Hi....again...
Ok, went to another neurologist and started from scratch with him, since the other two I had been going too, where of no help at all. Got another MRI with contrast done, an EEG and everything is normal. I am on amytryptilne but it seems that this (have been taking it for 2 years) has gien me Palipopsia?
Palinopsia is when you see light trails or ghost images of light or even your own hand...
Anyway, he wants me off the amytrptilne and put me on Flunarazine. Thoughts on this?
Took the flunarizine last night, and had weird dreeeeeeeeeeeeams...felt a bit zombie like and woke up 2 hours later by the beast...havent gone back to sleep since.

He also is giving me vitamin b 12 injections for 3 days, and suggested 10 sessions of Hiper Baric Chamber....

thoughts???

Thank you!!!

Flunarizine, at least in theory, should work because it's similar to verapamil in its actions.
From what I read on wikipedia, it blocks histamine receptors, which could in theory cause weird dreams.

B12 is actually effective for some people. Get tested for Prenicious Anemia, that can cause similar headaches to cluster.
I can't speak to a HBC but I would personally rather just stick with oxygen

RE: EEGs, from what I've read these are pretty much useless in diagnosing any type of headache because everyone gives off different electrical signals during a headache.

I found this, with the interesting bit highlighted.


Quote:

Wien Med Wochenschr. 1993;143(19-20):514-8. [Calcium channel blockers in therapy of neurologic diseases]. [Article in German] Wessely P, Wöber-Bingöl C. Source Universitätsklinik für Neurologie, Wien. Abstract The clinical use of calcium antagonists (Ca-antagonists) in neurological diseases focuses on 2 main therapeutic fields: (a) For the therapy of migraine flunarizine is the first choice therapy and nimodipine is a second line treatment. With verapamil cluster headache can be treated successfully, flunarizine shows less impressive clinical efficacy. The therapy with flunarizine may be restricted due to the incidence of extrapyramidal disturbances and depressions as known side effects. (b) The therapy of clinical conditions after subarachnoidal bleeding with nimodipine is well established. In the therapy of acute cerebral ischemia the therapeutic efficacy of nimodipine administered orally is not therapeutically proved until now; the intravenous administration of nimodipine offers the risk of acute hypotensive reactions. At present the usefulness of the administration of ca-antagonists in the so-called cerebrovascular insufficiency or dementia and various others cerebral disorders with vertigo could not be demonstrated.

It was also mentioned here on the CH forums (START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE).

For the HBC, this isn't a standard CH related treatment. Oxygen works well for aborting CH but it doesn't prevent it. Quite a few people have tried sleeping whilst using O2 and it hasn't helped prevent the CH.

Has this neuro got experience of treating CH?

Or perhaps he thinks you might have some other headache type, hence the different treatment?

When I went for my nerve block, the doctors were interested in my use of O2 to abort, especially the use of a demand flow valve that delivers up to 60lpm. His remark was: that's like using a hyperbaric chamber. I told him the mask was a lot easier to purchase and make room for in my house. Get on O2 soonest, and procure a high flow regulator or demand flow valve. blessings. lance

PS I'm not sanguine about this docs knowledge concerning cluster headaches

Hi again, I have been having CH for the past 7 years, did not know they where CH until about my last cycle that was 2 years ago. There, a Neuro put me on amitriptline and since I had done some research online, mentioned the 02 to him, and aborted some attacks with 02 (I only get these at night)...well this cycle, went to the same Neuro (7th week in to cycle) and was of no help at all. He upped amitryptilne and added Paroxetine, (HORRIBLE side effects) so I quit taking it after 3 days...then tried propanolol, same thing...did not do any good. Then he tried adding Topamax? Same thing...the side effects even after 3 days, where just HORRIBLE....took some research documents to the neuro, and he basically got offended...wanted him to test my D3, would not do it, suggested other suplements, he would not even consider it. Got offended with "my online knowledge"...changed neuros, and started from scratch. This new one is a bit more open, unluckily where I live they do not do the test for the 25 oh D3, so I can't know if the levels are low. Have not found one Nuero with CH experience, all they do is give me Sumatriptan in pill form..does help sometimes with the 02 but is giving me some side effects, that I can deal with. At least it does take away the paaaaain if the 02 wont do it. Now he has given me Flunarizine, but for some reason this is making me get very anxious and I guess the lack of sleep ( have been having 3-5 attacks per night/morning) does not help either.

This community is of more help than any neuro....

As of Melatonin, Imitrex, and some things I would need for the vit d 3 regime, can't get them in my country (Bolivia, South America)

Guess I will stick to the 02, Ice packs, and  sumatriptan and hopefully this cycle will end soon.

Don't really see how a hiper baric chamber could work...

Greeeeeeeeeeeeeetings :)

Have even tried RUE and Coca Leafs... medicinal plants they use here, but..nothing ........am getting DESPERATE, but know this will pass...

