I'm just trying to save my time and money and wanted to see if others have tried accupuncture.  

I've tried a chiro, and cranial sacral theropy which didn't seem to work at all.  
The cranial threropy was at the end of a bout so I don't know if it really worked or not.I like to try natural things before preventative drugs like Top or Vera.  I'm looking for info on prevention using natural remedies.  I use Imitrex as my abortive drug and have no other choice since I take it well before an attack especially at work.  Imitrex has been my ONLY relieve since I was diagnosed many years ago.

I have never tried accupuncture, but hear it is not very effective against CH.  

Just curious, have you tried oxygen yet?  It works as a really good abortive for many of us.

Acupuncture is not a treatment for CH. This has been discussed over and over and the general consensus has indicated it is a waste of time and money...for CH.
START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE
These are CH treatments.
There are also indications that these will work as well
START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE
O2,02,02
all the best
thebb

wrote on Aug 12^th, 2008 at 1:54pm:

I have never tried accupuncture, but hear it is not very effective against CH.   Just curious, have you tried oxygen yet?  It works as a really good abortive for many of us.

Bingo!  That's the next step for me.  I almost feel quilty saying this, but my bouts or phases as I call it have gotten less as I get older.

I use to get (2) 4 to 7 week bouts twice a year.  Ever since I quit smoking it has reduced to (2) 2 to 3 weeks a year.  I'm pretty sure i'm entering remission as we speak because today was the first CH I got in 2 days with k3 pain.  I was getting 3/day for 2 straight weeks which is nothing compared to some of you.  

Back to O2. I plan on calling my neuro office to set up an appointment about getting O2 prescribed.  In my neuro group, there are doctors who specialize in different neuro stuff and luckily for me, one specializes in migraine and cluster headaches.  The unfortunate thing is I haven't been there in 4 years and I believe he is retired.  I knew I was in the right office though when I saw a poster in the waiting room showing the magnitude of CH's compared to migraines.  The only thing I didn't like was that he wanted to start me on Topamax which I did research on and read the side affects.  He gave me some free samples with a program he wrote out, but I never took them.  That's what lead me to write this thread seeking alternative natural procedures for prenvention.  

If anybody has any other suggestions, my ears are open.

wrote on Aug 12^th, 2008 at 2:13pm:

Acupuncture is not a treatment for CH. This has been discussed over and over and the general consensus has indicated it is a waste of time and money...for CH. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE These are CH treatments. There are also indications that these will work as well START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE O2,02,02 all the best thebb

Thanks my friend.  I'm new here as you can see and knew about O2 for years, but had to hear it from actual sufferers to look more into it.  That will be my next mission at the doctor.  

"That's what lead me to write this thread seeking alternative natural procedures for prenvention."

What is more natural than breathing oygen?   ;)

That would be a good thing. 02 is very effective. All you need now is a natural preventative. Stick around and you will find there are choices and hope.
all the best
thebb

Accupuncture for CH?, to answer your question...nope, as many here can attest.

I have ongoing lower back problems (many years of STUPID lifting practices plus age). Anyway, after an on the job injury, mri, cat scan,
suggestion for surgery and/or steroid injections (umm, nope doc, you aint cuttin or stickin me) he recognized and appreciated my concerns.
(one of the few doc's I've ever met with a willingness to consider alternative treatments). Told me, well, based on your concerns and reluctance for what I have to offer, I know an accupuncturist who MIGHT be able to help. Your call... With nothing to lose, I tried. It has been over a year now and I am completely free of symptoms (for the first time in years).

No placebo here. I know my body and I know what I've dealt with for a long time now. IT WORKED. He did tell me, well, I can help your CH too, have done it with others! Bad start, and I told him so...he said ok, let's see.

He no longer brings up CH cuz it didn't do squat for that, but, as I said, back issues? OH YEAH...

FWIW

Best,

Jon

accupuncture for CH?  nah

kelly

I appreciate all of your feedback.  

This thread has made my decision easy and it will save me money considering one session is $80 a pop out of your pocket.

I will pass this info onto others, but as Jon said, it can work for other things as it did for my dads knee pain.  He has been pain free ever since.

What have learned now and through the years,  Chiros and Accupuncture DOESN'T WORK.

Next step, O2!

Thanks all  :)

Chad,

What did you mean by: I take Imitrex before I get hit.
Did you mean as a preventative? For all I know that won't work.

Or did you mean before the hit could develop into a fullblown attack? While it still builds up?

As for the acupuncture question, I have no idea.
I've learnt some pressurepoints from an acupressure book to relieve my gf's tensionheadaches. But they do not work on my CH, unfortunately

Regards, Pascal.

maalstroom wrote on Aug 13^th, 2008 at 6:24am:

Chad, What did you mean by: I take Imitrex before I get hit. Did you mean as a preventative? For all I know that won't work. Or did you mean before the hit could develop into a fullblown attack? While it still builds up? As for the acupuncture question, I have no idea. I've learnt some pressurepoints from an acupressure book to relieve my gf's tensionheadaches. But they do not work on my CH, unfortunately Regards, Pascal.

I meant before the hit could develop into a full blown attack.  I take 50mg of Imitrex before a hit which is usually a guess and the hits are consistant everyday while in a bout.  It's a preventative measure for relief at work.  I don't get more than 3 CH/day so I know about when they're coming.  I won't even get a shadow if I take an Imitrex like an hour before the suspected onset.  If the shadow is already there, chances are the Imitrex won't work.
I was tricked in the past when I took Imitrex during a shadow and the pain subsided, but here it was really just a low level kip headache that was short in span.  Those who are new to CH, need to know the right way to use Triptans.  It's not magic, it's just timing and trust me, I have wasted many Imitrex because my timing was off.

Pascal, I'm pretty sure pressure points would work with other problems or headaches, but like you and many others said, not for CH's.

Peace,
Chad