Good response from all
@Great Architect:
Yes, I visit ouch.co.uk whenever the clusters come. It took me 14 years for a proper diagnosis, and I'm yet to get any sensible relief. It's extremely frustrating, that a condition with such distinctive and obvious symptoms should cause GPs such confusion.
(To those not in the know, if you present with this collection of symptoms, you have one of two equally debilitating headache problems, the other one responds well to strong NSAIDs. There is nothing else that even remotely matches this) Sorry to hear your woes, when I am pain-free, I feel generally fortunate about my frequency, I get 3 or 4 months of it per year.

@Jimmy Large:
I have read about the psilocybin research by the folks at clusterbusters, well done them. They are clever and brave people, like those early mariners who sailed over the edge of the world. Emotionally I simply can't bring myself to consider taking drugs that increase one's sensitivity to physical experiences, during a bout, not to mention the effect that hallucinogens combined with the psychological issues that go hand-in-hand with the pain might have. (to those who don't know, it is not uncommon for sufferers to seek the final solution. Although I'm not that bad, home trepanning has certainly been something I've considered).

@everyone else, Thanks for your sympathy, and I'm glad that this post has spread knowledge of this condition to a new audience.
(Rastus P Watermelon, Thu 8 May 2008, 0:19, Reply)