Welcome home! If you haven't already, make sure you read the "oxygen info" tab on the left. There have been some significant improvements in HOW we use the 02 that's shortening the abort times.

Also, since yours are primarily night time hits, consider using an OTC called melatonin, a sleep aid, available at vitamin and health stores. You have to experiment a little with dosing, many have found they can avoid the night time terrors using it.

Wishing you a short cycle this go round.

joe

A whisker south of you down here at the border, welcome to the board! We're doing a get together in Sain Louis in July...check it out at the bottom of the board. Get together's are a life changing experience and highly addicting!

Joe

Welcome to the board Brian. When you get a second, give us a run down of what meds you have used, what has and hasn't worked for you. Maybe you'll toss a new idea our way, maybe we can make some suggestions to take back to your doc. Do you have oxygen yet? Read the "oxygen info" link on the left. Been something of a miracle abortive for many on the board. I can stop the beast in 6-8 minutes with it, certainly worth a shot.

So glad you found us, welcome home!

joe

Hi Brian!  Welcome!
I had the same issues with my doc and prescribing O2.  He tried to tell me that it was dangerous and didn't work for many people.  I asked him to elaborate, as I had done some research.  He told me that O2 was dangerous if I smoked around it or had it by my toaster when I was using it.  I told him it sure was a good thing I am a responsible adult who doesn't smoke who has a room in the back of my place away from my toaster/ elements that could ignite things that might get saturated then right?    I also told him that the O2 suppliers do a walk-thru of your place with you and give you information that you need.  This helped...
As far as it not working for some, it does work for more than not, and he could not argue with my thought WHY NOT TRY IT - I Hated the side effects of the triptan drugs.  There are No side effects with O2!!
I came to the real reason he was stalling after going through these ideas of his - he had never prescribed it.  I printed out the O2 page on the left - has what to write for the prescription - and he wrote it after a week to read it over and consult with his neuro buddies.
So - I've been using it for a month.  It is GReaT!!!  As for Treximet - I also tried it.  It takes too long to enter the bloodstream.  A better bet is Imitrex Injectable (Statdose) in my opinion - same Sumatriptan med as Treximet, but no NSAID and it is in your system working FAST!!!  They also make nasal spray if you don't do needles.  But the injectable isn't a syringe in the traditional sense - they are hidden in "pens" that you just have to push a button on.  
Melatonin is working pretty well for me too.  

Hoping for PF time for ya!  

Val

Hello Iam a newcomer, I have read alot of your messages boards. I have a long history of CH's going on 5 years. I am chronic. I still a little nerves tellin my experience. I still have to get everything in place in my mushing head. I have been on this site years ago. And now I cannot go thru this alone. I used to think my family is all I needed. But the end of the line they have know Idea the beast as you call it. I seems to be just habbit to them now and I assure You I will never just get use to this . So I know I will find alot compasion people here 5+ yrs for me is way to long never have missed more than 3 weeks of no headaches So for now I will leave it at this and tell my story. Thanks all who are hear!!!!!!!!!!!

Hmmmm... I thought I had registerd here already, cant find my account info. Oh well eh? *shrugs* anyway, I pop in and out over at calouch since 05, known there as bobbysworld. Found out Linda will be retiring from that site as she is moving. (correct me if im wrong Linda) So, I guess I'll be moving here with the rest of my fellow CH's.

Lets see, episodic... 3-4 years apart. Generally last for about 3 months and hit every night after work. (early evening) last episode was in 05, most recent started last week. so im in for a long summer. My episodes start out as heavy shadows first few days, then tend to be a bit illregular for about a week (meaning they hit at anytime during the day) then very regular in the following couple of months, and back to illregular towards the end of my cycle. This is how I know when the end is near.

Been dealing with level 5-6 this week tell last night.. 8-9. Was strange because I expected it to hit around 8 like the night before, 8 came and went and I ofcourse over reacted thinking I had beat the beast for the night, tell alittle after nine. Got the hot, tingly, numb feeling on the right side of my head. followed by a slow creeping hit lasting for close to two hours accompanied by waves of pain 4-9. Long story short, lasted much longer then my 45 minute hits, and wasnt the "bam! here it is, Bam! its gone" I'll be curious to see if that is a trend this cycle.

