There are other preventives like lithium and topamax. Have you tried those?

Have you tried vitamin D3 as a preventive? I've gone over 3 years CH pain free using it and others have gone longer (it helps over 80% of people who try it).

Have you used any abortives? Oxygen works great - Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or .

Also try injectable imitrex (imigran / sumatriptan).

I've no experience of LSD or similar.

LSD works like magic but is a bit "big of a hammer". Terminating a cycle or preventing one from starting with LSD is called busting. I would suggest you read Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or and then go to Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or and introduce yourself there. Lots of information to offer to your doctor as well.

I would say that minority of CH patients who treat themselves with busting, use LSD. Usually the first step is LSA (found in RC seeds, HBWR seeds) almost as effective but without those undesired side effects, "tripping".

You will get more help and advice in the message board. People there saved my life.

I hope that your new doctor has experience and training in treating headache disorders. One of he greatest problems we face are doctor lacking knowledge about Cluser.

Print the PDF filel, below, and share it with the  doctor and you can use it to talk about various treatments.

Verapamil is often used indoses as high as 700-900mg bedfore it becomes effective.

The most commonlly used approach to treat Cluster is:

1. Prednisone used to rapidly stop attacks.
2. At the same time, starting a long acting preventive medicine such as Verapamil. (I takes seveal days to become effective an so the Prednisone gives you relief while waiting fore the Ver. to become effecive.)
3. And a fast acting abortive medicine for stop attacks which may occur even after the first 2 meds are being used.
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If you believe the new doctor is not skilled about treating Clusster, here is how to find a headache specialist.
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LOCATING HEADACHE SPECIALIST

1. Yellow Pages phone book: look for "Headache Clinics" in the M.D. section and look under "neurologist" where some docs will list speciality areas of practice.

2.  Call your hospital/medical center. They often have an office to assist in finding a physician. You may have to ask for the social worker/patient advocate.

3. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or ; On-line screen to find a physician.

4. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or Look for "Physician Finder" search box. They will send a list of M.D.s for your state.I suggest using this source for several reasons: first, we have read several messages from people who, even seeing neurologists, are unhappy with the quality of care and ATTITUDES they have encountered; second, the clinical director of the Jefferson (Philadelphia) Headache Clinic said, in late 1999, that upwards of 40%+ of U.S. doctors have poor training in treating headache and/or hold attitudes about headache ("hysterical female disorder") which block them from sympathetic and effective work with the patient; third, it's necessary to find a doctor who has experience, skill, and a set of attitudes which give hope of success. This is the best method I know of to find such a physician.

5. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or NEW certification program for "Headache Medicine" by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties, an independent, non-profit, professional medical organization.
        Since this is a new program, the initial listing is limited and so it should be checked each time you have an interest in locating a headache doctor.
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WHY A HEADACHE SPECIALIST IS RECOMMENDED


Headache. 2012 Jan;52(1):99-113.
Cluster headache in the United States of America: demographics, clinical characteristics, triggers, suicidality, and personal burden.
Rozen TD, Fishman RS.

THERE REMAINS A SIGNIFICANT DIAGNOSTIC DELAY FOR CLUSTER HEADACHE PATIENTS ON AVERAGE 5+ YEARS WITH ONLY 21% RECEIVING A CORRECT DIAGNOSIS AT TIME OF INITIAL PRESENTATION.

Hello - I've been suffering with these headaches for over five years now. I read about mushrooms, and after a year of asking around, a client (I mix music) hooked me up with a bag. It really worked for me, and I never took enough at a time to experience any of the hallucinations or other side effects other than feeling slightly warm. They totally killed most of last seasons headaches and they continue to be more mild than before.

Also the awful days of "shadows" have not been back. I hope to get more for the September through November season this year.

I would say its a 75-90% improvement for myself. And yes - this is on top of the daily D3 and vitamin K supplements.

Even at the low doses I was taking, I have a sober spotter around just to make sure.