After 30 years of fighting the demon, I find myself in a desperate battle. This past year his presence has never left me for more than a couple of days. Although most of the attacks are not as severe (usually k6-8) or as frequent (usually 1-2/day) as I have experienced in the past; the sheer relentlessness is wearing me down.

More alarming & depressing is how the timing and certainty of the daily attacks have gradually altered my lifestyle and limited my available world.

My first attack usually occurs between noon and 3pm with either one or two more in the evening; or just having shadowing up until bed. The good news is that I am rarely woken up with one. The bad news is they are interfering with my daily life.

I lost my job 2 weeks ago and had to skip out on a great networking event yesterday at 2:30. If I can't break this cycle, I don't see how I can start an new job. But worse is that I now find my whole life closing down to being close to 02 and a solitary, dark room. I am afraid to plan social events with friends, take trips, get any physical exercise, do yard work, etc., etc. ect..

Thanks for letting me vent! Now my question!

Since returning to this site a couple of weeks ago for the first time since 2006, I've picked up a few new things.

Red Bull has aborted a few but not all attacks. I have been using O2 for years but will buy a proper mask as soon as they are back in stock. Will get a 25 lpm valve to relace the current 15 lpm.

What I need are preventatives to break this cycle. I am trying the cocktail that was posted here: Kudzu - 1000 mg, 2x per day (morning & night)
Magnesium - 250 mg, 2x per day (morning & night)
St. John's Wort - 300 mg, 2x per day (morning & night)
Skullcap - 425 mg at bedtime
Melatonin - 10 mg at bedtime

No results yet but is has only been 4 days. I believe I read to give it 2 months.

I have an appointment with my Dr. tomorrow and plan to start a higher dose Verapamil regimin based on an article that was posted here that I am taking with me. I have tried verapamil, lithium, and most others in the past with no results but it seems I was probably on too low of dosage.

What initial dosage of Verapamil do you think I should lobby for with my Dr.?

Are there any other Rx I should get while I am at Doctor?

Does anyone have any other suggestions? My plan is to try the Rx and herbal methods before seriously considering "alternative treatments".

Please share your thoughts. Is there something I am not seeing, or should be doing differently?

I truly feel that I am in a fight for control of my life! Thanks for being here!!

You caught me!  I am still new to this and wasn't sure where the appropriate place was for that post and where to get the most replies. Sorry.

GB: Maybe you should give this a try. It can't hurt:

I am not sure what mechanism is triggered by this but whatever it is, at least indirectly helps kill the pain. I do know that this technique has nothing to do with meditation, relaxation, or psychic ability. It is entirely physical and takes some work. It involves concentrating on trying to redirect a little circulation to the arms, hands, or legs. It can described as a conscious circulatory flexing. Increased circulation will result in a reddening and warming of the hands. Try to think of it as filling your hands with redirected blood. The important and difficult part is that it has to be done without interruption through the pain. Do not give up in frustration. It may not work on the first try. Every now and then it will work almost immediately. I lived for those moments. Try experimenting between attacks. You will find that it gets easier with practice.

I was given less than five minutes instruction in the use of method. The doctor, while placing his arm on his desk, showed me that he could slightly increase his arm and hand circulation. After several attempts, I was able to repeat this procedure and use it successfully. I have had about a 75% success rate shortening these attacks. My 20 minute attacks were often reduced to 10 minutes or less. Once proven that I had a chance to effectively deal with this horror, I always gave it a try as I had nothing to lose but pain.

Perhaps it will help if you think of it as trying to fill the arm as if it is were an empty vessel. I used to try to imagine I was pushing blood away from my head into my arm. Use your imagination. There is one man who wrote that his standing barefoot on a concrete floor shortened his attacks. This may be similar as it draws some circulation away from the head. Cold water, exercise, or anything affecting circulation, seems to be worth a try. My suggestion is to not let up immediately when the pain goes. Waiting a minute is probably a good idea. So long as you do not slack off, this has a chance of working.

This technique is very useful while waiting for medication to take effect or when none is available. It costs nothing, is non-invasive, and can be used just about anywhere. It is not a miracle but it helped me deal with this horror. It can be a bit exhausting but the success rate was good enough for me and a cluster headache sufferer will do just about anything to end the pain. It gives us a fighting chance.
I hope this technique is helpful and I wish you the best of luck

Charlie      

Thanks to all.

Doc started me on verapamil 120mg X3 and lithium 300mg X2 and see him again in 6 weeks. However, if I am not getting results in 10 days I plan to go back for increase.

He's a good GP I 've used for about 6 years but he is starting to make noise about an MRI and bringing a neurologist in.

I've BTDT. I told him that I wasn't wanting to spend a $1000 for CYA. If I had a tumor, I would have died 25 years ago. He caved but got me to agree if this treatment doesn't work.

If I'm forced to get a neurologist, I'll probably use our list and just have to drive some. I am not up to training another rookie Dr.

I'll drop the St Johns Wort. Thanks again for all your support.