I'm in the middle of a cluster cycle, and it's not fun. However, one night I decided to take an imitrex pill as I was going to bed. I didn't have an attack that evening. I tried it again. Same result. Two nights over the past week, I didn't take a pill at bedtime. Both nights I've had attacks.

I have no idea if this is a fluke. If it is, it's one that's working for me. Has anyone else tried this?

Yes, many have tried it. I have tried it. It works. Longer acting triptans (Amerge, Frova) work even better.

If you don't mind taking triptans all the time. For some this is an issue.

during my peak cycle i was taking half of sumatriptan pill before sleep! i didnt have any night time hits :D
anthony

interesting concept, thanks for sharing, never thought of using trex pills this way, makes sense because the trex pills are usually ineffective for CH's as most people use abortives at the onset of an attack....trex pills usually are worthless because they take so long to become effective...however if you normally get an attack about an hour or so after you fall asleep (which I do) then it might make sense to do that....just be careful of the side effects associated with tryptans such as imitrex.....I like the melatonin idea better, but that's just me....to each his own

yes I do this as well at the start of a cycle. it helps being able to fall asleep without the fear of waking up with one in a few hours. glad I am not the only one! I think what some are saying about not using triptans a prevent is probably right on, because it wouldn't make sense to try to take an imitrex at noon for a nighttime ch, but if you have a headache at 8:00 every single night.....take one at 7:30 for a few days until the verap or whatever gets up to level

I use to do this till I found melatonin.

25mg of imitrex prior to going to bed should be good for 4 to 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep.  I used this method many times when I was episodic and needed a good night's sleep. 

Imitrex tablets take at least 30 minutes to reach a therapeutic serum level and as it has a half-life of 2 hours, 25mg should continue to provide a therapeutic level over at least 4 hours if not more... 

Melatonin seems to be working for me, too. I take 12mgs at night (well above the label recommended dose) and I read somewhere that up to 18mgs is within the therapeutic range. I'm not sure a therapeutic range, or a cause and effect has been established between CHs and melatonin, or magnesium for that matter. Does anyone know?

The science is definitely NOT in on melatonin...but some small studies have shown it to be effective for some people.  It's not considered a premier treatment, though, according to this:

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[quote author=4E746369680D0 link=1272132642/8#8 date=1272637429]The science is definitely NOT in on melatonin...but some small studies have shown it to be effective for some people.  It's not considered a premier treatment, though, according to this:

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I'll go with my personal history, which proves to me that it's VERY effective.

I took melatonin this past cycle and didnt get hit at nite! Im with u brew!! hope your well!