Many people call me L, short for L'Den. I've been diagnosed with CH since I was 16 years old. I am now 26 and when I start getting headaches I experience atleast 1 attack per day but sometimes even up to 8 attacks on a bad day for atleast a month straight. Then they will vanish for 12-18 months. Well, unfortunately it's that time for me again.. I've read a lot on this site from time to time within the past few years when my CH comes and goes, it's a relief to know that I'm not the only one out there. As to many that have said the same I feel very fortunate to have found this site.

Back in 09 I discovered the use of o2 for CH from here and I suggested it to the doc, well good thing the doc already known about o2 for CH and agreed to prescibe o2, let me tell you, it worked! I used o2 thoughout that time and my headaches were usually gone within 10-15 min. Well since then about a year or so after, I lost my health insurance due to a job change and tried a different approach such as energy drinks, preferably rockstar, I couldn't believe it at first, but that actually works for me too, well most of the time, atleast 7 out of 10 times.. And when it didn't work, then I'm in for a rough couple of hours of pain. My headaches would last anywhere from 10 min if the energy drink works then up to a couple of hours if not. So I've just learned to deal with them and also didn't take any type of medication at that time. Just the rockstar diet and staying active.

A year and a half later now, I currently have health insurance through my employer and thought I should get back on o2. So today I went to the immediate care and thought I could suggest o2 to the doc, even as I let her know that I've been diagnosed years ago and said that o2 was very effective for me she denied me the presription because she felt that it was too dangerous. I argued saying that I have already experienced o2 in the past with great success. She suggested I should see a neurologist. True, but I tell her that I already went in the past and they were who diagnosed me with cluster headaches and prescibed me imitrex. This lady tells me that she just recently done research on cluster headaches and not anywhere did it say anything about oxygen use, then also said I shoudn't be reading false articles because I told her about what I've learned through the internet. I then tell her that they must need to update research and referred her to this site. I couldn't believe it. Again, she denied me o2 and tells me I should just see somebody else then. What kind of doctor is that? Well, now I'm going to print out the oxygen study results and drop it off at her office. What a waste of time, I guess I'll have to search for a good doc that understands cluster headaches. For now, I'm back on my enery drinks and just dealing with the beast.

Welcome to the site L,
Unfortunately there are many Doctors like that, who spread their ignorance. You should have better luck with a Neuro but many of them don't know about proper O2 treament for CH.

The link below is about O2 from one of the top CH doctors in the USA, also read the "oxygen info" on the left of this screen. Good Luck!!

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or .

Today many of us use higher than 15LPM with the O2pti mask available on this site at the CH.com store. It's made just to treat CH.

Don

Here's the Doctor link Joe missed. I would like to ask this Doctor where she searched CH.

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

The OUCH (organization for Understanding CH) site has some very good info.

Don

Thanks for fixing my screw up Don...sigh...old age!!

Mac, if you're interested in going with the "alternative" treatment options, PLEASE visit our sister site, Clusterbusters.com

It's not just a matter of popping a cap and going pain free. There are details about detoxing, dosing intervals and quantities, and a LOT of real life personal experiences. Their success rate is phenomenal so it's worth checking into.

Joe