Posted by PLC on November 24, 1998 at 00:27:14:
Starting at age 21 ( 29 years ago) I have found trying to describe what a cluster headache is one of the most frustrating things about them. I opt for the "ate ice cream too fast " type pain most have experienced for seconds then add, but it l;asts sometimes for 30 minutes to an hour.
The articles saying they are men's heachaches, or describing sufferer's as hard rinking, excessive smoking,
bad complexion people is extreme.
I am not a man, don't drink anything except white wine (not during episodes), smoke but not excessively and don't have a ruddy complexion.
I have yet to find a much relief during episodes and never have understood why they go away. I just find myself able to wake a few mornings in a row to realize I was not up four or five times at night to deal with the pain.
The toll these headaches take on my family seems to be a hard as the toll on me. Hopefully they someday find "the Cure".