I am new to this CH issue it started about 2 1/2 months ago when i was prescribed percocet for a degenerative back issue, i believe my HA started about that time, I had never ever been a HA sufferer and I am 47 years old, now I have a whole new respect for those of you suffering for years and years, this is ruining my life! I took myself off the percocet just this morning (I am little slow on the draw). It is like the percocet actually triggered something in me to start these CH now I feel like it wont ever leave, I did try oxygen in the doctors office the other day and it seemed to help but about 1 1/2 hours it was back and in full force I ended up in the ER...I dont know what I am looking for except relief...can anyone shed some light on this?

Don't self diagnose. 

      Potter

Cherie, welcome to CH.com,
Potter is right, self diagnosis is risky. You need to educate yourself about CH by taking the "cluster quiz" at the left of this screen where you click on to the "message board". Read all you can, all over the site.

Pain meds are not good treatments for CH but I don't think it will cause CH. IMO. Reading around this site will tell you what are good meds.

Many are able to abort attacks by slamming energy drinks with Taurine in them. Strong coffee can work too.

Could you please describe one of your attacks? Location of pain, duration and other symptoms? Also what State or Country you are in?

Don

With cluster headaches, the pain is excruciating.  The normal mind-set says..."pain equals pain-killers."   But we who have had these for years know that percoset, vicodin, and other drugs like them can and DO cause rebounds.

You really should get a correct diagnosis of CH before you assume it is that.  IF it is and I hope to GOD it is not, then reading around here, asking us questions and accepting our support will be in order.   No one here is a doctor, but together we have thousands of years of experience in them.  What works, what doesn't, etc.

Oxygen DOES work.  It is a miracle abortive to so many here.  Yes...the headache will come back, but an ghour and a half later is better than suffering for all that time.  02 is cheap, safe, no side-effects and it works.  If you get a diagnosis of CH...please ask your Dr. to prescribe it for you as follows:

unlimited e-tanks and a regulator that goes to at LEAST 15 lpm with a non-rebreather mask.

My doctor diagnosed me with CH over a month ago, really I am not trying to self diagnosis I guess I just really wanted some input I have found out quickly that the narcotics seem to make the HA come on so quickly that is why I have stopped, they start as a burning sensation in my lower right side of my neck working up to my right jaw area and makes my teeth hurt then it goes up behind my eye to the right side of my head and pulsates so horribly that all i want to do is put heavy pressure on the area, I live in St Charles Missouri if any of this is any help and yes I will take the quiz right now thanks so very much

Oh and I forgot to say he did prescribe me the oxygen I have to wait till next week to get it since my insurance doesnt cover it thanks again

We have several CH.com members in the St. Louis area. In fact the last 2 CH conventions have been in St. Louis, the last in July, '09. These folks may be able to help you with finding a good Dr if needed, etc.

Any Dr that prescribes pain meds for CH doesn't know much about CH and this is all too common. Most Dr's including Neurologists have little if any knowledge about treating CH.

Glad to hear you're getting O2, it is a life saver for most of us. But it must be used properly to work. The NON-reabreather mask has a bag on it and that's what you need, the nose tubes and rebreather (without a bag) are no good. Also a regulator that goes to at least 15lpm is needed.

And you have us for questions.

Don

Cherie, Opiods make my headaches worse also. I am on a typical CH preventive and abortive. Read the info here on this site and there is a lot of real information here. I take 02 at 15lpm. the first time I used 02, the 02 actually intensified the pain to my face while using it, and I gave up on it until I learned here how to use it. I also use imitrex nasal spray at the onset of an attack and take verapamil as my preventative. you can find information on treatment by searching this site and others. There are some excellent attachments to some of the other "welcome" posts that are great.
Do you get attacks at night, how regular are they?
Steve

Steve thanks for all the info! These attacks just started about 3 months ago and they would last for 4 days or so with little relief in between, but I started the water too like I had read on here and I dont know if its coincidence or what but this morning the ache was very minimul I drank more water before even getting out of bed then took 2 excedrin and this is the best I have felt in 4+ days, the ache is still in my neck but not my head, like I said it might just be coincidence but MAYBE NOT, I am continuing with the water it cant hurt me...this site has been great for me!