Hello, my name is Robert and I have been a CH sufferer since early 2004.  It struck like a lightning bolt one sunny afternoon (thought I was gonna die), and has not stopped since.  I get them every day (sometimes several times) but mostly at night.  I don't remember a good night's sleep anymore.  The current treatment I have been sticking with these past few years is O2 (15-28); Ice, Ice, Ice... ; Ergotamine; and DHE-45 injections.  Currently I have been using a Lidocane nasal spray as an added abortive which seems to be working fairly well.  I have been through the gambit of most drugs prescribed by several doc's (neurologists), and had been recommended by a neurosurgeon as a prime candidate for the deep brain stimulator implant (too bad my insurance won't pay for though).

Would like to have contact with someone in my AO to compare notes with.   :D

Hey there, welcome aboard.  You might want to post an intro in the "Getting to know you" section.  You will get a much better reception.

Welcome to the board! Careful with that deep brain implant stuff......still in the way early stages, potential side effects include strokes, aneurysms, and death! :o Neurosurgeons are notorious for suggesting surgery cuz....well..it's just what they do! Surgical intervention is a last option when all others have been exhausted. Your current treatment regimen is very similar to what mine was...in 1984. I'm serious, cafergot, lidocaine.....

You need an effective prevent. A med you take daily to reduce the number and intensity of your attacks. Verapamil is the most common first line prevent, at dosing much higher the when it's used for BP issues. Lithium is my prevent, popular with many, topomax also has a loyal following. Lithium will block 60-70% of my attacks. Melatonin, an OTC sleeping aid is helpful for many to prevent night time attacks.

Abortives. Read the oxygen info link on the left. Should be your first line abortive. I can stop an attack in its tracks in 6-8 minutes using 02, beats the 90 minute rides I used to endure. Imitrex injectables are awesome when I'm caught away from my oxygen.

Your regimen speaks of a doctor extremely under educated on CH. This is a recipe for a boatlaod of pain for you. Find a neurologist who specializes in headaches, or a GP who will listen to you and get you oxygen. Not prescribing 02 to a CH patient is absolutely inexcuseable.

Please post an intro on the getting to know you board as more people will view and respond, might be able to find you a competent doc in your area. CH sucks, it REALLY sucks with a doc who treats you like it's still 1984! ;)

Joe