Today was my last 10 mg prednisone pill, so i am finished. I have noticed when I started the med the beast slept for two days but had shadows. the more i tapered down in the last 12 days the beast has gotten stronger every day and now 24hrs a day i am easily at kip2 to kip 4. Freakin sucks man. my headaches( kip 7 to 9) though have been 90% at night and last night i thought my brain was gonna pop out. I see a neurologist monday @ 9 am. Should I go back on prednisone or am I setting my self up for something worse. I plan to talk to him about oxygen since my only defense in 14 years has been imitrex and sheer grit. I have been trying caffiene and it helps but the crash makes me feel like crap. any advise or opinions would be appreciated and I hope everyone has a PF night with a shadow free morning.

Just started may taper off yesterday @ 50mgs and subtracting 10/day until gone. Oxygen is something I am never without. Aborts 90% for me. Aprox. 70% of us have great results with it and when it fails go to the Imitrex or other abortives. Imi doesn't work for me.

Are you new to CH? Oxygen (O2) is a long known treatment and you shouldn't ask but demand it from your Neuro. To use it to properly abort it must be as follows: Thru a NON-REBREATHER mask @ Minimum 10-15lpm* even up to 25lpm if possible. Used as needed for Clusterheadache pain. The 15lpm and non-rebreather mask are most important, NO Nose CANULA.

The prednisone is supposed to be a trasitional med. to be given while another preventative such as verapamil or lithium etc. are given time to take effect. Pred is hard on us but many of us do use it. I have used it for long periods and can tell you there are prices to pay. Also there is a wealth of info on this site so READ, READ, READ.             Welcome,   Don

Your brief message at least implies that your doc is not experienced with Cluster. If this is the case, your option:

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

5. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or Look for "Physician Finder" search box.  Call 1-800-643-5552; 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.
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Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

Here is a link to read and print and take to your doctor.  It describes preventive, transitional, abortive and surgical treatments for CH. Written by one of the better headache docs in the U.S.  (2002)
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Michigan Headache & Neurological Institute for another list of treatments and other articles:

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or