Wow, finding this site is probably the best thing to happen to me in awhile.

Since I was about 4, I've been a typical (and chronic) migraine sufferer. And by typical, I mean the debilitating migraine that lasted in my case around 24 hours with all the typical symptoms (nausea, light and sound sensitivity, one sidedness etc). I went to countless neurologists and doctors, one who even told my parents I was faking it because "kids as young as 4 simply dont suffer from headaches, let alone migraines." A neurologist finally put me onto an anti-depressant called Cilift when I was 12 as a preventative measure and for the first few months, it worked beautifully. Then it wore off and I went back to getting between 1 and 5 migraines a week. Fast forward a few years and they seemed to get better. I wasn't getting them often and they were less severe when I did so it looked like it was over. Until halfway through my 1st year at varsity. I cant even remember precisely when it started because its been the same for so long it all seems like a blur. I wake up *every* morning with a headache that just seems to never go away.

Its been 2 years since this started happening and countless doctors. I've landed up in the emergency room a number of times and my neurologist resorted to morphine the last time I was in because every other pain med drip she tried didn't work. Since the cilift, I've been on Inderal which also worked for awhile and then wore off. I HATE being dependent on the meds though.

Most types of pain medication have long since worn off but currently I am using Beta-Pyn. So far, its probably been the most effective, but like I said: I hate having to pop pills.

I guess I finally looked for a support group today because I woke up feeling great and while on campus, the headache popped out of no where and my friends seemed rather skeptical when I explained my headache was back because I'd been fine 10mins earlier. I find it increasingly difficult to tell people how much I'm suffering because they just dont get it. Part of the reason finding this site has been so wonderful.

So, that's my story. Sorry it was quite long, but it feels so good to finally tell it to people that actually understand.

Oops. Sorry, I completely forgot to include that part..
My neurologist told me she believes that although I suffered migraines as a child, the best diagnosis she can give me now is that I now have cluster headaches because of the frequency and other symptoms.

O.K.! Now, the med, Clifit, is not a U.S. brand--so, where you do you live?
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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
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Do you have access to a headache specialist? It's so very common for most docs, even neurologists, to have received little education in treating complex headache disorders.

We can supply some good medical information to pass on to you doc if you give us some idea of what types of information you need. See the PDF file, below. as an example: consider printing this article and use to discuss treatment options with your doc.

I don't care to argue, since i'm sure you know what you are talking about but i have the exact same symptomes as describe everywhere. It's unilateral (my right side) always, my right nostril seems jammed up, my right eyelid swells up, the pain is exactly just over the eye and seems to come from behind it, the pain is definitely excruciating and it comes back like clockwork. As i've said, i've only had it for three years and my neurologist said that it could get worst.....meaning i could get them everyday, but i hope i never get there since it's bad enough as it is. I'm not here to try and pretend that i have something i don't really have ! Heck, i rather would not have them at all!
I had read alot on the condition before meeting with my neurologist and i did mention to him that i thought it was weird that my headaches were weekly and not daily like most, so maybe they weren't Ch's at all? But he told me that research was still being done on this condition and that there were no definite guidelines and that CH's can vary from person to person.
The only thing that seems to work for now are the Imitrex injections....but i have found that eating yogourt on a daily basis can prevent them for a while...atleast for me.
So i'm sorry if my weekly CH's don't fit your definition but i can assure you that i do know what the pain is like......
Taryn

Seriously, for me it's really the ONLY thing that i found that can help prevent. I've had a 3 week break from eating a yogourt a day.