Hello fellow Cluster Headache Warriors.  I am new to this site.  I've actually visited this site before and found very helpful tips here that I have been using to combat this condition.  In particular, I have used running as a method of aborting CH attacks.  It has proven extremely effective.  CH attacks which in the past have normally run several hours long are knocked out within 5-10 minutes of a medium sprint on the treadmill.  It's amazing.  It may not work for you, but it's damn worth a try.   

About me: I'm currently in a cycle.  I'm receiving medical treatment from a Neurologist, comprising a cocktail of preventatives Calan (Verapamil), Prednisone, and Topamax, and I'm taking Sumatriptan (Imitrex) before bed as a preventative.  For the week prior to getting these prescriptions filled I was using the treadmill to abort the headaches.  For the most part, the meds are preventing the attacks, but occasionally I will have one.  When I do, I run on the treadmill for about 5 minutes at the middle setting.  While I'm running I feel the CH ramping up, and it's kind of scary at first - like I may be making it worse - but then around 5 minutes in, just when I'm starting to break a sweat, the headache evaporates.  It's an extremely powerful feeling.  I have been suffering from Cluster Headaches for over 20 years now, and this has been by far the most control I have ever experienced over a cycle.  I encourage you to give it a try.

If you're interested in following my progress, I will share a link to my blog in a post later.  This site is not allowing me to post a link now.  In the meantime, you can find me by searching google for "cluster headache warrior."  My blog is the first hit (the Wordpress site).
 
I don't remember the name of the person who wrote the post about running to abort cluster attacks (I'm sure there are several), but whoever you are, I thank you.  You have changed my life.  I hope I can do the same for someone else. 

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

Welcome to the board Warrior. Glad that you have found running will knock yours out in 10 minutes. Thats great. :)

Thank you vietvet2tours for the info re Oxygen treatment.  I have tried oxygen with limited success in the past, but I did not use the recommended mask.  I am open to giving oxygen a try again in the future using the equipment listed in the link you have posted here.  At present, I feel my CH abortive needs have been well-covered with the running, so I'm going to hold off on setting up another account with the oxygen folks as it presents logistical challenges (public transportation, coordination of deliveries).  However, if the running (and in a pinch intense jumping jacks have knocked it out) should fail, I will give O2 another look.  In any event, I really appreciate your tip.

And thank you to Jimi for the welcome!

During one CH cycle I used squats to kill an attack.  Did squats until my thighs were burning and I was really winded.  Then sit down with an ice pack and the attack would evap in about 5 minutes.  My good friend Marc used his bicycle to the same effect.

Also, I actually think the running is probably related to increasing my oxygen anyway - just without the tank.  Same idea, different delivery method.  If correct, it would explain the similar effectiveness.  I guess then it comes down to convenience and personal preference, which, wow - that would be nice if we could all have that luxury!  I tell you what though, for those of you for whom oxygen and/or exercise does not abort cluster headaches, I am here to tell you that I I just discovered this solution a few weeks ago after more than 20 years of suffering and searching.  I know that different things work for different people.  I have read about people slamming Red Bulls and eating dark chocolate to kill CHs.  Not so much for me.  But something I read finally did work.  So I tell you now that, if you haven't found your solution yet, just keep looking and keep trying things.  Keep FIGHTING.  Take control of this thing.  I know that's hard to imagine possible, but you have to believe it is possible.  And one day when you find that solution and take control of this beast, you're going to feel a rush of energy like you've never felt before in your life: taking that suicidally-intense pain and forcing it out of your body and mind.  It's incredible.  It's life-changing.  It'll make you want to share.  I hope I'm not getting lame over this.   :)

I don't know if I am replying to these posts in a way that you guys can read easily - I don't see a reply icon next to specific messages.  So if I'm doing it wrong, please bear with me while I figure it out as I'm new here.

Bob, thank you for your comment, and congrats on your success with using exercise to kill these headaches.  This is great.

Yeah, you're doing it right.

Happy that you've found something that works for you.

Thank you.

Let's see if it will allow me to post a link to my blog yet...

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

Success!  If anybody reads it, you'll note that I posted a link to this site early on.  I'm back to learn more!

Personally, I'd rather the attack didn't start in the first place. Which it doesn't now. Thanks to these folks:

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

Thanks for the link Brew.  It looks like there is a lot of information here.  Which preventive method in particular you find effective?

Go over there and read. I'm not going to get into specifics here.

