Get a real diagnosis.

           Potter

Not all of us here are as rude as Potter.

What do you do now? 

(1) Since your headaches have just begun, you should definitely have a doctor prescribe you a preventative med.  Mine prescribed me Verapamil, but by the time she got to a diagnosis and a prescription, my CHs were on their way out, and I didn't want to suffer the side-effects of Verapamil (dizziness, constipation.)  From what I hear, for a lot of people, Verapamil will either completely stop the headaches, or reduce their frequency to one every few days.  Mine area already down to one every few days, so I haven't started on the Verapamil treatment yet.  Next time I will get on it right away.

(2) Have your doc prescribe you with an "abortive" med.  These are taken after the onset of the attack.  Some people on this board have a personal oxygen tank and mask by their bedside or at work.  Oxygen worked for you in the hospital, so you should definitely get some for home use. 

My doc didn't give me an O2 prescription.  Instead she said that O2 "doesn't work" (I think she needs to spend more time on this message board) and prescribed Maxalt for me instead.  Maxalt works for me only on an empty stomach, and even then, it sometimes takes 60 minutes to work.  60 minutes is still better than 3 hours of excruciating pain! 

Next time, I'll insist on an O2 prescription along with Maxalt.

My episode of clusters are coming to a close, after 28 days since my first attack.  They were 2 or 3 times a day, and this week, they only happen once every 2 days.  Good luck with yours!  Just remember that you're not alone, and there are some treatments out there that will help.

Noah, this is a scary time for you, we all understand. But finally having been diagnosed with CH is very important, coz now you and the doc will figure out a treatment that will work for you.
Oxygen really is an improvement on both painmanagement and quality of life for most clusterheads.
Come here often, talk to people here and read read read. Tons of info and reallife experience from fellow sufferers.

Regards, Pascal.

Sorry if my posts have offended you by not being descript enough. I will try to correct my vernacular in the future. Thank you to the others for being so nice and helpful

justnoah wrote on Aug 1^st, 2008 at 8:39pm:

     Ya don't offend me in the least.  Get some oxygen.

       Potter

Welcome to the board, sounds like oxygen worked well for you at the hospital. One of the more critical aspects of using oxyen is the earlier you start it, the faster and more effectively it aborts the headache. That's why it's so critical to get the prescription for it. Then you always have that E-tank, smiling at you from accross the room. As soon as that tingling, dull aching feeling starts, you fire off the 02 and blast the beast back to hell. Believe me, it's a great feeling to know you're not helplessly waiting to get hit again and again!

Now getting the rpescription can sometimes be an uphill battle. They'd rather stuff you full of vicodain, percocets, codeine, none of which work at all for CH, instead of giving you 02. It's worth the fight believe me. Tuck put it best, knowledge is everything, and you've found the end of the rainbow for CH knowledge, welcome brudder!

Guiseppi

you are correct mezza, I agree with you 100%,  I just thought the sooner that "justnoah" learned that some folks here get right to the point, skipping all the "sugary baby talk" the sooner he would fit in. I learned it on my first day here. Just ask Jonny.   lol.  I have been happy, and in a warm fuzzy place ever since. I am sure justnoah will soon be too.    Tuck

$5 says he'll be back.

I would hate to win that bet.  I don't want to scare anyone off.  I want the  newbies to get a real diagnosis and get some oxygen.

          Potter

mezza wrote on Aug 5^th, 2008 at 4:59pm:


     Someone owes me money.

              Potter

Hi justnoah,

I'm glad that you came back!  I'm so sorry for your pain and for your added MS diagnosis.  That is really terrible.  Please know that EVERYONE here wants to support, help and encourage you in any way we can.  We are here for each other for all sorts of life's little surprises, good or bad. 

If you were to go back and read many of the posts here, you will see that just about  everyone here advocates a proper Dx and the use of 02.  All of us just have different ways of expressing what's on our minds.  Those who find relief with 02 are eager to pass it along to others.

Please read all that you can about CH but always remember to run EVERYTHING by your Drs.  We wouldn't want to complicate things further for you.

Take care and let us know how we can help you!

Jeannie

Hi Noah,  Sorry to hear about the MS and CH.  Considering the diagnosis have they changed your meds, have they tried any anti-epilectic meds like depokote?    Phil