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Eur J Paediatr Neurol. 2009 Nov;13(6):524-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2008.11.002. Epub 2008 Dec 23. Cluster headache in children--experience from a specialist headache clinic. Majumdar A1, Ahmed MA, Benton S. Author information Abstract BACKGROUND:Cluster headache is a primary headache disorder with the distinct clinical features: unilaterality, extreme pain, cranial autonomic features and periodicity. The prevalence of the disorder is 0.1% in adults and with a male predominance. The age of onset is usually in the second and third decade of life but the onset in the first decade is recognised. We describe our experience of cluster headache in children and review the literature. We have attempted to define the clinical features of cluster headache in children as compared to adults, the role of clinical investigations, reliability of clinical diagnosis, effective treatment and management options. METHODS:A retrospective casenotes review was conducted on all children with suspected cluster headache seen in our centre from 2000 to 2005. Case ascertainment was conducted using International Headache Society guidelines, and by telephone interviews with the parents. RESULTS:Eleven children were identified, (seven male and four female). The median age of onset was 8.5 years (range 2-14). The median age at diagnosis was 11.5 years (range 7-17). Eight children had episodic and 3 children had chronic cluster headaches. The average attack duration was 72 min. The commonest reported bout frequency was one per day. Several children had circadian and circumannual periodicity and most displayed the other features of the disorder, such as agitated movement and cranial autonomic activation. Oxygen, methysergide, verapamil, zolmitriptan and dihydroergotamine were the drugs which were effective in terminating the headache. Paracetamol, ibuprofen and paracetamol/codeine combinations were not. CONCLUSION:We describe our experience with cluster headache in eleven children who all presented before the age of 16. Source : http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19109043

it does contain alcohol (2%) as it is an adaption to a period recipe, but theoretically it can be adapted if it was made like brewed ginger beer, you would need to boil the ginger to kill off any natural yeats or microbes but there's no reason why it wouldn't work. You would need to goto a brewing store to get the "brown malt" I can try adapting the recipe this weekend if its something you would be keen on? (my medieval recipes requires it to be left for 3 months (better after 1 year), but an unfermented version would be drinkable after hours and chilled) I can say it really helps (and is tasty) here is the unaltered recipe, question are you ok with ginger beer? (it's usually 1% which isn't considered alcoholic by most nations) and do you know if it's the sulphides? because there are ways around that if you make your own (eg, is brewed cider a trigger?) Malted Ginger Malted Ginger is my own creation, a mix of a strong ginger beer and Brewers malt (brown), has a very strong ginger taste, great on a hot day of for those travel sick. 16L of water 2kg's Dextrose 800 grams of fresh ginger 200 grams (again) of fresh ginger (this is used in bottling don't buy yet) 500 grams of brown brewers malt High fruit wine yeast Firstly take 1 Ltr of water and 800 grams of fresh ginger (sliced like rounds of a cucumber) and bring to the boil, boiling for 30min In your fermenter take the remaining 15L of water and mix in the 2kg's of dextrose and 500 grams of Brown brewers malt Add the boiled ginger (liquid and ginger) to the fermenter Check the temperature of the liquid in the fermenter is under 34 degrees celsius (its best to make sure it's 23 degrees or less if you can be patient) and sprinkle in the high fruit wine yeast Mix a little then seal your fermenter and set with your airlock then wait for 1 - 2 months depending on fermentation rate. after it stops fermenting rack/bottle fermented brew. Notes: Ages very well, But mine has never lasted long past 1 year, it is always consumed.

HI Leonhart, I'm new to this website but so excited to be a part of a great community and wealth of info. I have found ch has really been very isolating and frustrating. I didn't know people could get ch as children ( I started at 30) and I'm so sorry for your experience but really happy that tonic and other parents of ch suffers can benefit from your advice so thank you. I just have to say oxygen was a life saver for me and I'm not exaggerating. I have had ch for 15 years, the first 7 completely untreated and it was hellish for about 2 months a year. I dreaded having them the other 10 months. Sounds like you've been chronic without breaks and I can't imagine. I can't address your pain tolerance but I can't recommend oxygen enough! I also have a question about you're ginger drink. Does it contain alcohol? Alcohol is a huge trigger for me, guaranteed blistering ch and very hard to relieve even with oxygen. I love ginger but curious about the alcohol content.

Leon', thank you for the glasses info!

Hey CHfather, Absolutely, I was recommended them by my Doctor who specializes in geriatric medicine and has some experience with Migraines and CH they are used quite commonly here in NZ for Migraine suffer but also now recommended for CH suffers too (and are covered under our free healthcare here is prescribed by a doctor) basically there has been evidence that certain wavelengths of light can trigger Migraines and CH attacks (although the evidence for help with CH is currently inconclusive and more research needs to done) it could be that they help manager other symptoms Different colours block different spectrums but is also good for CH sufferers who suffer from Photosensitivity and a syndrome called Irlen Syndrome http://irlen.com/Amber helps me a ton its one of the techniques I have been using to control my CH and reduce triggers or buildup that triggers and attack. I use a sunglasses frame which does not press on my nose the frames just very gently rest (you may need to try many many frames that fit your face shape) But I have found wavelength blocking to be effective.