Hi everyone, I'm Rod, and I've been suffering the beast since November 2012.  The dance starts for me at 8pm and lasts, on and off, till dawn.  No one really understood my fear of the night, until my mother, who is a Nurse Practitioner, saw it one night... it scared the crap out of her!  She set me up with one specialist after another, till they all agreed: Cluster Headaches... then the apologies from the neurologists, ENT's, and Allergists... "so sorry, Rod... there's no definitive cure...

We went with Imetrex, graduated to Maxalt, Prednisone and Propranolol... that's the stage I'm at now... they provide a little help and I'm encouraged, but damnit, the nights still become torture.  I haven't had any shadows or pain this evening (or what is now early morning) for the first time in weeks... but I'm deathly afraid to lay my head down. 

I am so thankful that you're all here... I haven't had anyone to talk with about this that truely understands not only the pain, but the outright fear... thanks so much to all of you for this site and for being here...

Rod

G'day Rod, and welcome home.  No need to explain the pain or the fear, mate, nor apologise for it. We understand all too well. We know it's true.

Just as we accept there's no known cure, there sure is ways to manage the monster and we're only too happy to pass on everything we know.

Consider chugging a can of Red Bull the moment the beast comes knocking. Look to the top left of your screen for the 'oxygen info' button which is the first line of defence for so many ClusterHeads.

Batch's vitamin regime is showing great promise and this is before we consider the many medications which can help to prevent/abort a visit from the demon.

Hope you're comfortable old friend cos you've a bit of reading to do, but please also tell your mum that we love her. Around here she's known as a Supporter and supporters are gold!

Full steam ahead and damn the torpedoes,

Brian Down under.

Welcome Rod. You've been given some great advice above. Please take the time to read the various threads about the D3 and O2 interventions. They can do wonders alongside the meds you've been given. I do note propanalol is not a first line med for CHs though it used to be. Verapamil is more effective. I also know about the night fears. Before I got a handle on managing the beast, I would get hits at 7PM, 11PM, 1AM and 4AM. For years. I learned to sleep in between and got better at waking up before the hit was in full rage. Some O2, and occasional imitrex shot, and I made it. It's hard work, though, and discouraging. Hang in there; we're right there with you. blessings. lance

Thanks to all of you!  I appreciate all the information and the encouragement!  I have read the information, and have passed it all along to both my mother, who is a Nurse Practitioner with a huge practice (she has her DnP... so she's got the clout of the title Doctor now - so proud of her) and she has since sent me to a neurologist - I now have cylinder O2, which is helping, though it takes a little longer than 5 minutes. 

The neurologist also has me on Injected Imetrex; PO Predisone, Indomethacine and Propanolol, (although I'm going to talk with him about switching to verapamil)... the neurologist is really good and is up for any suggestions...

I know my mom would appreciate any encouragement you good folks could send her, along with any information... message me for her email, she's been going through hell worrying about me...