Hi, all.

I am newly diagnosed with CH and 19 weeks pregnant. *sigh*

I'm 32 years old and this is my first pregnancy. My first CH experience was about two years ago. I was traveling out of state to visit family and it was totally unnerving but I attributed it to some crazy reaction to flying. I did some Googling at that time and thought "maybe this could be cluster headaches." But since I didn't have another any time soon thereafter, I just kind of chalked it up to a weird travel experience.

A year later (almost exactly), I traveled to San Francisco for work and experienced another round of insane headaches. I simultaneously developed a sinus infection so naturally assumed the headaches were some bizarre combination of the infection and travel.

Nearly 5 months later I found myself 14 weeks pregnant and experiencing the worst pain of my life behind my right eye, multiple times per day. My OB referred me to a neurologist who diagnosed me with cluster headaches immediately. ("Luckily" I actually suffered an attack during my appointment with her.) She said this is likely that I've had CH before, likely will in the future, and that something about pregnancy is just making them worse.

My attacks last anywhere to 15 minutes to 3 hours, during which my right eye droops, waters, and my right nostril runs. It looks like I'm sobbing only from the right side of my face. They have been occurring 3-5 times every day for nearly the past 4 weeks.

My neurologist has ordered oxygen for me since I guess there isn't much else that can be used to treat me right now.

I guess I'm fortunate that my pregnancy has been otherwise totally uneventful and healthy. Besides my CH attacks, I have been totally fine. I guess generally I'm just sad/scared, mostly by the thought that this is my new life and I will have to manage this with a new baby.

Well, that's me. Just thought I would finally say hello since I've been lurking for a few weeks now. Thanks!

G'day, welcome, and there's lots of ladies here can perhaps tell you stuff us blokes can't, but in the meantime it's great you've already got the O2 happening.

Top left of your screen is a button marked "Oxygen Info" and this will help you get the best gear to start with.

There's good days ahead and you're among people who care,

Brian down under.

O2 is a godsend for me.  But you have to have the right equipment.

I bought my regulator from Amazon: Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

I bought my non-rebreather mask from clusterheadaches.com: Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

I don't use the actual mask, I just put the tube the mask fits on into my mouth.  I use Batch's hyperventilation technique.  See reply 4 of this thread: Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

I find it works very well.

I'd be curious as to the effect of pregnancy on D3 serum levels and vice versa.  You might want to talk to your Doc about that. My D3 level was at 37 when I was really getting hit.  Since I went on the D3 regimen, my episodes have been short and mild.  I should be in an episode right now, but am only getting a few shadows, a bit of red eye and a little eye watering, knock on wood.

Thanks, everyone.

I'm so glad to have the oxygen. Especially since it seems that just about EVERYTHING else is contraindicated during pregnancy.