I have serious problems on airplanes. On a recent cross country round trip I was treated 3 times with oxygen. It was on 3 different flights, but they take my name and other information each time. I am concerned I will end up on a "no fly list" because of it. I travel extensively for work and need to do something to prevent getting hit with the beast in flight.
I have tried sitting in the front of the plane where I was told the air quality was better. I have tried having a full stomach, having an empty stomach, drinking a lot of coffee before and during the flight, having no caffine before or during a flight. So far I can not say any of these things have worked or not worked.
Does anyone here have a problem on airplanes and have any tricks or tips that have worked for you?

Amerge or Frova.

Brew, thanks for the information.
I have used Caffergot in the past when I absolutly positively had to be cluster free for 8 hours. After the caffergot wore off there would be hell to pay. A post caffergot attack would last 3 hours and oxygen would only hold the beast in check enough to keep me from screaming and banging my head.
Researching Amerge and Frova it seems as if they work the same way as caffergot does. Do you have any experience with post Amerge or Frova attacks?

In my previous job, I flew a lot (over 100K miles per year) and flying/airports were my worst nightmare. No where to run. No where to hide.

After trying every single Triptan multiple times, I had the best results with Zomig Nasal Spray - fast and reliable. (Frova never did much for me unless I doubled the dose) If the attack started to come back, I added an Amerge. This is a strictly “off label” use - mixing Triptans - and some people have reported disastrous results doing it - like heart attacks. I was 54 years old at the time and I did it with the blessing of both my Neuro and Cardio docs and never had a problem of any kind. DON'T do it without working with your doctor.

The key is that I was mixing fast/short acting Triptans with long lasting versions, with the doses staggered by 2-3 hours.

As to the second part of your question: No, the “payback” hits were never any worse than without taking these particular drugs. The glaring exception to that for me is Imitrex which makes me pay dearly, later.

I traveled with my O2 regulator which is the CGA-540 type thread that fits both large medical tanks and all welding tanks. With a little bit of legwork (and some greenbacks) you would be amazed at how easy it is to find welding O2 in hotels, garages, etc. while on the road.

Marc

Air travel has never been a problem for me HOWEVER, I always took my favorite NON-Oxygen abortive before the flight took off.  Zyprexa, Starbucks energy drink (which has taurine), and Maxalt MLT have all been things I tried and I have never got hit on a flight.

The Starbucks energy drink is a great idea. I am self treating and don't do prescription medications anymore, but there is a Starbucks in every airport!
I reliably get an attack on domestic flights but I have never had one an international flight. They must keep the air quality better on long overseas flights.
I think I will buy 2 energy drinks before the next flight and drink one in the gate area and chug the other one as we get to 10,000'.

I found that the energy drinks really work for me when I fly.  Of course, that was before I read up on the dangers of mixing them with Verapamil, which I take as my preventative.  My neuro is not fond of the energy drinks but he has not banned them for me as long as I am judicious in their use which I take to mean "as needed if flying!"  :D I do bring Imitrix injections "just in case" because, for me, they work like a charm and there are no after-effects.  Maxalt-MLT used to help... alas, now they need an energy drink, too!  When I use the drinks, I take one before the plane takes off and one in the air, especially when I fly around my "hit" time.  One "nice" thing about the beast is that it arrives with predictability for me so I can plan accordingly as necessary.  I have O2 at home and it works great...  I take a many-pronged approach to beating the beast...

Is flying with o2 off limits? Even with a script and doctors letter?

OT: I can't help myself.. Can you imagine a CHer at kip 10 and a terrorist?

NovellRed wrote on Dec 29^th, 2009 at 6:15pm:

........................ I reliably get an attack on domestic flights but I have never had one an international flight. They must keep the air quality better on long overseas flights.

I would be curious why you think the air quality would be maintained differently and how that impacts CH's.

Marc

Mac_Muz wrote on Dec 30^th, 2009 at 7:51pm:

Is flying with o2 off limits? Even with a script and doctors letter? OT: I can't help myself.. Can you imagine a CHer at kip 10 and a terrorist?

Ever since a Value Jet's crash in Flordia about 15 years ago was determined to have been caused by a ruptured high pressure gas cylinder it is easier to get a loaded bazooka on board an aircraft than an O2 cylinder. I know airplanes carry O2 cylinders all the time, but they are theirs and they control the hydrostatic testing and filling of them. So theoretically they are safer than ones a passenger would bring on board.

