I have been getting cluster headaches for several years, and I wondered if anyone who also experiences these, has found a strain that helps this kind of pain. If you're not familiar with CHs, here is a description from Yahoo! Health Encyclopedia.

Originally Posted by -

A.D.A.M., Inc. on Yahoo! Health
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Overview | Treatment | Images
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cluster Headaches

Definition
Cluster headaches affect one side of the head (unilateral) and may be associated with tearing of the eyes and nasal congestion. They occurs in clusters, happening repeatedly every day at the same time for several weeks and then remitting.

Alternative Names
Histamine headache; Headache - histamine; Migrainous neuralgia; Headache - cluster

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Cluster headaches are a fairly common form of chronic, recurrent headache. Unlike migraines, they affect men more often than women. They can affect people of any age but are most common between adolescence and middle age. There does not seem to be a pattern among families in the development of cluster headaches.


Cluster headaches occur as a severe, sudden headache. No specific cause has been found for the disorder, but it appears to be related to a sudden release of histamine and/or serotonin by body tissues.

The onset is sudden, and it occurs most commonly during the dreaming (REM) phase of sleep. Cluster headaches may occur daily for months, alternating with periods without headaches (episodic), or they can occur for a year or more without stopping (chronic). A person may experience alternating chronic and episodic phases.


Some people who experience cluster headaches are heavy smokers. Alcohol use may trigger attacks. Glare, stress, or certain foods may trigger an attack.


Prevention
If prone to cluster headache, stop smoking. Alcohol use and any foods that are associated with cluster headache may need to be avoided. Medications may prevent cluster headaches in some cases.

Symptoms

Swelling under or around the eyes (usually one eye, on the same side as the head pain)
Excessive tears (on the affected side)
Red eye (on the affected side)
Rhinorrhea (runny nose) or nasal congestion (typically occurs on only one side of the nose, the same side as the head pain)
Red, flushed face
Headache
Begins suddenly
Commonly begins 2 to 3 hours after falling asleep
Steady
Sharp
Burning or boring pain
Characteristically occurs on one side of the head
May occur in and around one eye
May involve one side of the face from neck to temples
Pain quickly gets worse, peaking within 5 to 10 minutes
Peak pain may last one-half to 2 hours

Signs and tests

Cluster headaches may be diagnosed by your health care provider based on the symptoms and a physical examination. Tests may be required to rule out other causes of the symptoms. Examination usually shows no specific neurologic effects except for Horner's syndrome (one-sided eyelid drooping or small pupil) during an attack that is not present between episodes. (This can evolve into persistent Horner's syndrome.)

An MRI of the head may be done to rule out other pathology.


Last Reviewed: 7/28/2002 by Elaine T. Kiriakopoulos, M.D., MSc, Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard University, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network

I have not found an OTC or Rx pain reliever that helps these.... only thing I have found to help at all is deep breathing exercises, and this doesn't always work. If anyone here has successfully treated CHs w/ marijuana, I would be grateful to know the appropriate strain. Thanks in advance! MG

[cough_cough_eer]

Well, I don't have clusters, but I've had migrains since I was a kid. Though my experience ,pot is the last thing your gonna want. Hate to tell you this but theres not much you can do for it but put something cold on you head and ride it out in a dark room. If its severe enough, you can go to the emergency room and they have a shot they can give you (dont remember the drug name ) but it will relieve the pressure.

I have found that motion sickness pills help with the nausia (sp) and they also help you sleep. Good luck.

Hi cough cough eer, thanks for stopping by. Although migraines have symptoms in common w/ CHs, they are not the same. I feel for you, as from what I know of migraines, they are much worse that CHs. Mine usually only last for about 20 min or so, and I have friends w/ migraines that sometimes last for days. I do have as many as 4 or 5 a day sometimes though. I personally never noticed any relief from smoking pot, in fact, I've wondered if it actually might trigger CHs. I had my outdoor crop siezed last year, and haven't really smoked weed since last July. I have CHs at least as often as I did when I was smoking daily. They may not be affected by pot either way (cure or cause). Probably wishful thinking on my part that my favorite herb would be my "cure" . I do also smoke cigarettes (believed to possibly trigger CHs), but I have cut my use in half over the past year. When my indoor crop is ready to smoke (about 90 days), I am going to quit entirely... hopefully this will help my symptoms, but even if it doesn't, there will be many other health benefits in quitting. BOG's victory over tobacco has inspired me! :smile: I brew my own ale & stout, and I know when I drink even one that I will almost certainly get a CH... still doesn't keep me from having one from time to time. I most certainly am NOT giving up "da herb" though.... even if it triggers CHs. The benefits of it's use for my depression and AADD, outweigh the suffering w/ the headaches. My current grow is the first time I have grown "seedbank seeds", so maybe this weed will have a more profound effect on my symptoms than my usual bagseed smoke. Plan to try a med (pain) strain in future grows, but Bogglegum is up next. I am very interested in hearing of other's experiences w/ CHs, and would greatly appreciate input from folks that suffer from them. MG

