Cluster Headaches for years

Obviously new to this forum, but basically, I do hope my diagnosis can help fellow sufferers.

For many years I was diagnosed with Migraines, and I tried all the medications that were prescribed but to no avail, I eventually arranged to see a Professor Walters (similar namesake I know) in the Prince of Wales Hospital in Bridgend. After 10 mins of consultation he had diagnosed that I did NOT have migraines and that was suffering from Cluster Headaches.

He then asked me if I was able to inject myself into my thigh to get rid of the pain, like you all know - you'd chop your right hand off for pain relief, he then prescribed Sumatriptan 6mg /0.5ml, to be taken at the onset of the headaches, this was a godsend! The pain was gone within minutes, although you don’t feel great after the injection with nausea and tingling sensation, this far outweighs the pain suffered by these CH.

The injections were only to be administered 3 x times daily, as you know, the CH’s from the beginning of the bouts are extremely higher than this and I found myself injecting up to 7 / 8 times a day, just for pain relief. This is NOT recommended by you’ll do anything to get rid of this pain.

Then last year I read about a new trail that was taking place in England called GammaCore, this is a two prone electric current that when directed onto a certain part of you affected neck area attacks the Vegas nerve and relieves the pain.

This was another answer to my prayers, I needed this treatment but unfortunately NHS Wales had not adopted this trial. After approximately 10 months of gong to my local MP and escalating right through NHS Wales I was prescribed this unit with a 93 day (3 months) card to load onto the device.

The clusters stopped !! The relief of not having to inject into my poor legs anymore was a joy to behold.

Although the refills for this GammaCore unit is not prescribes by my local GP, I’m able to speak to my consultant in Morriston Hospital to obtain this refill card via this aspect of the NHS.

All I can say for you sufferers out there, give it a try and good luck, I know what you all going through – as does my wife and family.