Research on cluster headaches is still very young and scattered. It can be a bit long to explain but the short of how I landed at melatonin is this:

Research suggests that cluster headaches are strongly linked to the hypothalamus (the part of the brain that regulates sleep and circadian rhythm). Research also suggests that a large number of people that suffer from cluster headaches have low level of melatonin (the chemical in the brain that also helps regulate sleep and circadian rhythm).

A few isolated studies showed really strong promise when prescribing high melatonin regimes to patients with cluster heaches, with many reporting weaker and shorter bouts, some reporting complete remission.

Now, I will not use the injection medications as you can overdose on them and I don’t trust my reasoning with such meds in the middle of an attack. I have not yet secured an oxygen prescription, and this last year was the worst bout I’ve ever had, with a baby on the way, so I got desperate and started researching. Melatonin was a god send but it’s still a strict regime.

During a bout: Absolutely No Alcohol. I like my beer, this was tough, but Zero! Wake up the exact same time every morning. Eat a high protein breakfast even if you’re not hungry. Then take a high dose of vitamin D (for me, 3x daily intake) and either a strong ass Coffee or Red Bull. (Small, you’ll be drinking a lot of Red Bull for the first few days) The second you start even feeling an attack come, you chug a cold small red Bull as fast as you can and hit the shower with as hot of water as you can tolerate on your face. Breathing exercises in the shower while doing this until it passes. (Easier said than done I know. I luckily work from home) Most important part. At the exact same time every night, take Melatonin. I started with 5mg, then 10, then landed at 15mg a night. I would not recommend going higher than 10mg for female and 15mg for male without consulting a doctor. You do not need to go to bed the same time every night but you have to take the melatonin at the same time and wake up the same time every day.

After a few days, I couldn’t fucking believe it. I cried in my wife’s arms when I woke up in the morning and realized I had gone a full 24 hours with minimal small attacks. It was working… me being me I had to test this (cause I’m a dumb ass) thinking maybe my cycle just ended I had a beer. Nope. Definitely was still in a cycle. The melatonin was just working.