Posted by BB on April 24, 1998 at 20:52:39:
Hello everyone! I am not a cluster headache sufferer but am married to one. I see the pain he feels everynight, night after night, when he is in a "cluster" I hear the fear in his voice when he thinks he's dying and alone.Jeff has been suffering for the past 15 years with these nasty headaches and no one in our area seemed to know anything about any other headaches other than migraine or muscle tension headaches. It was so frustrating for both of us. Until 3 years ago a gentleman I work with and trust (in the healthcare field) suggested these might be clusters. I did some research back then and was pretty sure this is what it was. However, when I suggested it to our physician he didn't even ackknowledge the fact that I spoke. His one track mind was on muscle tension. So for 3 more years my husband suffered. Until recently, one month ago we purchased a home computer then Jeff started experiencing the headaches again. I was determined to get him some relief. I got on the internet and searched. Found your site and another site with case studies. The patients who were described were experiencing the exact same symptoms as my husband! I read on about the medications etc.. Called the physician the next day. TOLD HIM what I wanted and my husband has had 2 whole nights of sleep since taking Verapamil (one a day). Suprising enough the MD did not argue with me at all. Too bad, I was ready to give him a lashing. Took the wind right out of my sails when he said "oh yes, I fully agree and here's what I can do to help". What the hell? It really pisses me off everytime I have to tell the MD the diagnosis. He should be paying me for my opinion. Sometime in the last 3 years he must have been educated on the subject. Anyway, my husband is kind of shy but I'm here to say what a relief to find other people who know. I have in the past 2 evenings spent hours reading this site and related links. It is sooooo addictive. I am sorry you all have to suffer, but I'm so thankful you have each other. And please, when you feel like blowing your head right off your body remember you have family and friends who would suffer the greatest lose of all, not having you. There are some of us spouses who try to understand and want to help desparately.