I use sumatriptan injections, and have no side effects at all.  They work for me in 5 - 7 minutes, and after 10 minutes you wouldn't even know I'd had an attack.  The only thing that happens is pure blessed relief.

Everyone is different though, and some people do have unpleasnat side effects.  The best thing for your son to do, is try it for the first time at home.  If he finds the side effects too bad he need not use it again if he doesn't want to.  It would be an awful shame if he continues to suffer when he has something that would help enormously, and maybe not have any nasty effects.  he should at least try it once.

Hi Ann Marie,

I'm so sorry your Son has this diagnosis. The good news is you've found the one place on the internet that has all the info he needs to get his life back. I've been fighting these for over 20 years. This place and the people here made a huge difference for me.

Sumatriptan is nothing to worry about compared to fighting the beast without it. I too use Sumatriptan. Though I use injections instead of the nasal spray. It can feel weird but it really works. I prefer injections to the nasal spray because of the awful taste. Though lots of people use the nasal spray too.

My main weapon is high flow oxygen therapy. There are zero side effects and I can abort an attack faster with high flow oxygen than I can with Sumatriptan. I use it at home, I use it at work and I use it on the road. Take a look at the info here: Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

My heart goes out to you as I know all too well what its like to have a child with CH. Two of my sons have had CH cycles and I have two daughters that suffer with migraines. HA is the family curse. It is always so much easier to fight through my own cycles than to watch them suffer.

Good luck and please encourage him to create an account here to do some reading.

-Dennis-

The MD told your son that some patients would rather have CH's? I call Bullshit!!! I've known female CH sufferers that have said they have experienced and would rather give natural childbirth without epidural, etc than be attacked with a CH.

Personally, that comment from the MD would make me ? the MD.

If you want MD recommendations in your area who are familiar with CH treatment, feel free to PM me as I have a comprehensive list compiled 3 years ago provided by CH sufferers nationwide from this website.

Imitrex injections, ask for vials, use insulin syringe dividing doses, or try the Imitrex Trick/Tip...research on this site archives for more details. 

Batch's vitamin regimen is the best remedy out, try it, no prescription required, inexpensive, and all natural, nothing to lose, and everything to gain.DS test should be taken beforehand.

NON-rebreather mask, regulator with flow rates to hyperventialte aka ability of 25 lpm or faster, and a bottle of o2, prescribed or welders...that is a great line of defense! Small O2 bottles to keep in vehicle when driving, if hit with attack, pull over to side of road, put on hazards, hyperventilate, and after 5 or so minutes, back to the day pain free...

Melatonin before bed, somewhat helpful.

RedBull energy drink or other energy drink with at least 1,000 mg of Taurine and Caffeine combo, slam one/chug it down fast immediately at onset of attack, priceless for many of us, may even chug a can and hyperventilate o2, this spells relief!

You've come to the right place for advice, ma of us know more than the doctors and have actually taught the doctors who to treat CH's. Absorb your reading, make your decisions and pray!

Good luck

-Gregg in Las Vegas