Posted by Rich Jr. on May 19, 1999 at 00:48:06:
In Reply to: Cluster Headaches posted by Howard on May 18, 1999 at 08:42:02:
Mine started at age 15. Smoker and drinker at the time, among other
things. Went until about 20 years old before proper diagnosis. By then
the headaches were severe. From burning around the eyeball for the first
couple of years, to a one hour long daily whopper the last few years.
Headache clinic in Encino, CA diagnosed and broke chronic cycle with
Verapamil 80mg 4 times per day. Also was using Caffergot and Oxygen to
abort attacks. Been going average of 2 years between attacks now. When in
cycle they are worse than ever and multiple times dailly. I'm now 32.
I've noticed that toward the end of the cycle the headaches increase
in intensity and length. Last cycle ended with a 5 hour full blown cluster
attack. This time, several days with 2 hour attacks, enough to drive a person
crazy. I start feeling kind of retarted and wonder if those people in the
mental hospitals have true chronic cluster pain? Can't talk or do much of
anything but squirm, groan, and cry.
Prednisone seems to shorten cycles for me these last times, though with
the breakthrough headaches I sometimes wonder. It is a nasty drug too. Not
good for the body. Verapamil did not work after the first time, though I may
try it again if I have another bout. Oxygen sometimes helps, sometimes don't.
Stadol, heavy pain medication inhaled, sometimes helped and sometimes seemed
to make things worse. Caffergot has helped immensely in my case, though the
headaches seem to adapt to it as well. Imitrex knocked the headache out
immediately, only to return with vengence. Works well for many though, from
what I hear. Best wishes for pain free days and years! One thing
has helped me more than any other, the last few rounds, prayer. I've been
leaning on the Big Guy in the sky, and He keeps me going. Take care, Rich Jr.