I'm hoping the nasal spray is Imitrex. If it is, it has been very effective as an abortive for many, I prefer the imitrex injectable, it uses a little stat pen. Same med, different delivery system. Here comes a long post that will summarize a CH tretament regimen. You've already learned narcotics are useless, and the potential side effects are all bad. We can't cure CH, but with a little work, they are certainly manageable.
1: A good preventative regimen. A prevent is a med you take daily, while on cycle, to reduce the frequency and intensity of your attacks. Verapamil is usually the first one they'll try. We take it at a dose far higher then people who use it for blood pressure issues, some go as high as 960 mg a day. I use Lithium at 1200 mg a day it blocks about 60-70% of my attacks. (Ignore the hollywood stereotypes of mouth breathing zombies I was a deputy sheriff for 30 years and even my beat partners couldn't tell when I was on it!) Topomax has a loyal following but many call it Dopey-max because of it's potential side efefcts. Severe cases combine lithium and verapamil for what we call the chronic cocktail.
It takes a little trial and error to figure out which prevent works best for you but well worth the investment in time. The bad news is you will probably have these your whole life. Some grow out of them, but we have people on the board in their 70's still getting hit.
2: An abortive, the attack starts, now what? Oxygen should be your first round abortive. I can be pain free in 10 minutes or less just huffing oxygen. Please read the oxygen info tab on the left as it must be used correctly or it's useless. Best accomplished using a non re breather mask with a high flow regulator of at least 15 LPM. The nasal canulas they'll try on you at the hospital are worthless, they will not work.
My insurance covers it now but years ago they did not. Out of pocket I was paying $4.25 a month for each E-Tank I rented, and $12-$13 each time I had them refilled. Regulators can be found on E-Bay for $20 or so, and the mask can be bought for about $20. You will probably find your insurance will cover it.
Imitrex, injectable and nasal spray help many to stop an attack. The pills generally do not work as they take too long to get absorbed.
Also, go to clusterbusters.com I have not tried this route....primarily because of the previous mentioned career choice!!......but their success rate is pretty impressive.
Get your dad on here! There have been SO many advances in treatments, and in HOW we use the older treatments, that's making a huge difference in the quality of peoples lives. A long post I know but you have MUCH to learn.
Hope you stick around with us. Suggest you go to the getting to know you board and introduce yourself......you'll get a lot more responses and suggestions!
Joe