Hello cyber cluster world!
      Pleased to make your acquaintances! I'm writing just days from the onset of my annual 3 to 6 week cycle, nervous as hell, especially since my O2 preparations have been laxadaisacal this go around, meaning lots of last minute scrambling, trying to get everything in line for that first, wrenching, 1am wake-up call. Yip-de-doo! Anyway, I'm looking foward to meeting and speaking with you, especially the seasoned and tested among you, whose words of wisdom I could sure use right now.
     A thought occured to me the other day: My headahces began about a year after I moved from Philly to Portland, Oregon. And I know it's probably a hopeless shot in the dark, but I've been wondering (and hoping) if my recent return to the Philly area might get me off the hook. Any thoughts?
      Thanks in advance, all you rare gems of human suffering! Oward with the battle, onward with life!

Welcome to the board Tuck. Are you working with a headache specialist neuro yet? We have seen the best results from doing so. There are hundreds of headache types, some which mimic CH, and it’s important to eliminate those before arriving at a firm diagnosis. I’ve had CH for 35 years, they haven’t killed me yet! You need an organized approach to managing them so they don’t manage your life. You only mention oxygen....which is great....... I use a 3 pronged approach, many use a similar approach:

1: A good prevent med. A med I take daily, while on cycle, to reduce the number and intensity of my attacks. I use lithium, it blocks 60-70% of my attack. Verapamil is the most common first line prevent, topomax also has a loyal following. Some have to combine lithium and verapamil together to get relief.

2: A transitional med. Most prevents will take up to 2 weeks to become effective. I go on a prednisone taper, from 80 mg to zero over a two week period to give me a break while my prevent builds up. Prednisone will provide up to 100% relief for many CH’ers but is harsh on the system and should only be used for short periods of time.

3: An abortive therapy, the attack starts, now what? Oxygen should be your first line abortive. Breathing pure 02 will abort an attack for me in less then 10 minutes, that’s completely pain free. Read this link to make sure you're getting the maximum benefit from your 02:

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Imitrex nasal spray and injectables are very effective abortives. I use the injectables, they’re expensive, and I rarely use them, mostly just when I get caught away from the oxygen. The pill form generally works too slow to be effective for CH’ers.

Go to the medications section of this board and read the post " Anti-Inflammatory Regimen and Survey” It’s a vitamin/mineral/fish oil supplement, all over the counter stuff, that’s providing a lot of relief for people who have tried it, it’s healthy for you even without CH!

For now, get some energy drinks. Rock Star, Monster, any containing the combo of caffeine and taurine, chug it down as fast as you can when you feel an attack starting. Many can abort or at least really reduce an attack using these.

Finally, visit our sister board for “alternative” treatment methods outside of mainstream medicine. As you’ll see from all the success stories on this board, there is something to it.

clusterbusters.com


Read everything you can on this board, if you are a CH’er, knowledge is your best ally. We’ll help you all we can.

Joe

Hey jtuck, I dont know about geo, but i did read that there has been findings in episodics that the spring and fall equinox(sp) appears to coinside with thier starts. Leading at least one doctor to study the effects of sunlight on the brain. Of course it has not been true for all, and as CHers know, thats the biggest mystery. Jury's still out for me but im gonna follow the data when I can. Good luck this yr I hope your pf.

Hey J,
You need to check out clusterbusters.com
There you will find more information on your current treatment. It will help you fine tune your treatment. When following their protocol, many are getting complete, long lasting relief.

Edit: If you post over there I will welcome you to the board and have some immediate tips to make your treatment more effective.