Posted by Dan Bart (207.164.29.7) on February 22, 2000 at 10:45:37:
I suffered from cluster headaches from 14 to 31 years old. I tried everything from verapamil to propanolol to lithium to oxygen. Nothing prevented them and only imitrex and cafergot helped relieve an attack. Finally my father, who is a doctor, suggested I try accupuncture. Imhave to say that I have faith in modern medical science and am very skeptical of alternative treatments but I decided to try it anyway. I went for weekly sessions which also included some very nasty herbal remedies. After about a month my attacks had reduced noticeably and after about two months they had pretty much stopped. I continued the accupuncture for about six months, reducing the frequency of treatments to once a month. Believe it or not, I haven't had a full attack in almost two years! I can drink alcohol and eat anything I like. While I still have occasional days with persistent low grade pain or mild pressure, I can't remember the last time it developed into an actual attack. A couple of tylenol with codeine or a cafergot is enough to put me back on my feet again. And I take this less than once a month. I don't know how or why the accupuncture helped ( i don't really buy the balancing the body's energy theory)but I do know that it did work and it has changed my life. The only other thing I can think of that may have effected my headaches was laser vision correction I had last May. I wore glasses to see distance from the age of 16 and now I can see fine without them. Who knows? I just think chronic cluster sufferers should consider accupuncture.
Dan Bart
danb@home.com