesn't seem to be doing the job any more and the Imitrex will knock down the pain at that time, but only briefly, letting the headache back after sleeping for an hour or so. This is the first that the shots haven't lasted for the rest of the night. I feel defenseless.