[Liberty Balance]

Highhhh there Mastergrow
well MG Im lucky I & I dont get your CH. Give Thanks JAH,
But I & I do Phamily that has these terraiable CH or very intence migrains
Some have used this form of therapy to help,

like with cannabis when there is nowhere else to turn, they find a miracle,
I & I only make a suggestion of this for study,
Im not RECOMMENEDING anything here, LEO, just trying to help a human-being with a suffering that your ways dont help, and it is a born right of any human being to have CHOICES of their own choosing !
not yours LEO,
So with that disclaimer being said,

may I & I suggest you check this out for your own free choice of care and your right to comfort and well being that is your given right's,
Please go, and read, and research :

https://clusterbusters.com/

Headaches are their thing,
Educating and research their into
and getting rid of & a better life is their game !

For some it has helped it is your right to be able seek ! and find ! and obtain !
without threats or fear,
Comfort for ones self being of ones own choosing
for a better life !
again I say your born right !
Peace LB.

Thanks for the help LB. I checked out Clusterbusters, and decided it was not for me.... maybe 25 yrs ago I would have given it a try. Your heart is in the right place though, and I appreciate that. A friend gave me some mescaline cactus seeds awhile back, but I have not tried to grow them yet. I think I just might be too friggin old to trip again. Shine on my friend! MG

[Liberty Balance]

Just a suggestion MG,
just another door to look into, all about options
And also MG your not doing dosages like in the day of youth,
your doing like with Medical MJ for comfort, relife, not getting high.
The reason I & I mention them. Is I & I found them in cnn & time report about the successful therapys and studys that have been going on for the last 16yrs.
I have also heard this from a few MJ patients too.
The courts have been ask by the medical commuity - MD's Profeesors , ect. to fully give legal status for study to mushrooms & catcus for neuro treatments and studys, research.
There very serious about this research,
I wasnt suggestioning to get high ,
I wish good luck in your research I hope you find comfort you seek.
I will keep a eye out too if I see Ill pm you the info
Peace LB.

[Fatboy]

brother i feel ya....i was diagnosed with those 25 yrs ago. i sometimes go 5 or 6 yrs without one. but when they hit it seems like its like clockwork for a week or two....learning bio-feedback helped alot ....breathing is good.....i always got a rag with ice and layed it on my head then rolled and moaned until i passed out...

i think any indica would help.....good luck

[King]

I get cluster headaches also. I do the same thing as Fatboy, but I like a heating pad. I haven't had one in awhile. I'm holding some Lifesaver hash for when they do pop up next time. Always wanted to get some real trainwreck as I heard that would work well. I have some StL Sleeper going. Elysian Fields was breeding it for patients with brain tumors. It's a creeper afghani x NL cross. Was smoking on Blue Rhino at the time of my last cluster, seemed to help abit. Not a total cure, but did ease the intensity of the headache. Learning good breathing really helped. Mine usually last about 2-4 hours and stick around for 2 weeks.

Thank you everyone!

Liberty Balance, I admit I didn't spend much time at Clusterbusters...will revisit it and check it out more thoroughly. Hallucinogens are totaly not available in my area, and am not sure how I would find them if I did decide to try that therapy.... and you're right.... you can never have too many options!

Fatboy, I think the longest I've gone w/o a CH is about 2 weeks... for about the last 5 yrs. I get them w/ varied intensity too. I have never tried cold or heat for relief, because usually my CHs go away in 20 mins or so (w/ deep breathing and temple massage). Occasionally I do get one that lasts longer and is extra painful, so I may try that in the future. My doc says I have a high pain threshold, so maybe I don't suffer as much as some others do.

King, I have been an outdoor grower for about 30 yrs or so, and have just recently started getting heavy into indoor grows. So, I've mostly grown sativas previously (I love that up buzz), but I am learning more about the medicinal values of some of the indicas for pain. Lifesaver is on my list of ones to try. I don't know much about Trainwreck, but sounds like it might be worth a try also. Never heard of StL Sleeper.... maybe because it's not widely available? I've got so many strains I want to try, I will have to live to 120 to do 'em all!

Thanks again all! MG

[Fatboy]

mastergrow....when i get mine i'm out of commission for a few hours....i shudder at the mere thought of one....and i think i have a high tolerence for pain....

Lifesaver cures what ails me.....
and then some...

and i would look into whats causing them....like food allergy er something ...ya never know.....i never really figured it out.....and i try to medicate natures way