Hello fellow Cluster Headache Warriors.  I am new to this site.  I've actually visited this site before and found very helpful tips here that I have been using to combat this condition.  In particular, I have used running as a method of aborting CH attacks.  It has proven extremely effective.  CH attacks which in the past have normally run several hours long are knocked out within 5-10 minutes of a medium sprint on the treadmill.  It's amazing.  It may not work for you, but it's damn worth a try.   

About me: I'm currently in a cycle.  I'm receiving medical treatment from a Neurologist, comprising a cocktail of preventatives Calan (Verapamil), Prednisone, and Topamax, and I'm taking Sumatriptan (Imitrex) before bed as a preventative.  For the week prior to getting these prescriptions filled I was using the treadmill to abort the headaches.  For the most part, the meds are preventing the attacks, but occasionally I will have one.  When I do, I run on the treadmill for about 5 minutes at the middle setting.  While I'm running I feel the CH ramping up, and it's kind of scary at first - like I may be making it worse - but then around 5 minutes in, just when I'm starting to break a sweat, the headache evaporates.  It's an extremely powerful feeling.  I have been suffering from Cluster Headaches for over 20 years now, and this has been by far the most control I have ever experienced over a cycle.  I encourage you to give it a try.

If you're interested in following my progress, I will share a link to my blog in a post later.  This site is not allowing me to post a link now.  In the meantime, you can find me by searching google for "cluster headache warrior."  My blog is the first hit (the Wordpress site).
 
I don't remember the name of the person who wrote the post about running to abort cluster attacks (I'm sure there are several), but whoever you are, I thank you.  You have changed my life.  I hope I can do the same for someone else. 

Welcome to the board Warrior. Glad that you have found running will knock yours out in 10 minutes. Thats great.

During one CH cycle I used squats to kill an attack.  Did squats until my thighs were burning and I was really winded.  Then sit down with an ice pack and the attack would evap in about 5 minutes.  My good friend Marc used his bicycle to the same effect.

I don't know if I am replying to these posts in a way that you guys can read easily - I don't see a reply icon next to specific messages.  So if I'm doing it wrong, please bear with me while I figure it out as I'm new here.

Bob, thank you for your comment, and congrats on your success with using exercise to kill these headaches.  This is great.

Thank you.

Let's see if it will allow me to post a link to my blog yet...

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

Personally, I'd rather the attack didn't start in the first place. Which it doesn't now. Thanks to these folks:

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

Go over there and read. I'm not going to get into specifics here.

Thanks Guiseppi!  Yes, I know what you mean about he morphing.  I had a bit of that this weekend, actually.  The running didn't have quite the immediate impact as it has been having.  There are a lot of variables going into it though, including a change in my meds, sleep schedule, workout schedule, etc., so while I was briefly discouraged, I'm still confident that the running is a solid option to ad to the arsenal.  I think I am going to give the doc a call about the oxygen though, given this weekend's struggle to nip an attack.

yeah I don't know about running but I usually power walk back and forth really fast or walk up and down the stairs over and over and sometimes but not always that will abort an attack for me. 

A couple of times I got on the bicycle and rode and was able to abort it and a few times a had to hurry and get home cause it wasnt working.  I must have looked pretty funny to people who saw me with my head tilted to the left side eye closed and running like crazy and my face prolly looked crazy  you clusterheads could obviously imagine that.

Thats so great to here, I am definately gonna give this a try. I have had some success' with the usual beating on my mattress, yelling and pacing which gives me a gas similar to running. I have hopes that this is gonna be a better alternative!

O2 has been the best thing for me BUT you must have the proper mask and regulator. Then with those two items, you must use it exactly as the directions state to do. I don't care how bad your face itches, leave the darn thing on and scratch after LOL. I think folks get bad results with 02 because they don't do it 100% correct.

This time around, o2 hasn't been working as fast for me. Sometimes it takes 15 minutes and more than one application. Jogging in place or moving up and down helps.

I find that sprinting type exercise, as well as conventional O2 use or deep breathing of freezing air can abort my attacks during the first ramp up week of an episode.

After that only high flow 100% O2 or imitrex can consistently abort them for me.

I don't know where I first heard about the exercise thing - I remember doing it successfully over 20 years ago (!!) before the existence of internet message boards, but I doubt I was smart enough to discover it on my own.

I do recall aborting one hit during my last episode even after my first CH week by hopping on my big heavy bicycle with fat under inflated tires and charging up the neighborhood hill despite not really having gears that go low enough for that sort of thing. Wooboy by the end of that sprint I was winded as all hell but was also becoming rapidly pain free.  I probably also slammed a Red Bull shot right before the pedaling festivity.