I am very new to this site and to cluster headaches I have been suffering from these for about two months. for the past month the beast (the new name I learned from here:) )has came once to twice daily. my neurologist started me on imitrex and oxygen not realizing how hard it is to get the imitrex. I burnt through my script in like 5 days. oh what a mistake that was the oxygen seems to help but it seems the beast comes right back. another thing I noticed with the O2 was as it aborts the intense pain which is great   has anyone had what seems like a lingering effect with the O2? anyways you all are very familiar with these type of scenarios and I look forward to talking and getting to know  everyone. it's so great that this site is here it brings joy (only because others understand) and sorrow that there are others suffering like me. I try to explain to people what I'm going through and it seems the first thing out of there mouth is "yeah I have had a few bad headaches" I know they mean well but man it makes me so mad to hear what I'm going through compared to a "bad headache". anyways enough of my ramblings like I said before I look forward to meeting and hearing what everyone has to say here....

'Evening.  Welcome home.   

Seems like it's relatively common for people to have a hit return after using oxygen.  It also sounds as if you're not getting a complete abort.  First of all--what flow rate are you using?  Oxygen for CH appears to be most effective at flow rates of 15 lpm or higher. 

Second--what sort of mask do you have?  At a minimum, you should be using a NON-rebreather mask (one that doesn't allow outside air in the mask).  There are even better masks that are specifically for clusterheads--a good example is the following, made by Linde Life Gas:  Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

Third--many who use oxygen with the proper mask at the proper flow find that they can prevent the return of an attack by staying on the oxygen for up to 20 minutes after a hit is aborted. 

I'm by no means an expert on the subject, but I'm sure that our resident experts will be along to give you more thorough information.

Again--welcome.  Have a look around.  Lots of good information here, and plenty of folks who will be very happy to get to know you.

All the best,

George

Tape the holes off and crank it to 15 and hyperventilate .

And then there is a small percentage of us who get the come backer no matter how we use the 02! I'm one of those. Now I pop an oral cafergot when I start the 02. 02 beats it down, cafergot buys me up to 12 hours pain free time.

Others have recently posted the same effect using an energy drink instead of cafergot. They chug an energy drink and start the 02, they get the same results, no rebound. I intend to try that next cycle.

For oxygen to be really effective it's critical your lungs receive only 02, no outside air, no exhaled air. If you're getting outside air it will substanitally reduce the effectiveness.

Joe