Sounds like the doc has you squared away. Glad for that. The sumatriptan injections are much quicker and more effective than the pills. Similar to the pills it is an abortive not a prevent. Dont use them to keep the HA away. Use the 02 to keep the HA away. You cannot take more than 2 in a 24 hour period and never never mix triptans. Use the injectors when you have to but be aware they often cause rebound headaches.The 02 is the best thing he give you. It is a godsend.Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

Thanks bb and Gregg for the replies,

Gregg...I got prednisone from a GP while waiting for this appt for the HA specialist. This GP would only give me pred and imitrex. So I was already on the pred for a week before this appt.
I noticed tonight that the specialist only wrote the oxygen for 8 lpm. I am suprised because he spoke about high flow rate oxygen and a NRB mask. Im sure I can get it changed.

I declined verap for now because my cycle should be ending soon but he did offer. He said if I need to I can call him, tell them its an emergency, and get in to see him pretty fast.

He did seem good and willing to listen.  I will recomend him on the Ouch site...if he ups the oxygen! lol PFDAN to ya all!

Hi Kiri,
Well that makes sense now about the Pred treatment.  Are you that confortable with your knowledge of personal history to take a gamble and wait on starting a prventive med?  If so, kudos to you.  After 32 yrs of suffering CH's, i've learned not to take that gamble and try to get on something ASAP.

Again, the Verap will take up to 2 weeks before you even notice help (reduction of attacks and reduction of intensity pain) and even after 2 weeks, one must usually increase dosages.  See a thread titled "Verapamil Dosage" under the Medications/Treatments board for most current treatment regimen.

As for the o2 script, 8 lpm is commonly prescribed because unfortunately doctors have no neurological literature supporting high flow o2 to prescribe required high flow rates.  All they have documented is studies of low flow rates, so that is all they prescribe. 

O2 therapy using high flow rates has been tested in clinical trials, etc and is currently in the process of receiving the "Gold Standard Approval" from the neurological community.  Until then, it will commonly be low flow rates prescribed and this requires you, the CH'er, to be a self advocate and think outside the box by getting your own regulator. 

Low flow rates are a living nightmare during an attack and often a CH'er will give up stating o2 does not work.  It does work!  O2 works awesome!  But only at high flow rates that support hyperventilation.  Hyperventilation requires flow rates of 25 lpm to 40 lpm. 

You could always get a welders o2 regulator from Harbor Freight or order a medical o2 regulator from Flotec, etc.  These will fit on your o2 large M size tank and adjust flow rates to support hyperventilation.

The NRB (Non-ReBreather) mask is absolutely essential and can be purchased off this website.  See the yellow tab-left side of your screen-titled ch.com store cost about $28 bucks.

Good Luck!

-Gregg in Las Vegas

Thanks for all the help guys,

Yeah Gregg, I have never had a cycle lasting longer than six weeks. So I am taking a gamble. I just hate being on meds. I do feel like the cycle is getting weaker. I had no attacks yesterday but had to use an imitrex injection this morning. Shit.
Those needleless injections hurt more than the ones with a needle by the way.
Im working tomorrow (hospital RN) so Im gonna grab a NRB mask and try some O2 there if I need to. I have a note from my doc saying that its ok and a damn script so they better let me.
I just don't even want to entertain the thought that the cycle wont be over soon. Im expecting it to end this weekend.
Money isnt too big of an issue so I think I will be fine setting up the oxygen properly. My plan is to see how the weekend goes....wish me luck...

I love good news....way to go.
stay at it and good luck
the bb

Kiri, I sense a little anger in your tone, and that's a great thing! And I also sense you are directing that anger toward battling the beast and not your own body. Even better! Such resolve is exactly what we try to encourage and it's really good seeing you take up arms against a truly horrid disease. Keep at it, and God bless. lance