Hello,
We are new to the site. My husband has been having a cluster headache for three hours now. Can't use the oxygen. Is there anything I can do. Usually they last about 15 to 30 minutes.
Jackie

why cant he use the oxygen? do u have imitrex injection?

He tears off the mask when the attack is getting bad. He has not had an attack in four days and has managed to keep them at bay with 15 LMP of oxygen. Today either he didn't start in time or something is different. He did use that medication in times past but it didn't help. He used the nose spray.

15 lpm is not high enough for mst attacks! from what i know from alot of expierienced people on this site! at least 25 espicially with severe attacks! imitrex injects are by far the # 1 so sorry for him we have all been there wish i could help u will get through this!!!! im here so are many others! hope that helps a bit higher flow non breahter mask imitrex injection

Red Bull, ice packs. This isn't an emergency room, so we can't administer drugs. You'll have to take what you can get in at grocery store or over the counter at the pharmacy.

And when you say "rips the mask off," I'm assuming he's using the elastic strap. Rip it off of there, cover up the holes on the sides with tape, and make him hold it tight against his face. Pull it away for exhaling. No wonder it's hasn't been working for him.

Pace quickly, chug a Red Bull, and/or go out into the cold.  That's all I've got.

But for the future, check his blood pressure.  If it stays elevated, it could keep him in a snowball of headaches....at least for me that is the truth.  Verapamil solves both problems for me.  I also take a small dose of Corguard each day.

I will give you afew tips about Oxygen (O2) us for CH.

Hit the O2 at the first sign of an attack. (critical) Hyperventalate the O2. It MUST be used with a NON-RREBREATHER mask with the bag, nasal canula's are worthless.

We need 100% O2 and only a properly set up NON-REBREATHER mask can give that. There is a rebreather mask without the bag but this is also NO GOOD for CH.

If you have a nasal canula or mask without the bag then aborting a CH hit is almost impossible. With the correct MASK breating techniqe and flow rate are key to aborting a hit with O2.

Being new to the site ayou need to read, read, and read some more to know the treatments for CH.

Welcome to the site and Good Luck.

Don

I agree with the comment to pace quickly and even run. That is what gave me pain relief when I was having a bad CH. Only problem is I could not stop and sometimes had to pace, run till exhausted and then just suffer.
As far as O2 goes, for me it helped most times but except for the "peak headache"  (the one with the most intensity in the cycle) which I just had to endure.  (The O2 I have only has a cannula).
I did find drinking carrot juice helped a little . Maybe because it helps the body absorb oxygen.
I have not had a headache in over 2 years.  During my last episode I chronicled the experience on line (my background is in  science) so you can kind of see how the headache went in my case.
I hope he finds relief.

I hope by now the hit has subsided

There really isnt a lot you can do short of medications. If the oxygen hasnt helped by now it probably wont this hit. Maybe next one.
I am the unfortunate one who O2 helps not at all.

A few tricks I use when they last forever and the pain has exceeded expectations.

_maximum strenth hot coffee 2 or 3 cups sipped fairly quickly

- Pushups, anything to get your respiration rates up but like o2 they need to be done at the early stages.

- apply pressure to the carotid arterie on the affected side 3" or 1 thumb length below the ear. If one can find the internal carotid this works best.
       This can significantly reduce the pain and shorten the length of the hit. When pressure is applied correctly he will know it. ( do not cut off the blood supply entirely though and some bruising may take place.) This is also not reccomended on a regular basis but for desperate times use desperate measures.

- Induce vomiting. Stick a finger in your throat.

Sometimes any of these 4 methods can provide relief in just a few minutes.

For pain relief;

Chew ice or swish very cold or very hot water around the gums on affected side.

Chew something crunchy chips or saltine crackers.