Suffered clusters for decades.  Caught a break from them for about the last two years.  Starting a couple of nights ago, they are back.  99% starts during sleep.  Get up IMMEDIATELY and take one ESGIC (Fioricet)  40MG.  Pain at that point is about an 8 and within 30 minutes . its gone and I can resume sleep.  This med is to be taken every 4 hours as needed, but just one and I am good until the next night .. thank God.

I know I am MOST fortunate to have something that works.  I just hope it stays that way.  With any luck, this series won't last too long.

Just wanted to introduce myself and 'join the club' so to speak.  Good luck to you all .. may you have ample relief anytime you need it.

Welcome to the club John. In the early 80's, I used to use fiorinal for my attacks. It would ratchet the pain down and in less then an hour would eliminate most of them. Over the years it became less and less effective for me.

Now I'm one of the "oxygen evangelists" you'll see a lot of on this board. An attack starts, in less then 10 minutes I'm completely pain free just by huffing the 02. No drug side effects and it's cheap. Read the oxygen info link on the left, been a life changer for many of us.

Have you ever been put on a prevent med while on cycle? I use Lithium while on cycle, blocks about 60-70% of my attacks. Verapamil is a common first line prevent and Topomax has a pretty loyal following on the board.

Energy drinks are all the rage too now. Rock Star, Monster, any containing the combo of caffeine and taurine. Chug one down at the first sign of an attack, it will reduce and even eliminate an attack for many.

Glad you found us.

Joe

OH, . I figure what helps is the caffiene in the Fioricet .. which would also explain how energy drinks help.  Problem for me with energy drinks is that since they 'hit' during sleep . in the middle of the night, an energy drink would keep me awake (surprised the Fioricet doesn't) .. so I am hesitant to try energy drinks.

Hey John,

If it were me, if it was looking like a 50/50 chance of the current treatment would stop working, and if there was any way to finance the industrial O2 with hi flow regulator and non rebreather mask (none of those require prescription), I would jump on it now, get the O2 up and running, and be all ready to counterattack the CH beast big time if need be.

Keep in mind that an appropriate mask and regulator will likely have to be ordered online, and there will be a certain amount of time that will have to be spent waiting for those shipments to arrive.

Hate to pile more stuff in your wagon on your first day here......but!!!!

You mentioned night time attacks. An over the counter supplement, Melatonin, can be found in health food and vitamin stores. Start with 6 mg just before you go to bed. Go up in 3 mg increments. For many it will stop/reduce the night time terrors, the "wake up attacks." It doesn't work for everyone, but it's dirt cheap and worth a shot.

Also, consider adding a daily supplement of Magnesium, and Calcium with Vitamin D. It affects your arterial PH balance.....am not competent to explain it any further...but it makes you less succeptible to CH attacks. Again, it's a cheap tool that has helped many.

I'll stop now!

Joe