Hey everyone.  I know i don't post much, but i've been a member of the board now for a couple years and am so proud to say I've been a CH Sufferer now for 10 years easy. 

Anyways.  I have a question that i would like some responses on please.  I am scared as hell to not take verapimille daily for these headaches.  Mine are very unpredictable.  I used to be chronic and have slowly gone episodic.  I would like to only use oxygen as an abortive, but have found that if i do that once the headache is gone it comes right back in 30min-an hour or so.  I've been in a cycle now since X-mas and have never just tried oxygen only.  I always take 1/2 amerge when the hit. 

So question is, those of you who use 02 only, do you find the headaches just come right back after a bit?  This seems especially so when i sleep.  Also, when in a cycle i get headaches throughout the day.  When im at work i have to take an amerge and hope it lasts all day.  I have no where to go to take oxygen.

Side note.  I am 31 years old.  Decent looking.  I am so embarrassed by having to take oxygen.  I wish i had a hole to crawl into so no one could see me use it.  I know its a man thing, but i feel everyone is looking at me and no one understands.  Im sure everyone here can attest to that. 

Also.  I must admit that i too take opiates.  I am sure i get rebound headaches from time to time, but my pain is always a 10.  I would say its a 20, but 10 being the highest its always a ten.  The older i get the more the pain hurts and hurts the rest of my body with all the shaking and tensing up.  It makes me sad that i take them, but i am really trying to stop.  I am not addicted, but am scared to endure the full brunt of the pain.  Its so bad that it makes my body numb, hard to breath, feel like im dying.  Everytime. 

Anyways.  If you could just let me know about the 02, i would appreciate it.  I don't need a lecture on the pain meds.  It helps me and all of our pain is different.  This year has been tough with all the weather changes...  Sure wish i was normal.  I just want my life back.  I wish that for all of us.  I would do anything to help find a cure! 

Thanks everyone.

SET•ME•FREE wrote on Mar 12^th, 2010 at 6:47pm:

I can kill the headache in five minutes. Sometimes they come back sometimes they don't.  Oxygen is so cheap I don't care.  Just keep on huffin and to heck with how you look.

                Potter

          

You didn't say what level of O2 you are using.  Since I went to 25 lpm I don't get the resurgent attack.  No lecture on opiate usage, but you have already mentioned rebound headaches from them.  I don't think O2 will do anything for that.  Could be that is your problem.

You might want to look into Kudzu as an alternative prevent.  It works pretty well for me and without the side effects of Verap and Lithium.  YMMV

Jerry

With O2 a good way to help prevent the quick return of pain is to stay on the O2 for several (up to 15min.) minutes after the pain stops. Turn the flow down and breathe normal during this time. Works for me and others.

Good Luck, Don

Just so we don't get messed up on wording.....verapamil is a prevent, not an abortive...just a wording thing!

I still use Lithium as my prevent when on cycle, and 02 is my only abortive. Just finished a 3 month cycle...(I think it's finished, day 3 with no lithium so far so good!)......and used only 02. Had imitrex in reserve but never used it.

I get the come backers too with oxygen. Normally within 10-15 minutes of shutting off the 02. I used to use cafergot in combo with the 02 to prevent them. This cycle I used Red Bull. As I'd start the 02 wifey would pour me an iced Red Bull, would knock that down while I huffed the 02. 02 knocked it down, Red Bull prevented the re attack. Might be worth a shot.

Do look into the PH stuff Batch posts about. I now take a daily magnesium supplement in and out of cycle. Convinced it's had a positive effect on my cycles.

Joe