I just wanted to say hello to everyone on the board.  I've skimmed through some of the information on this site and I'm already learning new things about my condition that I never knew.  I'm so glad to have stumbled on this site because for a while I thought I was going through this type of pain alone. 

I've had these headaches since I was maybe 6 years old when I had an attack.  It wasn't a sequential event but I remember the pain clearly from that age and I know that was my first experience of it.  I've had other singular attacks but my first sequential event was when I was in college and it last for 2 months.  I've had them on and off throughout my life.  I just turned 31 today.

It was only 2-3 years ago that a neurologist nailed down what it was exactly, a cluster headache.  Putting a name on it was a relief to me.  For a while, many physicians thought it was a migraine but it was actually something worse.  But naming it gives me a lot of power and confidence to overcome any attacks.

I can't stop it but I know I can do my best to avoid it.  Usually lack of sleep for a lot of weeks is the culprit mixed with physical or mental stress can be a trigger.  I'm doing what I can to avoid these situations but you can only try.  I'm on week 2 of a set right now and my last set was 2-3 years ago.

I'm really glad I found this place and I have a lot of questions to ask about what I can take to get through these times.  I know zomig nasal spray works for me but I don't know much about the risks with this medication.  I briefly caught some messages about oxygen.  What's that about?  I hope to get know more about everyone here and I feel really lucky to have to found this place.

32 year sufferer here, and the Aussie is right. Take a minute and read that oxygen info link. I feel an attack starting, I began breathing pure oxygen and in 6-8 minutes Iam pain free. Has almost eliminated my need for imitrex injectables, no "drug hangover" no worries of addiction or over use, it's a pretty incredible tool  many of us are using to beat the beast!

Also talk to your doc about a decent preventative regimen. A med you take daily, while in cycle, to reduce the number and intensity of your hits. I use Lithium Verapamil is the typical first round try, and Topomax has a lot of followers too. Lithium will block 60-70% of my attacks most  of the time.

Joe

Welcome,

I'm sure you will find all the information you ask for here!
There are many wonderful people here, who understand where your coming from and have a wealth of knowledge that they are happy to share.  Remember Information is power and you just found the "pot of gold at the end of the rainbow" with regards to the quality. I can not speak highly enough of the people here. Good luck with your journey through this horrible condition.
                                        Regards Shell