Hi, HW....no meds that would be nice!

You did not mention if you have ever tried O2 as an abortive? Works like magic for me, no side effects.
Check out the oxygen information on the left.

Forty years! Long time. Let us know some more info about your battle and there will be many who will be willing to assist.

All the best :)

Welcome to the board Happywoman.  Shadows can be a horrible addition to CH's.

Glad to hear this Feverfew stuff is doing the trick for you at the moment. I would second what Iddy said and have a look into 02 therapy for if or when the big hits return.



Lefty..!

O2 works.

       potter

HW, o2 is not expensive. If need be take the welders o2 route. It's the same as medical grade. Regulators and masks are very accessible on the site.

Do yourself a favor and look in to it. All you have to lose is pain!

All the best

Hi HW!
We have the same initials by the way (and don't believe ANYONE here who tells you that in MY case that stands for Head Witch LOL)

I'm sorry the cafergot stopped working, that happens with CH. Sometimes you need a change but it could start working again for you at some point. That's not uncommon either.

As to the honey or whatever. It sounds like you have some low blood sugar going on at times. I get that too, I'll get shaky and need to have something quick. The thing with actual sugar is it works quickly and wears off quickly too. I'm not saying stop the honey but if you add a banana too you'll have something that will release slowly and help prevent spikes.

Ice is a great friend to ch'ers. You can find those " whack to activate ice packs" for sports injuries etc and having one with you can be a great quick fix. Sometimes you can find them in dollar stores. Believe me, when I do - I buy the lot!! I know finding cold outside can be a problem but if you have air con in your car, then set it to stun, that helps too if you're out and near your car.

I like tiger balm (the red one) for when I'm really stuffy. I've also found that smearing some around my eye socket helps. It doesn't do a damn thing for the pain, it doesn't cure - but it CAN sometimes soothe me. I think it might bug the butt out of others but sometimes I like it. You mentioning nasal sticks made me think you might too.

Feverfew is very good for migraines and although they are a vascular headache too, the mechanism is different and I think it was to be expected that it didn't work. I don't blame you for trying though. It isn't the daftest thing I've heard people try on this site! (Banana skins wrapped around the head and blue cheese and vinegar spring instantly to mind..)

Energy drinks ARE great as an abortive but they don't have any lasting value so sadly, won't stop you getting woken by a visit. They're something to help when you're awake.

We need to start talking other abortives and preventatives for you I think! With cafergot off the menu for now we need to look at other options.

Before I start listing a whole pile of stuff can you tell us if you have tried any triptans or other abortive drugs, any other prevents than cafergot or if you have ever tried prednisone?

Will be back with more info once we know that!

Helen

Hi again!

Sandomigran is also known as pizotifen and although a "recognised" drug for CH, it's recognised mainly for being pretty damn useless. It's a very old drug, a dinosaur these days in fact and as such, should be put out to pasture.

I'd recommend you talk to your doctor about either verapamil or possibly topomax. It's common for topomax to make you as dumb as a box of rocks but  weight loss is also a side effect. I had nasty experiences on it and find it difficult to be objective about it with that in mind but there are a few here who have had success with it.

Tramadol isn't going to help with CH sadly. I'm prescribed it for bone pain and it is wonderful for that - oh wow its brilliant for THAT!!! It's completely the wrong type of painkiller for CH though.

CH is a vascular headache and as such requires vaso constriction to relieve the pain. Triptans such as Imitrex (injections) or Zomig nasal sprays are effective and so is oxygen.

Now I use O2 all the time and the trick is never detach your mask from the tank. If you leave it all set up all you have to do is pick up the mask and set the dial on the regulator to stun. It's that easy. It looks daunting but it really isn't and oh wow - I can't begin to describe the euphoria when it works!! My attacks can be pretty  fast acting too but I can always get on the o2. I keep it with me all the time. It's easily portable in E tanks - you can take it anywhere in a holdall. (Just don't leave it in the trunk of your car on hot days for goodness sake!)

If it helps convince you of it's efficacy - I can abort an attack from waking with one in five to seven minutes flat. Its joyful!

Looking forward to hearing more from you!
Helen

Was too born then LOL Was only 4 years old though!

I hope your daughter has an easy time with her teeth today, Good luck with that and I see we have a fellow reader! There are several of us here who love to read and we'll frequently set off a "What are you reading now?" type thread on the general board where we all swap suggestions for good books (and howlers!) You'll have to come and join in! There is no such thing as too many good ideas for books LOL

Helen

Happywoman wrote on Dec 6^th, 2009 at 3:36pm:

.......................... The oxygen therapy sounds great, I've read all the links and lots of the posts. But the thing is, I go from 0-10 on the pain scale in less than 5 minutes ............................... HW

Same thing here. That exactly why I DO use welding O2. If you read all of the links and posts, I would think that you would be out getting an O2 setup!

It kills my attacks in 3-6 minutes so I never have to endure the agony anymore. Sit up straight or stand,  turn the handle and start breathing deep. Faster and easier than any medication.

Again, it's not a cure and won't stop them from coming - but it kills the pain immediately if you get to it quickly. You may still need a good preventative.

If you are like most Clusterheads and want to avoid true K10's, you have the power to do so. But you have to take control and make it happen.

Marc