Hi Mark

Trying to answer your questions.

Since you had a gap of more than a month between your two cycles this year you are episodic. However don't get stressed about the definition. It is just a definition, it doesn't really make any difference to what symptoms you get or the treatment.

Different people have different endings to a cycle. For some it just fades away and for others it can build to a peak before abruptly stopping. Even for a given person it can vary.

As for triggers, alcohol is pretty common for most but not all. It is more likely for those chronic to be still able to enjoy it without getting a hit. For other triggers there is a lot more variation, so it is all down to what triggers affect you.

Welcome to the board Mark, I'm the nosey guy!!

Do you have an effective treatment regimen? Oxygen for aborting attacks, a decent prevent? Have you checked out the Batch Regimen, the vitamin supplements that are providing relief for so many? Want to make sure you're aware of the high percentage treatments. Glad you checked in.

Joe

Enigmatic....Knucks for proper use of the word!

Joe

Living in the middle east.hmm....that could prove problematic!  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 34years, they haven’t killed me yet! You need an organized approach to managing them so they don’t manage your life. 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. You mention a lot of the meds spound scary....I resisted lithium for many years because of it's Hollywood reputation. I pictured a mouth breathing zombie my wife wouldn't recognize. Turned out to be my silver bullet as it blocks 60-70% of my attacks. If i didn't tell you i was taking it you'd never know.

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 as it must be used correctly or it will not work

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

If you can't get medical oxygen in the east, weldling oxygen is just as good. Many here use it. Welding oxygen has to be just as pure as medical or the welds fail!


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.

Definitely work on getting the meds for the Batch regimen. Even shipping them from the US will be relatively cheap and they're helping so many on the board.

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