Hello everyone; or, hello everyone who reads this post.

I am not entirely sure how to introduce myself on a website of this sort. I'm a gentleman, intelligent, scholarly, and I get those funny little headaches that seem to make life horrific and sad.

So, there is some debate with my doctor about what type of headaches I have. I am not asking for a diagnosis. I've already discovered the diagnosis. It's unmistakable - am I right?

1. family history of chronic cluster headaches.
2. SEVERE stabbing/boring pain like a hot railroad spike being hammered into my skull, always the left side. It feels like a physical object is there. pushing my eye out of its way. This is  constant boring pain with brief bouts of 'shock-like' sensations where it gets  so bad I trash my legs involuntarily.
3. My father warned me about the eye pain when I started showing signs that I was getting these headaches [I was on opioids for a number of years and then suboxone for rehabilitation and this may have masked some of the pain, I suppose] I never realized how hot and forceful the pain in my eye could be. I'll tell you what I wouldn't mind: a frigid icepick in the face. Preferable to this lancing burning tearing pain. My eyelid sags a bit. My nose gets stuffy and what a pain just below my eye.
4. I cannot lie down in the dark with these headaches. I find that if I'm not pacing the house and shouting about something, I'm rocking on my bed and hitting my head against the wall. I have broken a knuckle once punching my coffee table.  I didn't get treatment for the knuckle, to this day a good bang of my hand provides a nice gating response for a little while.
5. They always occur at 1-2pm and last about 90 minutes. Then I always get another between 6-7. always. I get another at 10pm, and usually wake up with one in the middle of the night.  They never last more than 90 minutes.
6. It is the worst pain I've ever felt.
7. they occur starting at the fall equinox, get worse at the winter solstice, then subside after the spring equinox. Every year, for the past 7 years.
8. The pain is such that leaving my body is something I wish I could do. I feel horribly sad that I can't pull myself out of body during these episodes.


So, cluster headache sufferers, what do you say? You ever experience  anything like that?


My father told me to come here because he lives far away and can't always help me out with these attacks. I realize theres very little to do after a diagnosis. But this pain is so unbearably severe I just want someone to effing acknowledge that I am experiencing it. Seeing neurologist soon.


Did I mention that I came here because I'm getting these silly little headaches that ruin my life for half the year?

In any case, it's nice to know there are places to go where I can talk to people.

Brew wrote on Feb 25^th, 2013 at 7:48am:


Agreed; and you will need a physician who knows about CHs (if that is the medical diagnosis you get although it certainly sounds like the beast) to secure the best Rxs: O2, injectable sumatriptan, and a good preventative. You don't have to suffer needlessly, and be careful about the beast's schedule. Taking it out for a walk-time can change on a moment's notice. Good to have you aboard. Blessings. lance

Listen to these folks, they know what they are talking about.  Lots to do, lots to read... we'll have this thing tamed down for ya in no time.

Step 1.  Get Oxygen.  Non-rebreathing mask.  25 liters per minute flow rate.  It's a game changer.

I should mention that I have a congenital heart defect (thanks accutane!) and so things like verapamil are out. Imitrex injections have helped in the past but the Seratonin overload after the fact is awful. Zomig helped. My dad takes maxalt. I am on zonegran and lamictal, zonegran for headaches and lamictal for bipolar disorder. I'm delightful, aren't I? Nice and healthy. Well, I eat vegan, so that makes up for it.

I've been on topamax. It made everything taste like pennies, my working memory became my unemployed memory, and I had a constant tremor. I'd try it again if it would help. zonegran helps a little.

I second Guiseppi's advice on the D3 regimen. It's a game-changer.

There are omega-3 fatty acid sources from algae you can seek out.

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The D3 regimen is not meant to be used as an abortive therapy. It's preventative in nature, meaning you have to take it and keep taking it to prevent future attacks.