Leaderboard

Dogo, you are playing around the edges of your CH. Get/do the stuff that works: oxygen, D3 protocol, energy shots . . . and plenty of other options. Whatever doctor prescribed the vasograin had a very limited understanding of CH. I suggest again that you click on the word here and read the file that comes up.

I will also stretch my neck out from side to side sometimes rubbing a ice pack on it. I don't know if it is just a distraction that I needed to cause relief or if it actually help, I don't care either way as long as the pain goes away! haha As far as the toothache goes, The way it was explained to me if your tooth had an issue you would feel that pain or pressure all day every day until it was taken care of, if it comes and goes most times like clock work the same times every day then it is cluster. But I am no doctor, I am just some guy having to much fun playing the cluster game.

@Cast Iron, I was in the same boat at one point a few years ago. I finally figured I had nothing to lose and I spend a weekend locked in my room with no triptans and beat the shit out of myself all weekend. It was hell but I think it helped me in the long run. I now bust, do the D3 and have oxygen that I hit as soon as I feel that lovely sensation of a cluster coming on. I also always have a 5hr energy drink in my pocket to help the oxygen along and take a low dose of Verapamil. I was taking 2 and 3 triptan injectables a day and eating sumatriptan pills in between. I truly feel that all that was making my life worse. Triptans do work and I feel they have a time and place to be used very effectively but I was clearly causing more headaches by using them that often. It is not easy to do and like anything else that makes you feel better you just want to hit it just this one time but if you can hold off for just a few days I think you will start to feel better. I am chronic so I do not go any length of time pain free but I am now down to about 2 clusters a day on average. I do get the occasional pain free day but not very often. I know it all just sucks but with this site you will be able to find a way to make it to the other side of this cycle you are now stuck in.

..hi Dogo..welcome! ....google an image for trigeminal nerve...any and all areas it serves may hurt before, during, and/or after...my oddest aftereffect was that my hair hurt....and i'm mostly bald... ...i'll second chfather's oxygen suggestion....and supplementing with energy drinks or a strong caffeine drink FAST at first sign of a hit helps many.. ...note that vasograin contains caffeine so that helps...but it may be affecting sleep and a need for sleep aid...have you and your physician discussed melatonin...many find it helps with night time hits... best jonathan

You don't need even a single dose of triptan when you have oxygen + other abortatives and a good preventative. But if recently diagnosed it might seem hard to get there and new clusterheads usually are the ones who fall on suma path (and many are unable to get out). I personally think it's magnificient that they are limited nowadays, remembering those days they were not and having overused them myself to the extreme. Lots of friends from that era are either dead or live with a damaged heart. They can lengthen cycles, increase frequency and intensity of attacks. Many still keep on using them when they have realized this; either because of fear or inability to get oxygen or some other reason. I would say use them in an absolute emergency only, and hope we get rid of them or manage to invent and manufacture a cluster and heart-safe triptan one day. The second level of hell you may end up to overusing them regularly is something beyond even cluster-imagination. [preaching stops]

Thought I'd provide an update - you all have really helped me with this cycle! I was really dreading it since I was no longer able to use the Imitrex, but with your help I've learned how to use oxygen effectively and can now get it at reasonable price and not worry about rationing it or running out. I got the large tank rigged up with Batch's Redneck Reservoir Bag and haven't needed to buy the 25L regulator for it. I also started the D3 Regimen about 12 days ago and it's helped to dramatically reduce frequency. Only getting about 1/day about 6:30am which is easily knocked out with the O2. It's so good to be able to sleep through the night. Hoping soon to be pain free. Thank you all for the help you give others.