Hello Jazz,

The oxygen and Medical info on the left link bar is the first place to stop and loiter for a bit, there is a lot of great information to read.

Oxygen is probably the cheapest and a great fast abortive for many of us. You can obtain the O2 from a welding supply if necessary and purchase your own regulator and mask.

I can kill a nighttime hit in 10 minuets and be sawing logs in 15.

Welcome to the board!

Roland.

Kody,

I will have to give you the standard get it checked out by a nero disclaimer. I’m no doctor so what you get here is only advice. The way I figure what can the O2 hurt but get it checked out.

You will need a non-rebreather (like the ones advertised with a bag on it) mask and a high flow regulator. Your grandfather’s regulator may not have the flow necessary. You need at least 15 LPM or more like 25 LPM regulator if you can get it.

Rolo.

'Evening, Kody, and welcome.

To reiterate what Roland said, it's important to have a definitive diagnosis.  Cluster headache is often treated differently than other headache types, and what may be effective treatment for CH may not be effective for another type of headache.  So--insurance or not, you really need to have this sorted out.  There are many different headache types, and many underlying conditions that may mimic aspects of cluster headache.

That said, while you're exploring the links at the left, take a look at the links for "cluster traits" and take the "cluster quiz".  It's no substitute for a diagnosis, but it may give you some insight into whether the headaches you're experiencing are likely to be cluster headaches or not.

Again, welcome. 

Best wishes,

George

Jazztastic wrote on Nov 30^th, 2008 at 1:38am:


I thought my first one was an aneurisim, or a stroke, to be honest. The reason why they suggest you get checked out is because of the fact there could be a tumor or some other underlying condition. And if that's the case, and you just assume it's cluster headaches, you end up in severe trouble, or worse, dead.

What you should do, is check around your area for the clinics for people without insurance. Most areas have these, if you go in and have them run some tests on you, they can rule out the more serious things. They may also be able to get you in with neuro that works with them.

Yeah I'm going to look around for a low cost doctor and see what they say, thank you all for your thoughts  cuz I was just gonna ignore it and take tylenol pm before I go to sleep from now on. I'll let you all know what I find out when I do.

Sincerely,
       Kody

Get some melatonin and take it at night (12-15mg) for the night hits. It helps get you thru the REM sleep where the headaches hit.

Also Red Bull or and energy drink with at least 1000 mg of taurine in it at the first sign of a CH will sometimes abort the hit.

But O2 used properly (at a high flow with the proper mask) has been the lifeline to about 70% of us here.

If you can get into a clinic and get an MRI to rule out other possibilities do so. CH is bad, but it won't kill ya - other things will. (Not trying to scare you, but you really DO need to rule out other things).

Hugs BD

I know that I'm putting you in a bind with this suggestion but: cheap docs, like so many of them we have (collectively) seen don't know, just don't know! Few docs have the experience and training with complex headache disorders to do a good workup/diagnosis. At least start with the following approach and see what your options are before going "cheap".
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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.

Just a quick update on my situation, I do suffer from insomnia and I often don't fall asleep till about 7:30 am - 11:00 (which makes work and school hard). My ch attacks usually start around 4-5 am and if I'm awake during this time I do not get them, but every night the past 2 weeks that I have gone to bed before this time I get them but if I stay awake I do not.

It could be coincidence cuz I really do not know the exact times i went to sleep through the last few weeks, I will definately be journaling my sleep.

Sincerely,
          Kody