Hey all, I can't express how much of a relief it was to find this site.  I woke up 4 days ago, around 4 in the morning, unable to open my right eye, and confused by the sensation that there was an axe sticking out of the top of my head.  Half awake, I thought it was extreme drowsiness and tried to go back to sleep.  It didn't go away.  For 14 hours, it decreased and increased and decreased and increased... but didn't go away.  I finally took myself to the ER, thinking I must be dying. 
That's when I was introduced to Cluster Headaches... a condition I had never heard of, and probably wouldn't have believed to be true even if I had been told about them.  I'm now 4 days in, and am struggling to welcome this new part of me.  I feel like I can't talk to anyone, because the pain is so unbelievable.  I've no insurance, no family doctor, but finally landed an appointment with a neurologist in 3 weeks.  I'm going insane.  I get hit hard about 4 times a day, and even when they subside, I feel like someone is following me around with a fistful of my hair... pulling as hard as they can.  I'm being attacked.  And I've no idea when it will stop.  I'm afraid I'll never feel normal again. 
Anyway... it helps to read about your experiences, and makes me feel not quite as alone as I've felt the last few days.  This is real... and others are going through it too... Thank you for that.

HillaryLayne wrote on Apr 28^th, 2012 at 6:32pm:


Something helpful for the present can be gulping down a power drink like Red Bull or Monster at the onset of an attack, one that contains caffeine and taurine.  I take a preventative, verapamil, so just have a double espresso, it works with no taurine, which doesn't mix with verap.  During an attack, icepacks may take a slight edge off.  Some can get help while sleeping with melatonin - in the vitamin aisle at any CVS, Rite Aid, or Walgreens.

Breathing pure oxygen at a rate better than 12Lpm is a best abortive measure for an attack.  A hightlighted tab on the left has more about that.  There are ways to have a set-up in a short time without insurance.

Welcome