I'm on Topomax and it's ok. Takes awhile to build up so don't
expect it to work over night so to speak.  May take weeks to
get on a level strong enough to help.  Good Luck!

Can always stop them if you don't like them.

When I saw my neurologist, as she was writing the proscription, she said to always read up on whatever drugs any doctor proscribed. After all it's your body that you're putting the drugs into and it is you who will be impacted by any side effects, etc.

And if you get side effects, knowing what the potential side effects are will help you identify them early and make the appropriate changes in consultation with your doctor.

As with anything, knowledge is power.

We have tried some of these meds and other treatments as well, here is our experience with them:

Verapamil - low heart rate also, also becomes dependent on the drug, and do believe it turned from episodic to chronic. No real relief noticed either, considered unsuccessful.

lithium - feeling of loopyness, mood swings (after all, it is used to treat bipolar cases too). No real relief noticed either, considered unsuccessful.

Sumitriptan Injections (6mg) (Nerve tranquilizer) - only 2 a day, causes rebounds prolongs cycles and increases intensity over time.  Nerve tranquilizer therefore wipes you out for the rest of the day.  Sometimes followed by nausea.  Did get relief quite quickly from this one, at least temporary relief until the next day.
There is a new needleless form of this injection that uses a CO2 cartridge to basically force the liquid through the skin and it disperses into the blood stream.  These are EXTREMELY painful (I prefer a needle), the first one I took caught me off guard and went off with pretty good force, causing it to push away from my skin and none of the medicine went in.  Also had the glass part at the tip bust and stick into my skin in one case.

Predisone (pill-form steriods basically)- works great at the beginning, especially when started with a "booster" steroid shot from physician, but will find one's self needing more and more and longer usage to keep of CH, also causes irreversible side effects such as vision impairment when used for long periods of time, causes acne, hair growth in "new" places where hair wasn't present before, causes extremely high levels of testosterone release, followed by very low, causing both mental, emotional and sexual side effects.

Medrol Dose Pack (also a steroid) - Same side effects for the most part as prednisone.  Also taken with an injection of a more powerful and short term steroid administered by a physician.  Used to get steriods into system faster for quicker relief giving the pill form of the steroids time to take effect.

High-flow Oxygen - Occational relief if started use at first sign of headache, didn't work if started at moderate or peak times of pain.  Needed to carry oxygen tank EVERYWHERE we went just in case a headache came on, not only a pain in the you-know-what to transport constantly, but also quite embarrassing for a 33 year-old smoker if seen in public.

Migranol Nasal Spray - First of all, VERY expensive, effective most of the time for relief at time of onset, but no long-term relief.  Causes some nasal side effects such as dry nasal cavity, runny nose and nausea/drowsiness.  Can also cause the "drips" in the back of your throat inducing the gag reflex and causing vomitting.

Chiropractic treatment - currently undergoing treatment 3 times per week doing adjustments in neck and spine, also a physical therapy type program that stretches muscles in neck.  Haven't noticed any improvement with the CHs, but not a bad idea to get everything aligned properly either.  Have experienced some cases where it seemed that the appointment would cause the onset of a CH immediately following the session.

Next treatment that is being considered: acupuncture.  Far-fetched, I know, but we are desperate and exploring all avenues right now.  Have read posts that claim it works wonders.  If no relief from the acupuncture, it may be time for the last resort, deep brain stimulation surgery.  But hoping to find a cheaper, less invasive treatment before that is done.

omaha...sorry I missed you. I was just there Saturday visiting my daughter. With due respect, I suggest that you commit to a lifestyle change and develop a plan for attacking CH. The pain is severe enough for most of us to be inconvenienced whether it be quit smoking of lugging around an O2 tank. O2 will abort a HA 90% of the time, but you have to be committed to it and follow procedures decribed herein carefully. Complain all you want that nothing works, but things do work and there is no need for a CH sufferer to suffer! Read about O2 here and then visit clusterbusters.com for alternative treatments. Then do what you want, but to others out there reading...THERE ARE SOLUTIONS THAT WILL ELIMINATE YOUR PAIN...

Jim, if you are willing to try something else. Visit chusterbusters.com. Alternatives discussedthat have had great postitive results.