Hello everyone.
My name is Sledge and I live in Market harborough, Leicestershire UK.
I'm a Cluster Headache sufferer and have been for about 3 years now. I am so glad that I have found this forum as I feel it will be of great support to me.
Anyway I must dash and finish fixing the toilet systern before the wife gets home!!! lol
Take care all and nice to meet you.
Cheers Sledge

Welcome to the group Sledge,
    are you in cycle now?  If so, what meds are you on?
    Lots support and informtion here.  Glad you found us.
                             JPC

Welcome my fellow clusterheaded European!

Please tell us your regimen so maybe we can give some advice to improve your management of your cycles. There is so much info and experience here, you wouldn't believe.
Ask any questions, I'm sure there is always someone to answer.

Painfree days soon, Pascal.

Hi JPC

Yeah I am in cycle now but the pattern does not stop at waking during my sleep to have a CH it can happen and does happen even at work during the day and just like others I end up a blubbering mess. I usually start hyperventillating too which in turn causes me pain due to severe cramps. It is so embarassing that a 38 year old male can turn into a crying baby!!

My current meds are 2 x 30mg Codeine Phosphate. 1 x 20mg Sumatriptan nasal spray O2 and 2 x 500mg Paracetamol I also use nasal decongestant prays and drops as I find this helps a bit.

For me they occurr very randomly summer, winter, day or night.
The worst part for me is that I am a working DJ!!! and noise is the last thing you need when having an attack.

Cheers
Sledge

My main prevent is verapamil which in the past has worked just fine.
    I'm not as knowlegebleble as alot of the other members here regarding the vast amount of meds available.  Oxygen seems to be the main abortive of choice here.  Click on the "oxygen info" to the left.  
    Anyway, hang on to your shorts, you are about to recieve a wealth of information and help.  
    I couldn't imagine trying to DJ during an attack.  Thats got to be a tough one.
                              Check in on ya later
                                       JPC  

Glad you found us, welcome come brother! This will start sounding like a recording but please do check out oxygen. I can abort an attack in as little as 6 minutes. That means I'm completely pain free. The keys:

Pure oxygen, from a high flow regulator, at least 15 LPM, using a non re breaher mask. For your body to get the vaso constricting effect necesary to kill the attack, your lungs must receive only pure oxygen. No outside air, no air you have exhaled. So re breather masks and nasal canulas are completely worthless for us. It's proving very effective for many on the board, certainly worth a try.

Again, welcome home! ;)

Guiseppi

I'm with Guiseppi with the addition of Red Bull or other energy drinks.  Chug one down as soon as you get the first sign of a hit.  It can knock on back for me in minutes as well.  I like it for times I'm out and don't have access to anything else.

Jerry

Guiseppi wrote on Oct 18^th, 2008 at 4:26pm:

Glad you found us, welcome come brother! This will start sounding like a recording but please do check out oxygen. I can abort an attack in as little as 6 minutes. That means I'm completely pain free. The keys: Pure oxygen, from a high flow regulator, at least 15 LPM, using a non re breaher mask. For your body to get the vaso constricting effect necesary to kill the attack, your lungs must receive only pure oxygen. No outside air, no air you have exhaled. So re breather masks and nasal canulas are completely worthless for us. It's proving very effective for many on the board, certainly worth a try. Again, welcome home! ;) Guiseppi

Hi Guiseppi.
Yeah I do use O2 but I will check out the non rebreather mask as I use the nasal one and I have used a rebreather mask before.
I'll contact my doctor and then report back to you.
Thanks for that
Sledge.

Callico wrote on Oct 18^th, 2008 at 10:20pm:

I'm with Guiseppi with the addition of Red Bull or other energy drinks.  Chug one down as soon as you get the first sign of a hit.  It can knock on back for me in minutes as well.  I like it for times I'm out and don't have access to anything else. Jerry

Hi Jerry

I hate Redbull but.... I WILL try it and I can see where you are coming from I am impressed. Again as with Guiseppi I will report back.
I am loving this forum already.
Many thanks
Sledge

There are Red Bull alternatives out there that taste a lot better.
The energy drink should have at least 80mg / 250ml caffeine and 1000mg taurine - the more the better.

Oliver