hi everyone,

I'm 27 from north east england, been suffering for about 3 years now on and off. Currently going through my worst 'phase' of them. Have seen 3 different doctors, all keep prescribing amitriptyline which seems to help. I have been taking ibuprofen and codene when I feel one coming on but it never kicks in quick enough and have 30-45 minute period of intense pain behind my left eye. Also been waking up with them in full force. I sometimes get a watery or bloodshot eye aswell.

Glad to find somewhere to talk about it and will be reading through some posts today.

Well hi there right back atcha, and welcome. While you're reading, look for some specific kinds of topics: preventative meds and levels, abortive methods (especially O2) and levels; finding a "headache specialist" and what to do when you find one; and please, do so for your own sake rather quickly, because as you found out narcotics for the most part won't do anything to stop the CH from coming or hurting. Ask any questions you may have. We're all here to help. Blessings. lance

ok i'm just reading up on this o2 solution - would lack of oxygen cause them in the first place?? I'm just thinking with it being winter and me having the window and door closed during this time this could be triggering them. They do come along December-January time.

The cause of CH is still a mystery being worked on--but a small section of our brain is actively involved in a manner not yet understood. So, no, oxygen does not appear to be part of the causation.

As Bob mentioned, a lack of 02 doesn't cause an attack, but breathing pure 02 will stop them! 33 year CH sufferer here, episodic, 51 year old male, I abort my attacks in about 6-8 minutes by huffing pure oxygen. Beats the 90-120 minute rides I used to take. Has really given the upper hand to a lot of people in their battle with the beast.

Welcome home, glad you found us.

Joe

ah ok gotcha. thanks for the replies

Going to look at getting some o2

o2 is the way to go.... You'll be glad you looked into it!!!!


Jeannie

Just a quick line. Glad, like me, you've found the site, plenty of good advice seems to be the order of the day on here. Best of luck, with getting what you need, but look at the replies to my call for help, the other day. It sounds like looking at your options to get to see the best possible Neurologist, is definitely the way to go.
Very best of luck fellow sufferer

CH sufferer and from the north east,I thought I was suffering! anyway welcome, Ionly joined a couple of weeks ago and have found this site and the wonderful people on it to be a godsend,have had CH for years and have not found docs in the UK to be all that good, till I got to see a neurologist and things are starting to look better. The tips and info on CH.com is brill and more knowledge on here than the NHS. Good luck and love to all, jamsie c.

If you live in the UK, you need to touch base with the folks at OUCH-UK at the following link:

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

They know the ropes on how to find a good neuro who understands how to treat CH.  They can also tell you how to get oxygen therapy out of your national health care system.

None of the med's you indicated in your post are effective in treating cluster headache.  If you want to see what the top neurologists, expert in the treatment patients with cluster headache prescribe, see the following link to the EFNS guidelines on the treatment of cluster headache and other trigeminal-autonomic cephalalgias.

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Print this out and take it with you when you go to see your next physician about your cluster headaches.

Take care and cheers,

V/R, Batch