START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

I came across this while doing some research on CH.

Summary

The article states that it works for migraines and cluster headaches.

The new device, developed by US-based ElectroCore, generates electrical signals and is held against the right side of the neck on the skin above the pulse of the carotid artery. A conductive gel is placed on the device to increase its effectiveness.

The new device, developed by US-based ElectroCore, generates electrical signals and is held against the right side of the neck on the skin above the pulse of the carotid artery. A conductive gel is placed on the device to increase its effectiveness.

Results of the first trials are expected to show a 50 per cent reduction in symptoms in half of patients.

Exactly how it works is not clear. One theory is it increases levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin and noradrenaline, which reduces pain perception.

You need a Dr.'s authorization to use it.

Now the real question is, does insurance cover this?

Any thoughts or anybody tried it?

Dang sketchy.

     Potter

Yeah, it seems like something you'd see on an infomercial. I was just throwing it out there to see if anybody had heard anything about it.

Well, I do remember Dr. Goadsby talking about a similar device, hand held, external, that was being designed as a possible non-invasive alternative to DBS and the like. It is the comment stating they are not sure how it works that makes me believe this is not it. I would surmise the device Goadsby was talking about would be rather precise, while this seems to just willy nilly shotgun some juice into your neck... but maybe that is as good as it gets for an external device.

At a buck sixty to three bucks a pop depending on the model you buy (Obamacare tax not included)...  I'm not sure it's worth the effort or cost... 

Oxygen therapy at the higher inhalation flow rates that support hyperventilation (25-45 liters/minute), is far more effective in achieving a complete abort, a lot faster and at a lower cost/abort when using the larger medical oxygen cylinders M,H,K,or welder's O2 equivalent...

I tried electrified acupuncture at NIH with needle placement all over my head and neck to the point were I was twitching like a big dog leaning on an electric fence...  no joy...  In three separate attempts... the CH steamed on at full power for the full 1.5 hour duration on all but the third attempt...

I had two staff neurologists there for this attempt because they were uncomfortable with the volume of oxygen I was going through each month...  Neither had ever witnessed a patient presenting with a full blown cluster headache...

One neurologist couldn't take it and left the room after less than five minutes watching me writhe in agony...  The second finally relented a few minutes later and let me start oxygen therapy from a wall mounted flow type regulator in the exam room.

He was surprised at the flow rate I was using... He kept taking my pulse and checking my eyes...  I'm sure he thought I'd pass out from the high oxygen flow rate...  I didn't...

Ten minutes later I'd aborted the cluster headache... 

The neurologist just stood there shaking his head in disbelief...  His only comments were "I had no idea how painful cluster headache attacks can be..." and "I'm still uncomfortable with the oxygen flow rate you're using... but I can't argue with its effectiveness..."

If nothing else, this contraption might just keep the user busy enough during hits to think it's really working... 

In short, without the results of a level A RCT on the efficacy and safety of this device for migraineurs and CH'ers from a respected University Hospital or major headache institution...  I'm skeptic at best...

See the following link for the animal studies on this device and one brief test of an implanted vagus nerve stimulator on four patients with epilepsy they claim this device will emulate:

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

The disclaimer banner that pops up when you select this page kind of tells it all:

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGESTART PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Take care and be critical...

V/R, Batch

"It costs £250 for a device with 150 treatments"
Whether it works or not, the price is a rip-off.

I'm an electrical engineer. I can make one of these for about $20, plus another $5 for a battery charger (instead of that 150 limit).

Batch wrote on Aug 20^th, 2012 at 6:53pm:

[size=18]I had two staff neurologists there for this attempt because they were uncomfortable with the volume of oxygen I was going through each month...  Neither had ever witnessed a patient presenting with a full blown cluster headache... He was surprised at the flow rate I was using... He kept taking my pulse and checking my eyes...  I'm sure he thought I'd pass out from the high oxygen flow rate...  I didn't... Ten minutes later I'd aborted the cluster headache...  The neurologist just stood there shaking his head in disbelief...  His only comments were "I had no idea how painful cluster headache attacks can be..." and "I'm still uncomfortable with the oxygen flow rate you're using... but I can't argue with its effectiveness..."

Pete, I've been meaning to ask you this. I recently had a similar experience with a group of neuros. They were surprised and medically offended to hear of my O2 therapy and it's effectiveness. They talks about the harm O2 causes, they compared it to a barometric tank, and overall seemed to want to steer me away. Here's my question: one of them said he studied the effects of O2 on pilots and submariners. I know these are different but aren't there similar studies on pilots exhonerating O2 use? Just curious. lance