Hi there. My husband has had cluster headaches for a few years now, probably much longer. He's had terrible headaches since he was a teenager, but only learned the term cluster headaches four years ago.  We live in Florida, and he describes his season as hurricane season, because they generally start in August and last until October or November.  He is now going into his fourth week of episodes and they are getting worse each time. They used to only hit at night, but they are now coming in daytime. He had one last night from 1:30am to 3am and then another this morning at 10:30am to 11:30am.  We are finally going to the neurologist this Friday.  He was given Imitrex tablets by a GP, but his insurance only allowed 9 a month! Like that did any good, and the pills really weren't effective for him anyways. We have read the information on Oxygen and we are really hoping the neurologist will prescribe it for him. From what I have learned so far is that most sufferers use oxygen and also an oral pill such as lithium or another medicine as well. Does anyone know if we should hope to get two prescriptions while we are there or should we just focus on getting oxygen? What do we do if the neurologists doesn't prescribe anything and just wants to run tests? My husband is afraid of the next six days because now we are only relying on OTC medicines, and now I am worried he will end up with an ulcer because of all that he is taking. I long for his remission months, because as all of you supporters know so well, it is the worst feeling to know your loved one is in such terrible pain and you cannot do anything to help. Does anyone know of anything else we can do while we are waiting for the neuro? Any specific foods to eat or avoid, any OTCs that seem to provide quicker relief?  Any help is appreciated. This site is a blessing as it is a relief to know that other people understand what he is going through.

Here is a list of herbals/supplements that may give some relief over the next few days.  Keep in mind they will not be nearly as affective as actual prescription medication and abortives.

Taurine - found in energy drinks (stay away from high acidity energy drinks if he has ulcer issues)such as redbull **there are others.     Combined with Caffeine/coffee works.  You can also find taurine supplements at GNC or buy it off the internet, however if you use the internet you will be waiting for at least a week to even get  your shipment.

Kava - Herbal also found at GNC

Cetrizine/Zyrtec = over the counter allergy medication, taken before bed by about 1 hour it may help him get through the night with no hits and some decent zzz's. Found in most any grocery, drug, or walmart store.

The above are items I use.

Others here also use...

Melatonin : take 1 hour before bed- GNC

Fever Few: herbal - GNC

Magnesium - GNC

Dosages on all may have to be played with but the combination I use works for me.

Hot or cold wet clothes to the head during an attack- depends on sufferers preference.

My prayers are with you both over the next few days.

I hope this helps~

In many of us caffeine + Taurine helps to kill a CH attack when it's happening.

Caffeine does not cause me to have a CH attack, I can not speak for anyone else here, but you can tell from reading different posts that many do use caffiene + taurine to kill a CH attack.

I drink about 4 large cups of coffee every day and take a taurine supplement, since taking the supplements my attacks per day / per week have diminished.  No cure mind you but hey the fewer CH hits the better.

Everyone is different so he will have to use trial and error to see what works for him best.

The approach looks good with the prednisone to block the attacks while the verapamil takes effect. It works for some, not others. At the end of the pred, if the CH breaks through, push again for the O2. All he has to do is prescribe and make sure you are getting the higher flow. Then you take the prescription to the medical supply store in your area to fill it. You can probably save time by looking for one in your yellow pages and calling them to see if there is anything specific they require on the prescription. My husband gets his O2 (delivered even) from Apria.

Brew,
Thanks for that info because we would not have known. I did google the effects of taking the two and only saw something on a study done with rats but it didn't make much sense to me. If you have a moment, can you go more in depth into this? The only reason I ask is because taurine is really helping, and we don't know if the Verpamil is going to do the job. Of course I don't want any problems with his heart, and neither does he. So we will take your advice but I just was curious as to what you knew.  Thanks so much.

DP80 wrote on Sep 4^th, 2009 at 5:15pm:

Sorry, I don't know any more than that. I didn't start using energy drinks until after I stopped using verapamil, so it was kind of by mistake.

It's my understanding that taurine has the same type of calcium channel blocking effect as verapamil does, and taking them together doesn't just double the effect - it can increase it exponentially.

Again, sorry I can't be of more help. I'd say talk to your doc.

Mosaicwench wrote on Sep 4^th, 2009 at 10:32pm:



Thanks for that information. However, there isn't anything about his cluster headaches that I feel we don't go through together. I definitely don't feel the physical pain he goes through, but I feel the pain of seeing what it does to him. That being said, if verapamil works and decreases his pain, I'm extremely happy. I can deal with the rest.

Brew wrote on Sep 4^th, 2009 at 4:44pm:

The following link maybe of interest to you...

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

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

From this it sounds like taurine and verapamil may work well together if used carefully and in monitored dosages.

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

He has stopped drinking anything with taurine while taking his meds. Neither one of us want to take a chance. Last night he started his meds and thankfully he slept through the night! I hope that is a sign that these meds with work for him. Thanks everyone for your support and information. It has made a world of difference for us.

  It's almost seems that if a sufferer can sleep through, they can handle almost anything the day throws at them (in my experience).

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Oh absolutely! I swear, when I start getting sleep during a cycle it seems like it gives me more positive fuel and I end up getting hit less all day. Ah, the power of sleep.

PF times!

First of all...sorry to see you here DP,
On the upside, we all empathise with you.  As an aside, my cycle started approx 5 weeks ago. My MD prescribed Prednisone on a taper over 2 weeks followed by Verapamil daily.  I encourage you to print off as much information from this site as you can to persuade your Doc to come to the party with the O2.  Dont let him give you excuses, or find another Doc.  The Verapamil seem to have finally taken effect as I have been able to sleep through the night for the last week with only minor "shadows" during the day.  I have an O2 tank on standby as this is the only thing that will abort a full blown attack within 10 min.
Would be interested to see how you go.

Best of luck to you