Hi Jenny,

Anyone who has suffered long enough with this affliction has been exactly where you are at one point or another.  Unfortunately there is no short answer.  You just have to keep on working to find your magic bullet.

I went 12 years undiagnosed and had my share of Drs tell me "It's just a headache, how bad can it be".  I kept searching. 

Eventually, in 2007, I found a Neuro that knew what he was doing.  Got my diagnosis and began experimenting with treatments.  Even then it took several cycles to get my treatment dialed in. 

I know the pain is terrible.  I know you aren't yourself.  No one can be when faced day in and day out with unrelenting attacks.  I wasn't the same either.

But you have to find strength inside yourself to fight on.  You are worth the effort.  You are stronger than this.  And you know it.

When an attack comes, get on that O2 and beat his ass down.  With a high enough flow rate and enough practice abort times should eventually become pretty short.

Keep after your Dr to help you find that magic bullet.  It is out there.  Even if it means turning to alternative methods.  Have faith that there is something out there that will work for you.  From what I've read you've tried Veramapmil and Lithium.  Mainstream meds but certainly not the bottom of the barrel.

As well as Verapamil worked for me I didn't care for the side effects.  Went three cycles without any preventative med.  Relied on Oxygen and Energy Drinks and an occasional shot of Imitrex. 

Then this past January I had my Testosterone level tested and found out it was low ... very low ... prepubecent low.  It turns out after 15 years of searching that my magic bullet is hormone replacement therapy.  I've been mostly pain free ever since so longs as I'm consistent with the applications.

So that was a 3 year search after being diagnosed before I found mine.  I'm not saying it will take that long.  I'm just saying don't be impatient.  Stick with the abortives that work for you and keep searching for that magic something.

I hope you find it soon.

-Dennis-

Hi Jenny - you might be surprised at just how many people here will be able to relate to your post.

Have you read this post - Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

It shows what you can do.

And I hope you and your doctors can find what works for you to get on top of CHs (soon too).

Just wanted to say that therapy helped me get through a world of pain and misery.  I was feeling suicidal and very depressed over ch.  I was taken very seriously and sent to a ha clinic specialist and sent to a therapist to deal with the anxiety that accompnied my ch.  I was also sent to a chronic pain class on pain management.  It did help some.  There is lots of help out there you just have to advocate for yourself and find it.  Good luck in finding the help you need.

Hi everyone Merry Christmas to all.
everything is fine but i woudn't be able to eat my favorite chocolate cake in this christmas due to my toothache problem. Well hope I will enjoy it next year.
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Could Nelsonn be a shill?  Yes.

              Potter

Hi Jenny,

I'm a huge proponent of having good coping mechanisms for the emotional strain of CH means less pain overall.

I truly feel that the pain comes and goes but it is the anxiety and depression that arise in many that is what makes things so debilitating and what makes some people "quit" (work, leisure, living life in general)

I would suggest finding a therapist who specializes in CBT (cognitive behavior therapy) and pain management (not for meds but understanding the effects of pain)

Good luck

E