May 31, 2004 :: 2:11 a.m.

Woke up with mild pain. Lasted a long time and got much worse.

Got up to a 5-6. O2 failed to help.

Took bath.

Shit it hurts

May 31, 2004

This one got really bad.

Took pills about 2 or so, off track but trying to get back on schedule for 7 p.m.

"Fuckin' oxygen didn't do SHIT."

Doc says it's a 7 or 8. We started filming this one on DV tape. It had reduced to a 6 or 7 by the time that we filmed.

This one has lasted a very long time. It's been 1-1/2 hours now and it's still at a 3, maybe a 2.

May 27, 2004 :: 7 p.m.

Another mild (1-ish) cluster that only lasted for about 20-30 minutes.

Got another one at 10:15 p.m., at 2-ish (so far). Hmmm. Got to about a 3. I used O2 and it seemed to help make the pain less even though the "pressure" remained.

May 26, 2004 :: 11 p.m.

A mild (1-1.5) cluster started at 11 p.m. that quickly faded in about 10 minutes... Hmmmm

May 25, 2004 :: 3:15 a.m.

Seemed like this one at 3:15 a.m. is lasting a long time. I guess it's been 30 minutes without a change in level. The level is maybe at a 5 or 6.

Got another one at 9 a.m. that lasted until maybe 3 p.m. or so, a 1 or 2 level.

Saw Dr. Aronoff today.

Medications: Vioxx 50mg (rofecoxib) -- Anti inflammatory
Atenolol 50mg -- beta blocker

Took a Vioxx at 1:00 -- low level (1-2) headache that he had since morning went away. Maybe coincidentally, maybe not.

Also got more Tricor for high triglycerides.

DOSAGE: Vioxx (samples) once a day. Supposed to work immediately without drowsiness or side effects. Has prescription that he can fill if he likes it. Take Vioxx with food.

Atenolol beta blocker -- take once a day. May cause drowsiness or dizziness. Supposed to take at a.m. per doctor's orders. Pain preventer. May take up to 2 weeks to work. Lowers blood pressure and reduces pain.

Will take all 3 pills (Vioxx, Atenolol, and Tricor) @ 7 p.m. approximately with some food. Daily.

May 24, 2004

2 a.m. Cluster Headache, a 3-4.

May 23, 2004

4:30 a.m. Cluster Headache, a 1 or 2.

May 22, 2004 :: 10:30 a.m.

BAD DAY.

Got one at 10:30 a.m.-ish, after having fallen asleep at 9:30 (got up originally at 4 a.m.)

Another at 6:30 p.m. after falling asleep again.

Naps = Pain.

May 21, 2004 :: 9 p.m.

Got one at 9 p.m.

May 20, 2004 :: 3:30 p.m.

Got one at work, 3:30 p.m.

May 19, 2004

Got one on the airplane coming home from San Diego. Meditated through it.

Got pretty bad. Surrounded by screaming teenagers. Was about to tell a flight attendant that he was about to start acting crazy -- what should he do in a situation like that?? Enclosed and surrounded by people who wouldn't understand if he had to start screaming. Managed to meditate through it.

May 16, 2004

Another one at the HOW conference in San Diego. A 3 or 4.

May 13, 2004

I have woke with a headache. I have suspected for a while that I was in a cycle and just had not had any bad ones.

This is definitely a cluster. I came awake at about 3:30. I would rate it at about a 2-3, it's hard to focus through the pain but I can already feel it starting to fade. I wonder how long I have been having them and just not yet had one strong enough to wake me. I have been very tired in the morning for the last week or so.

I feel the familiar dread that comes when I first realize it's all starting again. Maybe I will remain lucky this time.