Hi, I am brandnew here.  Just sitting at home and waiting for my oxygen apparatus to arrive between 9-12 am. Then off to work again.

I am 62, a smoker, self diagnosed 5 years ago after suffering from "sinus" headaches for years.  Once diagnosed corectlt I took attenolol for a couple of years and it was a miracle for me.  Then the headaches came back, uped the dose for another 12 months free from pain.

Can't push the antenolol any higher.  My pulse rate is at 50 now.

I am moving up the latter looking for relief.  There are not too many things I have not felt as with other suffering folks.

I have resolved that there is not a known cause or mechanism that logic can then fix.  I have experiment with triggers and only find alcohol to be one sure trigger.  Beer and wine.  Viagra may have been another and have not tried that again while in a cycle.  Jokes here are okay!

There are certainly a lot of people out there with very serious levels of pain.  It breaks my heart.

As much as we want this to go away, it seems that it won't.  Tomorrow will be different most likely.  For better or worse.

I am having two a day this week. Last week was a little worse.

I will see a nueroligist next week.

Hang in there friends.

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Latest greatest from the laboratory. Good luck at the neuro's.
all the best
thebb
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I started taking Atenolol for hypertension about seven year ago. It was after I had already developed CH. After my dose was increased to 50 mg a day, I went into a four year CH remission. When I stopped taking atenolol (wrong move for many reasons) I came out of remission. I don't know if there's a connection because someone else was recently stating that she thought atenolol was a trigger for her.

That's strange -- when I was first diagnosed, this resident was giving me something to "help" me stop smoking. This old doc (neuro) came in and looked at my chart and D/Ced that order immediately, ordered a wheelchair and rolled me out of the hospital for a "smoke". Told me "this was NOT the time for that one!"

My neuro never mentions me quitting.

Let us know what your neuro says....

Hugs BD

hi ron,

i can recommend chantix, worked for me after a number of failed attempts over the years. while quitting unfortunately does not seem to help with CH, I found that improved breathing and general health certainly help in terms of coping with CH .

qaz

                                         Dr. Wright’s Circulatory Technique:

I am not sure what mechanism is triggered by this but whatever it is, at least indirectly helps kill the pain. I do know that this technique has nothing to do with meditation, relaxation, or psychic ability. It is entirely physical and takes some work. It involves concentrating on trying to redirect a little circulation to the arms, hands, or legs. Think of feeling your pulse in your hand. Increased circulation will result in a reddening and warming of the hands. The important and difficult part is that it has to be done without interruption through the pain. Do not give up in frustration. It may not work on the first try. Try experimenting between attacks. You will find that it gets easier with practice. Every now and then it will work almost immediately. I lived for those moments.

I was given less than five minutes instruction in the use of method. The doctor, while placing his arm on his desk, showed me that he could slightly increase his arm and hand circulation. After several attempts, I was able to repeat this procedure and use it successfully. I have had about a 75% success rate shortening these attacks. My 20 minute attacks were often reduced to 10 minutes or less. Once proven that I had a chance to effectively deal with this horror, I always gave it a try as I had nothing to lose but pain.

I used to try to imagine I was pushing blood away from my neck into my arm. Use your imagination. There is one man who wrote that his standing barefoot on a concrete floor shortened his attacks. This may be similar as it draws some circulation away from the head. Cold water, exercise, or anything affecting circulation, seems to be worth a try. My suggestion is to not let up immediately when the pain goes. Waiting a minute is probably a good idea. So long as you do not slack off, this has a chance of working.

This technique is very useful while waiting for medication to take effect or when none is available. It costs nothing, is non-invasive, and can be used just about anywhere. It is not a miracle but it helped me deal with this horror. It can be a bit exhausting but the success rate was good enough for me and a cluster headache sufferer will do just about anything to end the pain. It gives us a fighting chance.

Charlie