I am 37 years old.  I started having Chs in my mid twenties. At first a steroid pack and the verapamil would end the cycle. but over the years they have become harder and harder to break. Now I am in 8th week of chs and feel like no end in sight. I am my 6 med dose pack 240mg er of verapamil twice a day and the sumatriptan injection. Any insight on breaking this cycle would greatly be appreciated.

Hey Autiger,

Welcome to CH.com.  You've come to the right place for cluster headache sufferers (CHers).  We know what you've been going through and the good news is it doesn't need to be that way.

I realize this may sound like a bolt out of the blue, but you're very likely vitamin D3 deficient and that deficiency is contributing to the frequency, intensity and duration of your CH.

The following link will download a copy of what I call the anti-inflammatory regimen CH preventative treatment protocol.  This treatment protocol essentially provides the essential nutrients and minerals needed to replete a vitamin D3 deficiency.  In doing so, you'll likely find your CH go away in a matter of a couple days to a few weeks and for some CHers, even longer.

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

I suggest you take a copy of this regimen to your PCP and discuss it when you ask for a lab test of your 25(OH)D serum concentration.  That way you'll both be singing from the same sheet music when the lab results come back.

I've been posting here at CH.com about the benefits of vitamin D3 therapy since December of 2010.  That was a few weeks after I discovered that taking 10,000 IU/day vitamin D3 plus Omega-3 fish oil and the vitamin D3 cofactors stopped my CH in two days.  I've been essentially CH pain free ever since.

I estimate over 700 CHers have started this regimen since then and better than 80% of them have experienced a significant reduction in the frequency, severity and duration of their CH.  By significant I'm talking a reduction in CH frequency from an average of 3 CH/day down to 3 or 4 CH/week.  That's an improvement most CHers can live with and function normally for the most part.

56% of CHers starting this regimen experience a complete cessation of CH symptoms... usually in less than 30 days.  The important part of taking this regimen of vitamins and minerals is to stick with it for at least a month.  If it's effective by then, never stop taking it.  If it's not effective, there's usually a reason why, so start asking questions.

Take care and please keep us posted.

V/R, Batch

Autiger,

Everything Batch has said is true. 80% of those of us using his D3 Regimen are enjoying significant benefits from it.

I note you don’t mention Oxygen as an abortive.

Do you use it ?

Peter.

oxygen has not been prescribe to me yet

Autiger,

Oxygen is the first abortive that should be prescribed for Cluster Headaches.

See the “Oxygen Info” Page, highlighted in yellow, above left of this page. I would suggest that you print it and give it to your Doctor.

By the way, are you working with a Neurologist who specialises in Primary Headaches?

Peter.

Hi and welcome

In addition to using oxygen as a preventive, ask about using imitrex (imigran / sumatriptan) as either the injection or the nasal spray for aborting CHs (avoid the pills as they work far too slowly).

Taking 480mg of verapamil is often effective as a preventive for CHers, however some need to go as high as 1000mg a day before it becomes effective (Don't change dose without taking to your doctor).

And I'll also second (third?) the D3 suggestion which has kept many, including myself, CH pain free for multiple years.