Chronic Cluster Headache Sufferer/on morphene/wondering about suboxone

konacluster

Aloha, This is the first time that I've joined a forum such as this. Please, if there is anybody out there with similar pain management issues, or with cluster headaches, I would like to hear from you.

I've been cursed with cluster headaches for almost 10 years. They've varied in cluster duration from just a few days, to weeks & even months on end. I've seen so many dr's that I can no longer keep count. This list of dr's has included many, many neurologists, headache specialists, diet management specialists, general practitioners, and finally, and most currently a pain management guy, who is truly devoted to making me as comfortable as is humanly possible. I've been on more medications of varying types than I can keep track of. . . in fact I just gave up. Pain management doctors started me on oxycodone to address the extreme pain involved, however I built up a tollerance to this med. After trying a few different things, my current dr placed me on morphene extended release tabs, which I currently take every day. This regimine does offer relief in the form of decreased pain during an actual attack, and I have been able to maintain a constant (non increasing) dose for about a year now. It's difficult at times, such as this evening for example, not to take more morphene than is perscribed. Sometimes, like tonight, the pain is so severe, I am tempted to double or even tripple my dose for some relief. When I'm this bad, I find myself banging my head against a wall or some other solid object because the pain caused by this activity side tracks my mind from the intense pain of the cluster attack. My doctor suggested suboxone as a long term pain management med, that might be more effective, and better for me in the long run.

Is anybody else experiencing similar circumstances? Taking morphene for long term management of clusters? Or, is anyone with clusters taking suboxone?

Please help. Any information would be greatly appreciated. I'm at my witts end right now with this situation. Nothing that I've ever done, or have been perscribed by any of my doctors has actually stopped the cluster attaccks, or even had even a slight impact on them. Luckily, I have a wonderful partner in life, who is understanding and supportive of my condition. He has a medical background and is simply awesome to have by my side. He is what keeps me going, and being a working, productive member of society. I feel at times though, like tonight, that I'm loosing my grip!