My name is Laura.  I am a 32 year old female from Albuquerque, NM.  Seven years ago I was treated for my first "migraine".  My primary care physician put me on everything from atenolol, elavil, metoprolol, and topamax.  Regardless of what little pill I was popping on a daily basis, I found myself back in his office every six to nine months complaining that my "migraines" were back.  He would then prescribe zomig and prednisone and even narcotics to get me through the cycle which typically lasts anywhere from two to four weeks.  This past December, while suffering from my worst cycle-to date, my doctor finally referred me to a neurologist who said I was a textbook case for cluster headaches.  She revamped all of my medications.  I am now on verapamil 120mg x2 daily.  When my next cycle hits, I have been stocked up with indomethacin, prednisone, sumavel dosepro and zomig nasal spray.  She mentioned oxygen therapy but said she was hesitant to get me the set-up until we knew if it worked or not.  I explained that the majority of my headaches occurred at night and wasn't sure how to get myself to any source of oxygen fast enough (my headaches last 30-45minutes) in order to prove or disprove the oxygen theory.  She then gave me a handwritten note with my diagnosis and the oxygen recommendation and told me to keep it in my purse and when my next headache occurs to just walk into the nearest ER and hopefully I won't be forced to wait!

At this stage of the game, I guess my questions/concerns are in regards to the heavy medications I have been taking and the long term affect they may have on my system and also what other sufferers have done or where they have gone to determine that oxygen was, in fact, beneficial to their treatment and how they moved forward with getting the proper set-up at home.

Although the diagnosis isn't a pleasant one, I am so thankful to receive validation that I am not a medical freak show!!

-Laura 

Hi Laura and welcome to the board!

As Suresh says, O2 is THE main method of aborting the hit, if you catch it early enough!
I haven't the knowledge to ask this question but, will the ER O2 delivery setup be enough (ie min of 15lpm with 100% flow and NON re-breather mask!)
I am sure Batch or the others will be along soon to give you that info!

Once you get on the correct O2, you MAY be able to reduce the cocktail of meds you are currently taking!

Regards

Gary

Hi Laura,

I too would encourage you to get o2.   It's truly life changing knowing that you can abort in 5 minutes. 

Welcome to CH.com.

Jeannie

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Your verapamil dose is still on the low side. If it's not effective at that level then you have considerable room to go up assuming your doc allows it given your reactions to your present level. Therapeutic levels for CHs seem to run as high as 960mgs/day. I'm currently finding a low threshhold of 400mgs/day as the beginning of effectiveness.

The other stuff is good stuff. Curious about stocking up on prednisone? A pred taper can help interrupt a cycle. Is it for use as an abortive? I haven't found such use very effective. Many have found Zomig to be helpful in aborting an attack. Others have found sumitriptan injections (like imitrex) more helpful. And there's a whole bunch of OTC stuff that helps.

But the best and most effective, when applied correctly, is O2 just as you've been told. It's the best. Good luck, and God bless. lance

Hi Laura

People who are episodic normally just take the preventive during their cycle, starting with a prednisione taper when the cycle starts to give some relief whilst the verapamil builds up to an effective dose over a few weeks. Once the cycle is over, often based on a couple of pain free weeks, the verapamil is reduced, hopefully to zero without any CHs returning, but if they do, the verapamil is just increased back to the effective dose. Do work with your doctor on this.

I've seen a few people who are episodic here report how they stay on the verapamil all year round when they have a lot of cycles with only short gaps between them, so there are exceptions.

For people who are chronic, they will be on the preventive long term.

Do get oxygen for aborting CHs. No preventive is 100% effective, so you will always get some CHs. With oxygen at a high flow rate via a non-rebreather mask you will be able to abort CHs pretty quickly and not have to ride out the CH.

And between hits and cycles don't spend the time worrying about the next hit. You need to enjoy life, whatever it throws at you, not sitting in limbo.

Hi Laura,

I'm in Abq, too, and found this site trying to support my husband - he's been fighting the CHs (this go-round) for the last 3 weeks. I sent you a PM to request more info about your doctor as I've been trying to find a headache specialist here for him.

Now I have a better appreciation for the importance of adding your location to your profile!

Wishing you more PF days and nights!