So, last cycle I didnt have insurance. Paid cash for a nero who didnt seem to want to help me at all. Refused to give me oxygen, but did give me a sample of a triptan which only worked the first time I tried it. Shortly after the cycle ended. I got insurance through work after that waiting for the next cycle. 4 years! 4 years I kept it tell last month, things have been tight at work hours cut, pay cut as many may be experiancing, so I cancelled the insurance. *grumbles* so here I am, a few weeks later, in cycle and without 02.

So thats my story, its a pleasure to meet those I havnt.
Bobby (or doncey)

Hello, Im a newbie to the website. Im 27 Year old CH sufferer for 5 years. first 2 years was misdiagnosed as sinus infections. So 2000 sudafed later... here i am. Married w/ 3 kids and wife is finally starting to understand my pain and that they will never go away. anybody have any advice to keep my family happy and as far away from my attacks as possible.

male 44yrs w/ch 5
I can't really blame the doctors that tried when I first went to them 5 years ago. The walk in clinic sent me to an ear nose throat spec. he sent me to get a cat scan then to a neuro. she sent me to an eye doc, he was an ass and my bout was over so I never looked back. until a year later when the beast rose again, I had no idea what was goin on, I thought it was dental related. I did some minimal research online but nothing jumped out at me. the second bout only lasted a couple weeks always in the evening and when trying to sleep.
Then nothing for like 2 years until now... the beast is back and pissed at me for thinking I got away. I went to the dentist to see if it was my wisdom teeth or other problem, no luck, I actually teared up when he said its not my teeth. He recommended I go to the University of Washington Pain Clinic, hope they take my insurance.

The last few days have been a challenge to say the least.

But last night I found this site and OMG! I read, and read the Wiki article, and every symptom I knew, it was an eye opener. I was relieved to find I was not alone and to see the support and what works for some/most. I am still in a bout but am able to fight off most severe attacks with activity, or, get this, push up pops. It was really hot and every time I felt an attack comming I ate another ice push up pop. It seemed to be working.... until I went to bed...

Thanks for reading my first ramble/rant

Welcome to CHville   sort of....

...well, welcome to the msg board anyway

Wow, This is impressive!  I guess I never thought that other people went through this madness.  The blissfully ignorant non-sufferers (sp?) that I seem to have surrounded myself with simply cannot comprehend what it means to go cycling.  In the beginning I tried to explain it and now I have decided that it is better to keep it to myself because I fear the creature might break containment and gain access to areas of my emotional impulse center and transform me into a full blown stark raving mad lunatic!  At any rate, it is really comforting to not be alone anymore.  I am 37 years old and had my first episode 7 years ago while driving home from work (thought my brain shorted out).  I was fortunate to be diagnosed about a week later, however, I failed to do any real research on CH.   That cycle lasted for about three months and then one day I realized I hadn't had an episode for 3 days.  That lasted until about four weeks ago.  The creature has awakened and it is 7 years hungry.  Well; I'm glad to be here and really glad CH is here I've learned quite a bit so far and from what I understand have a long path ahead.  Merry Meet, Merry Part, Merry Meet Again

Hi Lis and welcome. Sorry you had to seek us out. You say no support from your doc so it is very unlikely you will be scripted o2 as an abortive that works for the majority of us here.

You might want to be referred to a headache specialist who knows what CH's really are. Please read the links to your left and educate yourself about CH's.

This is what I have learned here since I joined a few years ago.

100% oxygen with at least a 15 LPM regulator and a non-rebreather mask, no outside air what so ever! Get on the o2 at the very first sign of an on-coming hit. This is how we abort CH's. I can knock one down within a few minutes using this procedure.

Next is my preventative. I use Verapamil at 480mg daily to keep the beast at bay, but there are many other options of prevents, but only under your doc's supervision. Lots of time to discuss these methods later on but most important is to get to a doc (Neuro) who knows what you need.

Don't be afraid to ask questions on the board, this is how we learn stuff. There is a ton of knowledge and help here, so you are not alone with this pain anymore.

Once again, welcome, this place saved my life and many, many others.

  Barry

Lis, so glad you have a supporter. About the intensifying of the attack, I try once I get on the o2 to try to calm myself down, even though it is one of the toughest things to do, but it does help.

The way you describe the way the hit comes on then backs off then back again is what we describe and call "ramping up" and again try and remain as calm as possible.

We are going to work with you on fighting this monster, promise, and others will be able to offer their help and advise. Hang in there, can't fix your head over night but we will sure help you all we can. Be strong.

Barry