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Hi and welcome.  Glad you've read some here already.  Getting through a cycle can improve, sounds like a rough start.  There's support, experience for any questions, and different ideas you just might use to keep prepared with that may help. 


The clusterbuster method has had success in stopping cycles. 

There are preventive meds taken daily that can cut down or even eliminate most hits during a cycle to help manage. 

With your shop in-house, you would never be very far from oxygen for any oncoming hit.  Having bumped into doors, walls, and furniture at night, I keep it conveniently located.

No question you understand the pain of CH, ouch. Let's see if we can alleviate that a bit. You've got some pretty good medical centers there in your part, have you worked with a headache neuro yet? You've probably already seen my program, it's not the only one but it is a popular one, it's 2 pronged:

1: A good prevent med. Verapamil, Lithium and Topomax are the most popular, taken daily while in cycle the goal is to reduce how many times you're getting hit and how severe the hits are. Some have to combine the verapamil and lithium to get relief. I use Lithium at 1200 mg a day. Has very little effect on me, a cup or two of coffee overcomes it, and it blocks 60-70% of my hits.

2: A good abortive. Yeah, please get some oxygen! 6-10 minute aborts beat the heck outta the 90-120 minute rides I used to take. Imitrex injectables are expensive but are great when I'm caught away from 02. Imitrex nasal spray has worked for many. Don't take the imitrex pills they don't help much for CH, especially people like you where the onset is so rapid.

Do look into the energy drinks, I use them with my oxygen on the big hits, and by themselves to chase shadows.

Clusterbusters.com             has helped a lot of people when traditional medicine has failed, worth a look.

Hang in there, glad you checked in!

Joe

Do hope that you are working with a good head doc--NOT any general neurologist!

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. 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.

6. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or NEW certification program for "Headache Medicine" by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties, an independent, non-profit, professional medical organization.
        Since this is a new program, the initial listing is limited and so it should be checked each time you have an interest in locating a headache doctor.

Hey violinmaker -  I just want to add a ditto to what the others have said regarding O2, clusterbusters, etc., and that despite the really bad start to this episode with the plumbing disasters and all, we're really hoping you can suffer a LOT less this time around. Many of us are doing so much better after adopting the suggestions offered here.

Cool violin making profession you have there, and man that SUX that the CH had to interrupt your Stradivari inspection! 

Hi and Welcome!

Wishing you pain free times and hope this cluster doesn't last to long. You've been given some great advice, please remember information is power. It's great that you have such a passion for your work, let's hope you can get back to it soon.
                             Regards Shell

Chiming in with a belated welcome- keep at it- per my reading on the CB site it's pretty specific on the dosing times, hopefully you broke the cycle though, fingers crossed and happy you have pain free time!

I'd suggest a welding O2 set up with a non rebreathing mask for those that do break through if you have any- Marc is the guru on that, but many could talk you through if interested.

Also, send us your woman! Sounds like you and she talk about your CH and she's on board for ANYTHING that gets you relief- smart girl! I'm a supporter too, sometimes we need to fight and search for our sufferers when all they're energy is taken with surviving the next hit. I did it for my husband; trust me when I say she can play an active role in getting you relief!

And even when he does have to suffer a headache till the O2 kicks in, he tells me even when I can't help his head I help his heart knowing I'm there with him and for him.

And interesting job you have there- my father is a musician and was the guitar repair guy in town for years. That's my mental image of him, ankle deep in sawdust, pipe smoke in the air, Marty Robbins on the reel to reel he had in his shop, and a guitar in front of him. I have nothing but respect for the detail and attention that takes!

Wow - that is fantastic.  Here's hoping the PF time just keeps on going and going.

There is a thread entitled "Time for the 75-80% to stand up and be counted" in the Medications, Treatments, Therapies forum here that encourages those who have tried busting to report their experiences - it would be cool if you could check in there.

ditto on hating fall...

Glad you made it here.  Thanks for sharing.  As for wood work, I can cut fire wood and it stops there.  But I can cook BBQ that will make you want to slap someone... 

Blessings...