Posted by Jack Boyd on April 06, 1999 at 17:56:12:
Any man, woman, or child who has endured a cluster has earned the right to offer theories as to cause. One theory is as good as another and although I may disagree with some of the ideas presented hear I am never offended or angered. I am sometimes perplexed as to why some folks can get so worked up.
My thought about clusters have evolved over my 28 years of episodes. I will never forget my first attack. I was a college student who moved back home for a short period. I slept on my mother's pullout couch and woke up with the mother of all headaches. I thought that I had gotten my head stuck in the frame and that this had brought on the headache - WRONG! - they persisted no matter what my sleeping position. Doctors were no help and they told me I had a sinus infection. I sort of believed this and referred to them as sinus attacks for the next 14 years or so. Six week cycles every year or two. I once believed that they followed colds - sinus infection after a cold - WRONG!
I did not know what they were for an awful long time and did not know they could be treated. I endured my cycles by focusing on each attack as it came, knowing that time was my ally and that every attack I got through brought me closer to the end of my cycle. My remission periods were long enough that I could reclaim my life and forget about these bessts. I finally sought treatment as my jobs became more responsible and I simply could not afford to find someplace to hide during an attack.
Let me get to my point. It is simply this. I truly believe that during a cycle there is no amount of abstinence, exercise, relaxation, meditation, diet, prayer, or any other lifestyle change, that will prevent me from getting a particular attack. I have found that they absolutely must run their course. Every cycle is the same for me. The first week is a buildup, the second, third, fourth weeks are sheer hell with individual attacks lasting as long as 10 hours, and the fifth and six weeks are wind down periods. I should add that during my cycle I go to great lengths to baby myself - no exercise, little or no sex, no major projects around the house, no arguing with my wife, etc. My only goal is to get through my cycle with as few public attacks as possible and to miss as little work as I can.
It is by no accident that many people refer to these things as the "beast". There is no act of will that can prevent them from running their course.
I offer this to any and all not because I believe that it is the only truth, and that anyone who feels differently is wrong, but simply because it is my truth.
Sorry for going on so long.