Biking a Cluster Away

"As a sufferer for the past 12 years, I have experienced numerous bouts of pain and agony with these unexplainable headaches. Numerous visits to my family doctor and neurologist determined that Clusterheadaches were finally the problem.

Prednisone taken with Sanserts were finally the most effective medication for me. But still somehow these clusters managed to find their way through. I've tried walking in deep cold, putting heat pads on my forehead, ice packs on my face to jumping in a real hot shower and letting it run on my head. Of course these methods were temporary relief but nothing like this one.

The other day after working hard in the hot sun I decided that I deserved a good cold beer (even if I knew it wasn't good). What a mistake that was. I had heard about oxygen being very effective for some so I said that maybe if I go for a bike ride it might do. It ended up being the best ride of my life.

Within a few minutes of just pedalling as hard as I could I noticed the headache diminishing. Within five minutes it was completely gone. That was the fastest relief I have had with these bouts since the beginning of my episodes 12 years ago.

Just last night 10:00 p.m., no beers, bang it starts hitting me, I get on my bike. Pedal to the max around the block 3 times and it was gone. If you are like me and hate taking medication (which I haven't started taking yet because the headaches were not constant enough), I think I just found the alternative method which is both good for my health and excellent for my headaches. I didn't even have to wake up at 12:30 A.M. to fight one.

From now on whenever I'll feel one coming, I'll get on the bike and ride myself to the most effective cure." By Luc Léger

Last modified: 2002