Welcome  kdeen0201 and I am sorry you had to seek us out, however I'm glad you found us.

The general population as a rule does not understand and many never will.  The following letter may be of help to you however.
Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

Here are some other tips that may help you in dealing with some CH hits.  Aside from the following tips please make sure you check out the O2 page!

4-Way Nasal spray or Dristan 12 Hour Nasal Spray(helps with the annoying congestion),

Taurine and Caffeine drinks (RedBull if you like it) to help prevent a hit when you feel one starting,

Melatonin or an Allergy pill at night before bed to help avoid night time hits,

The herb Kudzu has helped a few as a prevent.   

Deep breathing through the milder hits can help too.

I am now on Verapomil, maxalt and am on a steroid for some reason. I have used imitrex, relpax, zomig, folvra (?) dolgic in the past. I have read about the oxygen therapy and am very curious about it. At this point I would do just about anything to help with the attacks and the pain. Thank you BTW.

Sorry to hear you're getting slammed so heavily that you have to resort to having that most hated person in the world come and stay with you! 

Between that report and the idea about switching heads, you do write a dark humor laced post that  is riveting!

Hopefully you can start aborting these $%#&%* hits sooner than later using the info the others have mentioned, found at the oxygen info link on the left of this page.

I've tried explaining to people that neurologists have deemed CH the most painful condition known to medical science, that it is also known as "suicide headache" etc., but I guess once the term "headache" is thrown in there people just generally aren't going to realize what's really going on.

kdeen0201 wrote on Aug 21^st, 2010 at 3:33pm:


I think a LOT of us can relate to that!!

Here's a pertinent video talk by one of our fellow CH'ers about the often times very effective approach folks have been using lately for shutting down CH episodes over at clusterbusters.com. It has made all the difference for some so I think you owe it to yourself to learn about it:
Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

Tell them it's like an ice cream headache only about 8 times more painful and lasting anything from 1/2 to 3 hours and happens several times a day .

this often helps because brain freeze pain happens on the same nerve set as CH and most people have experienced that .... if they haven't get them to drink a slushy really fast then they'll know 

Oh BTW hello and welcome.

God bless

Nigel

kdeen - what part of the world are you in?

I live in the Dallas, Tx area and am seeing a headache specialist.

I have another question. I have just learned that the pressure that I feel behind my eye and in my temple is called a "shadow". Does anybody else feel this "shadow" almost "gaining strength" before another attack? I have almost felt quite psychotic about the different things that I have been experiencieng and feeling until I have done more reading and researching. ALthough not everything fits, most of it does and I can say that I'm glad it does...even if it does suck.

kdeen0201 wrote on Aug 22^nd, 2010 at 11:16am:


My attitude about it tends to be that it is not meant to be bearable - it's meant to be eliminated.

I think you'll find that the more tips'n tricks you compile here, then agressively implement, the less of this abomination you will have to bear.

While on Verap I stay clear of the Redbull. But I do take care of the heavier, persistent shadows with the o2, and am presently starting to slowly ramp back up on my Verap, new cycle is here...
My cycles last for about one year in length, 4 to 5 hits daily, all start into the evening and most after I fall asleep, those are by far the worst..
This time my remission was about two months, I will take what PF time I can.
Hope we can help 

Welcome to the community kdeen!  Sorry you had the need to find us though!!

As Christy said, we've had a couple of meet n greets here in Dallas this year so check your PM's as I have sent you some contact info!!

Dallas Denny

Shoot. I was hoping for an axe to the right side of the head. I guess a friend or buddy will have to do for now. Thanks everybody.

Man. I am about to loose it. I have just finished my 2nd worst attack yet. I think if I was able to walk or talk, I would have dialed 911. HOW do you guys do this? I am sitting here in my house that is at 78 degrees, my kids are burning up, under a blanket, because I get extremely cold during an attack for some reason, exhausted, shaking and my head still hurts. I am just at a loss right now on how you guys live with this.

So sorry you're getting slammed KDeen. Are you in the process of getting some oxygen? How about imitrex? Ice and a Redbull or the like may help too if you get on it fast.

You might want to search and read threads on triggers, I don't think I've seen anyone mention those to you yet. Triggers aren't "causes" as in if you eliminate them you'll never have CH. But many here know certain activities, scents, etc can trigger a CH. Alchohol is the biggest trigger people seem to agree on, and most give it up entirely when in cycle. (Sucks I know). Certain perfumes etc can bother people. I heard someone mention cleaning supplies which for me is enough of a reason to get someone else to clean the bathrooms!

Keep talking to us -

Christy