Hi all,
My name is Kerry and I am 35 and live in Scotland.  I have had cluster headaches since I was 17 and they pretty quickly settled into a pattern of once a year normally starting in February for about 9 weeks.  Last year I was pregnant at that time and the headaches never came, it was fantastic  . They also haven't appeared this year either so far and I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced anything like this?  I know I should happy and I am, but I am also worrying about them coming back when I least expect it, there is no pleasing some folk lol.  Could it be possible that they are gone for good?  I would love to hear what you folks think.
Thank you
Kerry.

Welcome Kerry!

I certainly hope they're gone for good, but you'll find that in most cases that isn't true.  You're remission could get longer or shorter.  Everybody is different and that cluster we call the "beast" morphs all of the time.
Right when you think you got him figured out, he nails you again.  I'm not saying this to scare you, but to prepare you.  Then you won't be as disappointed.  A poster here said the other day, "you must manage your headaches with confidence" or something like that.  That pretty much says it all.

I hope your pain free days continue.  Please ask us anything and welcome to the family.

Chad

You have an excellent support group you may wish to explore:

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

 
Cluster headache.
From: Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or (Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases)
[Easy to read; one of the better overview articles I've seen. Suggest printing the full length article--link, line above--if you are serious about keeping a good medical library on the subject.]

Leroux E, Ducros A.

ABSTRACT: Cluster headache (CH) is a primary headache disease characterized by recurrent short-lasting attacks (15 to 180 minutes) of excruciating unilateral periorbital pain accompanied by ipsilateral autonomic signs (lacrimation, nasal congestion, ptosis, miosis, lid edema, redness of the eye). It affects young adults, predominantly males. Prevalence is estimated at 0.5-1.0/1,000. CH has a circannual and circadian periodicity, attacks being clustered (hence the name) in bouts that can occur during specific months of the year. ALCOHOL IS THE ONLY DIETARY TRIGGER OF CH, STRONG ODORS (MAINLY SOLVENTS AND CIGARETTE SMOKE) AND NAPPING MAY ALSO TRIGGER CH ATTACKS. During bouts, attacks may happen at precise hours, especially during the night. During the attacks, patients tend to be restless. CH may be episodic or chronic, depending on the presence of remission periods. CH IS ASSOCIATED WITH TRIGEMINOVASCULAR ACTIVATION AND NEUROENDOCRINE AND VEGETATIVE DISTURBANCES, HOWEVER, THE PRECISE CAUSATIVE MECHANISMS REMAIN UNKNOWN. Involvement of the hypothalamus (a structure regulating endocrine function and sleep-wake rhythms) has been confirmed, explaining, at least in part, the cyclic aspects of CH. The disease is familial in about 10% of cases. Genetic factors play a role in CH susceptibility, and a causative role has been suggested for the hypocretin receptor gene. Diagnosis is clinical. Differential diagnoses include other primary headache diseases such as migraine, paroxysmal hemicrania and SUNCT syndrome. At present, there is no curative treatment. There are efficient treatments to shorten the painful attacks (acute treatments) and to reduce the number of daily attacks (prophylactic treatments). Acute treatment is based on subcutaneous administration of sumatriptan and high-flow oxygen. Verapamil, lithium, methysergide, prednisone, greater occipital nerve blocks and topiramate may be used for prophylaxis. In refractory cases, deep-brain stimulation of the hypothalamus and greater occipital nerve stimulators have been tried in experimental settings.THE DISEASE COURSE OVER A LIFETIME IS UNPREDICTABLE. Some patients have only one period of attacks, while in others the disease evolves from episodic to chronic form.

PMID: 18651939 [PubMed]

Hi Kerry

i too hope your pf time continues!!!

where abouts in Scotland are you, there is an excellent Neurologist based in the Southern General in Glasgow.

May i suggest you phone the ouch uk helpline, you don't need to be a member and it won't cost you anything as we will phone you back!

the number is 01646 651 979, just leave a short message with a contact number and someone will phone you back!

all the best

Sandra xx

Hi Kerry
I'm new on this board too although not new to CHs. I'm also from Scotland - down the Borders.
Great that you're free and long may it last.
I'm hopefully on the way out of my current cycle and I'm waiting for an appointment with a neurologist. I'll post when I've had it.
Also I'd be happy to share any advice I can give, given that we share the same Health Service and the same condition.
Good luck. Hope they stay away!