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#1 Tue, 14/04/2026 - 21:24
SharonG
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Last seen: 6 hours 53 min ago
Joined: 14/04/2026 - 20:43

Advice

Hello

I started experiencing this awful condition 6 years ago at age 49. I get them around Oct and Feb/March but actually skipped a whole year once and thought that was it... unfortunately not--. I take steroids oxygen and inject sumatriptan. Ive had 2 MRI's as well. Are there any sufferers the same age same pattern, treatment etc or have any advice on how to live with this awful condition please? Has menopause played a part for anyone or is there any link?  They started around then for me and just after covid jabs so im wondering if these are connected or coincidental? Thanks x

Wed, 15/04/2026 - 18:55
Phil - OUCH UK
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Last seen: 1 day 1 hour ago
Joined: 26/02/2014 - 17:02

Hi Sharon.

Cluster Headache is a primary condition, it's not caused by anything you do or take.

Many episodal sufferers have their bouts around the same times: Roughly when we swap between daylight saving hours and standard time. That's not the trigger, it's because CH is affected by the body clock in the brain.

The average onset I think is 30 to 40 years old, but it can start much earlier or later, I haven't heard of menopause affecting the condition. MRIs are usually to rule out other conditions that resemble CH.

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