Tiffany.S wrote on Oct 17^th, 2013 at 12:15pm:

Have even tried RUE and Coca Leafs... medicinal plants they use here, but..nothing ........am getting DESPERATE

For medicinal plant alternatives try looking at the sister site START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

yeah if you're getting desperate get LSD/Shrooms/LSA

Coca leaves could work in theory, I hear cocaine is a treatment for CH.

My original neuro said cocaine worked in the same way that lidocaine did...only with a BOATLOAD more oomph!!!

Joe

Guiseppi wrote on Oct 19^th, 2013 at 9:30pm:

My original neuro said cocaine worked in the same way that lidocaine did...only with a BOATLOAD more oomph!!! Joe

   Cola makes you feel like a new man,  problem is the new guy wants another toot.  Yep,  from experience.

          Potter

wrote on Oct 19^th, 2013 at 9:35pm:

Guiseppi wrote on Oct 19th, 2013 at 9:30pm: My original neuro said cocaine worked in the same way that lidocaine did...only with a BOATLOAD more oomph!!! Joe    Cola makes you feel like a new man,  problem is the new guy wants another toot.  Yep,  from experience.           Potter

And another and another...yeah..... :-/  sadly that's the dark side of the med......

Joe

I don't recall whether I suggested this one or not. In any case, print the abstract and give to your doc. He will at least recognize the source of legit medical material and can't reject it as only web material.
=======

Headache 2001 Sep;41(8):813-6 

Olanzapine as an Abortive Agent for Cluster Headache.


Rozen TD.
Department of Neurology, Jefferson Headache Center/Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate olanzapine as a cluster headache abortive agent in an open-label trial. BACKGROUND: Cluster headache is the most painful headache syndrome known. There are very few recognized abortive therapies for cluster headache and fewer for patients who have contraindications to vasoconstrictive drugs. METHODS: Olanzapine was given as an abortive agent to five patients with cluster headache in an open-label trial. THE INITIAL OLANZAPINE DOSE WAS 5 MG, AND THE DOSE WAS INCREASED TO 10 MG IF THERE WAS NO PAIN RELIEF. THE DOSAGE WAS DECREASED TO 2.5 MG IF THE 5-MG DOSE WAS EFFECTIVE BUT CAUSED ADVERSE EFFECTS. To be included in the study, each patient had to treat at least two attacks with either an effective dose or the highest tolerated dose. RESULTS: Five patients completed the investigation (four men, one woman; four with chronic cluster, one with episodic cluster). Olanzapine reduced cluster pain by at least 80% in four of five patients, and TWO PATIENTS BECAME HEADACHE-FREE AFTER TAKING THE DRUG. Olanzapine typically alleviated pain within 20 minutes after oral dosing and treatment response was consistent across multiple treated attacks. The only adverse event was sleepiness. CONCLUSIONS: Olanzapine appears to be a good abortive agent for cluster headache. IT ALLEVIATES PAIN QUICKLY AND HAS A CONSISTENT RESPONSE ACROSS MULTIPLE TREATED ATTACKS. IT APPEARS TO WORK IN BOTH EPISODIC AND CHRONIC CLUSTER HEADACHE.

PMID 11576207 PubMed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Olanzapine has a brand name of "Zyprexa" and is a antipsychotic. Don't be put off by this primary usage. Several of the drugs used to treat CH are cross over applications, that is, drugs approved by the FDA for one purpose which are found to be effective with unrelated conditions--BJ.
=====
Since this abstract was first posted Zyprexa has appeared in some lists of recommended meds for CH. [BJ]

Yeah, there is def. no one where I live with any knowledge on this. Had my last appt. with my Neuro last Thursday, this time around he wanted to try Lithium and Prednisone, but I have been prone to having some kidney issues a couple of years ago so I said heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeellllllllllll no......Begged for the neuro to give me ANYTHING to sleep, and he would not do it...even asked him if there was any chance of being hospitalized for ONE night...just one night of knocking me out ( I know it sounds desperate but I was literally colapsing on Thursday) sooooo....

Finally got some melatonin, and have been starting a diet based on green smoothies...maybe that will help with oxigenization? Clorophil supplements, magnesium and whatever supplements I can get here. Plus my tank of 02 to abort attacks and getting some Zomig nasal spray brought from some friends that travelled to Europe.

Actually, since starting the whole magnesium, melatonin, and the green smoothies...(last Friday) I have been having only 1-2 hits a night, and I can quickly abort them in less than 20 min with 02...so have been getting some rest.

As of shrooms and LsD...can't get it here, so I will see how this turns out, and as of Cocaine...noooooooooo......it might work once, but having had some issues with hrmmmmmm..........ilegal agents when I was younger, am not even thinking about going down that road heheh :)

Greetiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiings and PFD and N to all of you :)

Can you get Reed Cannary or Mornign Glory Seeds where you live?

If not, PM ricardo and ask him about Ketamine. It's worked to help my shadows and for him it helps a lot.