Hi Casey, and welcome!

Do make sure you get to a neurologist, preferably a headache specialist. And get a prescription for oxygen! You don't have to wait to get that prescription from the neuro, your GP can order it for you. See the 'oxygen info' link on the left.

The neuro can also prescribe a preventative med. Verapamil is most commonly prescribed I think.

In the meantime, you could try slamming down a cup of strong coffee or an energy drink (doesn't have to be RedBull, any brand with a high level of caffeine and taurine will do) as soon as you feel an attack coming on.

Great you have a supportive husband! Greatings to him as well and tell him he's welcome here to as a supporter.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Lottie

First issue: pain meds are not appropriate for cluster and suggets your doc lacks experience/training in headache. Not at all unusual.

Study this entire article so that you can talk to your doc with some knowledge. Print out the list of treaments in the second link and give to the doc--and hope he will accept your guidance!
Many of us have had the experience of knowing more about Cluster than our docs and a good one will be willing to learn from us.
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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 better overview articles I've seen. Suggest printing the full length article--link, line above--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]
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Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

Here is a link to read and print and take to your doctor.  It describes preventive, transitional, abortive and surgical treatments for CH. Written by one of the better headache docs in the U.S.  (2002)
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Michigan Headache & Neurological Institute for another list of treatments and other articles:

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or


 

Welcome lass.

Be vigil with the hydrocodone. I know when one hits you will take anything to get some relief, but there are better things out there.

Most have great success with 02. You need to make sure the script says use a regulator with at least 15  LPM (liters per minute) It takes a high flow and use a non-rebreather mask. For me it usually knocked it out in 5-10 minutes.

Also triptans injectors for the really bad ones also knocks them down in 5-10 minutes.

Good luck and again welcome.

Hi Casey

o2 it's the way to go.

To PFD

Iddy

My doctor told me last time I was in that if I come back because I still have the headaches then he's referring me to a neurologist or a headache specialist so today I made an appointment for Tuesday! I've printed off 100 pages of information about treatments and medications to take with me to discuss with my doctor. So I might finally be getting something that will help with my attacks!

I finally recieved my first prescriptions for meds for CH today. I was so excited to finally have something that might work. But what ended up happening today was for the first time since atleast December I had a pain free day! Lets hope theres more to come!