I've been checking this site out for a couple of years.  The last time and this Cycle.  I've been getting CH's for about 13 years, first 7 or so was only in the Sept. time frame, about 4 weeks, 1 or 2 headaches a day.  After a year and half off, They came back in the spring with a vengance, 8 weeks of Torture.  It's been 1 or 2 times a year since, and no more 1 a day only at night, I get anywhere from 1 to 6 a day. anywhere from a 4-10 in the pain scale I've seen here.  Basically, 10 means if I had a gun, POW! right?  I started out with Imitrex 20MG spray, They stopped  working.  I'm finishing up my 4th week in this cycle now, and my PC finally sent me to a Headache specialist, I left her office today with a prescription for 100mg Imitrex tablet, and I've been prescribed the shot 12mg, and verapamil?  I don't know, I dropped off the prescriptions this morning and we'll see what happens, the pills take way too long to work, I'm good for 20 minutes, to an hour of torture before I get any relief with those.  I'm actually not Happy to know there are so many otheres with this problem, but to read some of the stories, and Identify with them so well, makes things easier and more understandable.  Here's hoping that your cycles are short!

Carlo

Hello Carlo
Glad you finally joined. You'll like the stat-dose imitrex it works fast.  :oTry to use the least you can.  :-XThe triptans are a godsend but can turn on ya. (Rebounds)
all the best
thebb

Hey thanks,

What do you mean by the least I can, It's a 12mg I think from what I could read of her handwriting.  I did read a post here a day or two ago about using only part of the shot, but is there a reason for that?  I mean with the verapamil, and the pills I'm hoping to only have to use the shots 1 time a day, then of course I'm praying my cycle is close to an end, vacation this weekend... I can see it now, The kids running around the sands of cape cod, the wife getting a nice tan, and me pounding my head on the pavement of the parking lot... ha!  what a sight I'll be.  

he meant that too much imitrex will cause rebound clusters, meaning it is possible to see an increase in the amount of attacks from using imitrex.  Get yourself some oxygen and use the imitrex as an emergency

OK,

In my 4 trips to the Emergency room, The Oxygen only worked one time.  Again,  since it took close to an hour before getting there and getting the Oxygen, it's possilble that it really didn't do anything.  I'd be willing to try it, I wonder why the Neurologist didn't have me get it.

Thanks,

Carlo

Prednisone has worked miracles for me the past 6 days. I was getting pounded 2-3 times a day and have had two weak headaches since starting the 'roids.

I was taking a steroid the first two or 3 cycles before the doctor knew what I had, After that it stopped working and he sent me to a neurologist who diagnosed me with CH.  I Just got a visit.  It lasted only about 45 minutes, the pills are way too slow, I need to try the other stuff and hope for the best.

Thanks,

Carlo

So glad you decided to jump into the pool with us, welcome! :)

Regarding oxygen. For 02 to work, it has to be started as soon as you feel that tingling, oh sh%$ here it comes feeling. Once the headache has established itself, the chances of oxygen helping you drop considerably. By the time most people get to the hospital the beast is too firmly established for the oxygen to help. I can abort an attack in around 6 minutes just by huffing on the 02. Been a miracle fix for me, certainly should be part of your arsenal. Read the link on the left as used incorrectly it's next to worthless. Hoping you cycle down soon and get some of that blissful 'pain free' time!

Guiseppi

Thanks Kev.
Carlo,
In the ER the 02 usually is administered with a cannula tube. This will do nothing for CH. What you need to adminsiter 02 is a non-rebreather mask. 100% 02 at 12 lpm for 15 min. No ambient air at all. Just 02. Then Kev is right about the trex. It is better to use less toxic abortives then to slam trex right away at the sign of a headache.
Thats what 02 is for. The neuro didn't perscribe it because he's not a CHer and he probably knows squat about what we go through.
Check it out and good luck Carlo
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12mg of trex is a HIGH dose. The stat dose is usually 6mg and most long time users have been breaking those down to 2 or three doses.

For some reason it takes less trex for a CH than a migraine (go figure).

I use Cafergot (ergotomine) and it seems to work longer with less side effects. It's an older drug, but I didn't do well on the trex.

Make sure the O2 is administered like Joe said or it's useless.

And keep a can of Red Bull handy - chug it at the first sign of a hit. It works pretty good for a lot of us.

Welcome to Clusterville.

Hugs BD