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I've suffered from CHs for 25 years. They used to occur every year or so and last 8 weeks. Like many CH sufferers, I'd rather "check out" than face a full-blown cluster without oxygen. Thankfully, high-rate oxygen always works for me in 10 minutes. I've been able to skip a few years by doing the following: at the first indication of a shadow, completely cease both alcohol & exercise, and start taking 100 mg of caffeine every few hours. My neurologist told me that there is not only one pathology for CHs. I guess there are different types. For whatever type I suffer, during a cluster period, vasodilation sparks a CH and vasoconstriction can prevent/abort a CH.

Happy Holidays friends, I've been having CH since age 37, I'm now 52. They happen annually lasting for about 2-6 weeks. I've tried many many things (Vitamin D, oxygen, Verapamil, MM, acupuncture, Chinese herbs, Maxalt, etc.). What works best for me is: * Oxygen to stop an attack but not KILL an attack. * Maxalt: is my "go to" when I need to KILL an attack and extinguish for good. In terms of dealing with this affliction and having it under control, I'd give myself a 2 out 10 rating. I feel I could be doing a much better job preventing cluster cycles, reducing the pain and frequency of attacks when I'm in a cycle, and curing myself completely. I've read some stories about how some people have completely cured themselves of CH and they no longer have them at all. That is incredible and what I'm praying for. I've read stories from people who seem to have a normal life and are able to successfully deal with and thwart their cycles/attacks. They still get CH but they seem to have it fully under control and mastered in terms of keeping it manageable so they can live a normal life. And I've read stories like mine where people are not yet able to beat CH or manage it and they are in the throes of suffering (as I am now in my current cycle). I'm basically a novice at dealing with CH so I was hoping some of you who have mastered either beating this demon or taming it very well can share some of their tried and true success stories. Based on scanning the cluster buster site, it seems like MM is the most prevalent device used to successfully combat CH. My problem with MM is that I don't know when my cycle is going to happen and I believe if you "bust" you cannot be on Verapamil or Maxalt which is impossible for me when I'm in a cycle. So I guess the answer is to "BUST" when you are not in a cycle and hope that during the busting session a cycle doesn't occur. I really need more info on Busting if anyone can start a thread with me I would be so grateful. I vow to never leave anyone behind and that even if I find myself CH-Free one day, I will always donate, support, and be a part of the CH community because no one should ever experience pain like a CH attack. Also Gamma core, anyone have sustained positive experiences using it? For the people that rate themselves a 7 or higher in terms of managing this horrible affliction (and having a normal life), please share your success stories and formulas and remedies as people like myself need help and hope. I wish we could speak on the phone and have more FaceTime together. By the way, I'm a healthy guy who doesn't smoke or drink/use drugs. I'm more stressed than your average bear and have always wondered if stress is the real cause of my CH. Thank you! Jimmy M in Los Angeles.

Hello friends, I wanted to see if I could gather some information about a weird side effect. This is hard to describe so bear with me haha. When using Vitamin L, sometimes I get a weird clicking/popping/pop rocks cracking feeling/sound in my head. I wouldn’t say its directly in my ear or eye, feels more in my brain. There’s no pain. Its usually when a bust is working and towards the end of the trip. I always take it as a good sign. After 10 strong busts (and a few more that weren’t the right dose before that), I am 5 weeks CH free. My last bust was 8 days ago. My shadows have been still present but slowly getting shorter/less noticeable/less frequent. The last 3 nights I have felt the popping/clicking which has never happened outside of the busting for me. I think I’ve maybe felt it during the end of a headache before but its hard to remember now. I’ve tried searching but mostly are seeing people talking about it in their jaw and during a headache. Just wondering if anyone knows anything. Worried this means my cycle is kicking back up and I should keep busting. After 10 plus busts I am very much looking forward to a break, but getting headaches again wouldn’t be worth it.

Yes. I get this on every dose to varying degrees. In the early days, it happened hard core with MM, but now it doesn't happen as much when I dose with L, but it always happens. I've referred to it as the "Snap, Crackle, Pop" I've only heard this explanation of sensations from cluster heads, I don't think this happens to "normal" people. It fascinates me, would love to know the physical mechanisms in play and what is actually happening.

having the O2 tank next to my bed and the portable tank. this takes away a lot of fear for me, I still don’t go out much when in cluster . I stopped drinking alcohol in and outside of the cluster. Regular time for waking up and going to bed. Avoid gas stations ,parfums stores. I try not to make big jumps in temperature.(warm weather //airco shop) Once 1 or 2 month a MM or L dose don’t get to relaxed and when I wake up(no matter what time) I have to get out of bed. It seems to work a little. I have been painfree for the last 2 years. but yesterday a few hours after MM. It is back… but on the wrong side,this only happend to me once.

I get those effects in my sinus after a DMT hit. It's very weird, the sinus is moving or something. Sometimes it even kinda hurts a little.

Not sure what a "Normal" life is anymore. My new normal is to deal with things one day at a time and adjust. I know I am going to get beat down with a massive cluster at any time of any day so I am always ready to fight back with whatever I can. I keep oxygen in the car at all times, I have it in my office at work keep a triptan injection near by as much as I can and a 5hr energy drink in my pocket. I can no longer drink alcohol so my new norm in a social aspect is water and coffee. I am not shy or hiding my clusters so when someone who does not know what I deal with and comments about not drinking or avoiding some sort of smell I tell them how it is. I can no longer burn a candle, my wife can no longer ware perfumes and depending on how my clusters are on any given day I need to avoid other scented things like cooking dinner. This is my normal life, not great but it is what I have so I embrace it and know things could always be worse. The new normal and I still love it.