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Taqua, some basics. If you're diagnosed with CH, the first thing you want is oxygen. A doctor can prescribe that. It will abort your attacks fairly quickly, with no side effects. Most doctors are idiots when it comes to CH. You will have better luck if you can get to a headache center. There are certain standard pharmaceutical prescriptions for preventives and abortives in addition to oxygen. You are right -- there are no standard "pain" medications that will help you. If you can't see a doctor or one won't prescribe oxygen, we can talk about alternatives using welding oxygen. Check on this list to see if there's a recommended doctor near you. The vitamin D3 regimen, described here, helps most people. Not usually immediately . . . but over time it has been very helpful. Try drinking an energy shot such as 5-Hour Energy, or maybe even a strong cup of coffee, at the first sign of an attack. That might help. Consider taking melatonin at night, maybe starting at about 9mg and working up until you find a level that works for you. I'd suggest that you look at the "Triggers" document over in the ClusterBuster Files section of the board to be sure that you're not making things worse for yourself. Alcohol is a major trigger for almost everyone with CH. Food with MSG in it also seems to have bad effects for many.

A few 'home' aids: Sleep in a recliner with your head above your heart. Stuff pillows around to get comfy. Helps with night time hits. Stick your feet or yourself in water as hot as you can take. Then heat it up some more when you adjust to the heat. Put something cool on your head/neck. You are opening the blood vessels in your lower body and constricting those in your head. Put an ice cube on the soft palate area on the same side as your CH and hold it there for a bit. No ice? Some will massage the gums up there to get relief. Deep breathing with forceful exhale. Get rid of as much CO2 as possible. Inhale as much air as possible. Like a breathing test, Do a crunch at the end of your exhale. Not perfect, but it can actually help. Especially when combined with caffeine. Breath really cold air. From the freezer or the AC in your car. Stick your nose up to the vent and inhale. Ginger: As candy or raw root. It is hot!!! Take at the first indication of a hit. Try the Melatonin. Up to say 25mgs. Take before bed. In cycle your levels can be too low. I will try to think of some more in a bit. Don't worry about the reading. If you can't, you can't. The day will come when you can catch up on a lot of it. Verapamil: It often takes a very high dose to be effective. From 360 (low) to about 900mgs/day. If you are taking say 240, you might not get any relief. Just monitor your blood pressure as you up the dose. It will drop it. Your doc can prescribe a taper pack of Prednisone. Long term, this med is dangerous to your joints, but a quick taper can be a huge help. Fingers crossed that the seeds get you on the road to PF status!!!

Beer is a big trigger for many of us as well Taq. In cycle, most will forego the alcohol once they make the connection. Caffeine in any form can be a big help. OTC meds generally do not help. The D3 Regimen can be a huge help!!! Just vitamins and easy. Reduce the frequency and intensity of your hits and can kick in pretty darn quick for many. Pollen high in your area? And barometric drops trigger many CHer's. Heat can be a trigger as well as the alcohol. So, stay cool!! You definitely need to see a Neuro about this. They know more than most PCP's. There are meds than can break a cycle for you. ATB!