Posted by Phil D. on June 08, 1999 at 23:00:13:
In Reply to: I'm new to Board, 33 and have had clusterd for 17 years posted by Michael in Toronto on June 08, 1999 at 07:29:23:
Michael, I started my clusters the year you were born.
Over the years, I've tried almost every medicine any doctor thought might help. I've had my teeth/bite realigned; my vision adjusted; my body poked and prodded and my head examined (x-rays in the early days, scans with radio-isotopes a bit later), my friends think I was some kind of strang-o, and God knows what else. Sometimes the meds were worse than the headaches. Too many really bad side effects.
Eventually I guess I came to accept them and some of the dread left me. I realized that while the dreaded beast came to me every year of so, he also had a pattern of leaving after 6 weeks or so and my life went on. My children grew up with great compassion for others, perhaps due in part to seeing their Pop in so much pain. I've learned to be more patient with others as I know how I can act when in the midst of a really ripe CH. I've fallen even more deeply in love with my wife (32years) because of the way she cares for me, especially while I'm in a cluster.
So you see, there are some good things that can come from having this horriffic affliction. Hang in there and be strong. You are stronger than the beast. Besides, Cluster Headaches ain't for wimps!
Phil D