I'm not sure why I'm even posting this, maybe I could use a little pep talk.  I've suffered 20+ years with these damn headaches.  The last 5 or so have been the best so far, I found out about Verapamil and Oxygen at the right rate and life has been great.  I was able for the first time since getting these able to start a meaningful relationship, I got engaged, I mean, life is good.  Now it seems for the first time in the last 5 or so years I'm back in a normal cycle and worst of all my oxygen seems to have just about completely lost effectiveness.  I'm scared to death and again I am in a very dark, lonely place.  I'm very afraid because this is the first my new fiancee is really seeing of this curse I have and although she is the greatest woman I have ever met, I fear that everyone has limits.  I'm waiting on a neuro appointment and today I started Batch's D3 regimen so maybe I will get some PFDs soon....I hope!  Not really sure where I'm going with this, I just really needed to vent and I know you guys know where I'm coming from.  Thanks.   -Jason 

Let's hope that you are going to see a headache specialist and not a general neuro. Generalists have meager training in complex headache disorders unless they have made a special effort to learning.

If a generalist on the docket, call and ask now about his experience & training in headache. If you can't satisfy yourself that he has knowledge/skill....
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LOCATING HEADACHE SPECIALIST

1. Yellow Pages phone book: look for "Headache Clinics" in the M.D. section and look under "neurologist" where some docs will list speciality areas of practice.

2.  Call your hospital/medical center. They often have an office to assist in finding a physician. You may have to ask for the social worker/patient advocate.

3. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or ; On-line screen to find a physician.

4. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or Look for "Physician Finder" search box. They will send a list of M.D.s for your state.I suggest using this source for several reasons: first, we have read several messages from people who, even seeing neurologists, are unhappy with the quality of care and ATTITUDES they have encountered; second, the clinical director of the Jefferson (Philadelphia) Headache Clinic said, in late 1999, that upwards of 40%+ of U.S. doctors have poor training in treating headache and/or hold attitudes about headache ("hysterical female disorder") which block them from sympathetic and effective work with the patient; third, it's necessary to find a doctor who has experience, skill, and a set of attitudes which give hope of success. This is the best method I know of to find such a physician.

5. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or NEW certification program for "Headache Medicine" by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties, an independent, non-profit, professional medical organization.
        Since this is a new program, the initial listing is limited and so it should be checked each time you have an interest in locating a headache doctor.
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Oxygen as the primary or onlyl treatment is not adequate. The PDF file, below, lists the major meds used today and they should be on the list of any doc you see.
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Suggest you spend some time exploring this web site. Oneof the best headache docs in the Midwest.

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or . Two books, one free, available as an e-book; second aimed at professionals. Section of many journal articles. Site worth exploring. Robbins is one of the leading headache docs in the Chicago area.

Jason, I understand your depressed state. I'm right there with you. Please read my other post on fine tuning your abort method. I call it an abort ladder approach. Keep in mind I included only those means and meds I use. You may have others. But to rely on just one abort means is literally and potentially suicidal. Give yourself the encouragement you need and a method to mark your rate of success. How high up the ladder did you need to go? This helps to assess the cycle you are in. When new abort methods come up, tweak your ladder. Let me know how you make out. Blessings. lance

What O2 flow rate and mask? And what dose of verapamil? I ask because we find so many give up when the real culprit is too low a flow rate or daily dosage. lance

I feel for you Jason !
I hope the regime gives you some relief
hang in there, keep batch updated on your progress.
maybe let your fiancée have a peruse thru the forum so she is informed and will no how best to support you.
im sure she realises that you are still you !, and having this horrible affliction doesn't change anything between yourselves.
I found keeping my supporter ( my wife ) informed and tell her exactly how im going, what med's im taking or what the vit d regime was all about, really helped.
she's even decided to start taking a vit d3 supplement herself, she doesn't suffer from clusters.
your in the best place to get all the help and advice you need Jason.  I know how you feel !!!
best of luck
colin