I am a mom and a wife, and this is my second severe cycle with these cluster headaches. I don't know what to do. it feels like someone is stabbing me. I am so depressed and i don't understand what to do to comfort myself. No one can really understand it, and it is scary. I am so upset, I am going through it as I type. Someone help with any tips please. Medication is only helping to mess up my stomach and the blood pressure meds don't help.
Daydi

I'm reading alot into your few lines but it sounds: like you don't have a doc who knows his stuff, otherwise you would not be lacking a good treatment program; you would not feel so hopeless.

IF you don't have a doc who has education/experience intreating headache, the first step is to find one.
====
Please tell us where you live. Follow the next line to a message which explains why knowing your location and your medical history will help us to help you.

Cluster Headache Help and Support › Getting to Know Ya › Newbies, Help us...help you

You can add your location by editing your profile. CP Member --> profile
BUT, Please!, don't post your messages at this location.
=====
LOCATING HEADACHE SPECIALIST

1. Search the OUCH site (button on left) for a list of recommended M.D.s.


2. Yellow Pages phone book: look for "Headache Clinics" in the M.D. section and look under "neurologist" where some docs will list speciality areas of practice.

3.  Call your hospital/medical center. They often have an office to assist in finding a physician. You may have to ask for the social worker/patient advocate.

4. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or ; On-line screen to find a physician.

5. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or Look for "Physician Finder" search box. They will send a list of M.D.s for your state.I suggest using this source for several reasons: first, we have read several messages from people who, even seeing neurologists, are unhappy with the quality of care and ATTITUDES they have encountered; second, the clinical director of the Jefferson (Philadelphia) Headache Clinic said, in late 1999, that upwards of 40%+ of U.S. doctors have poor training in treating headache and/or hold attitudes about headache ("hysterical female disorder") which block them from sympathetic and effective work with the patient; third, it's necessary to find a doctor who has experience, skill, and a set of attitudes which give hope of success. This is the best method I know of to find such a physician.

6. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or NEW certification program for "Headache Medicine" by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties, an independent, non-profit, professional medical organization.
        Since this is a new program, the initial listing is limited and so it should be checked each time you have an interest in locating a headache doctor.
=====
Please avoid trying to treat your "clusters" until you have seen a good doc who confirms this diagnosis.

So, please get back with some basic information: what kind of doc are you seeing? what treatment have you been given?

Wow.  Hang in there - I am hoping you have not tried the Imetrix injectable, because that is my only sure thing.

There are some other options that have been discussed on this board that may be worth a try.  Wait till the Beast is gone and do some reading.

You second message has strongly reinforced my recommendations: very much need a headache specialist.

Most of the meds you are using are not appropriate for Cluster and not knowing he doses you are using makes any sound responses impossible.

What is the potential that you will/can find a specialist?

Not only is caffeine NOT a trigger (for most, at least), it can abort an attack. Try a Red Bull next time, and slam the thing as soon as you feel it coming on.

What may confuse the issue re: caffeine, is that for those who take it regularly, sudden withdrawal can cause some painful headaches, sometimes lasting for days.

For what it's worth, I've found the following through personal experience... if you are a regular caffeine user, it pays to keep using it or at least to withdraw slowly to avoid "withdrawal" headaches.

If you are not a regular user, but only "as needed", it may work a bit better. The longer I use any drug, OTC or otherwise, the less it tends to work. This could be due to rebounds or recurrence of the original attack, but that can be hard to sort out.  Be willing to change your approach as needed.  And here's a pic of a smiley I just found, mooning ya... just because.  LOL

It sounds like you've been getting advice from someone who is confused as to how caffeine is linked to migraines and CHs. For CH it's a great weapon to have in your armoury as an energy drink, like Red Bull, can help abort or limit a CH. However for migraines it is a very common trigger.

I get both migraines and CH, with caffeine being a trigger for my migraines, so I've a delicate relationship with caffeine, so normally I avoid it, but if I need it for CH I'll use it without doubt.

With "normal" caffeine use, many people love a coffee in the morning, not as they need it but because they are in withdrawal from not using it overnight. When stopping using caffeine it is very common to have a bad headache for a few days, however this soon vanishes.

So just to recap:
1. get a good headache specialist

2. ask for a prescription for O2 (100%) with a nonrebreather mask and a regulator that is no less than 15lpm

3. Ask for a good preventative and a prednisone taper to fill up the time it takes for the preventative to build up

4. Get some abortive: imitrex injections or migranal nasal spray

5. stock up on Monster or Red Bull and slam one at the first sign of an attack and then hit the O2

Keep us informed of your progress. God bless. lance