Knowing how many have taken their lives would be a relatively meaningless statistic since estimates vary greatly on how many people actually have it. There are many who are misdiagnosed, and many more who go undiagnosed.

And the ones who do commit suicide are only the ones we hear about.

seaworthy wrote on May 24^th, 2010 at 7:59am:



You are most correct, mr. Don.

That's probably the more critical factor...on or off cycle, depression. There have been several threads about the depression that can accompany a condition like this, and how important it is that it be treated along with the CH.

The head trauma thing is just as tough. Every male I know can recall at leaat one time when, while doing something incredibly foolish, they suffered some degree of head trauma!  Jumping off the house using a sheet as a parachute, any number of bicycle, skate board etc. accidents. So then the stats would have to be adjusted for degree of trauma.

Joe

How many have committed suicide only because of cluster headaches? My best guess would be zero. IMHO there would have to be a lot more than just clusters in a person's life for a person to commit suicide.
I think it is time to kill the term “suicide headaches” when referring to cluster headaches. It just ain’t true. CH’s have also been referred to a “executive headaches” but I have seen very few executives here and those that are here have never blamed their career as a cause of their headaches. It’s time to kill that term also.

We all know that a sudden release from stress is a trigger for many. Executives work under extreme pressure so when the big deal finally went through, or they went on leave and suddenly there's no worries, Bang! That's when the monster would hit and the reason for the term.

'Holiday' headaches has also been a popular description at different times and I wish I could remember which esteemed victim of ch.com carried the tag "Stay stressed. Don't sleep. Never, ever relax!"

I'd guess the term "Suicide headache", is reference to more how the though occurs to you, rather then actually drives you to commit suicide. I've never been in so much pain that I put Death as a potential resolution, other then my worst CH's. Plus I can see someone pleading to a Dr that if they were to suffer from the pain forever, they'd rather die. Mainly to convey the severity and desperation.

Now, I can see if I had chronic CH, and went days and days with non-stop agony, it might drive me to some extreme. I think I'd smash my head open before I'd choose to die though.

I've always thought about if trepanation (ancient brain-surgery Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or ) was due to CH. Its believed they did it, in the Stone-age, assuming evil spirits were in their head. A.K.A the Demon. 
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Just a thought.

Play Doh....read that article...drilling a hole in your head to let the demon out. During acute attacks that's exactly what the sensation is, if I could just open the skull and let the demon out the pain would stop....wild!

Joe

What the hell are you talking about black? I just went back and read all these post and I can't see what in the world got your panties in a wad.

No one was being disrespectful and were just putting their thoughts down.

Chill out.

I agree with you on that point black.  While suicide can be the results of cumulative things pushing them over the top, I know of 2 people on this board that was just about to do it. One already had the date set and the way it was going to happen. And he says it was due to the continuous pain which I am sure created depression and hopelessness. I have no probelm with the term "suicide headache).

Sorry Bob 

...having experienced multiple physical injuries, illnesses, psychological traumas, and life stresses in general...I can say I have NEVER contemplated suicide for any of them....with ONE exception!

That would be CH. That I would NEVER do it does not negate the fact I have thought about it. "Suicide headache" about sums up what I think of CH...nothing has ever compared.

I am reminded of a post by Barb upon meeting a new doc (and I apologize ahead of time if I get this wrong).
He asked several questions...one of which was something like "have you ever considered taking your own life because of these?" She answered "yes"...he said..."If you had answered "no" we would be having a different conversation".

Best,

Jon

Well, I can honestly say this... I have have been honest about this with my wife. I can't talk about it with anyone else where I live so it's kinda a relief to get it off my chest.
Being able to do this is a sort of mental support that outwheighs a degree of shame that I feel.
I'm pretty sure I won't personally meet many of you so no offense but that's why I feel I can talk about it 

The first and second time I got a CH cycle it was awful, very scary and the pain was unlike anything else I had ever experienced before. The first time I can remember I cried like a baby due to this incredible pain, just begging to make it stop. It was just overwhelming.

If there would have been a railroad next to our house, it would not have costed me a second thought to jump under the next train. The irony is... there actually was a railroad pretty close by but during an attack I just couldn't bring up the effort to go there, although I would've so loved to end it.

Seriously, that was the only thing I was thinking about then.
After getting diagnosed, getting meds, imitrex, lots of talking with my wife and getting through more attacks with her help, I've learned to sit them out. My wife has definately been my biggest help and support. I seriously can not imagine how I would cope with this without her.

It's frikking torture, this CH curse, no one will convince me otherwise, but I can manage and even though the thought of the railroad still comes to mind sometimes, I never actively pursue it. I've won from it, at least that's what I can say now. On the other hand... I've only had 4 cycles so far... and they didn't even last THAT long... 2-3 weeks... makes me wonder how strong I actually am.

But all in all, I do believe I've won. I know things can get worse but I won't think about that. My last cycle's gone for about a week or three, topamax side effects are wearing off so I feel happy again. And even though my last cycle was far worse and I've had much more trouble during the first week, 1,5 week after the cycle than before... mentally I have coped with it much better than I ever have.

So I believe CH can strike you down like a hammer on a nail. But with support and love, courage and willpower I also believe you can be the stronger one.

*runs away quickly before having any second thoughts about this post*