Thanks to those that sent a post.Being new here I didn't know what to expect.I've been chronic for almost 6 years now.I've been on so many meds I really have lost track of most of them.Right now I'm on Zomig, O2, Lithium and Prednisolone.Have been on Lithium and O2 from the very  beginning.Hate the side effects of Lithiumbut every time I have my Neuro take me off things really get bad.Zomig only works about 30% of the time.The Prednisolone works well for breaking up my cycles.The O2 has been my life saver but has not been working well lately.I just read the O2 page and think I have the answer.My reg only puts out 8 lpm and I need a high flow reg. I just ordered one and I hope it comes soon and that this is the answer for my O2.Just one more thing. By reading the posts on this site I realized I wasn't the only person in the world who screamed like a baby when my beast comes for a visit.

SCREAM, baby, SCREAM!!!

It is not an unusual trait!

I am SO glad that you are getting a better, higher flow regulator!  It is the best thing!  Just wait until you see what a difference it makes!

What flow rate regulator did you order?

Chuck

Welcome home Ken! Yeah the high flow regulator, (or in many cases like me a 'demand' regulator) has made all the difference. Hoping and praying it has the same results for you.

Joe

If you haven't tried it ask your doc for a sample. You will know within 2-3 tries if it works for you. Note last line on chronics.
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Headache 2001 Sep;41(8):813-6  

Olanzapine as an Abortive Agent for Cluster Headache.

Rozen TD.

Department of Neurology, Jefferson Headache Center/Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate olanzapine as a cluster headache abortive agent in an open-label trial. BACKGROUND: Cluster headache is the most painful headache syndrome known. There are very few recognized abortive therapies for cluster headache and fewer for patients who have contraindications to vasoconstrictive drugs. METHODS: Olanzapine was given as an abortive agent to five patients with cluster headache in an open-label trial. THE INITIAL OLANZAPINE DOSE WAS 5 MG, AND THE DOSE WAS INCREASED TO 10 MG IF THERE WAS NO PAIN RELIEF. THE DOSAGE WAS DECREASED TO 2.5 MG IF THE 5-MG DOSE WAS EFFECTIVE BUT CAUSED ADVERSE EFFECTS. To be included in the study, each patient had to treat at least two attacks with either an effective dose or the highest tolerated dose. RESULTS: Five patients completed the investigation (four men, one woman; four with chronic cluster, one with episodic cluster). Olanzapine reduced cluster pain by at least 80% in four of five patients, and two patients became headache-free after taking the drug. Olanzapine typically alleviated pain within 20 minutes after oral dosing and treatment response was consistent across multiple treated attacks. The only adverse event was sleepiness. CONCLUSIONS: Olanzapine appears to be a good abortive agent for cluster headache. IT ALLEVIATES PAIN QUICKLY AND HAS A CONSISTENT RESPONSE ACROSS MULTIPLE TREATED ATTACKS. IT APPEARS TO WORK IN BOTH EPISODIC AND CHRONIC CLUSTER HEADACHE.



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Olanzapine has a brand name of "Zyprexa" and is a antipsychotic. Don't be put off by this primary usage. Several of the drugs used to treat CH are cross over applications, that is, drugs approved by the FDA for one purpose which are found to be effective with unrelated conditions--BJ.

Bob,

I know that you've had success with it, so I have a question:  What is your experience with the "lasting power" of Olanzapine compared to some of the common Triptans?  

I could look up the half life, but my practical experience doesn't always agree with the published data on Triptans for example. I ask because I have new Neuro since I moved to Austin and this guy is asking me what I would like to try next.

My current routine is O2 for immediate abort, then add a Triptan after multiple "returns" if really, really required. I can live with the 20 minutes because of the immediate action of O2,  and Olanzapine would potentially be very attractive if it gives me several hours of coverage.

The low cost and reduced potential side effects are big pluses.

Thanks,

Marc

Marc, have limited knowledge to offer.

Half-life on zyprexa is 30 hrs +/- 17.

I don't know whether the half life translates into a measure of its EFFECTIVE life and whether you can compare meds this way.

I think your pharmacist is likely the best source for an answer although some M.D.s often get into such issues. (My primary care was a pharmacist before becoming an M.D.)