Posted by Chris (64.106.35.124) on August 06, 2001 at 16:30:00:
All,
I found this site last year at the tail-end of my cluster, and got so much great information.
I've lucked out and found a fantastic doctor here in town who bends over backwards to work towards a fix for my CH's. I'm now trying Verapamil, with Imitrex injections which I was on during the last cluster(fantabulous but geez they are pricey). Haven't yet tried the little tip for dropping to 2-3 mg Imitrex doses; I only take the injections when at work, and I suffer through the episodes at home with piping hot water (seems to at least dullen the pain a bit in some attacks), and lots of head-banging and hair-pulling. I'm embarassed to have my wife see me during those antics, as I know she feels terrible that she can't do anything for me.
I'm into week 2 of the cluster, and they're in full swing (a 9 on the Kip scale) coming about 3 to 4 times per day. My clusters usually last about 4 weeks, 10 months apart. I've been suffering for about 7 years (since I was 21).
Anyway, I just wanted to drop a note in thanks for the information and the support I get from reading this board. Here's hoping for a cluster-free night ... well, we can always hope, can't we?
~ Chris in Albuquerque