Posted by Caren (153.37.190.232) on July 24, 1999 at 22:48:40:
In Reply to: Re: Is anyone from Nashville-Florida here posted by Jayne on July 24, 1999 at 21:51:47:
Hi Jayne,
My clusters started at the age of 13. I had never had a headache, so I thought they were normal headaches. I don't remember taking anything for them back then, nor do I remember them lasting too long, or waking me at night. Then when I was 22 or 23 I remember getting them more frequently, and they lasted maybe a week or so. They were misdiagnosed as sinus, tension and allergy headaches. I can't begin to tell you all the prescribed medication I've taken that did nothing. My ex-husband took me to the ER several times and I was given strong painkillers and sent home. Around the age of 27 researching the subject at the library I found out about The National Headache Foundation. They sent me information about the different types of headaches, and based on that information I figured I had migraines. I was seeing a new doctor when my next episode came and told him I had migraines, when I described them to him Lo and Behold he told me I had cluster headaches, and he even had a chart on cluster headaches behing the door in his office. God Bless him whereever he is. Anyway, he prescribed Cafergot to abort them and Darvocet (which is like a generic Darvon). For the first time I had something that helped during the day, I still woke up with them though. I did more research and found out about oxygen therapy, and had no problem getting him to write me a prescription for it, and that helped me as well. Accupuncture has also helped. I probably took too many Darvocet because now I can't take aspirin because it gives me an ulcer type pain, in addition, I am allergic to Ibuprofen. I am 52 years old now and searching for an alternative therapy. I have left sided episodic Clusters-I'm mostly susceptible during change of seasons - Spring and Fall. I'm originally from New York and the change of seasons there are more drastic than here in Florida. However, I have found that I've suffered more headaches of all kinds here in Florida, I don't know why. You will see when you read the different posts, that what helps one person may not help another. And there are those who suffer with chronic clusters which are probably the worse kind. And what about you, how long have you suffered and what helps you?
Caren.