Just when I was about to post how less anxious I was about having my next attack ( due to having a liquid 02 tank with 15 lpm reg and optimask at my ready and 51 imitrex refill cartridges on hand ) I read
Catlind's response to - First time here! SO happy to find this site! - and in part I quote;

"I'm one of those that was considered to be an imitrex rebound and caused to go chronic.  The specialist even wrote it up that way on my diagnostic/treatment plan letter.  Please watch how much you use it, as it definitely can aggravate CH and many many people here have had that happen."

So much for the calm before the storm. If my cycle holds true I will be under attack soon, in 2 or 3 weeks. My doctor wants me to use as little imitrex as possible,like around 3 or 4 shots a week. Does that sounds totally unrealistic? I want to use as much as I need, though not ever having used o2 or injections before I can't say how it's going to go for me. The thought of going chronic scares the death out of
me. The neurosurgeon wants to put me on a preventative but I am unsure that that is the correct route, too many different options and side effects to not go with what I have and try that first. It does beg
the question though of if I were on a preventative now would the episode not happen?

Can anyone expound on the imitrex rebound/going chronic/aggravation situation?

My previous attacks (3) have been 5 years apart. I realize how lucky I am to have this blessed event only so often. My heart goes out to each and every one of you that are on the front line all the time.

For my previous attacks I was only given only given nasal stadol and a few imitex pills. I was pretty much in pain and doped 24/7. Constant rebounds. I can't have/don't want that. I need to work and maintain
my insurance. I have read the imitrex injection trick of unscrewing the vial and using a q-tip to administer less than the 6 mg dose. I understand that I should use no more than 12 mg in a day. I have been
unable as of yet to get the regular vials to self administer 2 or 3 mg with a needle. Insurance doesn't want to pay the extra 124 bucks the pharmacy is charging and I am afraid to push the envelope. It was tough but I have a script for 8 months of 16 refill cartridges.  I have heard of people using 24 or more mg's a day but I am hoping a combination of o2 and imitrex will keep my imitrex usage down. I did have an ekg and I am and in good health. I plan to take a half or a whole imitrex pill before going to bed. I am also taking ambien almost daily and will probably stop once the bout begins. I don't want that variable. Energy drinks are also part of the plan.

One of my biggest problems is that those around me ( medical professionals included) think that I am " thinking up the headache" and that if I don't think about it it won't happen. They also think that it is possible that I won't have an attack at all. Totally frustrating. I have not heard of a sufferer going into remission and I don't subscribe to the quantum physics approach to healing. That being said I want to thank all those on this site for their sympathy and support.

Can anyone comment on a ch sufferer going into remission? Does it happen? Has anyone's beast just up and left?

I would also like to know how LSD (or other psychedelics) acts with a ch. I am a deadhead so you can imagine that I am not unfamiliar with the drug. My last trip however was in 95, a year after my 1st ch bout.  If it takes 20 to 40 minutes to peak when does one drop a tab to abort? Or is it to be used as a preventive and I should trip between headaches? How many mic's are sufficient? Does the ch counteract the tripping part? I can't be working and tripping. Lord forbid that the acid intensifies the fear of the pain.

Thanks to all of you that are putting out the information and sharing the knowledge with the rest of us, it helps not to feel alone.

Jay

A good route might be to use the oxygen when needed and the trex as a backup, if needed.

Preventatives are good if there's minimal side effects for you.  They may help to not wake to abort a hit and to not experience one just about anywhere else.

Quote:

" thinking up the headache" and that if I don't think about it it won't happen. They also think that it is possible that I won't have an attack at all.

Most of us have heard some pretty crazy things from family, friends and co-workers....but a physician said that to you????   Oh my.... >:( >:( >:(

DO try the oxygen route.  Most of us can abort in a very short time w/o the need for the Imitrex, using the Trex as a back-up for the stubborn ones.