Hi SKI74, welcome to clusterville.  Sorry you had to find us but I'm glad you did.

Familiarise yourself with this site and read every thread on every board. You will find the best scource of help here, better than you'll get from the medical profession.
Because CH is rare few doctors know about it. There are people here from all over the world and they all say the same thing - years and years of misdiagnosis followed by more years of the wrong medication, resulting in years of this vile pain. We all know the feelings of utter despair and fear this brings.

We are all ages, all nationalities, all different in every way - except one. We all have CH. Here you will find many different possibilities for controlling "the beast". In particular, go to the "medications, treatments and therapies" board and then to the thread titled "123 days pain free and I think I know why". This vitamin regime has taken the boards by storm and seems to be successful for 80% of those who try it.
Also look at the "oxygen info" link on the left of your screen

If you want to talk, vent or just rant you will find someone here always willing to listen and offer support. These are the nicest people in the world.

As I said, read, read, and read more. Stick around and let us know how you are doing.

Maz.

It will help us to direct you to good sources of assistance if you will tell us where you live (city & state, if U.S. or country). At the Home page: Help button-->Edit & Profile --> Location.
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Are you seeking any particlar forms of info?

Have access to a doc who is experienced/skilled in treating headache? Too many  years since I was administrator of the medical unit at McGuire AFB so don't know how easy it would be to get a referral to ??? where the needed skilll is available.

So, some background info would be helpful.

Hi Ski -

Remember any of the drugs you have tried? Try to get to a headache specialist - its the best way to get some relief.  If you are in really bad, ask your doc for a predisone taper for 2 weeks - I did 80mg taper and went pf while I got on a preventive (Verapamil).

Try Melatonin before sleep - most need 10mg-15mg but you should try some different doses to see what helps you.  Natural sleep aid that helps some get a good nights sleep.  Regular sleep schedule helps if you can.

Look at the vitamin D regiment on this site:

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

80% of folks who try it find reduction in symptoms in a few weeks and some go pain free after a few months.

Energy drinks help!  When you feel the pressure building, chug a Red Bull or Monster (anything with caffeine and taurine )

Keep asking questions and keep reading here - you will learn a lot and hopefully find strength.  Peace and PF nights man!

Good news! AF hasn't changed that much.

Essential that you receive a good workup and diagnosis before starting any treatment. There are many disorsders which mimic Cluster but which are not headache disorders.
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While this approach works for those in the open market, I suspect that it will be the responsibility of USAF med people to search AF docs to see if anyone has the needed skills. If zip, then this approach will come into play.
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LOCATING HEADACHE SPECIALIST

1. Yellow Pages phone book: look for "Headache Clinics" in the M.D. section and look under "neurologist" where some docs will list speciality areas of practice.

2.  Call your hospital/medical center. They often have an office to assist in finding a physician. You may have to ask for the social worker/patient advocate.

3. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or ; On-line screen to find a physician.

4. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or Look for "Physician Finder" search box. They will send a list of M.D.s for your state.I suggest using this source for several reasons: first, we have read several messages from people who, even seeing neurologists, are unhappy with the quality of care and ATTITUDES they have encountered; second, the clinical director of the Jefferson (Philadelphia) Headache Clinic said, in late 1999, that upwards of 40%+ of U.S. doctors have poor training in treating headache and/or hold attitudes about headache ("hysterical female disorder") which block them from sympathetic and effective work with the patient; third, it's necessary to find a doctor who has experience, skill, and a set of attitudes which give hope of success. This is the best method I know of to find such a physician.

5. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or NEW certification program for "Headache Medicine" by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties, an independent, non-profit, professional medical organization.
        Since this is a new program, the initial listing is limited and so it should be checked each time you have an interest in locating a headache doctor.
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Items 3,4, & 5 will help find a specialist near to you around the country.

Shame about the energy drinks - its a life saver for me - I couldn't function at work some days with out my Monster.  Keeps my shadows down on bad days and made my CH more mild when I was having full symptoms.  Sometimes a Naproxen a Monster got me bright eyed and bushy tailed in just about 15 minutes.