Well, I've read a lot of this site, and have decided to jump in.  Wade in is more like it.  I'm 61 and had my first true CH maybe 5 years back. I could count the number of headaches I ever had on my fingers until an MVA in April of 1994.  TBI, but mild, and I count my blessings for that.  A couple of ortho surgeries.  Not one day without a headache since that day in April.  Then the cluster things.  Without question the most horrific pain I've ever experienced.  It saddens me and yet strangely gives me some strength to know that you all understand.  'Nuf said about that.  One week ago I started a new cluster; after a year.  I guess we all know that they'll be back. 

I'm thinking of going to bed now.  Maybe I'll be back later.  My circadian rhythm is currently rearranging.  For the first time, I had a visit during daytime working hours last week.  For the first time, I had another visit after falling asleep. 

My greatest fear right now is that the injectable just won't work.  Last night I wasted three tubes because I thought I'd wait a bit.  Ha, I couldn't even figure out how to load the medication.  I just got lost.  I've forgotten how valuable it can be to have one's ducks in a row...full in the anticipation of impending doom. 

I'm really not this pathetic.  I just get dragged down to the beast's level.  I have not found a way to ignore it. 

TTFN

Glad you poked your head in Metoo!

have you checked out oxygen yet? Cheaper then trex, no side effects, check out the link:

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Do you use any prevents? verapamil, lithium, Topomax etc.? Are you working with a qualified headache specialist neurologist? We've seen the best results from doing so. Go the meds section and read the post "123 pain free days and I think I know why" A daily vitamin anti inflammatory regimen that's providing relief to many, cheap, good for you even without CH, worth a read.

Joe

Hang in there, metoo. We're of a similar age, although I'm chronic and have been dealing with the beast for a very long time...35 years. It's doable. And yes, get you're ducks in a row. Let us know what your doing to hit back. Blessings. lance

Back after 2 years of no cluster headaches!!! They started back up last night, 2am of course just like before. So grateful that my doctor has allowed me to continue my O2 script and I have the O2 here at home ready to use!!! Called dr office this morning and thankfully they prescribed me Prednisone. Nothing has changed in my life and I don not know what brought them on again and I am dreading falling asleep tonight. All morning today I feel like I was beat up with a baseball bat. To all my fellow sufferers, has anyone tried anything new that works? I have tried everything in the past from downing red bull to drinking water in excess, avoiding watermelon......you name it I am sure I have tried it but I am so open to any new ideas. PLEASE HELP!!!

Adriane, you can try reading Batch's D3 regimen in the "123 days pain free" thread. It hasn't been helpful for me but it has for many others. Apart from that, you know the usual suspects for prevention and abort. It might be well to keep in mind that often what worked in the past may not work now, and what did not work in the past, may work now. In other words, revisit your lists, add meds you have not tried, and if necessary, ask your doc to try some of them again. It's a hit and miss proposition. Meantime, keep the abortives at hand. blessings. lance

Good on you keeping the 02 handy and already having the doc on speed dial. Don't spend too much time anguishing over the "WHY" of the cycles starting. 34 years and there's still no rhyme or reason for why the damned things come back.

I'd second the suggestion of checking out the Batch regimen, it's helping far too many people to be coincidence. And the good news is it's healthy for you even without CH.

Joe

Thanks for the replies. I will look into what you guys are mentioning about the Batch regimen. Besides using O2 what are some other abortives that everyone else uses? Thankfully the 100mg of prednisone kept me from CH last night, but the side effects of the med have me spinning like crazy.

Adriane

Imitrex injection and asal sprays are commonly used abortives. I've used the injections, they are fast, effective, but expensive as hell. The pill form generally works too slow for CH'ers.

Energy drinks. Red Bull, Monster, any containing the combo of caffiene and taurine. Chugged at the onset of an attack, many can abort or really reduce an attack. I drink one while aborting with 02. Seems to speed the abort, and pushes back the come backer attacks.

Joe

Ditto everything Joe listed. I know two sprays used commonly that are not narcotic: imitrex comes in a nasal spray form, as does dihydroergotamine. Zomig is one name for the triptan spray, and Migranal for the dhe based spray. I've used both. I prefer injectable triptans, and the Migranal as a spray. blessings. lance

metoo  . . . so very glad you found us.  I'm 65, chronic since 1/01, been here since 2/02.  I first used Verapamil as preventive and 02 (miracle for most of us) as abortive.  Aftes surgery and prior to chemo 5/04, stopped the Verap (BP got uncomfortably low) and switched to water therapy (see "water X 3", link on left) as prevent which kept (most) attacks at a level I could manage with 02 (ALWAYS at hand).

DO investigate the D3 regimen mentioned above.  I bought my last 02 tanks 10/13/11 and have not had an attack since mid-November .  .  . after eleven years chronic.  NONE of my here-to-fore triggers (alcohol, exhaust fumes, chemical odors like brake/carb cleanerI) are bringing the beast.

Adrian . . . you said you were taking prednizone, but you didn't mention any other preventive.  I personally haven't used, but from being on this board for some time, it's my understanding that Pred is used as a taper drug to control the attacks while other preventative(s) are building up in your system . . . . so, while the Pred tapers down, the prevent(s) taper up.  If you're just depending on the Pred, you could be in for a nasty round when you stop taking it . . .  others will be along to verify this.

I'll add my vote for the energy drinks (I like Rock
Star orange . . . tastes like Orange Crush).  My routine was, hit the 02 first, if not under control in a few minutes, slam 1/2 or whole energy drink and rub an icepack all about my right eye, upper/lower sinuses, back of neck (I NEVER left the ice on one spot for any length of time . . .for me, that could produce an additional shot of pain on top of the CH), while continuing to huff the 02 . . .  prevented many a "dance".

Read, read, read . . .  ask any questions you might have . . . the answers you receive come from folks who truly know your pain.

  Be Safe,  PFDANs

      Richard

MeToo,

Welcome to CH.com. I live in Ypsilanti very close to you. I've had CH for 24 yrs and I'm 57 yrs old, and see a great Neurologist at Greater Ann Arbor Neurology, Dr. James Gramprie. Ph#734-665-6638.

I've also seen Dr. Cheng @ U of M. I'm sending you my ph# in a PM, (personal msg.) It will show at the top of this page, for you to click on.

You will learn more from this website and the great people here than most Doctors know.

Don