Cluster Headaches: What Are They?
Published May 17, 2009 | 
It seems that many people have never heard of the term cluster headaches, and have no idea what they are. Others have heard the term, but have no idea what it means. Many people think they’re just regular headaches that happen in clusters, or just on one side of a person’s face. Others think they’re just another name for migraines. None of these ideas are correct, and cluster headaches are unlike any other kind of headache. After reading this article, you’ll understand what they are, and how they differ from migraines and ordinary headaches.
It’s true that cluster headaches tend to occur repeatedly over a period of time, and that’s where the name cluster comes from. It’s also true that they occur only on one side of the victim’s head or face. In most victims, it’s the same side all the time, although a few sufferers do report that occasionally the headaches will switch sides from one attack to another. It’s extremely rare for one to switch sides during an attack, however, or to occur on both sides of the head at the same time.
The pain of a cluster headache is far more intense than that of a regular headache, however, and it’s even worse than having a migraine. It’s an overpowering, debilitating, extremely sharp pain that feels like you’re having a sharp knife shoved into your eye, along with the sensation of an electrical current that’s driving the pain. The pain is about the worst thing a human being can go through and still live, and while one is happening, and they can last up to 90 minutes or so.
As you can see, cluster headaches are a far cry from the ordinary, run of the mill headaches which involve a dull, throbbing pain. That’s unpleasant, but it’s nothing like one of these attacks, as anyone who suffers from them can tell you. They’re not even close to being the same thing.
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I am a working FF/paramedic and I just ran a call on a patient who suffers from “cluster headaches”. He knew exactly what he needed. As we walked in the door he cried and begged for the oxygen. As soon as he took simply 2 breaths of oxygen via a non-rebreather mask the pain dissappeared as fast as it came about. I am flabbergasted! I have never seen anything like this. So here I am on the internet to research this condition I have never heard of before. I suggested that he seek a prescription for O2 at home via his neurologist. Wow! Interesting!
For about 70% of the sufferers oxygen works very well. But Imitrex injections are even better. We at home divide it, as you can only have two injections in 24 hours. My husband uses his injections for the nights or at work, for the rest he gets oxygen.
Leslie
I have heard that imitrex can increase the length of cycle and number/intensity of attacks, although it does “get you home”.
I have had cluster since I was 8 years old, I am 44 now. my cycle was 2-3 months of 5 attacks a week.
Since being diagnosed and prescribed Sumitriptan (imitrex) my cycle has increased to 7 months of up to 4 a day in 2008. 2009 nothing. 2010 7 months ongoing still, of up to 8 a day, and some low intensity attacks of up to 10 hours.
I am off all meds for a week now and just taking oxygen.
I am also fighting a tribunal who have declared me fit for work!
You shouldn’t only have gotten imitrex (abortive medication). This is how our doctor works, we get started on an immediate treatment with medrol (cortisone) which is a short term preventative, starting high and then decreasing. While that is working it’s way down, my husband takes lithium (long term preventative). That gets him so far that he only has one attack every few days for the first 6 weeks, now he has just had his 7th week, and he has one attack a day, which is still better then before the meds as he was having about 7-8 attacks a day, each day. The imitrex is then only used for the attacks then aren’t stopped by the long term treatment. Talk to your doctor about getting preventative medication, as only abortive medication isn’t enough. More info on treatments can be found here: http://ouchuk.org/html/clusters_treatments.asp Show that site to your doctor, if he isn’t knowledgeable with cluster headaches, he’ll learn a lot from it. My husband never stopped working during his attacks.
sorry to say, but i am unable to work during a attack .pain unbareble , just want to be left along . oxygen and imegran (naselspray) helps alot .attacks around the clock ,up to 3 hours at times .afraid to lay down ,or go to sleep .have to sit up en rest to relax .most gps and neurologies are a big joke .thanks to the internet i found out alot about ch .wisch al sufferers best of luck . my advice is diagnose yourself ,and compare with other patients .thanks again for your help .jp