So here's the problem with CH.....it's a lifetime affliction, and it doesn't respond well to hit and miss treatments. This is absolutely not a knock on your doctor, but if you have CH, you need to get to a headache specialist neurologist to get the most effective, up to date treatments. You also need to rule out several other maladies that resemble CH in how they present themselves, but are potentially more serious......and worse yet won't respond to CH medications! This is how I treat my CH......many others use similar treatment plans but it will give you an idea of why it requires a disciplined approach to treating it, or risk missing out on a treatment that would have worked for you because dosing or administering procedures were incorrect:
1: A good prevent med. A med I take daily, while on cycle, to reduce the number and intensity of my attacks. I use lithium, it blocks 60-70% of my attack. Verapamil is the most common first line prevent, topomax also has a loyal following. Some have to combine lithium and verapamil together to get relief.
2: A transitional med. Most prevents will take up to 2 weeks to become effective. I go on a prednisone taper, from 80 mg to zero over a two week period to give me a break while my prevent builds up. Prednisone will provide up to 100% relief for many CH’ers but is harsh on the system and should only be used for short periods of time.
3: An abortive therapy, the attack starts, now what? Oxygen should be your first line abortive. Breathing pure 02 will abort an attack for me in less then 10 minutes, that’s completely pain free. Read this link as it must be used correctly or it will not work
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This link will show you how to get set up with welding oxygen:
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Imitrex nasal spray and injectables are very effective abortives. I use the injectables, they’re expensive, and I rarely use them, mostly just when I get caught away from the oxygen. The pill form generally works too slow to be effective for CH’ers.
That's what worked for me for well over 20 years. I am now on a D-3 vitamin regimen which has me in a 3 year remission, here's a link to it, I'd caution you against trying it before finishing your diagnostic journey and confirming that you have CH:
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For now, get some energy drinks. Rock Star, Monster, any containing the combo of caffeine and taurine, chug it down as fast as you can when you feel an attack starting. Many can abort or at least really reduce an attack using these. This will help provide relief while you figure out your diagnosis.
Finally, visit our sister board for “alternative” treatment methods outside of mainstream medicine. As you’ll see from all the success stories on this board, there is something to it.
clusterbusters.com
Read everything you can on this board, if you are a CH’er, knowledge is your best ally. We’ll help you all we can.
Joe
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