If you have an energy drink you might be able to get rid of your shadow by drinking it as fast as you can.  I can sometimes keep a hit from progressing if I drink one as soon as I feel it.  Others find that getting to your oxygen will stop a shadow and some find that Excedrine Migraine helps.  We're all just different. 

There are many opinions about whether using an abortive will cause the next hit to be stronger.  Personally, I feel like triptans do just that.   I try to avoid them when possible, and rely on my O2 and energy drinks as much as possible.

Jeannie

I hope the energy drink helps. Be careful with using them if you are taking Verapamil as a prevent.  It can affect your heart.  I think the rule is no more than 2 energy drinks per day if you are taking it.

Really push for the 02 script.  You are right, CH is really scary.  Having access to oxygen, at a high flow rate and the proper mask takes a lot of that scariness away.  Most people find that, if used correctly, o2 will abort an attack in around 5 minutes. 

Jeannie

Naproxen (Aleve) works well for mine

I have tried Naproxen, and unfortunately that does not help me.

Yesterday was my first day of tapering down on the Prednisone and last night was the first severe CH since I started taking it.  I thought it was coincidence because it was only one less pill and it was the first day of tapering down. 

I've actually never heard of Decadron, but I have some not so pleasant side effects from the Prednisone as it is.

Can O2 be purchased without a script?  Maybe I can pick it up somewhere in case I'm SOL with the Prednisone.  I would do nearly anything to prevent another night like last night.

Also, what strength do people use with Verapamil?  I'm on my 7th day of one pill of 120 mg.  Seems small from what I've read.  I know I need to give it time to work, but I'm curious what dosage seems to work best for people.

Thank you.  It makes me feel a little more in control to hear everyone's stories and that there are options out there.  I also appreciate your patience because I know I am only beginning to learn about this, and I was merely desperate for some immediate help from anyone willing.

It is a pretty helpless feeling when that pain overcomes you.  I think it's even worse to have a loved one witness it.  If it wasn't for this shadow, last night would just seem like a horrible, horrible dream.  Like it was so torturous, it could not possibly have been real.

I started with 120mg of Verap for 3 days, then 240mg for a week, then 360mg.  It was not until I had 3 or 4 days of the 360mg level that I really felt it start to work.  I have not had a serious attack since hitting the 360mg level, and in fact am now tapering down to 240mg and then to 120mg if all goes well.  As to shadows, I found them to be a regular part of the cycle (this is my first), but a decent price to pay to be rid of the severe attacks.  As they say, YMMV (your mileage may vary) but I for one swear by Verapamil.  FYI, I was also on 240mg of Indomethacin for most of the cycle along with the Verap.  Good luck to you!

Incredible support and information.  Thank you all.

I am happy to report a CH-free night sleep!  I know I cannot count my chickens when it comes to these, and I haven't had more than two days without one in about 7 weeks, but I actually feel good right now!

I think my problem stems from the fact that I have had periodic episodal migraines for 10 years.  I now believe that druing that time period, at least some of those incidents were CH that were not not properly diagnosed, but I certainly suffered from migraines as well.  So, I treated my CH like they were migraines for a while.  I usually take Axert for migraines.  Like many of you have said, pills are worthless for CH because of how long they take to work.

I hope I have a good neuro for this bc he is a migraine sufferer and was always aggressive in treating migraines and did not shy away from anything treatment-wise.  But, it took way too long to diagnose my current condition as CH, and was only diagnosed after I described how my left eye would sometimes turn bright red and even swell completely shut, my eye would tear, and my nose would run.  I hope that after my MRI and follow-up appointment, he can provide me with a faster-acting abortive - be it CO2 or some kind of nasal spray. 

I have also used Fioricet for migraines in the past.  Has anyone had any success with that for CH?  I have had some success with it in this current bout of CH in that it seems to kick in after about 30-40 minutes rather than the usual 40-60 minutes for the Axert.  I had Fioricet by my bed last night in case I woke up with CH and was ready to try chewing them for the first time ever rather than experience another horrible episode.

