I hoped I was wrong. Oh God - I hoped I was wrong.

It's been two years, six months, and eleven days since my last (and first) cluster period began. That one lasted roughly six months. A week ago I started with small, low-grade headaches that involved my scalp and made my hair hurt. I almost had myself convinced I was dreaming or "feeling" things (in the same sense as hearing things), but an hour and forty minutes ago I woke with a full-on, level 10, my-hair-hurts one-sided bi*#% of a headache that had me debating whether or not to go to the ER. Problem is - the closest ER is 45 minutes away.

There is a page on this site that says remaining still during a cluster attack is "NOT POSSIBLE." I have to say I must be the exception to the rule. I was absolutely paralyzed, lying face down with my eyes pressed into the pillow. Fifteen minutes later, the pain subsided to an 8, enough for me to roll onto the unaffected side. Ten minutes later, I was at a 6 and could turn over onto the affected side. Nearly two hours later and my hair still hurts, but I can look at my phone and think clearly enough to type this.

I will call my doctor first thing in the morning and request a head and neck CT to rule out anything more sinister. My first go round two and a half years ago led to the discovery of an internal carotid artery dissection - a condition similar to an aneurysm, and which could have resulted in a stroke if a blood clot had formed and gone further into my brain. I doubt it, but I just want to rule out another dissection or an aneurysm or anything of the sort.

My treatment options are limited and complicated. I have migraines too (which seem to finally be under an acceptable level of control), for which I take propranolol as a preventive and Vicodin for relief. I can't take triptans because of the previous dissection (considered a cerebrovascular disease). I can't take NSAIDs because they tear up my stomach. I can no longer take Topamax because it started affecting my vision and my right optic nerve. I am on Cymbalta for fibromyalgia and depression, which further limits my options because of negative drug interactions. Besides calling my primary to request a CT, I will probably also call my pain doc and discuss options with him. We are all non-smokers so pure oxygen is an option - we'll see.

I am so not looking forward to this.

You have a very complicated medical history, and with CHs on top of it all! We can't and shouldn't advise you on meds but I can encourage to talk with your doctor about O2. When used properly, with the right equipment, it has been a life saver for so many of us. Don't think of it as your last resort. Think of it as the very next weapon in your arsenal: pure O2, delivered through a nonrebreather mask with a 3 liter bag, with a regulator that is at least capable of delivering 15lpm, but 25lpm is better. You may have easily aborted the last attack in under 5 minutes as so many of us do. If you can, you might try chugging an energy drink (one with taurine) just before hitting the O2. Good luck and God bless. lance