I am a chronic sufferer for 20 years. (I am in my 70's). A doctor has just suggested I try Namenda, 10 mg. twice a day. I have titrated up to 5mg. in the morning and 5 at night. Head feels woozy though and still no effect on my every night attack. Has anyone tried this medication? If so, what was the result. Open to any new, non-toxic suggestions. Have tried all the standards.
dmg

Hi and welcome,
you wrote, Open to any new, non-toxic suggestions. Have tried all the standards.

Have you looked into the Vitamin D Regime on here, it has lots of us CH free, myself included. If you shoot Batch a PM he'll guide you through it.

Cheers, Hoppy

Cluster headache usually starts around  age 20-30 and tapers off around 60-70s. A check of the National Library of Medicine gave only one hit with a mention of it being used for Alzheimer's and some trials for chronic migraine.

So, no information around here that I can recall on use for Cluster.

I assume you are seeing a headache specialist. We recommend because most docs, even neuros, have meager taining and experience with complex headache disorders.

The only other consideration is that you may not have Cluster. There are many disorders which mimic Cluster but which are not headche disosrders. See:

Link to: cluster-LIKE headache:

IN: "Medications, Treatments, Therapies --> "Important Topics" --> "Cluster-LIKE headache" (box at top of opening page)

Might be worth raising this possibility with our doc.

Thank you Hoppy and Bob.
Yes, I do see neurologists who specialize in headaches (Have seen the top man at Montefiore Hosp. in NYC, and the top man at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, among many others. Some say I have "classic text book clusters", some say I have cluster with hynic and parosysmal hemicranias symptoms also. I have learned to live with it, using lots of Excedrine and caffeine as an abortive, along with Relpax when the Exc. does not work at night. But I would love to find a preventive that works, as I have not slept a night in about 15 years. I am a teacher, still like to work as a sub, and sometimes go in to work on one hour sleep.
I have not done the Vit D regimen, but I will read it and run it by my Docs.
Thank you so much for your in-put. I used to be on this site a lot; I cherish it.
Regards to all and stay pf.
dmg

How was your O2 administered?


           Potter

I had used the "re-breather mask" I think it was called, I used the correct dose of O2 from a large machine that was delivered to my house etc. it was many years ago. It did nothing for me. Thank you for the response,
dmg

seniorsub wrote on Jul 18^th, 2015 at 7:30pm:

I had used the "re-breather mask" I think it was called, I used the correct dose of O2 from a large machine that was delivered to my house etc. it was many years ago. It did nothing for me. Thank you for the response, dmg

   That's completely wrong, what you need is O2 delivered at 15lpm thru a non-rebreather mask.  Preferably an opti-mask.

   Potter

Then it was that mask that I used. Over the years, I have really tried all the standard treatments, (mega doses of Verapamil, melatonin, and all the anti-convulsives etc, to list just a few.) I have adjusted my life to these attacks, and am able go on in spite of them. I just grab some zzz's whenever I can and have my Excedrines ready for whenever I wake up, because the zzzz's bring on the attack within 45-60 minutes, or less.
Again, I appreciate the input.
Stay well.
dmg

The O2 must come from a tank not a machine or we're pissin in the wind so to speak.

         Potter

Potter is correct......machines can't deliver a high enough flow.

It's been my experience with O2 that "the more the better". Since starting with high flow O2 I've only had 2 atacks I was unable to abort. Of course nothing works for everyone and it's entirely possible that O2 won't work for you....BUT it's really worth the effort to try O2 with the proper equipment and methods. Doing so saved me countless hours of pain and dollars spent on drugs.

Hi and welcome

For how we've found oxygen to be used best, have a read through - START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE.

I'd also recommend looking into the D3, it has worked very well for me as I've gone over 3.5 years CH pain free.

Bob Johnson wrote on Jul 18^th, 2015 at 5:17pm:

Cluster headache usually starts around  age 20-30 and tapers off around 60-70s..

Damn, Ive already dealt with this for 18 year, you mean I have to go through another 30 of this crap?

Thank god the various therapies have been helping.