Posted by Bubba (216.104.228.113) on July 02, 2001 at 14:12:33:
In Reply to: Significant other has clusters ... posted by MJ on July 02, 2001 at 13:00:55:
The first cycle spend with a significant other can be difficult and unsettling. The obvious suffering, puffy eye, drainage, and miseries make it tough on anyone who has to watch.
The first year was especially rough on my wife. Now, she usually just asks if there is anything she can do, and then goes back to bed - practical, as she needs to work to keep her job. She knows I will suffer, but she knows there is very little that she can do, and that I will get through it.
Men do tend to put off seeing a doctor, and often go at the urging of a female significant other. Your instinct to try and do something is correct. On the other hand, most medical treatments are hit and miss, and they usually have side effects (atleast in my experience). And fortunately, if it is a cluster headache, it is not life-threatening, just debilitating. (exception being depression/suicide with the worst attacks ... mine not so severe, just 8-9).
On a personal note, I don't think that I get grouchy in a cycle (as if I was a good judge of that!) I think I get withdrawn, and give minimal responses to questions or suggestions. But that's me - each of us are possessed differently.