I mentioned earlier, I'm fairly new to this cluster life. I was diagnosed on August 8th, I won't forget it because it was the first day in months that the diagnosis seemed accurate. I'm sorry if these questions are not what you normally deal with but my curiosity is never ending. Which brings me to the first question..

I was wondering if anyone else was told they had a sinus infection on their journey before being diagnosed? I understand the likelihoods and statistics that are used in the E.R. but over that first summer I had a "sinus infection" and eye infection, amongst numerous other things.

I have heard cluster headaches are fairly rare. Ive heard anywhere from 1 in 200,000 to 1 in 100,000, less than 1 percent and even a theory that it could be every 1 in 500 people. To me I don't see how the last statistical theory could be accurate based on the fact I know well more than 500 people and I have never met anyone that has heard of or has cluster headaches. Question 2, and this is my main question. How often, if ever do you meet another person that is a clusterhead. I can only imagine meeting someone someday and somehow they work into the conversation that they have been diagnosed with cluster headaches. I guess my youth may leave me a little optimistic, but I imagine we would become instantly good friends by finally finding someone that understands and has experienced what I can only describe to people. 

And finally, I'm going to see Dr. Robbins on Friday and I have read a lot about the Vitamin D/omega 3 regime, I know this probably sounds lame but I was curious as to how I should go about bringing that up. I think its that fact that he is a medical expert and I'm just a twenty year old kid, but I think I may just ask if he has heard/ever tried it with anyone. Interestingly enough my older brother is on prescription vitamin D tablets because he was tested and was so low. I just got my blood work done earlier this week and I will know the results Friday. I'm not in cycle but I ask because I have been having numerous shadows, almost constant for the past few weeks and Its slowly beginning to drive me insane, a little bit at a time. I've heard debate that any shadow is a minor cluster, but it seems like they are pretty numerous throughout the day. Ive seemingly lost all other pain to my head, such as a normal head ache, hunger, feeling tired. All these pains seem to show up as "shadows" in the same spot that I experience attacks. Guess I'm still getting fully acquainted with the beast.

The only question you asked to which I can speak directly is the sinus infection. Most of us ran the entire gamut of teeth-jaw-nose possibilities. Any infection or disorder there can certainly aggravate a CH, but I don't remember a single one of us reporting success in preventing them by addressing the ear-nose-throat thingie. Doesn't mean you shouldn't try but I wouldn't bet the farm on it. Blessings. lance

I was treated for "sinus" infections for years until I came across a doc that recognised the symptoms. 25 years later and I still haven't really found anything that works, although I'm lucky that my cycle is about 2 weeks every 2-3 years. They've even had me on Lithium at times 

For well over 20 years Lithium was my primary prevent. Originally at 900 mg a day it blocked about 80% of my attacks. As I got older I had to kick it up to 1200 mg a day and even then it only blocked 60-70%. Almost nothing in the way of side effects for me, was the primary reason I kept my career!

Batch's regimen (D-3) has eliminated that for me as I've been pain free for over 3 years.

Joe

Question #1.  YES!  its due them not knowing what a CH really is.

Question #2.  Uhm....never.  For me, I feel that no one would understand what I talking about 99% of the time, so, I just tend to keep my conditions to myself.  This way, people wont look at my like Im "seeking attention" of "full of shit" or considered "mental" in some way.  It just seems easier for me to keep quiet.  I just dont see alot of Cluster Heads openly admiting to one that they know is uneducated about CH's to say much about it.  That, IMO is why I dont think Ill meet a CHer one the street.

I think we all went through the gammit of eye, sinus and neck diagnosis. I actually had sinus surgery....the Ent was sure it would help, laughable now, not even ten days after that surgery the beast showed back up.  Hang in there and vent away!