New sufferer here

[Cindi]

First ever experience with CH started in January. Diagnosed right away I’m a 65 yr. Old female. The worst seems to be over but now for last 10 nights I wake up an hour and a half after falling asleep with a much less painful and shorter headache than was before. All my headaches were nocturnal. What’s going on? Is the cycle ending or what? I’m on verapamil. Couldn’t get in to see Neuro till March 15th due to being a new patient. 

[Bejeeber]

It sounds to me like your your cycle could be ending - unless you started on the verap recently enough that it might have only started kicking in 10 nights ago, in which case it is hard to tell, hard to know at this point.

Sorry you've been hit with this, but glad at least you got diagnosed right away - that's rare!

On 2/20/2023 at 5:32 PM, Cindi said:

Couldn’t get in to see Neuro till March 15th due to being a new patient

Typical. I do wish headache specialists would practice triage (maybe that isn't taught in headache specialist school? ), but from what I've seen, most or all do not.

@Cindi you may have already noticed that if you hang about here some and read through stuff such as is found at the blue New Users - Read Here First banner above, there's a good chance you could prevent altogether any next cycle that might want to come a knockin'. 

[Cindi]

Thanks fire replying Bejeeber. I started the verapamil on January 19th so about a month ago. GP increased the dosage about 4 days ago. 
yes I was lucky for the quick diagnosis. I have a very sharp GP. And he said my symptoms were so classic it jumped right out at him. 

[BoscoPiko]

That's great that you got diagnosed so quickly! Rare indeed as @Bejeeber mentioned.  Again to reiterate Jeeb, hang around on here and if you read and ask questions you'll find a fast track to self help with many a method outside the typical box. I couldn't tell ya if your cycle is ending or just responding well to the verapamil. It would be good to know dosage and type (Extended release vs. Rapid release). One great thing about you sharp GP is that he/she will most likely be willing to script you some 02 which you will absolutely want to place in your toolbox. Information on proper mask type, regulators excreta can be found by using the search bar. Additionally you will want to read up on the D3 regimen which can really help a ton! If you have any problems locating this information just reach out on here and I am sure a fellow cluster head will lend a hand. As someone else has said in the past "Welcome to the club no one want's to be in". Pain free wishes!    

[Bejeeber]

53 minutes ago, Cindi said:

I have a very sharp GP

You sure do! Large quantities of kudos to your GP!

[CHfather]

I suppose your doc wanted his/her diagnosis confirmed by a neuro before prescribing any of the other standard CH treatments, such as oxygen.  The timing of attacks that you have described surely sounds like CH.  I assume you'll have an MRI to rule out anything else (CH can only be diagnosed from the symptoms, not from an MRI or any other medical test).

Being new to the condition, you might get some benefit from this "overview" document: https://clusterbusters.org/forums/topic/6213-basic-non-busting-information/.  

As is mentioned in there, lot of people find that caffeine will stop an attack or reduce its severity -- and even though your attacks are nocturnal, most people find they can get right back to sleep even after that caffeine intake.  Given the relative mildness of your attacks and your newness to CH, I wouldn't be surprised if a strong cup of coffee would be enough to do the job.  Some people do energy drinks of one sort or another (discussed in the document).

As others have said, you'll find a wonderfully supportive community here, so please keep us informed and don't hesitate to ask any questions you might have.

 

[Cindi]

Yes, my GP wants confirmation from a neuro. Perhaps the Neuro will be a better fit to treat me. He also thinks I may have sleep apnea and this Neuro doctor specializes in that too. I had an MRI, all was normal there. Thanks to everyone here for your help in directing me to different information to read. I surely do appreciate you!