Oh man, what a day I've had.  Slept well last night and got hit at 6:30 AM with a cluster. At 10 AM another one started and never left ... I've done some reading today inbetween almost blindness from pain and sounds like rebound headache.  I am at a loss..
When my doctor called in my first RX for Sumatriptan it came in a hard plastic holder with 9 pills.  He called in refills today for me so I'd be safe over the weekend and pharmacist said can't refill for another 31 days !! Holy Chit on that !!  After reading all the info on rebound HA's I'm almost ready to go cold turkey on everything and tough it out like I've always done.  This condition is so inhumane - No human being should have to suffer like this...

If you want to put the triptans aside, you should have something else to abort. Do you use oxygen?

LucyBee210 wrote on Oct 9^th, 2009 at 8:51pm:

This condition is so inhumane - No human being should have to suffer like this...

I'm with ya there LucyBee, sorry to hear about your day in hell!!  :'( :(

If you do decide to stay on meds, I would first question the use of Imitrex pills. You're probably aware that injections are the form most of us CH'ers who use Imitrex prefer for aborting an attack. They're plenty expensive though and it sounds like you're running into some insurance coverage snags (actually they're only half as expensive as they may first seem - further info here: START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE).

I'll assume that Imitrex isn't the only med your doc has prescribed, because you'd certainly want to be on an effective preventative, so you don't have to use too many abortives, which can cause indeed cause some dreaded rebound syndrome probs.

Jeez Lucy, sounds like my day yesterday! Sorry for your day. If it was like my day yesterday, it was one of the worst days ever!
I can't remember, are you using Oxygen? Please say yes! Using anything else besides the sumatriptan pills? Please say yes!

I do not use oxygen. I  have a new doctor who is doing his research on cluster headaches, which I am extremely grateful for since my other doctor told me to drink 'tonic water' because of the oxygen and water content !!  I do believe I am nearing the end of my cycle - can't be absolutely sure on that but I have decided to forego all meds (Imitrex) to avoid those awful rebound headaches.  I had 4 little episodes last night - not a big deal but the sleep interruption makes it miserable.  I will tough it out from here on out. I had an MRI last week and hopefully my doctor will give me some results of that and maybe move on from there.  Thanks for all of your concerns and suggestions.  Have a great week..

Quote:

my other doctor told me to drink 'tonic water' because of the oxygen and water content !!

Lucy,  I am very glad you have a new doctor.  The one that told you this (above) wasn't worth his co-pay.  >:(