Hi, This is my first post. Somehow I feel a little comfort knowing there are others like me. I just got relief from a nasal dose of Sumatriptan. I am just starting a series of clusters.
I have been suffering from this horrific thing for about 5 years now. Of course it was only a year ago that I learned that I was not having recurring sinus infections, but cluster headaches!!!
I now do Prednisone for 12 days, and usually need another 12, Varapamil, and Sumatriptan to abort. I used to try heavy duty narcotics for the pain but it wouldn't even  faze it!
Going to try and sleep now. Thanks everyone for being here! I don't feel so alone now and know that you all know!!!
Peace

Hey there LadyChef!

Sorry that you're a member of the CH club, but glad you've landed at this forum, because there's a whole lotta info and advice to be had here that will quite possibly save ya if your current meds stop working as well as they used to (unfortunately that happens a lot  >:()

So please put together a good plan B that'll enable you to be ready for this beast if he decides to throw a game changing curve ball at one point, and be very careful with extended prednisone use - that is easily the most dangerous drug we use as far as long term serious permanent side effect risk is concerned.

Hi LadyChef

Have you tried oxygen? You can read all about using it with the link on the left, however it's here in the forums that you'll find people explaining how they can kill their CHs quickly. I can normally get rid of one in 5-8 minutes.

For night time hits, people are getting good results using around 9mg of melatonin, which normally means they get a normal nights sleep.

For shadows, try using an energy drink, like Red Bull (anything with caffeine and taurine). It's good for getting rid of shadows or for reducing the intensity / duration of a CH.

You're not alone at all, we all know from experience, either as we get CHs or we support people with them.

Hi LadyChef and Welcome!

Glad you found us, but so sorry you had to.  CH is nasty business but it can be managed.

Please make sure you check out the O2 Page to the Left. 

Just a side note...Verapamil is not an abortive it is a preventative.  I wasn't sure if you were aware of that given your wording in your post.  Also Imitrex Shots work much faster than the nasal you may want to ask your Doc about them.

Glad you are finding some relief and that you found a whole new set of friends who are fellow CHer's.

PF Vibes to you!

So happy you found us. It'll start to sound like an echo...echo...echo.......but do read the oxygen info tab on the left. I abort my attacks in 6-8 minutes just huffing my 02. Cheap, no triptan hangover, FAST and no side efefcts. Welcome home! :)

Joe

Hi LadyChef and Welcome

I'm another Echo for the oxygen like Joe says  Cheap, FAST and no side efefcts.

Cheers
Barry

Hi All! Thx for your welcoming!!! Yes, unfortunately I'm here.

Where to start....In a weird way I feel comfort knowing you are here with me, but scared at some of the things I have read so far.

I didn't know I might need a plan B for treatments and aborting the beast. I know the steroids aren't good but I feel they are a jumpstart to the buildup of the Varapmamil.

I have not tried O2...yet. Sounds good if it kills the pain more quickly than the triptan.

But...I am a smoker. I'm not sure a tank of oxygen is a good idea?

And yes the triptan is $$$. $30 a pop for me. NO insurance at this time either.

I will check into the melatonin. I have heard of this and am intrigued with others positive results. The lack of sleep for nights on end during peak times wears on me! To say the least.

When this started 5 yrs ago it was like clockwork. Same time every night for weeks! Alway always the right side of my head. Please just slice my head in half and discard this BEAST!
Things have changed for me. Have had a couple of day CH's and they can wake me every hour at night. I can't believe I endured the excruciating pain for hours at a time night after night not knowing what this was.

Thank you so much for reaching out to me, bejeeber, MikeNZ, Ginger S, Joe & Barry. Thx for the PF vibes. Just starting to get the lingo down.  ;)

Peace, Nora

Believe me, smoking will be the last thing on your mind when you're getting hit and huffing O2. This from a smoker.

Triptan at $30 a pop doesn't sound like you're using imitrex injections - Lordy they are expensive.  >:(

Just so ya know though, the imitrex tip details how you can stretch doses and bring the price (and side effect risk) down a LOT. - maybe even down to that $30 per dose level. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Sorry for alarming you about the whole plan B thing. I figure a great way to go for you could be using cheap and non toxic O2 to abort as your plan A, and reserving triptans for plan B. That approach sure brought me a whole lotta relief during my last 2.5 month episode.

Also, if you have a room you could designate as a non smoking area where you could use your O2, I would think you shouldn't have any worries.

A suprisingly large number of CH'ers are smokers! I've been accused of faking CH since I've never smoked. ;D

That being said, it does require you pay attention. Oxygen is not flammable, it's an accelerant. So anything saturated with 02, specifically your clothing or blankets, will go up like a roman candle if exposed to an ignition device.

Obviously, you would never smoke while using 02. Just as important, you want to air your clothing out with a nice 5 minute walk outside, before you lit up, after aborting with 02. If you used 02 while lying in bed, you wouldn't want to then strike up a smoke while still in bed.

A few simple precautions like that, 02 will be your safe, inexpensive, new best friend! It really is that good.

Joe

Thanks for the info on O2 Joe.

Yeah I get the part about people thinking we fake. I love it when Dr's say to me..."It's more common in men". Well guess what, I have boobs and I get CH!!!

I did have a nurse call me with info on oxygen earlier this year while in clusters. She made it sound like I would get about 4 doses a month. Not sure what size tank it was. But that is NOT enough!

I will check into again.

Thanks so much!

Peace, Nora

And thanks bejeeber & Brew for your input on the O2 & imitrex as well. Appreciated!

Yesss please do check into getting the O2.  You won't be sorry.
   Also you might try looking online for a coupon.
  Last episode for me,,, I found coupons on line for my Zomig...for 35 dollars off each script.!!!  HUGE savings.