I want to kill myself when I get CH... when i'm not having one i'm a happy go lucky guy. I've been to psych wards myself, so I understand his pain.  Basically I know many people on this site will disagree with me on my suggestion but in a circumstance where he is in HORRIBLE pain, mentally and physically, go to the ER and get some drugs, ASAP... then when the pain is under control in the moment get moving toward a non-narcotic approach until he finds something that works for him.

Hello,
To tell the truth I don't know what I need, I guess I just came to this sight seeking others who "felt my pain" to use a popular cliché.  It seems maybe I just needed to vent, but I still value the advice.  I've received more advice in 2 days than the last 2 years in regards to headaches in general.  Maybe I tried to spill to much of who I am at once, to maximize my feedback results, and you view it as me being arrogant, ignorant, unable to focus, or unable set a goal to get working toward a pain free lifestyle.  I don't know, I could care less. I have found many people so far on this site willing to listen, and give loving words of encouragement... Then again I have already been crossed by many of these "online experts" that have a virtual chip on their shoulder because they have been members since 2000 b.c. and have ten billion posts to their names. They ridicule, they judge, they post like editors, and talk like doctors.  They may not mock outright, but undercover out the side of their mouths.  I know their types; I just read their replies and keep it moving.  I don't know why you say I refuse to see a headache specialist; I have in the past, and plan to again.  Did it occur to you I was gathering all the info. I could prior to making an appointment? Again, I don't know why people get so agitated so easily.  About the codeine thing, well I’m sorry but it did take away the pain.  I don't care how against it some may be, what works for one may not work for others, do I plan/seek/desire to use that as a way to treat my pain?  No... but I was in a desperate situation at the time on the frontline of a battle I am just beginning so I chose to go that route, for now. I have an addictive nature and avoid narcotics like the plague now, but as an apparent “sufferer” yourself I’d expect a bit more understanding from someone in my own shoes, as opposed to an average joe who doesn’t know the pain of these things.  I hope that clears it up for you, good luck with your endeavors and God bless.

Opiates do help for clusters, maybe not every person, but they do for some, i take tram 50 mg 3 times a day and while it's not as effective as it use to be, it's better than nothing.

I take tramadol 50 mg. 3 times a day... it worked for a while but now they are back... when i get a ch at full force tramadol is like throwing a pebble in the ocean....

I fail to see why someone would choose an illegal addictive narcotic to treat CH rather than Non illegal, non addictive oxygen, imitrex or verapamil; if the Non Addictive, non illegal stuff works! 

Not to mention that narcotics eventually cause diminished mental capacity and more often than not tend to worsen the already horrendous affects of CH.

Nuff said...   

Much better options available out there....that work better.....without the nastiness of addiction.

That being said there are a couple of people on here that have used them temporarily as part of an Doctor's overall strategy to get a handle on a  particularly hard case. TEMPORARY and TRANSITIONAL are the key words.

Bill