Comments on: Cannabis (marijuana) for cluster headaches

By: Dr. Mauskop

Dr. Mauskop — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 03:18:45 +0000

Magnesium oxide, 400 mg and Boswellia (Nature’s Way brand tends to be better than other) 1 capsule three times a day are worth trying for cluster headaches.

By: Orlando

Orlando — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 03:49:56 +0000

I’ve suffered from cluster headaches since the 4th grade and I am 36. I did notice a decrease in frequency during law school when I made some lifestyle changes. I began to eat healthier, avoiding sodium nitrates, deli meats, red wine, beer, and I also began running 45 minutes everyday. But they never truly went away. I think the longest I’ve gone is 2 years. But right now, I am in the middle of a cluster.

When I am going through a cluster, I become hypersensitive to triggers that normally are not triggers. For example, when I am not going through a cluster, I can enjoy red wine, beer, pot, anything. But during a cluster, I cannot even smell these things.. Certain scents (like my mom’s perfume, Beautiful or cheap hand soap) will immediately trigger a cluster. My prayers go out to all of you who suffer from this. They say its the worst pain known to man. I’m not sure about that, but I think the inaccessible location of the pain and the restlessness it causes is what makes it pure torture. I pray that I do not get anymore and that the cycle is over

By: gregg

gregg — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 20:31:49 +0000

By the way, thankyou Dr.Mauskop for the response to my blogs, greatly appreciated. Is there any supplement I could try during this difficult time, to help with these CH.

By: gregg

gregg — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 20:27:55 +0000

Marijuna is a vasal dialateor, could it still be causing my problem with clusters? I have not touched it since the clusters started!I am absolutly never going to touch it again! but why after so many years of not having clusters have they come back with such a vengence?Headaches for the past 6 weeks! The prednisone is keeping them some what managable from full blown attacks but still my head hurts day and nite! No severe eye stabbing pain , but cant stay on prednisone for ever! I have gone threw the montitiore headache clinic, stamford headache clinic meds oxygen ect years ago. Done the injections, nerve blocks, multi meds, god i am hoping this is not the beginning of the end again! The past 13 yrs I would get clusters for a week or two, go on pred and they would be gone! Now cant shake them! Like I said when I was 18 to 38 my cycle was oct to march every yr! Any one have any good news or insight as to why they come back .
.

By: Dr. Mauskop

Dr. Mauskop — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 15:46:49 +0000

Marijuana does not stay in the body for long and should not cause persistent cluster headaches. Your experience suggests that marijuana can worsen cluster headaches and considering that it is addictive and can cause long-term brain problems if used regularly, it is better to stay away from it.

By: greg

greg — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 23:12:47 +0000

Im 51 yrs old, had chronic clusters from 18yrs old till i was 38. the last 13 yrs everything changed to where i was only getting clusters twice a yr for maybe a weeks time! I smoked a little weed when i was in college but stopped because triggered the clusters! Anyway now im 51 and my business went in the toilet and alot of personal family problems as well, so at a party one nite i smoked alittle MJ. No cluster reprocussions, so I started smoking once a week for a couple of months, kinda of a pressure release for me from all the stress! then boom!!!One day Clusters are back. In a bad cycle now every day for past 6weeks! been on prednisone but have to get off it soon because its killing me! My question to anyone out there, Will this CH cycle go away and will i get back to (so called normal?) How long will the THC stay in my system and is that whats causing these clusters, is the THC like a plaque in my arteries? causing clusters? Havent smoked for 25yrs, I go and try a little MJ to ease my stress, did i f… myself for the next 25? Any one with some answers, I would appreciate the help!

By: Dr. Mauskop

Dr. Mauskop — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 20:05:33 +0000

Mike,
If you live in NYC I will see you for free – call the office for an appointment. I know that cluster headaches headaches cause the worst pain imaginable.

By: mike

mike — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 08:47:50 +0000

In going through chronic ch episodes at this very moment..today I almost stabbed myself in the head to release to pressure and end the pain and even thought about digging my eye out..nothing works,I dnt have insurance,and I just don’t know what to do..I feel like I’m dying..I’m typing now between episodes because they are unbearable and I wouldn’t be able to type..what do I do??? Is there any free place or person i can see? I dnt want to smoke because I’m looking for jobs and they wont consider my condition

By: dave

dave — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 22:05:43 +0000

I have had cluster headaches for 15 years with the last thirteen being chronic-at least five per day. I have been to neurologists, had CAT scans and MRI’s. I have been on any and all legal medications that are indicated for clusters. I did get some relief while on narcotics-not in the occurrence of the headache but in the tolerance to the pain. However, doctors are less willing to prescribe narcotics for clusters, so the last three years I have been on ibuprofen. Anyone who has had a real cluster headaches, knows full well that they DO NOT respond to ibuprofen. So, after the recent Presidential elections, I noticed that Colorado passed to legalize marijuana, and thought that since I am not getting relief the traditional way, maybe I should try something like marijuana. I don’t know? Anyone with advice please let me know.

By: Dr. Mauskop

Dr. Mauskop — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 21:57:31 +0000

You should ask your doctor about trying high doses of verapamil or Botox injections.