Hi I was wondering if anyone has tried Gamma Knife for cluster headaches and what the outcome of it was. I have been through every medicine for clusters and nothing is working. I have tried oxygen also lidocain nose drops Summavil Dose Pro shots trigeminal shots. 3 shots in the back of the head on both sides. Sphenopalatine nose block. Steriods magnesium through an Iv D.H.E. And many other medicines. The Gamma Knife is the last option for me at this point. I am also curious what is the worst thing that can happen if I do Gamma Knife. Also when they put the cage on your head and tighten down the 4 screws are you awake or can you ask to be put asleep. Thanks.

When it comes to CH, I've never heard anyone getting any real, positive, long term results from this procedure.

Have you investigated some the alternative treatments out there?

What alternatives would you suggest. I would be open to them. I have tried diet changes no caffeine and other things. I tried meletonin and vitamin D3 also.

If you have tried "every" med for Cluster and noting works then it's time to reconsider the diagnosis.

See,
Link to: cluster-LIKE headache:

IN: "Medications, Treatments, Therapies --> "Important Topics" --> "Cluster-LIKE headache"

Hey Sean,

Did you see your PCP or neurologist for the lab test for 25(OH)D?  That's the serum level metabolite of vitamin D3.  The normal reference range is 30 to 100 ng/mL, but CH'ers don't respond until they reach a range of 60 to 110 ng/mL. 

80% of the CH'ers who start this regimen experience a significant reduction in the frequency, severity and duration of their CH... 75% experience pain free 24 hour periods and 60% remain essentially pain free.

If you tried the anti-inflammatory regimen with at least 10,000 IU/day vitamin D3, Omega-3 Fish Oil and the vitamin D3 cofactors...  How long did you stay on it? 

50% of CH'ers who respond to this regimen experienced a favorable response within the first week...  Some took upwards of 2 months...  It all depends on the 25(OH)D response...  If you don't know your 25(OH)D serum concentration during this regimen...  you're shooting in the dark.

Take care,

V/R, Batch

I had my serum levels checked by my neuroligist. They were low. He put me on 50,000IU one capsule once a week for 8 weeks then he checked it again it came back close to normal so he put me I 1000IU daily. So far I have not noticed a difference and my levels have stayed the same they are where they should be from what the neuroligist told me.