New member, 56 year old guy.  I was first diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia about 8 years ago.  Scariest and most painful experience ever, or so I thought....this was until the top and back of my head were added to the mix.  All pains on the left side of my head, started with my left sinus cavity, to cheek, to eye, to jaw, tooth the teeth and gums...then after a month of that came the severe headaches, more excruciating than the Trigeminal if thats possible.  This was all while in Florida where I lived for 5 years.  Moved back to Michigan in October of 2014, and low and behold....it all stopped, until April 2 of this year.  Starting out with the Trigeminal type pains...I don't take meds, but fear the full cluster attack.  The VA has changed their initial diagnosis to totally Cluster Headaches and will only prescribe sumatriptan...which does not work....reading up on Oxygen....don't have a problem buying my own setup, and O2, just need to know what regulators to use with the welders O2, etc..I already know where to obtain the mask....that has been recommended.  So much for the change in climate....had hoped my move from Florida 3.5 years ago was the key.....they also say illness (just got over the flu...and haven't been sick in yrs) and stress can trigger...flu is gone...stress is not...caregiver for elderly mother.....any help would be greatly appreciated.

If the Sumatriptan are in tablet form, they can take up to 20mins before kicking in, what you need are the auto injectors, which only take 3-5mins to abort the beast.

Cheers Hoppy

There's also a yellow button on the left side of your screen  -  oxygen info  -  and this will give you lots of good stuff on setting up your own gear.

We'll also help you every inch of the way.

Have you been dealing with a headache specialist at the VA?

Whilst sumatriptan tablets take 20+ minutes to work, they can work after a delay, but if they don't work at all, especially if you've used the nasal spray / injections, then it may be worth getting a confirmation of the diagnosis. What form of sumatriptan was it?

The O2 page Brian mentioned is - START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE.

25 mg tablets....the VA never said anything about auto injectors being an option.....could have been the delayed time frame as I didn't think to take one when the first attack occurred this year until well into it....after 3 years of remission, took me by surprise, then I didn't take anymore with subsequent attacks as I don't like to take meds, especially if they weren't doing anything....will give em another shot when I notice it coming on....will also get with a VA neurologist here in Michigan since I moved back as I hadn't set up with one here as when I moved back to Michigan from Florida the episodes ceased....3.5  - 4 yrs ago was my first attack ever, in the spring of 2014, then again in the fall of 2014.  No more till now, and originally when diagnosed there were many writings stating recurrences did happen with change of season, so I thought I was lucky.....NOT
Much more reading to do....

im at Va also. mine was in remision for a year and is back now. i had to take off from work and will see the neurologist may 3. the sumatriptan spray my primary care prescribed seems to be helping some.  fortunately i have propper diagnosis now anyway.

The 25mg tablets are what might work well with migraine, although even for migraine it is common for the 100mg tablets to be prescribed (although your medical history might mean you need the lower dose).

So since the nasal spray or injections weren't mentioned do ask. There is a huge difference between them taking potentially 20 min+ to work and about 5 minutes.

You also need to take CH abortives as early as possible during the CH for them to be as effective as possible, with this applying to triptans like sumatriptan as well as oxygen, etc.

Do read up about vitamin D3 (START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE). This has been really effective for many of us (80%+), myself included.

The vitamin D regiment has a good track record of becoming pain free for those that suffer from CH's during the months of Spring and Fall, myself included.

Cheers Hoppy

Thanks for all the info..... with regards to the D3 Regimine...is it best to divide it up throughout the day or take it all at once...... always been told there is no stupid question...however hopefully this isn't my first...thanks in advance

I always take mine with my evening meal, all at once, which works well.

Always with your main meal of the day. It helps you absorb more of the vitamins.

If taken on an empty stomach there is a greater chance that you will pass a lot of the Vits during the course of the day and not get as much value from them.

Peter.