So it has been over a month now since my attacks started up again. I am becoming extremely depressed and I feel like I am losing the battle. I am having 2 HA per day now!
It seems like the insurance company would rather me visit the ER every night vs approving another imitrex script.
I have my oxygen and if I catch the HA soon enough it works great, but this does not happen very often.
Is there anyone in Northern CA that can relate? Looking for support.

Hi,

Sorry to hear you are getting raked over the coals.  We've all been there at one time or another.  Getting your butt kicked twice daily isn't any fun.  Now repeat after me:

I WILL SURVIVE!!!!  

Scream that to yourself in the mirror a few times if necessary.

Can you describe to me how you are using O2?  There are lots of ways to improve your technique and the odds of aborting that way.  It does take a bit of practice.  There are some great tips in the supplemental guide on OUCH-US here:

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I find I can almost always knock the beast down with O2.  However I do get reattacks.  Combining O2 therapy with energy drinks really helps keep them to a minimum.

Are you using any preventatives?  Verapamil was the trick for me the last cycle.  I'm hoping it works as well this August when I'm due for my next ass wooping.

I'm sure Linda and Guiseppi will be along soon.  They are up in your neck of the woods.  I'm in the Boston area myself.

In the mean time, I'm here and I'm listening...

-Dennis-

I just went back and read your intro in the "Getting to know you" section.

240mg of Verapamil is a pretty low dose.  It took me 400mg to get relief this past cycle.  Some folks need to go over 1000mg.  

You also said you were having difficulty getting O2 covered by your insurance.  I guess you've got that figured out.  Good!

Are you using a non-rebreather mask?
Are you using a flow rate between 12-15lpm?

Make sure the mask is making a good seal to your face.  Don't let any room air in.  Make sure the seals on the sides of the mask are working.  If one is missing, tape over.

Sometimes if the beast is being stubborn I take in as much pure O2 as my lungs can handle and then hold for a 10 count.  You do this by breathing in everything in the bag, pausing while it fills again and then sucking that down too. Let your breath out slowly and repeat this a couple of times.  I think having the O2 in your lungs for longer than a typical breath can help.

-Dennis-

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Get tough and kick some demon ass.
Dont let the bastard get ya down.
I hate it for ya. Demon butt whoopin vibes comin your way. [smiley=bigguns.gif]
thebb

crabattk,

Since I've been hit again for the first time in eight years, I may not have all the best suggestions on meds etc.  All I can do is offer my support and a little background.  A little over two weeks ago, I started getting hit with level 10 headaches that lasted an hour each. Averaging about 2-3 per night.  After a week or so of misery, I found a neurologist that had compassion and some understanding of this pain. From there, I started taking Verapamil, Melatonin, depakote and Prova.  The past week since starting this plan, I've had two level nines in a one week period.  It's mostly been level 3 to 4 since.  I've found once I start getting a headache during the day, cold wet towels on my back seems to help cool me off and lesson the length of the attack.  With that said, this is during the day.  As with myself, the depression and feeling desperate was with the severe night attacks.  All I can say about that is with the right meds and doctors advice, hopefully, you can limit the attacks and severity.  I didn't think it was possible and now, with them not coming full strength every night, my spirits have been lifted 10 fold.

Point is, you can beat this beast.  

Please contact me if there is anything I can do to help.

Matt

sorry to hear that you're suffering. i totally get how depressing it gets being is pain so often.
have you tried prednisone to prevent them.