Posted by Ben Lopez on December 27, 1998 at 00:33:00:
Just found this site and reading some of the sufferers comments and want to relate my 30 year experience with cluster headaches. Hope it will bring some hope to some of you.
I started with bad headaches in 1954, at 14 years old. These headaches were intense and I was in an emergency room on a number of occasions. In the late 60's I saw a neurologist who told me that I had what he called episodes of classic cluster headaches. This was the first time. I maintained some control, during the early stages of the episodes, through various medication for about 10 years. During the later stages I still was visiting the emergency room often. I added oxygen to the medication and was able to control the headaches even more during the early stages of each episode.
Then during a particular stressful year in 1984 moving across country, I had headaches from April until Dec. The later stage of these headaches were extremely bad.
Then for no apparent reason the next year "No Clusters" I couldn't believe it. These headaches were so much a part of my life that I was sure that they would return the next year. 1986, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93,94, 95, 96, 97, 98, no clusters.
I still get headaches, but as cluster suffers you know a regular headache is tolerable. A cluster is something different entirely.
At 59 years old now, and for the last 14 years I have been free of this terrible burden. I still live life as if my future is ahead of me, while friends my own Clusters" I couldn't believe it. These headaches were so much a part of my life that I was sure that they would return the next year. 1986, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93,94, 95, 96, 97, 98, no clusters.
I still get headaches, but as cluster suffers you know a regular headache is tolerable. A cluster is something different entirely.
At 59 years old now, and for the last 14 years I have been free of this terrible burden. I still live life age are looking to retire and do nothing. I've never thought of it before I came to this site, but cluster headaches may be the reason that I still think that I have a long and eventful life ahead of me.