Sudafed nasal spray has stopped 3 attacks in a row for me, used at the onset, just before the pain really kicks in, but when you know you are about to get one. I'm excited, but obviously we'll see if it keeps helping.
   Sudafed is a decongestant nasal spray sold in the UK, the active ingredient is Xylometzoline hydrochloride. The effect upon inhalation is an opening up of your nasal passage and free breathing. I think it is a vaso constrictor, which is why it reduces the blocked up feeling in your nose.
   I have suffered cluster headaches for about 3 years, first year was worst, screaming, crying, agony. I changed my diet, stopped drinking, gave up smoking and took up exercise and drinking alot of water. The severity of my headaches is much less now, 6-7 on the kip scale, rarely up to 9. I don't usually go more than a week without a headache, then I'll get 2-3 a day, they don't floor me anymore, I just have to jump around, move my jaw alot, drink water and wait for it to pass (20-40 mins).
   I also find that sex helps, I don't know if it is the physical exertion or what but I do find it can bring a headache to cessation sooner.
   Anyway, I recommend trying the nasal spray. I will post again when I've tried it a few more times.
  I would be interested to know if anyone knows the medical reason why this might hep or if anyone has similar succes with Sudafed.
   Best wishes,
     Toby

I've seen several posts about the 4-way spreay too, similar to your sudafed I believe.

MUCH MORE IMPORTANTLY!!!!! we need to get you in touch with OUCH UK and get you set up with oxygen. 40 minutes hopping around with these is too long. Oxygen can knock them out in less then 10 minutes, save the Sudafed for the small shadows.

Wishing you continued luck with the Sudafed but please check out oxygen

Guiseppi

Agostino Leyre wrote on Aug 27^th, 2008 at 4:59pm:

yep.  4 way has worked for me as well. i've also used it before sleeping. i still got the r.e.m attacks but i would get more than the usual 45 minutes of sleep and they were more controllable with o2 at that point.

If your getting hit a lot at night, consider using melatonin, an OTC sleep aid. Start with 9 mg about 30 minutes before bed time, might be able to avoid the wake up hits that way.

As far as high BP keeping the beast at bay? Who knows! I don't recall if you have oxygen yet.

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I used to go for a 20 minute all out sprint when the beast came calling, would ratchet the pain down a few clicks but never get rid of it. Now I huff oxygen for 6-8 minutes and I'm pain free. Cheap, effective, no side effects, certainly worth a shot.

Joe