Hey Joe,

Welcome to CH.com.  You've come to the right place.  We all know that feeling you experienced when you found out you weren't alone with this terribly painful disorder...

If you really want to make a major difference in how you control your CH...  see your PCP or neurologist about a lab test for 25(OH)D. 

That's the serum level metabolite of vitamin D3 that's used to measure it's status.  The odds are you're vitamin D3 deficient and that deficiency is contributing to your cluster headaches.

The normal reference range for 25(OH)D is 30 to 100 ng/mL.  Unfortunately too many physicians will say a serum concentration of 31 ng/mL is normal... That is BS...  It may be high enough to prevent osteomalacia (brittle bones), but a concentration that low won't do squat for CH'ers to prevent their CH.

The most recent data from the on-line survey of anti-inflammatory regimen users indicates the average  25(OH)D serum concentration of CH'ers tested before starting this regimen was 28.7 ng/mL, (71.75 nmol/L). 

The average 25(OH)D serum concentration reported by CH'ers after experiencing a significant reduction in the frequency, severity and duration of CH or going pain free while taking this regimen was 81.4 ng/mL. (203.5 nmol/L).

I've plotted the responses and serum concentrations from the online survey on the following chart of the time response for serum concentrations of 25(OH)D at a dose of 10,000 IU/day.  This response curve was developed by Dr. Robert Hearney, MD.  Robert is an endocrinologist and a Jedi Master of vitamin D3 therapy

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As you can see the average 25(OH)D response (black line) stabilizes at an equilibrium concentration well within the normal reference range around the 4th to 5th month at a vitamin D3 dose of 10,000 IU/day

The color bands represent response to this regimen and reported 25(OH)D lab results.  The "Green Zone" where most CH'ers experience a favorable response to this regimen is 60 to 110 ng/mL.

The raw efficacy of this regimen is 81% with episodic CH'ers achieving an 80% efficacy and chronic CH'ers 75%.  We think the apparent advantage for episodic CH'ers may be due to the confusion some CH'ers have when deciding between a valid response and end of cycle.

The following chart illustrates the response times reported in the online survey of CH'ers using the anti-inflammatory regimen.

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If you want to learn more about this safe, effective and inexpensive method of preventing your CH with vitamins and minerals, see the following link:

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This link also provides the complete list of supplements used in this regimen along with dosing, vitamin D3 dosing strategies, drug interactions and contra indications.

Please feel free to ask questions.  If you decide to start this regimen and it starts working to prevent your CH... make sure the most understanding woman on the planet and your four kids start this regimen as well...  The health benefits are amazing...

Please let us know when you're ready to start your kids on this regimen and I'll send you a paper you can discuss with your family PCP about dosing for kids under 6.

V/R, Batch