Hello,

My name is Ed and have had cluster headachs from 1984 Nov to now at age 49.  I only get them when sleeping @ the same time into sleep cycle 90 min.  Always the same time frame 80 to 90 min. after falling asleep.  Always on the right side, never on the left and never changing sides.  My neck is horribly sore.  The average is about 25 dayes in a row and around this time of the year Thanksgiving and right before Chrismas.  I have had good results with Furinal number 3.  While pacing the floor waiting for the drugs to work I have a stuffy nose (right nostrol)  and really have to go to the bathroom #2.  I have a hightend sense of smell during the time from waking up in pain and waiting for some effect form the Furinal to work.

thanks ERM

Hi Ed,

Welcome.

How long do your headaches last without Fiorinal 3?

Have you thought about exploring using oxygen to abort your headaches in a few minutes?

Read some more on this site - you may find it very interesting!

Marc

Is Fiorinal the ONLY abortive or preventative you've ever tried in all these years?

Yes, please DO read the links to the left of here, especially the oxygen info. button in yellow.

 
Cluster headache.
From: START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE (Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases)
[Easy to read; one of the better overview articles I've seen. Suggest printing the full length article--link, line above--if you are serious about keeping a good medical library on the subject.]

Leroux E, Ducros A.

ABSTRACT: Cluster headache (CH) is a primary headache disease characterized by recurrent short-lasting attacks (15 to 180 minutes) of excruciating unilateral periorbital pain accompanied by ipsilateral autonomic signs (lacrimation, nasal congestion, ptosis, miosis, lid edema, redness of the eye). It affects young adults, predominantly males. Prevalence is estimated at 0.5-1.0/1,000. CH has a circannual and circadian periodicity, attacks being clustered (hence the name) in bouts that can occur during specific months of the year. ALCOHOL IS THE ONLY DIETARY TRIGGER OF CH, STRONG ODORS (MAINLY SOLVENTS AND CIGARETTE SMOKE) AND NAPPING MAY ALSO TRIGGER CH ATTACKS. During bouts, attacks may happen at precise hours, especially during the night. During the attacks, patients tend to be restless. CH may be episodic or chronic, depending on the presence of remission periods. CH IS ASSOCIATED WITH TRIGEMINOVASCULAR ACTIVATION AND NEUROENDOCRINE AND VEGETATIVE DISTURBANCES, HOWEVER, THE PRECISE CAUSATIVE MECHANISMS REMAIN UNKNOWN. Involvement of the hypothalamus (a structure regulating endocrine function and sleep-wake rhythms) has been confirmed, explaining, at least in part, the cyclic aspects of CH. The disease is familial in about 10% of cases. Genetic factors play a role in CH susceptibility, and a causative role has been suggested for the hypocretin receptor gene. Diagnosis is clinical. Differential diagnoses include other primary headache diseases such as migraine, paroxysmal hemicrania and SUNCT syndrome. At present, there is no curative treatment. There are efficient treatments to shorten the painful attacks (acute treatments) and to reduce the number of daily attacks (prophylactic treatments). Acute treatment is based on subcutaneous administration of sumatriptan and high-flow oxygen. Verapamil, lithium, methysergide, prednisone, greater occipital nerve blocks and topiramate may be used for prophylaxis. In refractory cases, deep-brain stimulation of the hypothalamus and greater occipital nerve stimulators have been tried in experimental settings.THE DISEASE COURSE OVER A LIFETIME IS UNPREDICTABLE. Some patients have only one period of attacks, while in others the disease evolves from episodic to chronic form.

PMID: 18651939 [PubMed]
================
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Here is a link to read and print and take to your doctor.  It describes preventive, transitional, abortive and surgical treatments for CH. Written by one of the better headache docs in the U.S.  (2002)
================
Michigan Headache & Neurological Institute for another list of treatments and other articles:

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I second the suggestion to look into the O2.  Properly used it will knock out a hit for me in 5-8 mins.  By the time fiorinal works unless you are unusual you will be ending the hit anyway.  Also, it is dangerous!  I know.  My first Dr got me almost hooked on it and I had a terrible time quitting.  Opioids do not work for clusters.

JMHO
Jerry

I was given fiorinal in the mid eighties for migranes.

Do your best to follow up on the advise that others have already mentioned,o2!

All the best :)

Before I was diagnosed (20 yrs ago) I was Rx'd Fiorinal #3, it has codeine. I t seemed to help but would not stop a major hit. Pain meds are known to be of little help for CH.

I had a shot of Morphine once that didn't touch my CH attack, just made me tired but still in pain. The best advice we can give you is look into the modern treatments for CH.

1. Oxygen (abortive)

2. Triptans (Imitrex etc.) (abortive)

3. Verapamil, Lithium, etc. (preventatives)

There is more info to be found on this site. You owe it to yourself and loved ones.

Good Luck,  Don

Hi and Welcome

  DEFINITELY seek a script for 02.  I can't use Imitrex (some artery blockage and high cholesterol) . . . so 02 is my only abortive .  .  . can abort in minutes if used early-on in the attack . . . and it's CHEAP, even if your insurance won't cover and you have to pay cash.

  Read, read, read . . . and ask any questions you might have.  You've found the motherlode of ch info/caring/sharing.

  Be Safe,

     PFDANs


       Richard