The beast turned up in the early hours of Friday morning, GP did not get back to me to prescribe Imigran 6mg Injection, took oxygen and 30/500 co-codomol tablets, feel like I am going to die.  Ambulance called, emergency doc never heard of cluster headache and thought I had a hangover, nurse thought I just had headache, they turned lights off in room and pumped me with morphine.  The helped for about 4 hours, I was sent home after 2 hours and the beast has visited on and off.  Its now at its worst and I am at my wits end, dont know what to do, holiday and no doctors on duty, emergency docs dont understand.  I feel like bashing my head against the wall to get a different type of pain, I am going to go mad pacing up and down holding my head, cannot comb my hair, concentrate on anything.  Can anyone help or suggest what meds I could try urgently.  Lynda

Oh thanks so much Mike for your quick reply.  I will definately contact the UK based support group.  When I was sent via ambulance to A & E, I told them about the Imigran Injection, who my neurologist is etc, but the doctor just did not listen.  He told me to continue taking codeine (which I have for arthritis not CH) as this is good for headaches.  I could not get through to him at all and as you well know, when you have a CH the last thing you want to do is start having a debate.  My oxygen is flow rate 15, I cannot turn it up further, this is normal in the UK.  I am going to contact the UK based group tomorrow.  Thanks again, the CH is still with me but is slowing down, I know it will return in the middle of the night.  I did not realise that caffine helps a CH, again this is good advice. Thanks, Lynda.

Lynda,
Your situation sucks!  We understand what you are going through!  You are not alone!  You have come to the right place for assistance.

Until you get into your doctor to get you a prescription for (1) transitional meds, (2) preventative meds and (3) abortive meds....try the following at home, it may help, may not, worth a try...

As mentioned, Redbull or other energy drink containing Taurine and Caffeine.  Slam it as fast as possible, all of it, as soon as you feel onset of attack.  This has abported attacks on the spot for some, it has reduced intensity of some, and this has provided no relief for some.  Worth a try.  But you must chug it down fast to immediately get into bloodstream to take proactive affect.

OTC (over the counter) aspirin, tylenol, etc and also pain pills often do not work effectively for CH's (Cluster headaches).  They also have been known to cause rebound headaches.

Ice packs, bag of frozen peas, etc applied to eye, temples, neck, etc during attack sometimes will help ease the pain.

Sticking your face in front of cold air and hyperventilating often helps ease the pain.  A fan inside the house, if it is cold enough outside, in front of the A/C on high in your vehicle, etc.

Melatonin purchased without prescription from a vitamin shop or pharmacy may provide relief with night time attacks.

If you still have access to Imigran injections (Imitrex in the USA) try dividing the dosages by using the Imitrex Tip...see yellow tab on left side of screen.

You mentioned you have o2 and flow rate goes to 15 lpm.  Pace your breathing so the bag does not deflate completely and breathe in as deep as possible and exhale as deeply as possible, continue process over and over.  Ideally you will be using a NRB (non-rebreather mask) which has a 3 litre bag attached to it.  This can be purchased, if you don't already have this mask, from the ch.com store...see yellow tab, left side of screen.

A cold shower, hot shower, trial and error, may be effective for reducing pain.

See the thread titled "123 PF days and think I know why" found under the section-Medications/Treatments/etc.  This natural vitamin regimen has proven effective for many CH'ers and worth a try.  Safe, inexpensive and actually healthy.

Print off some literature from this website and take to your next doctor appointment.  Knowledge is Power and as you unfortunately already learned, you must often be your own advocate for treatment.

We are here for you. You ar not alone.  We understand your frustration and pain.  We are knowledgeable and many of us have educated neurologists.  Don't be a stranger.  Vent your feelings here when you need to, ask questions, read as much as you can to better your self awareness of this TORTURE by the DRAGON and get to a qualified headache specialist ASAP for an effective treatment regimen.

Hang Tough!  

-Gregg in Las Vegas

Instead of telling the doctor, have it printed out and ask them to include it with your notes. That way it becomes part of the official record (unlike verbal updates which might not).

Codeine is what I was given at first before I got my CH diagnosis. It did little to touch the pain other than knocking me out after about 30 minutes and resulted in fun withdrawal symptons when I came off them.

With the oxygen, do you have a regulator that can be removed? If so you may be able to swap it out for one that goes over 15lpm.

Caffeine helps as it is a vasoconstrictor. The taurine in energy drinks is a calcium channel antagonist, just like verapamil.

Thanks for all your fantastic advice.  Sure enough the beast turned up at 3am I tried to ignore it hoping it would go away, by 5am I was walking around taking codeine, inhaling 02 then eventually I managed to get some sleep around 7am until 10am.  The problem in the UK is the NHS, I am under a Neurosurgeon who is brilliant, but my GP does not really understand the condition, in fact, not many  people do as proved when I was taken to hospital (doctor thought I had a hangover).  I have tried the Ouch UK phone number and they are back in Tuesday at 10am so will be giving them a call.  Had to take another Imigan 6mg injection this afternoon, but it had little affect then another two 30/500 codeine and 02.  Just managed to get pain free.  Waiting for the beast to reawaken.  Hope it doesnt!!.  Oh and had a Red Bull and downed it like Richard Burton.  Will update you all tomorrow.  Thanks to you all.  Lynda.