hi, I've been suffering from ch for about 15 years. After years of suffering and being given meds that never worked, I did research and suggested to my doctor that I try oxygen. My headaches are about 99% nocternal. Since I travel for my job, my dr gave me imitrex (injection) which also helps. but tonight I am out of both......is there some home remedy I can do to get through the night (my oxygen won't be here til tomorrow). Please say there is SOMETHING i can do. thank you

Many find relief in energy drinks.......RedBull....etc......

like Racer said-

Red bull,  two huge cups of black coffee chugged,  in a pinch with real strong shadowing I have taken two excedrin migraine and then chugged the coffee.  

melatonin taken an hour or so before bed has helped some avoid the night hits - anywhere between 6-12 mg -depends on the person as far as the dose.  

hang in there

Kelly

Hyperventilating, through the nostril on the affected side, with your nose either:

A: against an air conditioner vent.
B: In the freezer compartment of your fridge
C: Outside if it's really cold.

Frigid air in the nostril of my affected side will substantially bring down the pain for me.

Hang in there, maybe the beast will let you rest for a night, here's hoping.

Joe

I did not read this until this morning, how did you make out last night? I have Red Bull stocked up in my frig both at home and my workplace for this very reason. Remember to chug it at the very first sign of an on-coming hit.

PF wishes, and hope you get that o2 filled today.

In yet another mystery of this cursed affliction, Joe's cold ideas don't work for me, but I can lessen the pain with a heating pad wrapped around my head or by breathing in the steam off a bowl of boiling water.  Sometimes it also helps to plug my nose and clear my ears...weird, I know.

Hope something works for you...I've been down the road you're on too many times.

Scott

Just saw your post as well.. sorry I would have had no advice.  The home base remedy that I used back in the day was just banging my head really hard… cold water all over my head and eye... but I was never sure if red bull was doing it for me or not.  

holding-up  my local drug store for imitrex is probably a crime im willing to sit for..lol (sad but true)
hope you made it ok and got some weapons for the next fight ;)

I've been known to go out to my car and sit in the AC while closing my eyes w/ head back. Wrong time of year now I'm sure but that idea came from my only save from a CH. While I was at the hospital one time in the middle of an attack I had to sit in the xray room for a few minutes in waiting of my xray appt. I sat in that room for 10 minutes and came out feeling like I'd been freed of it all. It's a dust free environment with sufficient ac blowing. I'm guessing that's what did it and not the transmissions from the machines. I still drop a suggestion in the box for a 24 hr. headache lounge built the same way as the xray room.
Hope you made it allright.

To Kelly~

My husband has had limited success with the coffee but found out that when it wears off the headaches return with a vengence - do you find that to be the case?  He's thinking of swearing off of the coffee now, but everything I've read so far tells me he should not.

Also, what's in Red Bull?  I've seen it but have never tried it.

With Red Bull (and the other energy drinks) it is the combo of caffeine and taurine that helps some of us.

Oliver

Also, combining caffeine with some drugs is known to make them up to 40% more effective (that's why certain OTC "migraine" pain relievers have caffeine in them.)

soak head with hot water scalding as hot as u can stand it .   I sit in shower and make hot water Jet on my left temple area .   Sometimes helps..   but also wonder if its just a different pain sensations.

Thanks so much for all the suggestions. I fiinally got my oxygen, but ended up suffering 2 headaches that night. I'm soooo tired from these headaches. I always tend to get very depressed when they strike up and I just pray that they go away one day for good. Since banging my head on the wall isn't a good option....I know I'll be trying everything you all suggested when I'm stuck again.

One thing was kind of wierd on two nights, the oxy didn't work at all...has that ever happened to you or is oxy just not 100%??

How high a flow did you use and what kind of mask?

I have the E Tanks (smaller) with the plastic mask that has the elastic band on it (I always have to help hold it on my face though). I have the dial set at 4.

plug up any vent that lets room air into the mask.  Set you LPM up from 4 to 15 or as high as it will go if it doesn't go that high.  Hold the mask to you face (the little plastic strap isn't a good idea) and inhale. Crack the mask away from your chin when you exhale.  You want to be breathing 100% 02.  With the regulator set at 4 you don't get enough volume.
Tabitha

Quote:

I have the dial set at 4.

Yep.  That is probably why it didn't work.  Crank it up to as high as your regulator will go.  Hopefully to 15 lpm.  A lot of us have ones that go to 25 and the difference is amazing.  I can abort an attack a lot faster these days because of it.

Does your mask have a bag on it?  That is called a non-rebreather mask and that is important also.  I live in No. Calif. and it gets quite cold here at night so my tanks are out in the garage.  Cooling the temp. of the 02 helps too.

BTW....welcome.  :)

Linda

I learned something new. Thanks! I didn't realize that it should be up that high. Will do that!!!

Good!    now you WILL ley us know about the difference right?    :)

It made a difference. I taped up the tiny holes on the mask and turned up the flow...two headaches nipped right in the bud!!!! I think it only took 5 min to get rid of the headaches instead of 20! Thank you so much! ;)

That, is FANTASTIC!!!  

That's great news! For 02 to be effective your lungs must get ONLY 02, no outside air, no exhaled air. That's why the re breather mask and the high flow rate are so critical. It just tickles me to no end when 02 kicks the beasts butt for someone. Hoping it keeps beating him down for you!

Joe