Well I am here to post that I am a new person to these boards. Currently I am wide awake at 3am dealing with another "headache". Ipads make it wonderful easy to be mobile.

Stumbled upon this site while googling symptoms before. I have had migraines since about 12 and this type for 7 or so years. I am 25 now. I don't need to write on here how much this sucks you already know.

Currently just downed imitrex no. 2 for the time being. It's taking the edge off right now.

I really came looking for other ideas on treatments. This downing pills all the time is expensive and doesn't work the greatest. Only recently did I get on imitrex. Before I was downing handfuls of Tylenol like they were candy. Can't take IBprofuen as I am allergic.

What else do you want to know?

Amanda 

I definitely haven't reD all the posts here, but does anyone else get chills with their ch? I do much like one gets with the flu.

Amanda

Hi Amanda,

Glad you found us.  I don't recall getting chills with CH but I do get all sorts of other strange things - like pain down one side and so on.

It sounds like your taking immitrex pills?  Most people here use either injections or nasal spray because as you have found, the pills take far too long to kick in.  Oxygen is probably the most talked about abortive on this site - at a high flow rate of 15+lpm (litres per min) many people are finding they can abort a hit in under 20 mins, even 10 mins.  Have you seen a headache specialist?  I ask because it sounds like you are doing it hard and I'd be surprised if a knowledgeable doctor would prescribe pills ... unless of course it is a preventative eg verapamil - something that you take regularly throughout your cycle.

Tylenol and ibuprofen are no good for CH!!! 

Many people here use energy drinks like Red Bull - that contain taurine and caffeine - at the first sign of a hit and find this helpful.  Melatonin can help with the night time hits.   

Thinking of you and hoping some of this helps.  Highly suggest you keep reading - so much great advice available.

Kate

Yeah, I get chills. And pills are definitely ineffective during an attack. They take too long to metabolize. It's important to see a headache specialist who can start working with you on long term preventatives. Many have found a prednisone taper can abort a cycle. Also, verapamil in high doses (240-960mgs) as well as lithium and topamax have worked. Read, and read, and read some more. Make a list of everything someone else has tried that has worked and go for it with your doctor. You may need to educate your neuro, though, so be prepared. It's your head and your pain, so it's your fight! Put on the gloves, get armored with info, and go for it! Blessings! lance

I have not been to a headache specialist or anything like that.  I tried taking verapamil in the past but it doesn't work for me. I weigh 110 lbs so dropping my blood pressure isn't a cool thing to do.

My big problem is building up immunity to drugs. Right now I metabolize the imitrex rather quick, it typically kicks in 30 min after taking. I give it 6 months before it doesn't work at all for me.

Caffeine does work during the day to take the edge off slightly. Not tried red bull just because I drank one for its intended purposes in colege and turned I to the squirel from over the hedge. I was wired for days!

I will continue to poke around here and see what this site has to offer. I saw there was a doctor finder too.

Amanda 

Hi Amanda,
          Keep searching and learning as Whimsey said. Lots of good info and support here. Finding a treatment for this dreaded thing called CH requires time and a lot of patience. Most important thing is to find a good doctor, one who specializes in headaches and who knows how to treat your CH.
          Hang tough and be diligent!

Donna Mae   ;)

Welcome to the board Amanda. Sadly CH tends to be  a lifetime affliction. The good news is we have made tremendous advances in its treatment. But it requires a disciplined, organized approach. On cycle or off cycle you want to stay up on the latest and greatest treatments, and always be ready to do battle with it.

The most popular prevents are Verapamil, which didn't seem to work first time around for you!, Lithium and Topomax.

For abortives, Oxygen just cannot be beat. I went from 90-120 minute hits to aborting them in 6-10 minutes with oxygen. Read the oxygen info link on the left as it must be used correctly or it is not effective.

Given that you are most likely facing a lifetime issue, it's best to lay the groundwork early on, get to a headache specialist, and figure out a long term strategy! We'll help you every step of the way. ;)

Joe

Hi Amanda.  I'll throw this out there so you will know that there are different ways to approach this. 

The reason to get an accurate diagnosis is so you can know that it is not more serious (you probably already know this).  If you believe that you do indeed have the cluster headaches then you have many options on your treatments.

For me, after 20 years of misdiagnosed and episodic pain, my allergy doc said that he thought it sounded like clusters.  I had them long enough to know he was right when I looked further into it and never saw another doctor about it.  But I was certain that was it.

Sooooo, caffeine, oxygen and melatonin work wonders for most here.  I also use the START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE protocals.  Extremely effective for most.  Check them out.  I have skipped the pharmaceuticals and possible side effects and expensive doctors visits.  You can even get oxygen without a doctors visit if you want.

Like I said, I say this so you know there are options and it is up to you.  Clusters are lifelong but we can manage the pain down to nothing if we are committed. >:(

Good luck and read a lot on these 2 sites. :)  Standard treatment experts live here and 'alternative' treatment experts live at the other place.  Both have a lot to offer and can get your extreme pain down to a nuisance only.

--Shaggy

Hi Sparkeespud, and welcome...

As you will find out from your new CH Family... there are many things that we try and have tried.

0-2 works great for me if I can get to it before I reach a 5 or above... Once I reach that point, the one thing that works for me (the fasted) is a Trex Injections.

One over the counter preventive that I used for a little over a year that helped me tremendously was KUDZU.... When I was taking Kudzu tablets my hits were much lighter and less frequent. It was only after taking Kudzu for over a year, that I found out it had a bad reaction with one of my prescription medication.. 

Welcome aboard...

Peace & Blessings
Lady Luv

Welcome to the board. I found this site about two years ago when I was suffering yet another cycle of CHs. I have found this site to be full of extremely helpful and knowledgable people willing to help and lend a sympathetic ear to your plight. Have you tried to get a prescription for oxygen for your primary physician. I just got mine two weeks ago as imitrex is very expensive and my insurance plan only allows me a very small amount(4 packages a month) and I sometimes have as many as 8or ten attacks a day so the oxygen has been a real life saver as it aborts my hits almost every time providing I can get to it as soon as I feel a CH coming on in the event that I dont or am having a real bad attack then i hit the imitrex. You should also look in the "imitrex tip" thread for a good way to make your imitrex go farther. I also recomend red bull energy drink as an abortive. As soon as I feel a CH coming on I get on my oxygen and crack open a red bull which I sip between breaths of O2. Stay strong and know that this site  is run by people like us  for people like us. Feel free to PM me if you need to talk I might not get right back to you but I will answer.

Joe