So I'm not alone.  Wow.  Sorry this will be long, but please read!

I'm Asia, 33, I have a 17 year old son in college...

I've had CH since I was about 12.  Mother and family thought I was "being dramatic" until later years when they got worse (my mother once asked if I had been using drugs when I was rushed to the ER).  I didn't see a neurologist until I was in my 20's, formally diagnosed only about 5 years ago.

I have never had "consistent" insurance, except for Medicaid when my son was born, but I was so young, I didn't know how to go about seeing the right doctors.  I almost wish I could have the space and your attention span to tell you about some of the things I've gone through, just to get them off my chest, but I won't.

I usually get them about 1-3 months out of the year, not always the same months.  In each episode, it's on one side only, but can change sides on a "new" episode. After reading many posts here, for the first time I hear people saying that they're going through the same symptoms...even though doctors and my own research painted the CH picture, I've never met anyone with them.  NOTE:  The only thing I've still never heard being the same is that on the side of my HA, that arm and leg becomes sensitive to pressure sometimes, and it hurts to use them at the worst of the HA.

I'm in the longest cycle I've ever been in (4 months).  I still don't have insurance, and even to get it now would make it a pre-existing condition.  Trying to apply for Medicaid, but I just found out it will take a month (had it in New Orleans where I am from, but that does me no good here.)

I just practically begged an ER doc yesterday to give me Prednisone and painkillers, while I continue to try to get regular doc care.  I am getting too close to feeling like there's no hope that they will end, even though my mind tells me they will.

I've been in restaurant mgmt for years...finally reaching the conclusion after many lost jobs and getting THIS broke that I can't do that work anymore.  I don't leave the house, don't see friends, don't do anything but wait for the next headache.  I have plans to finally try to start my own business...so that if I do have to live with this, at least I won't have to tell ME that I have to quit.  I'm a poet and spoken word artist, with a self published book...when I'm not in the 'Ville, I perform a lot and do community work.  

I know it's time for my life to change, do things differently, and I'm glad to have found this site.  Thank you so much for sharing your lives...you just might be saving mine.

Hi ferrie, I've posted on your other questions - we'll get you sorted!
Helen

Hi Julie, and welcome.  You are definitley NOT alone here.  There is more and more evidence of women getting their first onset of CH after the age of 50.  There is much to learn on this site, as well as the OUCH site (link on the left).  Please ask all the questions you need.  PF wishes.   patk

It was such a releif to find this web site. I have many people in my life who try to suport me through my headaches, but part of me always feels angery having to describe them the pain and know they still do not understand. After reading your postings I broke down in tears; I have finally found a place where people know how i feel. The dread we all have waiting for the next bout.

I get eposdic cluster headaches and have been head free for about 2 months now   ; In these times I try not to really think about them and kind of pretend that I do not get the headaches. Today though I went to see a neurologist who was more excited about what I do for living then about my headaches. He basically told me to take drugs and go home. It made me so angery to be sluffed off again.

I started getting these headaches when I was fifteen years old, at which time i was told they were stress headaches ( I am not sure what the doctor thought I was stressed about) so I began to self medicate. After a few more episodes I went to the doctor again and then they started to hand me drugs. I am tired of being handed the new drugs because none work without giving me horrible side effects. No doctor has ever recomended oxgen,  but after reading about it on this web site I think that will be my next plan of action.

On the lighter side. I am now 24 and  mom of a wonderful little girl whom I adore. Ofcourse she is the smartest and prettist child in the world  I have a wonderful job, and a wonderful boyfriend who worries about to much but can always make me laugh when I need one. My family is great they suport me as much as they can and understand when i need to go hide in the corner for awhile.

I want to thank you all for sharing. I do not feel as alone in this battle anymore.

Howdy all.  I just discovered this forum after doing a Google search for CH.  I HAD been CH free for the past 10 years, having quit cigarette smoking in 1996.  2 nights ago, I awoke with that dreaded burning behind the left eye pain I thought I was through with. I am also a frequent alcohol (beer)user which has always been a trigger for MOST of my CH episodes in the past.  I am 59 years old, male, twice divorced, and currently living alone. I suffered most of my CH episodes from age 25-50. Blood type AB+  I see I have a lot to read in this forum!  Best regards to all clusterheads....

Welcome aboard all,

Keep reading, it will only do you good! 

Check your pm's Abbie.  They are at the top right hand side of the page.


Linda

Miserable_in_MS wrote on Dec 4^th, 2006 at 6:58pm:


Unfortunately, there are no known cures for CH.  You can find a certain levels of relief by finding a treatment tha tworks for you.  Please read all that you can here:

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

and share with your Neuro.  If you don't have one, get one that is willing to listen and work with you in developing a coping plan.  Also, read all of the information on the left panel regarding Oxygen.  It works wonders for many of us.

Feel free to ask questions regarding any treatment over on the meds or general boards because chances are xomeone here has tried it.

24 yo male, first diagnosed last year, having my second cycle right now. Seems to be a Winter thing.

So glad I found this website.

Taking Verapamil and Ultram...not doing too much for me.

Any other suggestions? I've read about oxygen as being helpful, but didn't know of any other medications as well.

Imitrex seemed to work the best, but since you can only take a certain amount in a specified period of time it only lasts about a week.

Suggestions?

Sivik unrortunately with the Imitrex you have to be very selective as to wich two headaches you choose to use it for in a 24 hour period due to the risk of overdosing on it. Although  if you were to take a third in under the 24 hour spacing say around 20 hours I have noticed no real major problems but that is how my body reacts. I have found that Verapamil and Neurontin seem to work fairly well for me when taken together so you might want to question your doctor about that. And as far as the oxygen goes that is supposed to be the best thing we all can do for these damn things but again it can work for some and not others. If Presribed you should push for 15 lpm and be sure to get a re breather mask or it will not work as well. And be sure to keep your self hydrated as it tends to dry your nostrils and throat out. If you are experiencing problems with anxiety or depression due to all this my docto put me on Lexapro which is working weel for me and i also tried Wellbutrin which had an added side effect of helping me to quit smoking. I wish you luck man and I hope you found an understandind doctor. Take it easy and just remember the pain eventually goes away. Happy Holidays.

Peter

Well yesturday morning after i let that small note here about me I had got off from work and went home, right now I work nights 7pm to 7am, after i got hoome I stayed awake for a little while then I got a vist again for the beast this time it was just to let me know he was still around. I am tring to learn as much as I can about this I thought it was all over the last time I was getting all the headaches, I was headache free for so long I would like to know what iI did to keep them away but maybe I will never know.

Hello all.  I guess since I'm back on as a newbie now I'll start over by trying to post a picture here with the message.  Most of you know my situation as so amny of you kindly replied when I introduced myself last year.  So her goes a shot at posting a picture within this post; if it doesn't work than I'll keep trying untill I get it:
Hell! Ican't figure it out here the cite if youwant to see a picture:Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

Pfunk

I must add....

I remember feeling that "oh wow I'm NOT alone!" feeling.   Newbies ain't it great to know you truly aren't alone.  I think that's why I cried so much when I first found this site and read, read, read, for days!  It's amazing to the point of almost being overwhelming (in a good way)

(hey as for pics, how come even though I use a program to make mine smaller for a website they still look huge??)