Posted by Dean Ribak (24.177.87.34) on September 02, 2001 at 12:19:00:
I've had cluster headaches for about 7 years now. For the first 4 years they came in cycles like normal. For the last 3 they've become chronic. About 3 years ago I got reffered to a VERY good doctor. He suggested trying OXYGEN. When I got my next headache I put the mask on, and to my amazement My clusters have been cut down to no more than 15 minutes and the pain is only about half as bad as it used to be. If I don't use the oxygen then they are just as bad as usual. AND, if I get to the oxygen within the 1st few seconds when an attack starts happening, I can usually abort it before it becomes full blown. The high flow OXYGEN really was a Godsend for me. If you do get OXYGEN then set the regulator between 12 and 15. I don't know if this will help EVERYONE with their clusters but I SWEAR it cut mine down in duration and pain. The way I figure it is if you haven't tried it then you really don't have anything to lose. Please Please check with your doctor and make sure you follow ALL of your Doctor's instructions. I AM NOT A DOCTOR. Please e-mail me and let me know what you all think or reply to this posting. Especially if you've tried it and what the results were.
Have a pain free day
Dean