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...had the same problem with multiple ins companies...it's almost an automatic denial to make you go away...DON'T! 1) appeal...in writing...and phone (save copies, record all dates and names of who you talked to). If they say O2 is not approved for CH...they are WRONG...and practicing medicine w/o a license...call 'em on it....they hate that (be prepared to go to state ins agency regulators). Treat it as a game...play to win...what you learn the first time is REALLY useful and fun the next time (at least 5 times for me). 2) Finding a headache specialist neuro is CRITICAL for a number of reasons....but one really important one is to rely on this person for a "letter of medical necessity" which basically states the reason for this medically accepted treatment for YOU. I had one written for me that was almost too hot to hold...the Doc was pissed and effective...the O2 (and triptans) got approved really fast! 3) If you get your insurance through your employer...get to know the insurance broker who sold the policy to your company. This person is the actual customer of the insurance company ….they really don't want to talk to you except to say "go away"... but they WILL listen to this person. Your HR dept SHOULD be willing and able to facilitate this. Besides the necessity letter this was the most effective strategy for me.... 4) be willing to pay out of pocket....it's that important a treatment...life altering actually. W/o O2 I might have been dead or insane. Got to know the manager of the O2 shop....so you are a person to them not just another name in a file. Picked up tanks myself...saving them delivery costs. I bought my own regulators, mask and tank caddy online...really cheaply too. E-tank cost was $10-14 ea over time. M tanks are about 2 1/2 times bigger...last much longer....so less trips to the oxy shop...might be cheaper per liter...can't remember. You WILL need a prescription or they won't even talk to you...…….. 5) CHfather is absolutely correct...welding O2 just as good and a great option.... and once the logistics are figured out it is likely cheaper. Like he says...there are folks here who can walk you thru.... Best Jon

I don't think they can legally refuse to provide it for that reason. O2 is a medically recommended and clinically proven treatment for CH. Call Humana. The process of fighting with insurers isn't fun, but I'd at least give it a serious shot. I'd check with your doctor's office, too. People have said that the battle seems particularly difficult in some states (Florida and New York come to mind). That might be a result of how O2 providers and insurance companies are regulated in some states -- I don't know. If you have a prescription, you ought to be able to get medical O2 and the related equipment (regulator and mask) by self-paying, but that might be real expensive. Another thing I don't know. As Tiaan said, you can take the alternative route as many have done and use welding O2 (which might even be less expensive in the long run, although there's more hassle because you have to return the tanks for refills yourself rather than having the a medical O2 supplier bring you the new ones and take away the used ones). It's hard for many people to appreciate how essential O2 is to managing CH, so either way, please don't give up. The welding O2 route is straightforward -- buy or rent tanks from a welding supply company (look it up online), and buy your regulator and mask online. If you decide to do that, let us know, and we'll tell you more.

Yep. The standard Fish Oil at the grocery or pharmacy. I suggest the 'burpless' variety. Fish burps suck! Botox is very helpful for some, some migraine suffers. From my reading, it is not so effective for CH and the doctor administering it needs to know how to do that for Clusters, not just Migraines. Insurance can suck when you are trying to get O2. You likely will need the help of your doc. It can be a fight, but you can win that fight. I strongly suggest you start the D3 Regimen. It is easy, over the counter, and a huge help for many. What preventative were you given by the neuro? None? Did he just prescribe Trex and not a Pred Taper or Verapamil? Yes, Trex works. It is also bad for you over the long haul. And if you are getting hit 3-5 times a day, which two do you treat with the Trex? Using that med alone leaves you in a bad position. Remember - two shots in 24 hours max. There is a way to split the injections that can help. You are getting injections and not nasal spray or pills, right?

1000 to 2400 mg a day of the fish oil is what I think is recommended.

FlWater, Saddly, there are too many CHers who were looking for relief from the terrible pain that submitted to surgical options and/or removal of teeth only to find the pain was not caused by a bad tooth or sinus infection. It was just cluster headache. The bottom line is try the first line cluster headache interventions before resorting to more invasive treatments. The best advice is see a neurologist or headache specialist with experience treating patients with cluster headache. The standards of care recommended treatments for CH prescribed by the top neurologists and headache specialists familiar and experienced in treating patients with CH include a short prednisone taper, and verapamil as preventatives and oxygen therapy followed by triptans (subcutaneous injections or nasal spray) as cluster headache abortives. If you're prescribed anything else, be sure to ask for the medical evidence on efficacy and safety of the Rx... I'll also add that since December of 2010, the vitamin D3 regimen has been found to be even more effective than verapamil in preventing CH and the terrible pain. Busting with psilocybin mushrooms is also effective for many CHers. There are many experts here who will help you if you go this route. Take care, V/R, Batch