Hey all,

After ten years of clusters, I've finally found what is for me a 100% abortive method. You don't have to buy anything special.

The method for me is called High Intensity Interval Training. I specifically use a method called Tabata:

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Twenty seconds of intense workout, followed by 10 seconds of rest, repeated eight times. The trick is that by the end
of the four minute workout, you're out of breath and panting as though you just ran a mile. And for me at least, the headache is gone. Aborted.

I found a youtube video showing a very simple Tabata routine that you can do without any equipment. It's the one I've been using personally, but you could do anything where you can go really fast and then stop– exercise bike, elliptical trainer, running outside. Wouldn't recommend a treadmill though, takes too long to speed up and slow down.

Here's the routine I use:

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There's plenty more similar ones on youtube as well.

I would be really interested to hear if this works for anyone else. For me, it's a god send.


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I've been following this board since about 2002, when I was first diagnosed with clusters. I'm episodic, getting a block of clusters about every 18 months, always around the clock change, lasting about 30 days. I get headaches every morning around 10:30 AM.

My neuro has me on 540mg verapamil year round, a prednisone taper, and zomig for aborts.

Congrats on finding an abortive that works for you 100% of the time! I've had mixed success with physical exertion, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. If the situation allows, I'll throw in a few sets of pushups until muscle fatigue, works occasionally. When I have 4 minutes, I'll try out the video and see if it works.