I woke at 4AM with a kip 9, immediately used O2 for ten minutes, drank some caffeine, did another 10 mins of O2, then slept for about an hour. Have been up now for 3 hours and the pain isnt subsiding. I've never had a CH last this long. Since I am only episodic, I only have O2 and caffeine to treat. I've made an appointment with my PCP, but its not until this afternoon. Any suggestions? I'm going to do some more O2, but I have less than half a tank left...

Robin,

Sounds rough. Worst I can remember lasted about 3 hours.

I can only suggest getting some energy drinks, which have a combo of caffeine and taurine, that some find helps better than coffee, and stick with the oxygen.

Sorry it's not much help.

Best of luck,

Peter.

Thank you, Peter. Pain is finally receding. I was out of Red Bull, was trying strong tea. Obviously it wasn't working. Will pick up more on the way home from the Dr's appointment. 

Ask your doc for some Imitrex/Imigran auto injectors to abort an attack and also some Verapamil to prevent you from getting attacked in the first place.

Hoppy.

Most of mine last between 35 and 45 minutes, very occasionally just over an hour.  But I once had one that woke me up at 2am and didn't stop till 4pm.  [smiley=bomb.gif] During that time I spoke to 2 doctors and took a trip to hospital, but none of them could help. When it stopped it was very sudden, and within 20 minutes you would never have guessed I'd had it at all. It was without doubt, the worst day of my life (and almost my last).

Hey Robin,

How did it go with the Doc?

Those big, lengthy hits are really brutal, but thankfully they are not too frequent.

Have you looked at the D3 Regimen discussed here? It's really helping a lot if us (episodic and chronic) and I would strongly advise you to read up on it and ask questions.

Keep well,

Peter.

It went as expected at the doctors office.  I got a script for Imitrex and a half hearted nuero exam. I was told that I didn't have a brain tumor and to keep using the O2 and if it doesn't work, to add in the Imitrex.

I have been using the Vitamin D3 preventative for over a year now. Took an extra 10,000 units this evening along with some turmeric. Will pick up the Imitrex from the pharmacy tomorrow. Couldn't handle waiting for it this afternoon.

Thank you all for your support.  The doctor said i was the second person that came in with a clusterheadache today. I asked if she would connect us, but due to privacy laws in CA, she couldn't tell me who the person was.

I'll let you know how tonight goes... Keep positive vibes going for me out there!

Robin

Hi Robin,
Have you tried taking Melatonin before going to bed? It has a good record in stopping those wake up calls, you need to take 5-15mg at bedtime and it can take a couple of weeks before kicking in.

Cheers Hoppy

It will help us to direct you to good sources of assistance if you will tell us where you live (city & state, if U.S. or country). At the Home page: Help button-->Edit & Profile --> Location. (This will add your location, just below your name, every time you post a message.
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If at all possible, working with a headache specialis is the best route to getting good care. Most docs have meager education with complex headache disorders.
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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.
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