I do not worry so much about my neuro, but do worry about my insurance company.  They seem to try to deny everything the first time around!

As to work and FMLA issues, I thank you very much for the information and can tell you that I desperately hope it never comes to that.  I am extremely stubborn and have literally popped Percocet after Percocet after Percocet to get through a day with CH at work thinking it was just a really bad migraine.  Pain pills do not tend to give me that "high" feeling, and I'm able to get work done.  That is no way to live, however, and I haven't taken narcotic pain pills since I was finally diagnosed with CH rather than migraine.  I also personally felt that with the Percocet, the next CH was worse than the previous one.  But, as I am sure you all understand, when the pain is at its worst, we will do anything to get rid of it in that instant and damn the future.

Gregg,

What you say about Fioricet and Percocet I completely agree with.  The only "positive" I've had from these medications is in getting through a work day.  Since I have only used the abortives Axert, Fioricet and Percocet for CH so far (just diagnosed last week after 10 years of a migraine-only diagnosis), I can only comment on those.  I would LOVE something as safe and natural and apparently way more effective as O2.  However, since I have a very high tolerance for pain meds, I do not get the high or loopy feeling and have been able to work effectively on these meds.  The CH either goes away as a result of the med or on its own because it took so long for the med to kick in, but I feel more confident that in taking those medications at the beginning or middle of a 10-12 hour working day that I'll get through the rest of the day without CH returning.  This has been effective either by chance or in reality thus far.   However, more than 50% of the time I use that route, I have an out of a deep sleep 2-4 a.m. BEAST wake-up call, which are by far the worst for me (all left-sided severe eye, sinus, teeth, and head pain with red and swollen eye, tears, sometimes full on crying, rocking, nasal dripping, shaking, restlessness, extreme fear, an honest-to-God wish at that moment for death, embarrassment in front of my fiance . . . you get the picture).

It is a pride issue with me at work.  I take a med and shut the door to my office for 30-60 minutes if necessary and then I can stay late if I have to.  It takes debilitating pain for well over an hour before I consider leaving and even then I do not feel confident driving and have to try to gain enough coherence in thought to find a way home. 

I am also in a profession where a lot rides on appearances, and I am being very honest right now, I fear what people would say or think if I had an oxygen tank in the office.  My career depends largely on my ability to promote a strong and confident demeanor.  This is a real issue to me at this stage for which I would love to hear others' feedback.

Let me be clear, I think the Fioricet/Percocet route is NOT a smart thing to do especially with less abrasive and addictive medications out there.  To have learned that something as natural as oxygen could be 1,000,000 times more effective is such an eye-opener!  I plan to change my course of action (to at least a nasal spray) at my next appointment (6 days away) or earlier if my neuro can get me in.  I also saw from the OUCH Website that there are 3 neuros in my area listed.  If I am dissatisfied with my next neuro appointment, I will switch ASAP.

Making a checklist of what you said both for me and others if it is easier to read and useful to anyone else:

1. Imitrex nasal spray and injection (will ask for at next neuro apt)

2. Red Bull (got it handy now in the office at all times, had mild relief using it yeseterday for first time for a shadow)

3. Verapamil (on it now for 8 days, but at low dosage, will follow-up with neuro)

4. Prednisone (on it now for 8 days, mixed and somewhat disappointing results)

5. O2 (debating what you said.  I know you're right, but I fear the cost and time involved (not a good time) and might just get a script from my neuro.  I'm also hoping my current regimen of Verapamil/Predisone is working.  Also have an MRI in 2 days, which my neuro wants to see before next apt)

This site and all of you are amazing.  It's fascinating and difficult to comprehend why it is somehow easier to know there are others out there going through the same thing.  It doens't take the pain away, but it's comforting.  All the best to all of you.