We are reaching out during one of the most difficult seasons our family has faced.

My husband, Zach, suffers from cluster headaches, a rare neurological condition often referred to as “suicide headaches” due to the extreme intensity of pain. These attacks are sudden, debilitating, and can reach maximum pain levels within minutes.

During attacks, Zach experiences severe neurological pain, vomiting, full-body distress, and loss of control over his physical response — including episodes of intense muscle clenching and emotional overwhelm. These attacks are not manageable with standard pain relief and can completely stop him from functioning.

Even on better days, there is constant uncertainty about when the next attack will strike — at work, at home, or overnight.

Zach is currently being treated with Emgality, a monthly injection that has started to show real promise. After weeks of frequent attacks, he recently experienced a 10-day stretch without one — the first real sign of stability we’ve had. However, breakthrough attacks are still occurring and remain severe.

We are also preparing for an important Mayo Clinic appointment on April 30th, in hopes of finding more advanced treatment options and answers.

A critical part of his current care includes nerve block injections, which are not covered by insurance at all. These are cash-pay procedures at $250 per injection, and he may require them regularly to manage pain and reduce attack frequency. These costs add up quickly and are fully out-of-pocket.

⸻

How funds will help:

• Cover Mayo Clinic evaluation on April 30th

• Pay for nerve block injections ($250 cash-pay per treatment, not covered by insurance)

• Offset ongoing specialist and treatment costs

• Help replace lost income from missed work due to attacks

• Support basic stability while we pursue effective long-term care

⸻

We are doing everything possible to get Zach the care he needs, but the financial burden of treatment, combined with unpredictable attacks, has made this extremely difficult to manage alone.

Any support — whether through a donation or by sharing this page — means more than we can express.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for helping us through this journey.