Posted by Debra on August 02, 1998 at 22:20:21:
In Reply to: New to this Group posted by Jackie on August 02, 1998 at 20:56:16:
To Jackie:
Hi ! I just discovered this site today, and I,I like you are feeling a bit down in the dumps. Actually, I'm more scared than anything. I too have had cluster headaches most of my life. I am female, was 16 years old when I had my first episode and now I'm 45. I've been okay for about 20 months, but the headaches started up again out of the blue 2 weeks ago. The longest I have ever gone between clusters is 2 years. I went the prednisone route for about 10 years as that was the only thing that controlled my headaches for the most part. I had to discontinue it because of the side effects. My clusters usually last about 3 months, and the prednisone did emotionally bad things to me. All I am doing at the present is taking a antihistamine (prescription) daily and alka seltzer plus at the onset of a headache and
ice pack or frozen orange juice can on the side of my head. I have used the ice for years and it seems to help alittle. My pattern is one headache one hour after I get up in the morning every to everyother day. I resist taking any pain medication that will interfere with how I feel after the headache is gone (1-3 hrs.) so I just stick it out . I have been sitting here all evening taking notes on any drugs that I haven't tried that may help. I feel like I'm fighting a never ending battle! I have never been in contact with another female that has our problem. I can certainly empathize with you. Sure takes some of the joy out of living. Good luck to you and everyone else out there in your quest for a normal life.