Living with cluster headaches

Over the past decade, my life has been deeply affected by cluster headaches.

This journey began in a seemingly innocuous way — with a sensation of cold on my forehead during the night, which I initially attributed to my flat being too cold. Little did I know, this was the early onset of a condition that would become a major part of my life.

Initial misdiagnosis #

The journey to understanding and managing my condition was filled with challenges.

Initially, my GP mistook my symptoms for migraines, a common misdiagnosis in the early stages of cluster headaches. This wasn’t entirely surprising as my mother has battled migraines her entire life. However, my condition was markedly different and more severe.

After enduring unbearable pain, I found myself in A&E, desperately seeking a solution. It was there that a sympathetic doctor recognized the severity of my condition and introduced me to injectable sumatriptan.

To my immense relief, the sumatriptan worked almost miraculously, offering respite from the excruciating pain that had become a constant in my life. Since that day, injectable sumatriptan has been a cornerstone of my pain management strategy, failing to relieve the pain on only one occasion.

Treatments and triggers #

In search of preventive treatments, I consulted with three neurologists over the years.

I explored various options, from oxygen therapy to non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation. Each promised relief but had limitations or side effects that made them less viable.

One of the more intriguing aspects of managing my cluster headaches was identifying and understanding the triggers.

Stress, a common trigger for many, didn’t seem to significantly affect my condition. Instead, it was the periods of relaxation following intense stress that triggered the headaches.

Turning to magic mushrooms #

The end of 2019 was a particularly challenging time, with up to three intense headaches daily. However, during the COVID period, my headaches unexpectedly ceased, providing a much-needed break. But in March 2023, the headaches returned with renewed intensity.

Faced with this resurgence and the limitations of conventional treatments, I decided to try an unconventional method: magic mushrooms.

This decision, born out of desperation and curiosity, led to a surprising and immensely positive outcome. The mushrooms not only stopped the headaches but also relieved my upper back and neck pain, allowing me to sleep peacefully for the first time in weeks.

Today, I approach the management of my cluster headaches with a combination of regular psychedelic journeys and tension-release techniques. I believe these practices play a significant role in keeping the headaches at bay.

The journey through the world of cluster headaches has taught me the importance of resilience, the need to remain open to unconventional treatments, and the value of understanding one’s body and triggers.