Hello,

I had these headaches previously about 3 years ago for about 2 days. At that time, they were misdiagnosed as allergies. Now, the headaches are back with a vengeance. The headaches have lasted for more than a week and are more severe. My primary care physician has suggested O2 inhalation and prescribed a O2 Tank, but I am 34 YO with an active lifestyle. I am not sure I can carry around the tank in hopes of an attack. There's no set time of when these headaches start although they are mostly happening in the mornings. Is there anything else I can do other than carrying a O2 tank with me all the time? The doctor also said CA Blockers are not an option for me since my Blood Pressure is a bit low.
Any home remedies, OTC medication, any cream that can help? Please let me know. I can feel the right side of my face twitch.  :'( :'( :'(

Hey man, sorry to hear that you are enduring this with an active lifestyle. I have the same issue and am wondering if I can keep up with exercise.

Did you ask if you can get sumatriptan injection pens prescribed?
It's a little box you can carry with you and it works within 15 minutes, if you catch it before it gets too severe. It's not OTC, but so far I am not aware of any OTC med that can help during a bout. I tried everything :P

Of course, you need somebody to give you a definite CH diagnosis before you try.

Hi and welcome abd.wsu

As Vidster suggested, we always recommend that people see a headache specialist to get a confirmed diagnosis as most doctors, even most neurologists just don't have the skills and experience to diagnose complex headache types like CH. Whilst for most this will just confirm the diagnosis, for others they may have a different headache type (sometimes more than one) but for some the same symptoms can be caused by other medical conditions which can be more life threatening.

Whilst O2 is a great way to kill off CHs, it isn't the only way. Injectable sumatriptan (Imitrex) or the nasal spray version can work very well, great for when you can't be near O2.

I also sent you a PM with a link to a load of CH info which will cover other options too for aborting CHs.

Read up more about O2 at - START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Whilst calcium channel blockers like verapamil may not be an option, there are multiple others including topamax and lithium.

Or avoiding prescription medication, a lot of us have been using vitamin D3 as a very effective (>80%) preventive with some going CH pain free for multiple years (including me). Read up about this at - START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE.

Keep reading and shout out with any questions you have.

Hi
Most 02 providers can supply you with a small portable tank and carry case that you can carry over your shoulder like a tote bag. 

Have you tried drinking redbull. Gulp down a can - really fast, at the first hint of pain.  It's the combination of caffiene and taurine in a sudden hit that does the trick, so any energy drink with those ingredients will do - redbull, monster etc.  It doesn't work for every one but gets very good results for many.

As the others have said, Sumatriptan injections will work in about 5 minutes, but you can only use 2 per day.  It may be called imigran or imitrex where you live.