Whitstable Half Marathon Saturday, July 19, 2025

I've suffered with cluster headaches for about 12 years. I remember my first one like it was yesterday and, as people who know me well will be aware, I remember very little! But the pain of the attacks is something you can't forget. I feel strongly about raising awareness of this very rare neurological disorder.

According to neurologists, 'it is one of the most painful and disabling disorders known to humans'.

Why do we need to raise awareness? 

GPs may only see 1–2 cases in their entire career, meaning misdiagnosis is common. The average time for a correct diagnosis is 5 years – people suffer without proper treatment. There is no cure, and we don’t fully understand why they happen. They affect only 0.1% of the population, so research funding is scarce.

When you mention a headache people automatically think you're making a mountain out of a mole hill. They are also known as suicide headaches – those who suffer with them truely need your support. The attacks are completely debilitating—a pain I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

I’m one of the ‘lucky’ ones. Mine are episodic so they come and go, and before this bout I had my longest remission (3 years!). But some people suffer all year, every year— they’re the ones this is really for.

People are in dire need of help. Raising awareness and securing funding for research is crucial.