In my 20 years of episodic CH I have yet to find a good abortive other than O2. And O2 does sometimes fail me. Imitrex , Maxalt, etc., just don't work. My last several cycles I've taken extra long prednisone and know this can't continue. Migranol too slow.

I'm still not sure I will use it. I finally have the higher flow O2 and it is a hugh improvement. But I need that big gun that I know will work. For me this will not be an everyday thing, just a desparate one.

Your experience will be appreciated.            ,Don

Don:

I've had IV DHE therapy to give me a break from my cluster headaches.  I've also used Migranol from time to time.  I have not tried it IM.

I would think it would hurt a lot!  Other than that, it's a vaso-constrictor that is NOT brain specific, so therefore it can really raise your blood pressure.

Weigh the pros and the cons with your doctor.  Perhaps you should try this for the first time at the doctor's office.  Any port in a storm.

Ray

HI Don, I tried the DHE 45 (IM) about 15 years ago... they worked pretty good at keeping them at bay, but after prolonged use, I must have built up a toxic level and had a reaction... just severe hives, but enough to make me quit... other than that, the injections can take a bit of getting used to...they tend to feel like a charley horse. Good luck friend, Mike

Thanks Mike,
It's a last resort for me. The triptans don't do it. Luckily I'm keeping it beat down right now with a 25lpm regulator and 60mgs pred but still getting the wakups so the Neuro and I decided that the next K-10 he will call in the Rx for the IM's.  Should still only be the once every few day shot though. Episodic too. I know I need a big gun abort....

Where did you give it to youself? Hip. A Nurse friend says butt is a good place. Wish I didn't want to know. Hey noticed we're not to far away, give Granholm a kiss for me. I think she's pretty.   , Don

We use it as a last resort as well.  Maybe 2-3 times a week if one of us is getting pounded.  It will usually give at least 24 hours of relief from CH.  So it really helps to catch up on sleep and get rested.

I have been using DHE IM injections regularly for about five years.  At first they would abort the headache by themselves, but it came to a point where they would not work without adding Oxygen to the mix.  Now if I have a CH, I give myself a shot of about 80% of a CC in the thigh muscle and then breath oxygen for about ten minutes.  That usually gives me relief for at least 24 hours.  The shot is painful on occasion but not as painflul as the CH.  There are no rebound headaches with this method.  I am satisfied that it is the best abortive for me.  I hope that it does not kill me.

My Doctor now changed this to subcutaneus injections for some reason. During my last appt. he said the next kip-10 to call the office and he would call in the shots, so after I had the "10", had no sleep for 50 hours, so had the wife call them. Had to get the DHE from the Hospital the next day, luckily I got some sleep, so I haven' used any.

It just seems when we are at the worst of this monster everthing goes crazy or is it just me. Don't get me wrong my Dr. is worth his weight in gold, but my stress tolerance is not good at peak cycle. I know I'm ranting.

OK If anyone has done DHE subcutaneus is there a difference??  ,Don

This is Clavers again, yes, I started off doing skin poppers, and that worked for a while, but then it became less effective and I started giving IM injections in the muscle of my thigh.

Thanks Clavers. I knew from your and the other answers the sub-q didn't sound too good. I gave myself 2 in the thigh this morning and still have not slept. I have better luck with the Migranal for that. Just how could either the sub-q or Migranal be considered to be abortives is beyond me. Maybe a sleep aid.

I'm calling the Doc's shortly but really don't know what he will do. Probably tell me to go to the ER. Sucks. I'd rather stay here with no sleep and suck O2 until I come out of it. I have been keeping fairly well ahead but the occasional buster gets through.

I think because the Doc was at his other office he may have become confused about the IM's. Gonna find out in a few. Of course now I can't take today. ARRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGG.  Thanks again........

Preded out with some wasted DHE 45.              ,Don

Well here I set with my IM syringes and my O2 mask on all because of the loving care of the two wonderful girls at my Neuro's office Marlene & Kara. just never quit those two. Even when I think they have, today I did but I was wrong. I didn't think there was anything they could do until monday but......... God I love those girls.

I had resigned myself to an ER visit sometime in the next 24hrs when I got the call from Marlene saying she tracked down the Doc who gave her the OK to get me the IM's. When I think about it she will tell me "I don't know about that" but next thing I know she does, wish I could hug them both right now. I know I need to tell them.

Had me come to pick up a script for something to help me sleep the other day, I didn't realize it has codeine but the thought is what counts.

OK, sorry, if I have this kind of luck with the shots I'm sleeping tonight! Wishing the same for all,                Don

Did an IM injection @ 9:30pm..  I was shadowing quite heavily so got on the O2 and 10 minutes later they were gone. I cried. Still afraid to sleep I layed down @ 10:00 but could still feel the presence, not pain though. The wife & I talked of maybe still an ER trip but decided to find some courage and try to sleep.

9 hours later I woke up, NO O2, no nothing but sleep! SUCCESS!!!!
Giving myself the shot was NOT painful, a little sore after, but I rubbed it a lot (as advised/nurse), must have helped.

Although still not a perfect solution, it does give me hope, and maybe the courage to not beg for the Prednisone and other horrible drugs we use to fight this. So yes I believe I have found a most needed tool.

My sincere thanks to you who have replied, and CH.com,    Don