Cluster Headaches... They're BaaAACK

For anybody that doesn't know me, I get CLUSTER HEADACHES. If you don't know what that is then you probably wouldn't understand. If you do know, or have them, or know somebody that does, then you might be able to understand... a little.

Cluster Headaches hurt... alot. "The pain has been compared to amputation without anesthetic. Many mothers who are cluster sufferers describe it as a pain much worse than natural childbirth." Even that doesn't come close to describing the pain in my opinion. It's the most excruciating, unbearable pain you could imagine. I'm a big guy... I've heard my wife describe me as "A big, scary guy". When I get one of those headaches that I can't control it reduces me to a crying, screaming child. I literally want to put my head through a wall (and I've tried it). It's the next closest thing to lunacy. My wife is afraid of me and I don't blame her as much as I want her there with me it's got to be scary. Me rocking, pounding, growling, screaming, crying.

For me they come and go... in "clusters". For 28 years they've come and gone. I might not get one for months or sometimes almost a year. Then they come again and for period of time (1-3 months), I get 'em. Luckily for me a few years ago I found Imitrex Injections. It's a shot that I can give myself that totally takes away the headache. Only bad thing is that when the headaches are at their worst and I'm taking the shot more and more it starts to lose effect. Last night I had two headaches a few hours apart and I didnt have any shots left. The first one I had to endure. Torture. It lasted about an hour. By the time it was done I was so exhausted I could barely move. Then one hour later another one started. I couldn't go though it again so I drove myself to the ER. By the time I got there and they got me settled in it had started to fade, so they put my on some Oxygen, gave me a mild pain killer and let me rest.

I have meds that I am taking on a daily basis to prevent the headaches but it is iffy at best... The Dr has to keep changing meds and doses before we find a "happy spot".

This site has some great information and links about Clusters... http://www.clusterheadaches.com/

It's also great for me because the message board helps me feel not so alone with my headaches... Like there actually is somebody out there that understands....