Hi All
I am new to CH and convinsed that this insideous pain is a cluster headache.  More convinsed than ever since the CT scan, sinus xray and blood work came back normal.
Today I went for a "So, What now"? visit to the Doctor.  She is making an appointment with a neurologist and in the interim she prescribed Ketorolac Trometh(Toradol).
Has anyone had any experience with the above drug?
I have been watching and listening to this site for some time but have only tried to post one other time.  I was in the throes of a headache and couldn't see well enough to even get logged in.
It has been about a year since I noticed something wasn't right.  I do not have a history of head aches let alone any kind of migrane.  I have only recently noticed a pattern that I would now say has a cycle.  I experience pretty much every symptom that I have seen listed, here and other sites as well.
I have noticed a change of late and that is that the headaches are more less in duration but more, much more intense and frequent.
I have always had a very high pain threshold but this is something altogether different.  With a very strong family history of brain aneurysm and tumour I must admit I have been concerned.  I guess the CT scan has cleared that up.  Or am I being naive?
The last time I had a prescription of any kind was years ago and I am not one to pop a pill every time I have an ache or stuffy nose so but at this point I would consider anything.
Thanks for listening everyone, I have a feeling that this site is going to become my new best friend because God knows that no one else even slightly gets it.

PGW

Torodol (sp) is a painkiller (I think) and is probably useless for CH.

Go with what Joe said -- the energy drinks (at the first sign of the headache - chug one). Melatonin at night (3-6mg to start and work up from there till you can sleep thru the night - gets you thru the REM sleep).

O2 is the first line of defense - 15-25 liters per minute with a non-rebreather mask (works for about 70% of us) -

Then get a prevent (verapamil or lithium or topamax). and imitrex or ergotomine (cafergot) for an abortative. (vasoconstrictors).

In a pinch 3 Excedrin Extra Strength with a cup of coffee (don't take too often as these will cause rebounds).

But painkillers on CH don't do much and will cause the headaches to be worse.

Hugs BD

Toradol is inappropriate--most especially as an early response to CH !! Too toxic.

See my response in this section, in the message-"mis-diagnosed".

And see,
---------
 
Cluster headache.
From: Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or (Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases)
[Easy to read; one of the best overview articles I've seen. Suggest printing the full length article if you are serious about keeping a
good medical library on the subject.]

Leroux E, Ducros A.

ABSTRACT: Cluster headache (CH) is a primary headache disease characterized by recurrent short-lasting attacks (15 to 180 minutes) of excruciating unilateral periorbital pain accompanied by ipsilateral autonomic signs (lacrimation, nasal congestion, ptosis, miosis, lid edema, redness of the eye). It affects young adults, predominantly males. Prevalence is estimated at 0.5-1.0/1,000. CH has a circannual and circadian periodicity, attacks being clustered (hence the name) in bouts that can occur during specific months of the year. ALCOHOL IS THE ONLY DIETARY TRIGGER OF CH, STRONG ODORS (MAINLY SOLVENTS AND CIGARETTE SMOKE) AND NAPPING MAY ALSO TRIGGER CH ATTACKS. During bouts, attacks may happen at precise hours, especially during the night. During the attacks, patients tend to be restless. CH may be episodic or chronic, depending on the presence of remission periods. CH IS ASSOCIATED WITH TRIGEMINOVASCULAR ACTIVATION AND NEUROENDOCRINE AND VEGETATIVE DISTURBANCES, HOWEVER, THE PRECISE CAUSATIVE MECHANISMS REMAIN UNKNOWN. Involvement of the hypothalamus (a structure regulating endocrine function and sleep-wake rhythms) has been confirmed, explaining, at least in part, the cyclic aspects of CH. The disease is familial in about 10% of cases. Genetic factors play a role in CH susceptibility, and a causative role has been suggested for the hypocretin receptor gene. Diagnosis is clinical. Differential diagnoses include other primary headache diseases such as migraine, paroxysmal hemicrania and SUNCT syndrome. At present, there is no curative treatment. There are efficient treatments to shorten the painful attacks (acute treatments) and to reduce the number of daily attacks (prophylactic treatments). Acute treatment is based on subcutaneous administration of sumatriptan and high-flow oxygen. Verapamil, lithium, methysergide, prednisone, greater occipital nerve blocks and topiramate may be used for prophylaxis. In refractory cases, deep-brain stimulation of the hypothalamus and greater occipital nerve stimulators have been tried in experimental settings.THE DISEASE COURSE OVER A LIFETIME IS UNPREDICTABLE. Some patients have only one period of attacks, while in others the disease evolves from episodic to chronic form.

PMID: 18651939 [PubMed]

Patricia

If worse comes to worse -- go to the nearest firestation and tell them you need O2 (15 liters per minute with a non-rebreather mask). They'll usually not argue with you... Afterwards, it would be a nice jester to take them some "homemade" cookies to "thank" them - so next time you need them, they'll be there.

If you do go to ER INSIST on O2 at the above rate of flow with the NON-REBREATHER mask!! Stomp your foot if you have to, but get it FAST! (Grabbing a doc by the neck helps get his attention  ).

And there's nothing to fill out for O2 except a perscript form. O2, 15 liter regulator, non rebreather mask -- sign his damn name! My doc faxes it in to the supplier. Don't let them pull that one on you.

Stick around here and READ READ READ.

Hugs BD