Hello everyone!
First of all, I'd like to thank all those that have recently started posting stuff on the internet regarding these "monstors".  When I first got them the doc said they are very rare and most medical professionals fail to diagnose them.  There was nothing online useful for me either.  Now there's a lot of stuff. 
I started getting the Episodic CHs when I turned 28 years old.  I'm 38 now.  When I first started, I thought for sure that I had a tumor.  That's no joke!  I went to several ERs and clinics and I was told I had either migraines or I was just looking for pain killers for the high.  It wasn't until I saw a Neuro-doc.  She didn't even need to do any unusual tests because I got "lucky" (if that's what you want to call it) and had a CH right in front of her.  She noticed all the signs, gave me oxygen until it miraculously disappeared and sent me away with a good supply of sample sumatriptan, prescription for Nasal Spray Imitrex (I couldn't see injecting myself) and a diagnosis of Cluster Headaches.  She was very sympathetic but told me that they go away, or at least become less sever, as I get older.  I can attest to that.  My headaches have become less in number and seem to be getting less sever.  I am currently having an episode which is the reason I am here.  It is hard to get enough meds especially when you have more than 2 CHs a day/night.  It is just as hard to get prescribed oxygen therapy.  Thank goodness for me, not my mother, that she has to be on oxygen the rest of her life.  I get a "free" supply of oxygen when I need it for my CHs. 
Anyway, if it is of any consolation to the current young sufferer, I haven't found any evidence of anyone over the age of 50 suffering from these as intense as we do.  AND mine aren't as intense as they were when I was 28.  They still have me rocking and crying at time but not as bad or for as long.  I've also noticed that I don't get them every 2 hours when I sleep.  Right now I am getting them at 8:07am on the dot, around noon and occational threats in the evening.  Oxygen has been my savior the past couple of episodes.  IT WORKS! 

Welcome to the forum, NLID.   ;)  Glad you've joined us.  I see that you're already using oxygen, and I'm pleased to hear it's working so well for you.


NoLongerInDenial wrote on Sep 23^rd, 2010 at 11:18pm:

Anyway, if it is of any consolation to the current young sufferer, I haven't found any evidence of anyone over the age of 50 suffering from these as intense as we do.

Well.....unfortunately.....   :-/

They don't come around as frequently as they used to.  I will say that.

Best wishes,

George

I presume that you are using a preventive med? (See PDF file below.)

We talk age from time to time, re. ending CH. There have not been any good studies on the question but a kind of soft concensus that tapering down may start around 60-70s. But so much individual variation....

---

i am pretty sure that wednesday past i was pretty young :P

welcome!

Welocme to the board! So glad you have oxygen, when you get a sec, read the oxygen info tab on the left as slight changes in how we use 02 has substantially shortened abort times. Read the PDF file Bob posted, the latest and greatest in treatments.

Wishng you a short cycle. I just turned 50 and had my longest cycle ever! Although I agree they seemed to have decreased in intensity as I've aged.

Joe