Posted by Rich on November 24, 1998 at 17:25:38:
Male - 57 years old ... Started having cluster headaches in 1970 at the age of 29 ... lived in Santa Barbara at the time ... treated by family doctor ... we both called them migraines at the time because they roughly fit the pattern ... no info at that time re clusters ... finally identified as clusters in 1980 ... have used various treatments over time including cafergot, inderol, demerol, imitrex, and some I've long forgotten ... moved to Eugene, Oregon in 1987 ... treatment continued with inderol and imitrex for prevention and demerol tablets/shots for pain ...
referred to pain management specialist in 1996 because of heavy use of demerol ... tried physical therapy and some beta blockers ... moderate success ... finally, with supporting diagnosis from a neurologist, decided I qualified for chronic pain treatment and I went on Methadone; yes, the same stuff they use for heroin addicts ... take 5mg tablets 5 times daily ... no headaches, or even twinges, since then ... in my opinion, a LIFESAVER ... finally after over 25 years I now have my qualify of life back ... I know the rest of you sufferers know exactly what I mean ... I recommend finding someone who will let you try the Methadone treatment route ... it's actually stronger than Demerol but doesn't have the long-term disadvantages, i.e. I can take it the rest of my life if need be ... a miracle!