Hello & Welcome to Clusterville

  . . . . and thanks for being a supporter.  It was my wife who found this site for me 2/02, after 13 months mis-diagnosis, non-working meds, multiple tests.

  Good that he's had the CT . . . to rule out other potentially more serious conditions.

  Also good he has the script for 02 . . . but yes, you should get a non-rebreather mask ASAP . . . far more effective than the rebreather, plus he's wasting 02 when he exhales.  Do get an Optimask with the big green 3 litre bag (links on the site - $27.50 - designed for clusterheads).  Also, go to ebay and order a 15 (or better yet) 25 lpm regulator . . . will look like the 8 lpm regulator he has now . . the combination of proper mask and regulator will allow him to hyperventilate with the 02 and kill the beast in minutes if used at the first sign of attack.

  And yes . . . use the 02 to knock out the shadows . . . don't wait for a major hit.  CH attacks can ramp to the "dance" stage in minutes.  Have your doc write a script for 02 that you can use at your cottage location in Michigan . . . you don't want to run out of 02 and not have access to more cylinders.  The standard "E" tank (about 3' tall with the little cart) holds 680 litres of 02, which will provide 45 min of 02 @ 15 lpm . . . that's enough to abort 6-8 attacks if caught early or two attacks if major hits.

  The doc didn't prescribe a preventative?  I personally haven't used Prednizone, but usually it's prescribed as a temporary prevent to control the attacks, and tapered down to zero while a preventative (like Verapamil) is tapered up to effective levels in his system.

  Read, read, read . . . ask any questions you may have.  We DO understand his pain.

   Be Safe,   PFDANs

     Richard

A big hug to you for being such a proaactive supporter...like many of the stubborn men on this board, it was my wife who actually found this site and forced me on to it!

The prednisone may stop the headaches completely, while he is on it. We generally refer to prednisone as a "transitional" med. It's bad news long term as it can really screw up joints and internal organs, but short term not a real problem. Many of us do a 10-14 day prednisone taper, which will give us up to 100% relief from the beast, while we start building up our prevent med in our system. The most common first line prevent is Verapamil, followed by lithium and topomax. All can take up to 2 weeks to become effective in your system.

Do look closely at the D-3 regimen Jeeber referred to, it's been providing a lot of relief for members of this board. Go buy some energy drinks, I prefer Sugar Free Red Bull, but any containing the combo of caffiene and taurine will do. Chugged at the first sign of a hit many can abort or really reduce an attack. I keep them in the glove box of my car when I'm on cycle.

Read, read, read, knowledge is your best ally in the fight against CH. In a short time you'll know more about the effective treatment of CH then 90% of the doctors you'll see. We'll help you all we can.

Joe

Get the non rebreather mask, you won't be sorry. If possible look into a demand valve. They are not cheap, but are well worth the money. I would not part with mine. Best thing I have every found for taming the Beast.