Hi Jim - & Welcome!!!  

Wow - what a Super thing, having a remission for 10 years!  sorry the beast is back for a visit, but glad you made it here!!  I think you will find a wealth of collective knowledge here (one that still surprises me even...)

Glad Lithium works for you as a prevent!  As far as trying different abortives, I have two things to say:

1) Read Everything there is to read about Oxygen to the left - it is the preferred abortive here (with NO Side Effects, and can be used as many times as you get hit per day!!).  Some docs are reluctant to prescribe because they have never done so before, so it doesn't hurt to print out the info to give to your doc - I had to do so, and my doc copied the prescrip word for word.  BUT It Works!!!

2) The triptan Relpax ( a pill only, if I am not mistaken) is a slow-acting abortive for CH.  It worked decent on migraine when I tried it before CH, but I haven't tried it for CH.  It took a while to kick in.  NOTE - you Should Not use more than two in a day - they don't give out very many - in sample or prescription.  Can cause heart issues and rebound headaches as well with overuse.  There are other triptans that work better/ Faster - which with CH is key.  I use Imitrex Injectable IF my Oxygen is not anywhere around me (on airplane, etc.)  There is also Imitrex Nasal Spray and Zomig nasal Spray.  There are others.  Try to avoid pill forms as they take too long to enter the body system and work - too long to abort!!  You want to be pain Free ASAP right?  

OK, that's my  

Feel free to ask more questions, and consider finding a headache specialist that might work with you on what you know works for you - the ergot... unless you're wanting to try new things.  The Oxygen is DEFINITELY worth trying!!!  Is a must in my opinion!!!

Val

Wow 10 years PF, great for you!!!!! I thought 5 year remision was great, but I'm were back. I tried Relpax but found it only helped if I took it at the first sign of a shadow. Imitrex injections has always been my choice but seems to increase the number of atacks per night (and often day) I have about determined that regardless of what we throw at it ultimately the BEAST will not be denied. Here's hoping for PF periods for all as we are all in this thing together.
Byrnie Taylor

Hey Jim, Jay here (red ryder).  How awesome 10 years free. The occasional twinge just gets me thinking here we go again even when I'm not in cycle. Glad its been a week cycle for you so far. Was wondering how long has this cycle been going for you. I am like you I am 7 weeks in to this one and I have seen nothing over kip 4 but sure is usualy over by now. I guess I'll take the good with the bad. I am kind of scared to try and use the migranol spray to bring it to a halt in fear I'll piss the beast off. Yes I always get the tender scalp thing on my right side. I always feel like I need to "pop" my neck due to the pain I get around the right side of my neck. No droopy eyelid this time just the stuffy nose , and the scalp and neck pain. I guess the majority rule is these things always change. I hate to hear the beast is back sounds like its going to be a dull ride hopefully. I am definately going to look into the high flow rate O2  regardless if this thing ends soon. The 8 lpm straight from the tube helps but it sounds like I need to be pumping about 15-25 with non-rebreather if this beast morphs. Any shadows durring the 10 year break? Take care,  Jay