It's been a while since I posted here...
The last time I posted was to say that I have now been officially diagnosed my my neurologist as having cluster headaches.

My next cluster is expected in July...and am, hopefully, having tests on my heart from my GP before getting verapamil.

Then, last night, while I didn't get an actual headaches, I got serious shadows.  The first bout of the year for me has ALWAYS  been in July.  April has always been cluster free for me.

The only thing I can link it to is barometric pressure.  I have long maintained that an east/northeast wind greatly reduces my suffering, and can even stop a bout in it's tracks.

Here in Wales, that generally means that high pressure is close, if not right on top.

It was actually posts on this forum that led me to keep details of pressure...

For the last two weeks, there has been a large high pressure right over the country with tempreatures WAY above normal for this time of year.

It semi-broke yesterday, with a sudden drop in both pressure and tempreature.

As of yesterday, I've had serious shadows (after all these years, I recognise the symptoms straight away).

Veins in one side of my head being 'up', the nostril on one side feeling closed (unable to breathe through it), the pressure behind my eye.

Thankfully, while I've had pangs, I haven't had the full on CH.  Maybe a kip 1 if I'm being generous.

But - here's the rub.
Tomorrow is a bank holiday - so everything is closed.
Also, there is a Royal wedding (I'm happy for them, but, wish it was just private between them and their friends and family) this week here.  As a result, there is a second official bank holiday later in the week, and inbetween, everything is running at a snails pace.

I am already prescribed sumatriptan, but, am worried that due to the timing, if this does develop into a cluster that it could be days at least before I can get any medication.

As said, shadows so far (and I've had mini-bouts of shadows before - not quite as marked as this - but, they've simply gone away with no serious headache).

Can someone please advise me what to do if I do get a bout out of season, and cannot get medication?

Changes in air pressure are well-known here and many have made comments identical to yours, so perhaps you're not really mad at all.

As to emergency help, fire and ambulance stations can often assist with O2. Stock up on Red Bull or your preferred energy drink. Paracetamol can be easily obtained and washed down with a serious cup of coffee can help heaps with the smaller ones.

Ensure your regular doctor and pharmacist know you're in a bit of a jam so perhaps they can be a little more accommodating, and be ready to take your favourite neurologist's children hostage if necessary.

Stay strong, but if all else fails there'll ever be a shoulder here to cry on.

Thanks for that :)  The problems are twofold.  Firstly, I have zero money right now.

Secondly, if I could get to see my GP, there wouldn't be a problem...I am on repeat prescription for sumatriptan as and when needed...but, with the extra holidays, I may not be able to see my GP.

As for my pharmacist, I don't have one.  Here in Wales, you get a script for whatever you need from your GP (General practicioner) and then take it to the chemist.  Even if the chemist is open, without a script, I wouldn't be able to get anything.  I could get over the counter medications, but, nothing that would help with CH.

Thanks a lot for yor support, though :)

Hi Jangly Mark,

For aborting attacks when no medication or O2 are available, some of us have found these can work (I have had success with both of them during the first "ramp up" week of my episodes):

1) At onset, jump in the car (if you have one), blast the air conditioner, put your nose right up to a vent and breathe the freezing air deeply.

Or...

2) At onset, exercise extremely vigorously, in a "sprint 'til you drop" sort of fashion.

Chugging an energy drink helps some of us succeed with either of these 2 approaches.

And FWIW, in the new hot topic/new sensation regarding high dose vitamin D3 etc. for CH prevention, there have been a few who have reported it becoming effective for them in as little as a couple days (!). Here's the link: START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Hi Mark

If you put your repeat prescription in to your doctors first thing in the morning , or even today and mark it urgent you should be able to get your meds by Thursday , if you are on a repeat you shouldn't need to see your GP.

Looks like we're going to be under high pressure all week so you might get away with just some shadows.

Good luck and God bless

Nigel

In addition to the advice above, I have found I've been able to mediate the hit when caught without abortives by forcing hyperventilation through very rapid breathing (it looks weird by it helps) and by applying light pressure to my carotid just below the jaw line. Actually the rapid breathing comes somewhat naturally to me since I tend to enter into a kind of panic state anyway, probably anticipating the pain and trial. Get the meds as quickly as you can. Blessings. lance