I am the new kid. Thought maybe its time I joined in. Short history. Presently 52 years of age. Started getting clusters at age of 13. Were not properly diagnosed till I was 30 since no one believed the pain I was describing could be real. By the time I was 18 the beast joined me around the middle of October and left the middle of April that cycle lasting about 15 years. Over the years it has since lost all sense of season and has now tapered down to about 4-6 weeks every other year. I am lucky in a way as I usually only average 1 11/2 hr attack per day. I have had the 4 and 5 attack days and the 4-5 hour marathon sessions but thankfully they have always been rare. Prednisone, Sanset and Migranol were all miricale drugs but very quickly my body became immune to them and nothing seems to work any more. With the exception of Excedin Migrane in massive quantities and the hottest showers my skull can stand. My heart goes out to the chronic and long term sufferers. If there is such a thing as a curse I feel we are as close to it as living soles can be. But somehow I still have a little badge of honour I carry around with me knowing I am fighting a demon most people cant imagine in their worst nightmares and have not lost or given up. All this brave talk makes me want a Martini but we all know what that leads to. I have tried just about every medication and whitch doctor potion out there but I am still searching. I am working on week 2 of this period hoping for week 6 to arrive tomorrow.

Thanx For The Ear.
Rob C.

Read the O2 button on the left yesterday!  There is no reason to continue long hits unless you are one of the very few that Oxygen doesn't work for.  Then go down the page to the Ch.com store and order an O2ptimask.  The only difference i would have with the osygen info tab is I strongly suggest at LEAST 25 lpm through the O2ptimask,  At that flow rate I can kill a hit within 5-8 mins, depending on how quickly I get to it.  Another stopgap measure is an energy drink like 5 hr Energy or Red Bull, etc slammed down at the very first sign of an attack.  I carry a 5 hr Energy in my pocket at all times for the times I am away from my oxygen.  I get relief in about the same time period, but usually not a total kill of the hit.

You also need a good prevent.  A lot around here use Verapamil and / or Lithium.  Others use Topomax or Depakote.  If you want to go non-pharm you might try Kudzu.  I've had very good success with it for a number of years, and without the side effects of the regular meds.

Finally, but definitely not least, go to START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE and check it out.  There have been many who have found exceptional relief there.

Jerry

Thanx Jerry I appreciate it and will give it all a try. I have tried O2 but reading this I dont believe it was propperly applied and the energy drink idea is a no lose prop.

Thanx again.

I understand your feeling about battling the demon. We are an odd fellowship of sufferers, and our journey takes us some strange places. Please be careful of the excedrin doses. When these things started for me 24 years ago (or was it 25?) I ate aspirin like candy and all it did was eat a hole in my stomach lining. Terrible abortive for chs. Search and research. There are still things you haven't tried...that's the good news! God bless. lance

What Marc and Lance said! I use excederin Migrain for the heavy shadows, but it's something I'm careful with as I worry about rebounds and stomach issues.

Oxygen. Used correctly it'll really change your views of the beast! I'm 50, a 32 year sufferer, episodic. Went from 90 minute hits to 6-8 minute aborts with 02. Freaking amazing! Hope it proves the silver bullet for you that it's been for me.

Joe