I know that migraines are not often spoke of here....however, I know somebody who suffers from episodic CH's and questions if anyone ever had a typical Migraine on top of CH??

She is on day #3 of migraine and in the midst of the absolute worst CH cycle.  She says she went to see her Doc yesterday and found it very strange that Imitrex, that claims treatment for migraines isnt touching this!!

Would like some feedback guys...This really sucks for her!

The migraine thing has happened about 3 other times..lasts for about 3-4 days all the while Clusters continue..then the migraine is gone..and she's whooped..!!!  Also, questions the possibility this might be hormonal..!?

I used to get lots of migraines and ch.  I have had a migraine at the same time getting hit by ch.  It is hell.  Imitrex wont touch it at that time.  The only thing I have found that will work is going to er and getting a narcotic shot to sleep it off.  It is really strange imitrex will abort a ch for me and a mirgraine.  However, when I have both at the same time imitrex will not work.  Makes for a terrible combination.  The migraine will last 2-3 days and I get 8 ch a day each 1 1/2 hrs long.  So it is quite exhausting.

PM Catlind, she has both.

'darlin

I too, get both. I thought the Ch was always part of the migraines, but just found out they are separate.  My new doctor does not believe in narcotics, so we just started Topomax and I am armed with my O2 for CH and praying for a break in this soon.
I hope your friend feels beeter soon :-/

I had migraines for about 5 years before my CH began.  I had a method of fighting the migraine before I got CH, and could always tell the difference.

For me, Imitrex aggravated the CH before it ever made it better - for example took a Kip 8 to a 9 or so before dropping at all.  I was told this is not too uncommon among people with multiple primary headache types. Also, some CH preventatives have been found to exacerbate migraine - Lithium is one of these.  I found this out after I was on it.   :-?  There are studies that have been done on it even - wish my doc was aware of it at the time! 
Imitrex did not help my migraine either.  O2 is the only real thing that helps CH for me, and Maxalt MLT was the only thing that helped my regular migraines.  I often let migraines go without treatment these days, as the pain is nowhere near the severity as I used to think before CH. 
At one point in time after a week-long migraine in high cycle CH I got a shot of Toradol, helped the migraine level lessen so I could deal with the CH hits.  Fighting both at the same time is the worst.  Can't lie down for the migraine...  I do understand what your friend is going through, and it is trial and error to figure out how to get through.  It is different for everyone!

I'd be happy to help more if I can - I have a great article on preventatives and abortives for migraines too!  There are lots out there as it is much more prevalent than CH.

Val