Hello everyone,
I am new to this site but unfortunatley not new to cluster headaches. I am currently in a iciuos cycle right now to the point I am taking tylenol, motrin or aleve if I even start to think I am getting one because I cant take it anymore. I have a prescription for Imitrex which is a blessing. Anyway I was wondering is there any truth to taking magnesium or fish oil to help prevent these things. I work in Law enforcment so other  methods Ive heard of are not an option. This current cycle is probally one of my worst and cant wait till its over. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Take time to read the thread titled, "123 Days PF and I Think I Know Why" in the Med section of the boards.   Many are having good results with Vit D and fish oil.   Also, please look into the oxygen tab to the left of your screen.  I can stop a CH in around 5 minutes by using O2 at a high flow rate and mask that is specially designed for CH sufferers.

PF wishes,

Jeannie

Welcome to the board and YES...a lot of truth to the supplement program, please read the link Jeannie referenced. The critical component appears to be vitamin D-3. It's bringing relief to a lot of people.

Just retired as a patrol sergeant after a 30 year law enforcement career. On cycle I kept an E-Tank in the trunk of my cruiser. I'd go out of service for 10 minutes, beat beasty back with the 02, and then 10-8 again. My beat partners knew what was up and covered for me, I'd grab the occasional BS report off their beats to make it up to them. ;)

For a prevent, I used lithium. At 1200 mg a day it would block 60-70% of my attacks, the side effects were minimal, you pee a LOT the first few weeks and feel a little lethargic, nothing a cup of coffee won't dispel. Might be worth dicussing with your neuro. (Don't tell your beat partners you're taking lithium, the crap never stops! ;D)

Joe

Need to be more specific about specific or types of meds which you cannot use. Only then can we look for alternatives.

I assume that you need, when on duty, an abortive which is as fast acting as possible. Some alternatives may not be as effective and/or as fast acting as you need and so my question.

Thanks for the help. If I'm working I will take an OTC (Motrin, Tylenol ect) as so as I feel it coming on. Same thing at home. If I catch it in the first few minutes I'm golden but my main problem is waking up at home and it's to late. Do I looking to prevent them if possible. I've had these for about 10 years but didn't get diagnosed till I couldn't take it last year and wound up in the Er. I'm 33 now. The Imitex has been a life saver but it's not always the answer. I'm going to ask my Doc about the O2. I try not to tell too many people at work because you know it always ends up in a chop breaking session, lol. I'm going to try the magnesium, Vit D and fish oil for now. I'm glad there a site like this if you don't get these things it's impossible to understand how debilitating they are.

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I'm suspicious that you don't have Cluster. ERs are not the best place to get a solid diagnosis and that you benefit from OTC pain meds increases the doubt.

Until you have a Dx from a sharp doc your efforts to try-this-and-that is not wise. There are too many conditions which mimic Cluster which need to be ruled out before you can assume...

IF you have cluster, treatment involves a careful blending of preventive and abortive meds--not just plucking items off the shelf. This is not a simple headache problem.

IF possible:
LOCATING HEADACHE SPECIALIST

1. Search the OUCH site (button on left) for a list of recommended M.D.s.


2. Yellow Pages phone book: look for "Headache Clinics" in the M.D. section and look under "neurologist" where some docs will list speciality areas of practice.

3.  Call your hospital/medical center. They often have an office to assist in finding a physician. You may have to ask for the social worker/patient advocate.

4. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE; On-line screen to find a physician.

5. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE Look for "Physician Finder" search box. They will send a list of M.D.s for your state.I suggest using this source for several reasons: first, we have read several messages from people who, even seeing neurologists, are unhappy with the quality of care and ATTITUDES they have encountered; second, the clinical director of the Jefferson (Philadelphia) Headache Clinic said, in late 1999, that upwards of 40%+ of U.S. doctors have poor training in treating headache and/or hold attitudes about headache ("hysterical female disorder") which block them from sympathetic and effective work with the patient; third, it's necessary to find a doctor who has experience, skill, and a set of attitudes which give hope of success. This is the best method I know of to find such a physician.

6. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE NEW certification program for "Headache Medicine" by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties, an independent, non-profit, professional medical organization.
        Since this is a new program, the initial listing is limited and so it should be checked each time you have an interest in locating a headache doctor.
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IF this route not possible, consult with your doc about a referral to a neurologist who has experience/knowledge about headache. MOST neuros lack this skill set so careful looking is important for your long term benefit.

See the PDF file, below. These are the types of treatment you will need. Read the article, below, for an introduction to Cluster.
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Cluster headache.
From: START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE (Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases)
[Easy to read; one of the better overview articles I've seen. Suggest printing the full length article--link, line above--if you are serious about keeping a good medical library on the subject.]

Leroux E, Ducros A.

ABSTRACT: Cluster headache (CH) is a primary headache disease characterized by recurrent short-lasting attacks (15 to 180 minutes) of excruciating unilateral periorbital pain accompanied by ipsilateral autonomic signs (lacrimation, nasal congestion, ptosis, miosis, lid edema, redness of the eye). It affects young adults, predominantly males. Prevalence is estimated at 0.5-1.0/1,000. CH has a circannual and circadian periodicity, attacks being clustered (hence the name) in bouts that can occur during specific months of the year. ALCOHOL IS THE ONLY DIETARY TRIGGER OF CH, STRONG ODORS (MAINLY SOLVENTS AND CIGARETTE SMOKE) AND NAPPING MAY ALSO TRIGGER CH ATTACKS. During bouts, attacks may happen at precise hours, especially during the night. During the attacks, patients tend to be restless. CH may be episodic or chronic, depending on the presence of remission periods. CH IS ASSOCIATED WITH TRIGEMINOVASCULAR ACTIVATION AND NEUROENDOCRINE AND VEGETATIVE DISTURBANCES, HOWEVER, THE PRECISE CAUSATIVE MECHANISMS REMAIN UNKNOWN. Involvement of the hypothalamus (a structure regulating endocrine function and sleep-wake rhythms) has been confirmed, explaining, at least in part, the cyclic aspects of CH. The disease is familial in about 10% of cases. Genetic factors play a role in CH susceptibility, and a causative role has been suggested for the hypocretin receptor gene. Diagnosis is clinical. Differential diagnoses include other primary headache diseases such as migraine, paroxysmal hemicrania and SUNCT syndrome. At present, there is no curative treatment. There are efficient treatments to shorten the painful attacks (acute treatments) and to reduce the number of daily attacks (prophylactic treatments). Acute treatment is based on subcutaneous administration of sumatriptan and high-flow oxygen. Verapamil, lithium, methysergide, prednisone, greater occipital nerve blocks and topiramate may be used for prophylaxis. In refractory cases, deep-brain stimulation of the hypothalamus and greater occipital nerve stimulators have been tried in experimental settings.THE DISEASE COURSE OVER A LIFETIME IS UNPREDICTABLE. Some patients have only one period of attacks, while in others the disease evolves from episodic to chronic form.

PMID: 18651939 [PubMed]

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I live in NY. I was sent to ER because I went to my primary physician during attack. I then followed up with neurologist since and that is who diagnosed me. I usually get my attacks the beginning of winter and start of summer and they last for a month or two. I've seen more then one neuro and they all have said it was clusters.

The OTC mess only help if I take something the second I think I'm getting one. Once it set in nothing works except the Imitrex. I just Pace around the house and sometimes punch myself because it's unbearable. It's always on the same side behind the eye and my nose usually runs on that side. Looking forward to better days. That you for all your help. This place is great.