Acupuncture helps cluster headaches

August 23, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I had cluster headaches for 40 years, from age 20 to 60. I am now 66 and haven’t had one for six years. The last time I had an attack, I went to an acupuncturist for a week of treatments. It cleared them right up. Before that, I had tried almost everything to no avail. Please pass this on to your readers.

DEAR READER: Cluster headaches occur in clusters or cycles and can be most painful. I have previously written about them, and you can review my articles on my website, http://AskDrGottMD.com/cluster-headaches-debilitating.
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Another remedy for cluster headaches

October 31, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I saw your column about cluster headaches and wanted to tell you about my husband’s experience. He suffered with these for many years. He was on medication, hospitalized, and even had sinus surgery, but nothing worked. I began researching and found that he was most likely suffering from cluster headaches, something his doctors hadn’t told us. I also found that ginseng might help. He now takes ginseng tablets daily and has not had a headache since. The only kind that doesn’t seem to work is American ginseng, and the brand doesn’t seem to matter, either. I hope this helps some of your readers.

DEAR READER: Thank you for writing. I have printed your letter in the hopes that it will in fact reach those readers who need it most. [Read more...]

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Cluster-headache sufferer offers advice

September 12, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am 80 years old and have spent some 40 years in radiology as an X-ray technologist. Now that I’m retired, living in Pennsylvania, I write adult and children’s books.

When I was 19 years old, I developed cluster headaches that, at times, became unbearable. I presented all the classic symptoms. Our radiology office was located in a professional building, along with 40 other specialists. At the time, I became a guinea pig. I had everything from Novocain injections into my cervical nerve to histamine injections in my arm, all to no avail. I tried all the known remedies available at the time.
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Reader offers help to other readers

August 8, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I enjoy reading your columns and have comments on two of them. The first one is concerning the writer who felt dizzy constantly. I had a similar situation a couple of years ago. I went to a chiropractor (for the first time), where I was adjusted several times over a two-week period. The dizziness disappeared.

The second article was from a mother about her son’s cluster headaches. I have been using essential oils for years now. Peppermint oil on the temples has been effective for migraines and cluster headaches, and also helps to relieve nasal congestion. Anyone who uses this remedy must be careful when using full-strength oils. Many people choose to dilute the oil in half with pure vegetable oil. Petroleum-based oils shouldn’t be used to dilute the essential oils because they can inhibit the effectiveness.
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ADD and cluster headaches linked?

July 22, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Our 30-year-old grandson has a history of cluster headaches that started when he was in elementary school. He also has ADD. Could that have anything to do with the headaches? What do you recommend as the best medication for adult ADD?

DEAR READER: Cluster headaches can occur every day or over a period of weeks or months. They can occur during a particular season, only to reappear the following year during the same time period. They can strike quickly, without warning, and appear all on the same side of the head. [Read more...]

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Cluster headaches debilitating

April 27, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: My 43-year-old son has cluster headaches that began about five years ago. The first series was twice daily at about the same time each day. The bout lasted between six and eight weeks, and then stopped.

Two years later, they returned once daily. His doctor did an MRI that was normal and diagnosed him with cluster headaches. He was put on heavy doses of steroids that weren’t successful.

He recently began another series. They now occur once daily between 9 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. He went to a neurologist and tried several different medications that were unsuccessful. This time frame and duration fluctuates more, and he skipped two days twice. Pain medications don’t work.
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