After being in remission for around 4 years I am once again suffering from multiple daily attacks.  Luckily for me oxygen works very well as an abortive.  In the past my headaches would normally occur at the same times each day, this would allow me to schedule meetings at work to avoid my known cluster times. However, now my headaches are not as predictable.  I am wondering if anyone can comment on using oxygen as a short term ‘preventive’.  I plan on giving it a try next week – maybe do 10 mins on O2 before meetings that generally last 1 hour.

Haven't seen that given a try yet. My hunch is it won't work, but that hunch is based on my zero medical training so take that for what it's worth! ;)

I have found that combining a Red Bull with my oxygen will substantially delay the come backer attacks that I am prone to, by several hours. I'd try downing an energy drink before the big meeting, see if that helps at all. Are you on an affective prevent regimen now? Verapamil, Lithium etc?

Joe

I'd agree with what Joe's thoughts around oxygen being unlikely to work as a preventive.

My preference would be to drink a Red Bull, Coke or strong coffee before and / or during the meeting if you want a short term preventive "top up".

However what will work best is to use a more conventional preventive such as verapamil, lithium or topomax.

Then have oxygen ready in case a CH hits somewhere handy.

i'm the chronic chronic that suffered daily for many many years and now they're back...unfortunately.I have tried oxygen as preventitive and it didn't work for me.Verapil and all the others either.What has worked for me from time to time as a prevent is strong coffie...never had much luck with rd bull.Having sumatriptin (live in Holland may be another name there;imigran maybe)dissolved in water works faster but not as preventative.Good luck and wish for you that it goes away again fast.

Thanks for all the feedback….

I am not currently under any kind of preventive regiment.  I was on the Verapamil, Lithium cocktail for several years with limited success at best. I tried many other drugs as well – Topamax, Zomeg, ect. I was finally given Oxygen after about 4 years of searching for some relief.  02 gave me a much better quality of life and then out of the blue the headaches stopped just as quickly as they appeared 5 years before.  Now that they are back I do feel grateful that I Oxygen as a weapon.

I will try the Red Bull and coffee suggestions to see if they work for me. Thanks!

If you have not visited clusterbusters.com      do so. It details alternative methods of dealing with CH, outside of mainstream medicine. It's been kicking out some amazing success stories for some, for whom nothing was working. Certainly worth a look see to educate yourself to another potential treatment option.

Joe

Look into Kudzu as a prevent if Verap and Lithium quit working.  I switched over to it a number of years ago with pretty good success.  Didn't stop them, but cut them way down and cut down the severity.
Jerry

Thanks Jerry;could be interesting.Been looking into it!
Found this;" Kudzu is a unique source of the isoflavone puerarin. Kudzu root compounds can affect neurotransmitters (including serotonin, GABA, and glutamate.) It has shown value in treating migraine and cluster headaches."certainly worth a try since you can get it for about 7 dollars there.

Your hunch was correct. Several attempts to use O2 as a short term preventative failed to help in the least. Called the doc today to see what they are suggesting. I'm sure we will try the Verapamil and Lithium again.  Will check out the Kudzu. Thanks!

I get mine from Swanson's Vitamins online at swansonvitamin.com because they will match any competitor's price if you can find one for less and the service is outstanding.  I've even had them rush an order out after normal hours in time to get it on a UPS truck when they knew I was out and needed the help before a weekend.  Very courteous and friendly people on the phone if you call them also.  We've started purchasing all of our over the counter stuff from them just because of the service they gave me.  They won't know me from Adam if you mention my name, but I would appreciate it if you would mention they were referred by a clusterhead if you call or order.

Jerry

I know I'm jumping in late here, but I had a thought about preventative O2. It seems to me it wouldn't work (and hasn't for those who use it at CPAP levels) because the vascular effects of O2 aren't needed until we get a hit. Up to then, everything's chuggin' along quite fine. It's the attack itself that disrupts our normal bloodflow, which is why and when O2 helps. Sucks, though. It would be a rather easy fix, huh? Blessings. lance