Oh MinxKitten, so sorry that your husband is having such a rough time! And I know what you are going through.

I got involved in my husband's condition this summer because he has had the worst cycle ever. What I have learned is that cluster headaches can really change their pattern - time of year, intensity, duration, frequency, everything. Before dh's cycles were extremely predictable but this summer has walloped that. This summer he had some super long headaches that caused him to crawl around crying and vomit with the pain  . I couldn't stand it. My theory is that changing allergy patterns are involved, but I have no way of knowing whether that is true.

It is a great thing that you are involved. My experience has been that dh has not been able to be proactive about his medical care when he is in cycle - too drained by managing the pain and coping.

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This is very important. Many people come to this forum having "tried" O2, but it turns out they didn't do it right. The bare minimum is 15 lpm with a non-rebreather mask. Better is following the directions at this link to the letter:
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Did your husband try O2 this way? After my husband's most horrible night, I became determined to get him O2 the next day and I somehow pulled it off by begging a lot. It has been a lifesaver for him...I don't know how he would have survived this cycle without it.
more good info about O2 here:
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That is so great that you are getting his D level checked. In the meantime, I would start the regimen including the loading schedule. Scroll down here to see what you need to buy at Costco:
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The reason I encourage this is that some people start responding in DAYS. My husband took longer, but in 2 weeks, my husband went from 2-3 hits per day, to 1 hit per day. After 4 weeks, my husband is getting more pain-free nights than not. The regimen has a great success rate and if it works then the person probably needs it anyway. Don't wait for the test results to start - consider them a convenient baseline...you can tweak the dosing once you get the results but if he hasn't been supplementing this is a safe option for him even without test results.

Stay strong. He is needs you even if he doesn't show it. My husband (secretly) likes me to bully him into doing the stuff that MUST be done (get O2 prescription, take the supplements), but he doesn't like talking about the headaches unless he initiates it.

Hi Jacq

don't worry everything will be ok. I spoke to RTD early this morning and we reviewed medical protocol. he knows what to talk with the doctor about and am very confident he will improve.

hope you were able to enjoy the halibut I brought you guys from Alaska. say hi to your mom for me.

-Gregg

What everyone has said.. but another thing.. MELATONIN.. take it at night (at least 10mg - I've been up to 20mg at times). It almost completely stopped my night hits, but took a couple of weeks to start working -- I gave up twice, but the third time I stuck to it and have been on it for years.. It gets you thru the REM sleep where the CH hits..

And go to the link posted for the D3 regimen.. Get on it.. It's working for about 80% of us.  I've been chronic since 97 and since getting on it . have not been hit since Oct 21st..

And as everyone says.. If you do the O2 - do it RIGHT.. It won't work if done wrong.

Wishing you hubby some PF time soon. 

Not sure exactly how the redbull works, but it must act like a vasoconstricter, as that is what is needed for CH.

CH is caused by a dilated blood vessel which presses on the trigeminal nerve. Imitrex and oxygen (with a high flow and the correct mask) are both vasoconstricters. They will shrink the blood vessel back to its normal size, thus taking pressure off the nerve. Perhaps a sudden dose of the caffiene/taurine mixture will also have a narrowing or constricting effect on the blood vessels.

It doesn't work for every one - it didn't for me, but there has been a lot of success with it for others, so it must be worth a try, especially as it's so easy to get. As I said before, use it early in the attack and drink it fast.  Hope it helps.

this thread was created by my best friend's wife, who does not visit this site often enough to see the thoughtful and caring replies and I think all of you on her behalf for your kind words and suggestions.

I am pleased to report that her husband, my best friend,  has less pain and less frequency of attacks since a change of dosage and timing of verapamil a few weeks ago and as of last week a tremendous improvement thanks to starting the anti-inflammatory vitamin regimen.

there are many dozens of threads focusing on energy drinks on this website and would prefer to steer people to those threads opposed to beginning a new conversation on this thread which should be focused on her concern of her husband and his cycle. I will note that he does prefer red bull

-Gregg in Las Vegas

koctail wrote on Sep 19^th, 2014 at 4:54pm:



immediate release is much more helpful than sustained release.

-Gregg in Las Vegas