Hi! I`m new and have a question. I have just finished a 15week long CH period. I normally have them every fall for about 7 weeks. I had 2-7 attacks every day/night, and used imitrex. It worked every time and I know I am lucky. I had constant shadows almost the whole period, and now I feel like I have migrane all the time. I can`t help using imitrex, and i think the pain is about 2 on the kip scale. (My CH are about 6-8, so again, in away i am a bit lucky.) My upper back hurts and have this constant headache. Is that normal after a long CH period? Is there anything I can do to make it better?

I.T

"I can't stop using...." While not common, high frequency usage can change your CH experience.

Reserve the injections for full blown attacks. Residual irritation/pain may respond to OTC pain meds--but even with this class of meds--excessive use can create rebound headaches.

Important that you learn that all pain is not to be regarded as something to be eliminated. We often have to learn this distinction.

Obviously, these are broad comments and since none of us can know your personal experience of pain you will have to try and find your pathway on this trip.

My personal response to mild/shadow pain is a nice walk. Just getting out with the dog, walking in the woods, shifts my focus from "watching" my discomfort to the more attractive outside world. This month, I'm recovering from joint replacement surgery. Yes, it hurts much of the time and while I can medicate it away totally--I also know that the amount of med required is not good for me--and I've found much better relief from mild exercise on the bike. We all work to find what works for us--but since you will be living with CH for a long time, it' important learning.

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Hey IT,

Listen to Bob.  That was a great post!!!

Relying too heavily on Imitrex has lead many a clusterhead to where you are now.  I've seen it several times here on the board.

Have you ever tried Oxygen?  If not then you should.  Works almost as reliably as Imitrex for me without all the side effects.  On the rare occasion O2 doesn't get the job done I turn to my trusty auto-injector.

Finding a good prevent (Verapamil in my case) and using O2 for the hits I do get I end up using just a handful of Imitrex injections each cycle.

I hope you get a break soon...

-Dennis-

Bob's post is excellent advice. I'll second the vote on oxygen and suggest trying to find a good preventative medication. Dennis has had great luck with verapamil, Lithium is my silver bullet. It cuts 70-80% of my attacks, 02 kills most of the rest leaving the imitrex as a last resort when I'm really getting creamed.

Hoping it's your last cycle and you NEVER have to worry about any of this!

Joe