Hello everyone.  I'm new to the Forum, but an 8-year veteran of cluster headaches.  Wish I knew about this forum before... have already consumed 2 bottles of water since finding this site less than an hour ago.

Some background.  Originally from the Caribbean, and been in the USA since 1991.  Was living in Los Angeles and preparing for my marriage when I got my 1st attack in 2002.  Have gotten attacks every 1-2 years ever since.  Currently living in Maryland, and (yup) been living in cluster hell since last Friday.  Immitrex pills are what I take for relief, and this usually works in 30-60 mins. 

Now, to get to my unorthodox treatments. 

(1) I have noticed 2 consistencies during all of my cluster periods - stress and allergies.  During my last cluster period, I saw an allergist and he recommended using Mucinex-D in addition to my regular allergy meds.  Somehow when I take Mucinex-D, that stuffy head feeling goes away and my sinuses are clear.  For the last three nights, I took Mucinex-D at night in addition to my allergy meds and Verapamil, and presto - no nightly attacks. 

(2) I somehow know that this this next unorthodx treatment is probably bad for me, but for 2 of the last 3 headache-free nights, I have also taken 2 Excedrin migrane pills before falling asleep as a preventative measure.  I have only taken these when my head felt "wierd" before falling asleep.  Whether this has contributed or not to my apparent relief is TBD.

So 3 nights without a cluster headache in what is proving to be the shortest cluster period ever.  Alls well that ends well, right?  Of course, I had to ^&#%%^ it up today.  After shoveling snow for 4 nonstop hours today (reminder - I live in Maryland), I saw a Heineken in the garage and thought "what harm could this do."  I got the mother of all cluster headaches less than an hour later... arguably my worst headache in life. It took almost 2 hours for the Immitrex (followed 30 mins later by Excedrin Migraine) to kick in.  And now, I'm scared once again to go to sleep. 

Hopefully the Mucinex-D, Verapamil, and allergy med stew will do its job tonight. Whether it works or not, I'm just glad to be a part of the Forum and to find others empathetic to my hell.

Thanks Joe.  Visiting my neurologist next week and will explore the oxygen option.  And will stock-up on Red Bull as a temporary alternative to the Excedrins.  Did not get a headache last night, but woke up with my head feeling fuzzy (I think you call it the shadows). 

Of course, this had to come during the week of Snowmageddon... with my home being transformed into an igloo with 3+ feet of snow outside and 50+ mph winds... a toddler going through that temper tantrum phase... and Emergency Rooms being the only option as all medical facilities were shut down. Thank God I found an old stash of expired Imitrex and not-yet-expired Verapamil to get me through the hiatus.

Hello Nigel V. from another Nigel V.
Welcome to the board.
I've never tried Imtrex pills but I do have Imtrex injections and they work grate usually aborting a CH in 3 minuets , could be worth a try.

I'm very new to CH having only been suffering for  7 months , though I'm now in remission.

there's lots of people on this board who know a hell of a lot about CH and meds , and a grate support network.

all the best
Nigel

As to inconvenient start times....I hear ya! This cycle started 5 days before I was due to change insurance plans! Total panicsville. Fortunately after 31 years I've learned to stock pile everything and could probably last a year or 2 on what I have in my cupboards!

Lesson learned a long time ago, enjoy the pain free times, but always be ready to do battle! Push hard on the 02, the success rate on the board has been phenomenal!

Joe

That's awesome news Nigel! Amazing what a good nights sleep can do for your disposition!

Joe