My doc prescribed Benedryl and Oxygen for my clusters.

The O2 did squat. But the Benedryl, if taken at the maximum recommended dose, seems to have solved the headache problem.

the downside is, I always need a nap.

Pete

The first question you're like to get here is: what was the flow rate of the O2 and what kind of mask were you using.

The Ben. hasn't been reported as having any benefit.

It raises the question, for me, of whether your doc has made a correct diagnosis. Catch the last para of....

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LOCATING HEADACHE SPECIALIST

1. Yellow Pages phone book: look for "Headache Clinics" in the M.D. section and look under "neurologist" where some docs will list speciality areas of practice.

2.  Call your hospital/medical center. They often have an office to assist in finding a physician. You may have to ask for the social worker/patient advocate.

3. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE; On-line screen to find a physician.

4. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE Look for "Physician Finder" search box. They will send a list of M.D.s for your state.I suggest using this source for several reasons: first, we have read several messages from people who, even seeing neurologists, are unhappy with the quality of care and ATTITUDES they have encountered; second, the clinical director of the Jefferson (Philadelphia) Headache Clinic said, in late 1999, that upwards of 40%+ of U.S. doctors have poor training in treating headache and/or hold attitudes about headache ("hysterical female disorder") which block them from sympathetic and effective work with the patient; third, it's necessary to find a doctor who has experience, skill, and a set of attitudes which give hope of success. This is the best method I know of to find such a physician.

5. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE NEW certification program for "Headache Medicine" by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties, an independent, non-profit, professional medical organization.
        Since this is a new program, the initial listing is limited and so it should be checked each time you have an interest in locating a headache doctor.
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WHY A HEADACHE SPECIALIST IS RECOMMENDED


Headache. 2012 Jan;52(1):99-113.
Cluster headache in the United States of America: demographics, clinical characteristics, triggers, suicidality, and personal burden.
Rozen TD, Fishman RS.

THERE REMAINS A SIGNIFICANT DIAGNOSTIC DELAY FOR CLUSTER HEADACHE PATIENTS ON AVERAGE 5+ YEARS WITH ONLY 21% RECEIVING A CORRECT DIAGNOSIS AT TIME OF INITIAL PRESENTATION.

I am certain I suffer from cluster headaches, the opinion of my doctors means little or nothing to me.  Most docs try to treat clusters the same as migraines, and the results are predictable.

Many years ago, my neurologist gave me Stadol.  This didn't do anything for my headache, but I was so stoned, I did not care.

As for the O2 therapy, 12lpm, delivered via the standard nose tubes.  If my nose gets too plugged up, I put the tubes in my mouth.

The O2 does help, but it takes too long, and the headache is gone in 45  minutes anyway.

The Benedryl, taken every 8 hours, seems to keep the headaches away.


Pete

Look at the buttons, left, for O2 information.

Treating Cluster as if Migraine is a sign of a doc who doesn't know OR who has made the wrong Dx.

Print the PDF file, below. These are the most commonly used Cluster meds aldong with evaluations of effedtiveness. It's a good document to use as a discssion tool with any doc you see.

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What Bob said about the O2 info.. The nose thingy doesn't work.. You need a non-rebreather mask. And most of us use 15-25 liters per minute as a standard dose of O2.

If done right it should alievate the CH in 5 minutes or so..

The D3 regimen is working for about 80% of us that have stuck to it. Check it out - and it don't make you groggy. Just a mixture of vitamins. But for some reason it works. For more info PM Batch.

Check out the link Bob gave you.. He knows his stuff and has done research for years.

Keep us up on how you're doing.  :-*

What BarbaraD said!  [smiley=thumbup.gif]

my son is out of cluster phase "what ever that means cuz they could come any old time of year" but his sneezing is something to behold ,, he has awful allergies,, and is now taking benedryl as Claritin doesn't seem to help him at all .. also he keeps a bottle of Mylanta cuz with the headaches/sneezing etc he gets bad acid reflux .. so we will see if this combo helps him at all.

Some folks have said they take Benadryl before bedtime to keep from entering REM sleep mode.
Some folks use Melatonin for the same reason.

That's what they prescribed my dad for his cluster headaches in the 70s and 80s-- Benadryl. I find it works for me sometimes too, but never quick enough so sometimes there's no point because it makes me really sleepy. There's another kind of Rx anti-histamine that has been prescribed too, but I can't remember the name of it. I always take a Benadryl at onset, just for good measure.

Im going to add another bit here ... since the medication that is in benedryl (not the antihistamine but the other bit) is the same medication that is used in sleep aids I wonder if you don't get a double whammy here.  Your relieveing histamine reaction but also getting a "melatonin" like sleep aid that helps the CH on 2 fronts ... thoughts ?  my son hasn't had a CH for a while .. I havnt asked him if hes still taking the Mylanta plus the benedryl.. I will check with him later today