I'm not really sure if there's any other way to put it. I've been suffering from CH since I was in my teens. When they first started, it scared the hell out of me. It was a level of pain I didn't know existed. My parents were never very understanding or supportive. Don't get me wrong, they were and still are loving parents but they never understood what I was going through and neither did I.

I remember waiting tables when I was 18 and trying my best to work through the pain. Every customer would ask if I was ok and I'd just lie to them then run into the cooler every chance I had.

After that, I joined the military. Luckily I didn't start my cycle until after basic training...it waited until a couple weeks later while I was in the EOD preliminary course. I did the same drill as when I waited tables grin and bear it. Right eye swollen, nose running, trying to maintain military bearing and lie. Nope, I'm fine. Nothing wrong here. If I was ever by myself it was a completely different story. A shell of the front I put on for everyone else.  When that cycle was over, I made it through half of EOD school before they started back. That was probably the most difficult time I've ever had, actually I have vivid memories of almost every cycle since they started. It just especially sucked wearing a gas mask trying to act like I was ok.

My next cycle (I didn't realize how much they've spaced out until I just put it into words) came when I was pulled from training and waiting on my clearance. 19 training days of EOD school left, and I figured this was the time to look for help from the military. They'd invested enough in me at this point that I wouldn't just be labeled as "broken" and shown the door. They tried a few different meds, midrin etc after giving me an MRI and CAT. 3 years later, phew I know I don't have cancer.  Then I was given a pack of pills called imitrex. Sure, nothing else works why should this. I took one when I felt one coming on and my headache went away (an hour or so later). I cried. I had never had relief.

The next time I cried from these headaches and not from the pain, was the day I found this site and read the stories on the main page. That was the first time I had a name for what was broken in me. The first time I knew there were others like me. The first time I knew that people in their lives who loved them and understood. And their words, just out of support turned me into a bawling little girl (no offense to the ladies out there).

I've been on this site for years, never posted much, and only find myself here again when they come back. For that I'm sorry but I want to say thank you to the ones that continually show support even when they're pain free.

Oh we'll, I'll continue to enjoy this looooonnng cycle I'm stuck in. Started April 18th at 12:01 a.m. Hopefully I'm not chronic now. If so, I've got a long road ahead of me.

Thank you!

The relief of knowing you're not alone when you find this place is amazing. The reaction of anyone with CH reading the stories here is all too often one that ends in tears, just as watching some of the videos on YouTube where people have filmed themselves during a CH.

As to other people really understanding what we go through, in a way I am glad they don't as it means they have never experienced the pain behind a CH. I remember when my second cycle started with what I knew to be just a mild CH and yet the pain levels blew me away, so even for someone with CH, I'm not sure we fully comprehend things when out of cycle and yet in a way that is a great thing as it allows us to simply get on with life.

What are you taking for your CHs? Have you got an effective preventive? I see from your other posts that you've imitrex injections but do you also have oxygen?

  That "road" might not be so long . . . especially considering the amazing success that the D3 regimen is producing.

  I'm now pain free 19 months . . . after over ten years chronic . . . using the D3 regimen.

  And the tears also streamed when my wife found this site for me 2/02.  I finally had a name-for-the-pain and others who truly understood that pain . . won't ever forget that day.

  Welcome back,

    Be Safe,   PFDANs

       Richard