Marc wrote on Dec 30^th, 2009 at 7:59pm:

NovellRed wrote on Dec 29th, 2009 at 6:15pm: ........................ I reliably get an attack on domestic flights but I have never had one an international flight. They must keep the air quality better on long overseas flights. I would be curious why you think the air quality would be maintained differently and how that impacts CH's. Marc

Mostly because of my ex-son in law who is a pilot for a major US Airline. He is under pressure to maintain efficiency and save money. One way of doing that is to use less fresh air (requires heating) and to re-circulate the cabin air.
The pilots and crew live in the same space and breathe the same air as the passengers. They know it isn’t healthy but on shorter flights it isn’t dangerous to most people (cluster heads excepted). On long flights the unhealthy air quality is a greater concern for all. The pilots and crew don’t want to breathe crappy air for 17 hours so they intake more fresh air and accept the hit on efficiency.
This is why I think I don’t get a visit by the monster on overseas flights. I may be wrong but I have been on flights of over 17 hours without a problem, but get an attack 20 minutes into a 1 hour domestic flight.
Are there any commercial pilots here on the board to confirm or deny controlling the air quality differently on different types of flights?

Is flying with o2 off limits? Even with a script and doctors letter?


Mac_Muz: Probably have to check with the airline. 

NovellRed wrote on Dec 30^th, 2009 at 10:40pm:

Marc wrote on Dec 30th, 2009 at 7:59pm: NovellRed wrote on Dec 29th, 2009 at 6:15pm: ........................ I reliably get an attack on domestic flights but I have never had one an international flight. They must keep the air quality better on long overseas flights. I would be curious why you think the air quality would be maintained differently and how that impacts CH's. Marc Mostly because of my ex-son in law who is a pilot for a major US Airline. He is under pressure to maintain efficiency and save money. One way of doing that is to use less fresh air (requires heating) and to re-circulate the cabin air. The pilots and crew live in the same space and breathe the same air as the passengers. They know it isn’t healthy but on shorter flights it isn’t dangerous to most people (cluster heads excepted). On long flights the unhealthy air quality is a greater concern for all. The pilots and crew don’t want to breathe crappy air for 17 hours so they intake more fresh air and accept the hit on efficiency. This is why I think I don’t get a visit by the monster on overseas flights. I may be wrong but I have been on flights of over 17 hours without a problem, but get an attack 20 minutes into a 1 hour domestic flight. Are there any commercial pilots here on the board to confirm or deny controlling the air quality differently on different types of flights?

Last I read, cabin heating comes from the huge amount of engine waste heat through a heat exchanger - no money saved if they recirculate more.

Marc

You can request O2 when you buy your ticket and they'll "furnish" it on a flight (I think you have to have a script) for medical reasons. But the way I understand it - it's their O2 (didn't get into the regulators. And for a price.

My headaches are NOT predictible so I just wait for the surprise and then either pop a Red Bull (I carry one with me on the plane - they put them thru security by themselves to make sure there's nothing in the can except Red Bull - go figure that one! and I have to EXPLAIN that they don't want me on the plane without that little can).

I also carry cafergot and pop it when I get hit in an airport or on a plane. I don't have the after effects that you talk about. It usually just kills a CH for me and I'm good to go. I'm just tired and grouchy after the pain subsides.

Don't know about the air quality - but if they let the plane get too warm, I usually get hit. Just can't stand too much heat.

Hugs BD :-*

"Last I read, cabin heating comes from the huge amount of engine waste heat through a heat exchanger - no money saved if they recirculate more. "

Not in the airline business but in the aviation business -  most aircraft turbine engines use a bleed air type heat off one of the engine ports, kind of like running your A/C in your car, so yes it does take away from the efficiency of the engine and therefore adding to the fuel consumption.

I have been cluster free for over three years now until this winter, and over those three years I was taking an overseas trip  that lasted about a month or more to an equatorial type of place.  anyone have any thoughts on how this change of day light affects clusterheads?  I also took mushrooms three years ago for clusterheadaches so maybe that was it and now its wearing off.  took mushrooms again but no effect this time, except that my cycle is no where near what it was in the past and much sorter in duration.

cheers