Hello, and welcome to the board. Here's a few suggestions to get you started:

1. Find a good headache specialist-this is imperative. You don't say if you are seeing your GP, a general neuro, or a specialist. In the long run, you want the specialist.

2. Start a prednisone taper (starting around 80mg/day) You don't say you tried this but a bunch of us found good relief this way while waiting for a longer term preventative to kick in.

3. Start a preventative working up to a high enough dose to be effective in treating CHs, like 240mg/day verapamil increasing as directed up to 960mg/day. Other preventatives include Topamax, carbomazapine, oxycarbomazapine, and more. Pay attention to the doses-often we hear I tried that but the dose was too low to be effective.

4. Get an effective oxygen setup: a nonrebreather mask and a regulator that will go up to 25lpm along with a 3 liter bag. See optimask.

5. Get effective abortives, like imitrex injectables-pills are too slow-or Migranal nasal spray, it's an alternative to triptans. I use both.

6. Keep a log or journal of your attacks, and learn to use the KIP scale at left. This may help to identify some triggers for you. Some are fairly common to all of us, like alcohol, but even that isn't universal.

It's a long list, but it returns to you the power needed to manage the beast. Others will chime in on the D3 regimen. Good luck and God bless. lance

The odds are that you have Cluster BUT there are many disorders which mimic Cluster, some of which are serious.

Link to: cluster-LIKE headache:

IN: "Medications, Treatments, Therapies --> "Important Topics" --> "Cluster-LIKE headache"

So, a major argument for working with a good doc.

Second, IF Cluster, you will be dealing with a disorder which will likely continue for another30-years before tapering off. There is no cure but there is very good control. But not a self-diagnosis, self-treatment issue.

So, if at all possible:

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.

First of all this website is great and there is a wealth of information.  After reading many posts I realize I have a very minor case of CH...although they hurt like heck, I think the amount of them I have been getting (1/day) is less than many others.

After a week of battling, I needed to try something so I started the d3 and fish oil.  I began this on Saturday and since then there has only been 2 times where I felt I needed to slam an energy drink...and at no point has it gotten worse than a 3 or 4.  Is this normal?  Should I be counting my lucky stars?  Or is it building for a biggie??  Has anyone else experienced quick relief from D3/fish oil or is this a coincidence?

Hi PT
If you are feeling less pain then by all means count your lucky stars. What ever the reason, it's great to be pain free. But don't count your chickens just yet.
Who knows whats normal for CH. Every one is different and one persons episodes can vary too. Just when you think you've sussed out what's normal for you it will change. Some people have noticed an improvement after just a few days on the D3 regime and for others it's been a few months, but hardly anyone has said they feel no benefit at all.
What ever you do, don't stop taking it when you feel better. It needs to reach a certain level in your system and stay there. See Batch's posts for more info about this. You must have the relevant blood tests though.
Maz