Hi all,

My names Tom. I'm 25. I have only recently been diagnosed with cluster headaches. Spent the last 2 weeks in absolute hell. Ive never experienced pain like this before. A doc at my GP surgery didn't know what to make of my symptoms and so he sent me to A&E. It was there that the doc said it was probably cluster headaches, gave me some tramadol and diclofenac sodium and told me to go home and rest. That was a week ago. The pills have done nothing. Last night i was ripping my hair out wishing the pain away. Doc today has prescribed sumatriptan injections. I hope they work but I'm so scared that they wont.

Hi Tom and Welcome!

The Imitrex should work *sometimes it takes two shots but give the 1st one a chance to work first.  Also check out the O2 page oxygen does help abort a CH Hit!

The Doc's should have you on a daily prevent as well such as verapamil talk to your doc about this.

Wishing you many PF Days and Nights!

I agree with Ginger. You must read and research this site. Docs actually know very little about chs and their treatment. Most are willing to be informed, though. Most. O2, combined with a chugging down of an energy drink that has a taurine/caffeine combo, at the first sign of a hit can be a wonderful abortive. Read, read and take notes, and read...and have hope! Management of the Beast is possible. Blessings! lance

You might want to find a doc who is a bit more knowledgble about cluster.  diclofenac sodium or voltaran is not indicated for the treatment of clusters (it is an anti-inflammatory primarily used to treat stiffness and joint pain).

Go home and rest?  balderdash!

Just chiming in to say Welcome! This place was/is a lifesaver for my husband (the sufferer) and I. It would have been amazing enough just to find a place where people just really knew what we were going through; but to find not only that but real and substantial help was amazing.

Melatonin (9mg for my husband, some folks go higher though) 1 hour before bed helped knock out most of my husband's night time hits- it's available over the counter.

Keep posting and we'll keep responding!

Welcome sorry you had to find us but Welcome.

" Go home and rest" What a A-Hole thing to say. The last thing you can do is rest with a CH. Did your Doc also say its just a headach?

Read the 02 info and do try the Melatonin at night.

Good Luck..

It's critical you either find a knowledgeable Headache specialist neurologist, or at least an open minded doctor who will work with you on treatment. Thus far the only thing bordering on correct treatment for CH is the injections.

Read the oxygen info tab on the left. 32 years of CH and nothing compares to the ease and speed and cheapness of oxygen. My aborts run on average 6-8 minutes.

Start reading these boards like a mad man. A knowledgable CH'er will hurt a lot less.

Joe

The imitrex injections work much better than the crap they give ya. Caffeine, energy drinks, 02,02,02.
all the best
the bb

thanks guys,

wasnt too bad last night, Im still here anyway.

thanks for the advice and support. Im going to stick with the last doc i saw as she at least seems willing to help

tom

Also, check out the OUCH UK site, I've been told it has some good info on the ins and outs of your medical system, specifically getting the oxygen set up.

Joe