Posted by Bernie (205.188.197.41) on October 14, 2000 at 02:13:47:
In Reply to: hello Rachel... posted by melissa on October 14, 2000 at 01:13:27:
Painkillers are a joke for clusters, he needs preventive and abortive meds. Preventive is Sansert, verapramil or lithium. Abortive is having an oxygen tank at home with a mask which does not cost much and most health cares help pay and an Imitrex injection kit (not cheap). The oxygen will make the cluster go away if caught early, the shot will for sure kill a cluster in 5-10 minutes (this is a lifesaver) Old tricks are having an ice pack in the freezer and pack it on the side that the attack is on. Sometimes cold pills with antihistimine (phenylpropanolamine) like Travis D can help. Some people have had luck with Saline nose spray, just flooding the side of attacks all day every hour 3 good spays, I think it may help prevent but it will not abort one. Look for the Diamond Clinic notes in Chicago or call 1-800-headache. Hang in there with him it is a bad ride but if you get to the right doc it will be easier.