Welcome to the board Warrior! I used to do an all out sprint when I felt an attack coming on. It never aborted the attack, but would really ramp down the pain intensity. I use oxygen now, 6-8 minutes and I'm pain free. The beast is prone to constant morphing, what works one cycle won't always work the next. I mention that only to encourage you to keep educating yourself so you always have a plan B and C handy! ;)

The inability to post a link with your first few posts is a safety feature we put in that cuts down on the spamming these sites are prone to!



Joe

Thanks Guiseppi!  Yes, I know what you mean about he morphing.  I had a bit of that this weekend, actually.  The running didn't have quite the immediate impact as it has been having.  There are a lot of variables going into it though, including a change in my meds, sleep schedule, workout schedule, etc., so while I was briefly discouraged, I'm still confident that the running is a solid option to ad to the arsenal.  I think I am going to give the doc a call about the oxygen though, given this weekend's struggle to nip an attack. 

Hi. Not sure if it was my posts that you read, but exercise is actually the way I found out I had CH. When I first went to the HA specialist, it was after I found that exertion from shoveling snow for 2 hours relieved my HA temporarily. I then began cycling and running whenever HAs came on, and found it nearly as effective as O2 intake, only it takes me a bit longer to abort. I'm happy it is working for you too. If you get tired of running at any point, a spin bike (not recumbant, hard to get up a good sweat) or outdoor cycling was effective as well. My only caveat is that doing it in the heat is a bit counterproductive for me, so a cool location works best. heat is a killer with my CH.

yeah I don't know about running but I usually power walk back and forth really fast or walk up and down the stairs over and over and sometimes but not always that will abort an attack for me. 

A couple of times I got on the bicycle and rode and was able to abort it and a few times a had to hurry and get home cause it wasnt working.  I must have looked pretty funny to people who saw me with my head tilted to the left side eye closed and running like crazy and my face prolly looked crazy  :o you clusterheads could obviously imagine that.

Isn't it hard to run with a hand holding your head? No Seriously I've been in cycle for over 3 weeks now and the beast has killed my training cycle. I will give a ride a try to abort. But now I've got that spent dazed feeling of lack of sleep, too much Sumi and fear that 4 hits a day will soon turn to 5 or more! Not sure traffic riding and scripts go together better set up the trainer indoors. Close to the Bull, a pillow, a pill and my poodles. Peace All
STEELERS

Thats so great to here, I am definately gonna give this a try. I have had some success' with the usual beating on my mattress, yelling and pacing which gives me a gas similar to running. I have hopes that this is gonna be a better alternative!

sprinting lately is my go to method of abort.  where im at its hard to have an energy drink nearby all the time, and the guarana and taurine tablets i have take a while to start working...  my trex shots are just too damn precious to use when it isn't an emergency. 
the worst part is the heat...  i have blistered my mouth on the water i carry on my hip a few times. >:(
question though:  do you feel a strong pulse shoot back and forth behind your eye when the headache goes away?  maybe its just me but i always feel one, like there is a huge amount of pressure that drains with every pulse.
the running certainly hasn't hurt my PT score.  i can run two miles in about 11 minutes now. ;D

O2 has been the best thing for me BUT you must have the proper mask and regulator. Then with those two items, you must use it exactly as the directions state to do. I don't care how bad your face itches, leave the darn thing on and scratch after LOL. I think folks get bad results with 02 because they don't do it 100% correct.

This time around, o2 hasn't been working as fast for me. Sometimes it takes 15 minutes and more than one application. Jogging in place or moving up and down helps.

OB, several of us have had success adding an energy drink with our oxygen. Used this way I don't chug it, just take swallows of it in between deep breaths of 02. Seems to speed the abort and push back the return attack.

Joe

I find that sprinting type exercise, as well as conventional O2 use or deep breathing of freezing air can abort my attacks during the first ramp up week of an episode.

After that only high flow 100% O2 or imitrex can consistently abort them for me.

I don't know where I first heard about the exercise thing - I remember doing it successfully over 20 years ago (!!) before the existence of internet message boards, but I doubt I was smart enough to discover it on my own.

I do recall aborting one hit during my last episode even after my first CH week by hopping on my big heavy bicycle with fat under inflated tires and charging up the neighborhood hill despite not really having gears that go low enough for that sort of thing. Wooboy by the end of that sprint I was winded as all hell but was also becoming rapidly pain free.  8-) I probably also slammed a Red Bull shot right before the pedaling festivity.  :)