Posted by Matthew (134.117.1.60) on January 25, 2000 at 17:27:27:
Good evening ladies and gentlemen of common affliction.
To be honest, I'm not really sure what to put here. I am really happy to find a group of people with problems similar to mine. I had never even heard of a cluster headache before I started doing some research on the net last night. I've been diagnosed by three different doctors as having "tension headaches" mixed with sporadic migraines and, surprise, surprise, the migraine medication they prescribed me never worked.
I can't say for certain that I have cluster headaches. But the description of the types and location of pain fits, as do the other effects (tearing in one eye, inability to stay still [though that's quite an understatement!], etc.). I won't list my symptoms because I'm sure you've heard them all before; I'll just say that I found an article online that said some cluster sufferers experience no remission periods at all, only a lessening of pain. I think I have >that.< I have not been completely PF (to put it in the lingo I learned on this site's FAQ) since I was 17. I'm 20 now. I've tried a lot of thing, with some limited successes. But all I’ve ever been able to do is take the edge off.
Let me also say that I'm not just here to complain; I'm sure you all know quite well how I feel. But I am gratified to know that you all exist, and that there is a supportive community here for people like me.
I hope we can be friends.
Matthew