Posted by Vince S. on May 19, 1999 at 01:47:28:
Hello All. I've been lurking, reading, and learning for
the last several weeks since my headaches returned. They've
been getting pretty bad the last few nights, so I thought
I'd use this message board to unload. I'm a 38 yr old male who's
been suffering from clusters since 1985 when I was 24.
My episodes last anywhere from one month to four. My "friends"
came to visit me this time on April 11. I've been getting
at least one headache per night since then. My remissions
usually last a year to 18 months. Once, I went 2 whole years
with no headaches. I've been an off & on smoker for 20 years,
and I've often wondered if that has something to do with
the headaches. My mother is one of the rare females who
suffered from cluster headaches, and hers disappeared when
she quit smoking in her early 50's. I myself quit for 2 years
back in 1993, but the headaches came anyway. I'm currently
taking Verapamil (240 mgs per day), and I've also tried
other medications in past years, such as Prednisone. The
Verapamil seems to help, but some of the headaches are still
unbearable. I haven't been getting much sleep lately, and
I'm getting to the point now where I'm even getting "daytime"
headaches, which will attack without warning and mess up
my already fatigued days. During a cluster attack, I'll
use a washcloth which has been soaked in a bowl of ice water
repeatedly until I get some relief. The washcloth works best
when applied to the right side of my face, just over my eye.
Additionally, the washcloth helps relieve the pain when
it's folded several times over and placed between my neck
and right jawbone. The effect wears off when the cloth
becomes warm, so it must be soaked in the ice constantly.
When the attacks are REALLY bad - nothing seems to work. I'll
just pace the floors and try to wait the headache out.
These are the types I've been getting the last few nights.
I'm hoping this cluster is at its peak and on the way out,
because I don't think I can take much more. I've been waking
my wife and kids at night, and I think they're just about
fed up with me! Actually, my wife has been a Godsend, rubbing
my shoulders and reassuring me that everything is OK. I know
it hurts her to see me suffer, but she's been hanging right
in there with me through some of the worst headaches. Sometimes,
when the headaches subside, she'll keep rubbing my back and
shoulders until I fall asleep, exhausted. If I'm lucky, I'll
make it through the night without getting up again. I know
many of you regulars to this website have heard this story
a thousand times, but I felt the need to unload on you all
with my own story. Thanks for keeping the information flowing!
To all the headache sufferers who read this stuff: you have
my deepest and most sincere empathy. A final note, to Margi:
I've been trying the "water", and it doesn't seem to be helping.
Thanks all the same for the advice! Kindest Regards, Vince