I am female and have been suffering from clusters for years. They come every two years between oct and dec. I get them for about 3months some times 1 a day up to 3 or 4. some times they last 15/20min and some times and hour or 2.  the pain in very intense for a while and they clams down. after an episode my head is sore, i am exhagusted. Some times the headache can linger all day.

What am i to do. I don't understand stand how to make them stop. I am on Predinsion and divalproex and gabapentin, also have imtrex injestions which always cause bad rebounds.

What is a person to do. WHY IS THE PAIN SO BAD???????

First thing you do is take a deep breath. Realize there are ways to control the beast, but it requires a patient, organized approach. Your medications don't speak of a neurologist experienced in treating CH. Are you working with a headache specialist neurologist yet? This is a lifetime affliction, so the sooner you get to a good neuro, the better.

Read this link, learn it, live it, love it, and find a doc that'll give it to you. Oxygen has all but eliminated my use of imitrex:

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

I've already mentioned the "Batch Regimen", get on it. Go to the meds section and read the post, "123 pain free days and I think I know why" It's providing way too much relief to be coincidence.

If you're interested in going outside of mainstream medicine, everything from RC Seeds to mushrooms, visit our sister site:

clusterbusters.com

They've gotten people pain free when nothing else was working. Keep reading on the board, knowledge is power.

Joe

Quote:

I don't understand stand how to make them stop.

There is SO very much information around this site that I really ask you to start reading, especially the links to the left of here.  Yes Imitrex CAN cause rebounds but when you are at work,  or out and about in  public.. the Imitrex injections or nasel sprays are a life-line.   Start reading about 02 therapy in the links.  Read some of the stories of folks who've been at this game for years and years and have found ways of dealing with this.

Linda

Have you tried lithium and verapamil?
This. Combination worked for me.

o2, O2, O2.... it's working for so many of us that we can't say it enough... with the RIGHT mask (look to the left at the CH.com store for the mask).

And like Joe said, take a deep breath... and start reading... we have about 100 years (at least) of knowledge here on this site and are willing to share and help all we can. We UNDERSTAND cause we're all where you are or have been there.

But you are NOT alone in this.. I've been fighting this beast for more years than I even want to think about and live a fairly "normal" life so if I can - you can also...

Now, let us know about your doc. Sounds like you need to get one who knows a little about CH and get some O2...

We're here - talk to us..  :-*