Cluster Headaches...Is there any way to prevent them,stop the cycle,or relieve the pain during its peak?

Question

15 yrs of these things and they r driving me crazy! I've seen a lot of doctors and tried a lot of different meds. I am in the cycle now...83 days or so. I go to the hospital to get temporary relief, not without a lot of hassle tho. Are they really giving me relief or by the time I leave there is my peak over? Who knows? I've lost employment more then once due to these things. They knock me off my feet for a couple of hours, a couple times a day, 7 days a week, for about 3 months at a time, that's a lot of life lost. I can't function and my quality of life sucks. Does anyone know the answers or how to cope?

Answer 1

Much pain is from muscles below is an example of what may help (based on headaches).
Begin with a couple swigs of molasses or a couple of bananas daily - magnesium (which regulates many things in the body) and potassium (a needed building block for muscles).
Drink at least 1/2 gallons of water per day. Running a body low on water is like running a car low on oil is the analogy the head of neurology at UCDavis told my husband about 10 years ago.

Now to the cause - muscles - your back, neck shoulders and head have tender spots. They are knots in the fibers of the muscles called trigger points. It makes the muscles tight which makes them press on nerves and other things causing the pain.

The cure - start with a professional massage, you will also want to go back over any place you can get to 6-12 times per session up to 6 times per day rubbing (or lightly scratching on your head) every where that is tender until the knots go away. The place where the skull connects to the spine press up under the edge of the skull (to get to those muscles).

For more information read The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Davies. It teaches what to do and where the pain comes from.

Answer 2

I would stay away from the alcohol for now...but you could try some KY next time just to make things a bit easier for you. Just make sure to use some type of lubricant even if the condom is lubricated. (Sorry is the following is a bit preachy, but make sure you are using a condom and that whatever kind of lubricant you use it is OK to use it with condoms!) As far as the pain goes right now, take some Advil and a hot bath to get your muscles to relax. Even some Midol would work well b/c there is a muscle relaxer in there.

Answer 3

I NORMALLY GO FOR A WALK OR GET IN FRONT OF A FAN THE AIR HELPS IT IS ABOUT THE ONLY THING BESIDES MEDICATIONS WORKS SO THE ANSWER IS OXYGEN AND A DARK ROOM.

Answer 4

I breath pure oxygen. Its expensive, but it works great. Ask your Dr. a big bottle should last you quite a long time.