So I've started this horrible journey with cluster headaches at the beginning of the year. My neurologist has tried every drug for me and oxygen. I went in for my 2 week check up last week and he told me that he wants to admit into the hospital to run some medication through a IV. I was wondering if anyone else has had this done?

I should be in the hospital at the end of this week, had to get my FMLA paperwork completed. I'm so tired of these headaches. So painful, so exhausting. I always tell myself that that was the worst headache ever. They've gotten pretty bad the last month, so I'm hoping that this medication works.

Please let me know if you guys have been admitted for CH.

Thanks.

Sorry about that. It's DIHYDROERGOTAMINE.

Thank you.

Hi Charm.  I just perused your posts and have a few comments or questions.  You can disregard if you want or if you don't find it helpful.

You say your doctor has tried a bunch of meds, is he/she a specialist in the clusters or merely a neuro with a vague familiarity with our condition?  I haven't done the pharmaceutical route, but many here have and I bet if you listed the doses and medications they could have some opinions for you.  There are medications that tend to work for people better than others.

Did you get your O2 setup?  how many liters per minute?  What kind of mask.... Some people have no effect at lower doses as some have already pointed out. 

Caffeine for the daytime hits effective at all for you?  Effective for many here.

Melatonin works for many for nighttime hits.  Tried it?

Also have you checked out the cluster busters website and video/articles?  My preferred method for those hard to break cycles. 

So pardon my inquisitiveness, I am just trying to keep you out of the hospital if possible (I hear the food isn't that great ).  I am sure you have read a bunch on this website, but there is a ton of info.  After being here for a few years I think most of us are very similar.  Even though not everything works the same for everyone, there is enough stuff that works for many/most of us that specific things are worth a try.

Good luck!!

--Shaggy

The only other in-patient procedure for CH (excluding surgery) that I remember around here is histamine desensitization.  We had a fellow here a few years ago who'd had it done several times. 

As I recall, it didn't work all that well--provided a couple of weeks' relief each time.  Cost around $20,000 a crack.  Haven't heard anything about the procedure since that time.

Best,

George

I've been in for infusion therapy twice. The first time was a week in hospital... extremely boring and it didn't really help a lot. I slept a lot and had some very vivid dreams. Second time was outpatient for 3 days. I'd go in first thing in the morning and leave around 4. That time it helped a lot, but it didn't last very long.

The idea behind this is to break the cycle of pain.

-Chris

I also had the DHE infusion done in the hospital.  I only had one hit in the 5 days I was on the IV.  The day I got out, CHs back to normal. 

Good luck with better success Charm - bring lots to do in the hospital! 

Val

Charm,
I read back over your posts and you said that the headaches started about 6 months ago.  I could be wrong, but I don't think you could have tried all the prevents in that amount of time.  Any idea what drugs you have tried (and their dosages)?

Carolyn

Been there. Done that. The DHE IV broke a 9 month cycle.