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Agreeing with the advice and info you have received so far. D3 and oxygen are where you want to be. In the meantime, if you have any old Imitrex, it will probably still work, even from three years ago. But you ought to be splitting doses. See this file: https://clusterbusters.org/forums/topic/2446-extending-imitrex/ Once you get O2 set up, you will be using a lot less triptan. There are some things that work for some people when they don't have standard abortives. If you look in this file -- https://clusterbusters.org/forums/topic/6213-basic-non-busting-information/ -- under "Treatments without O2" (down toward the end), there a bunch of things to try, including energy drinks/shots (often works), voluntary "brain freeze," standing in superhot water (this seems to help a lot of people), and inhaling cold air from a home or car air conditioner. You might also try starting on some Benadryl (4 tablets/day, or what you can handle and still function), because allergies have been shown to have a big effect on CH. Also in that file, there's a long discussion of oxygen and maybe some other things you'd want to know. Busting is also something you want to have as an option. There's a summary of busting principles at the end of that file.

Dallas, the moment you got in the car and just needed to sit, I've had several of those moments this year. There's stuff you can handle, stuff that's hard to handle, and then overwhelm. My year started with running over myself (not kidding) and then 4 or 5 things unrelated to that. Lots of overwhelm. Bunches of people wanted to help but there was nothing they could do. It's a great feeling knowing people are rooting for me. And so I appreciate your request for prayers. I'm not a praying person, but I'm a caring person and will hold you in my thoughts. One thing I will mention, as a nurse and a patient who has had too much surgery. What you're facing is a really big deal and if it were me, I'd feel better about the direction of things if it came from a team of doctors, but if it's one doctor saying this, you might consider a second opinion (from someone in a different medical system). This will buy you some time to get used to this new reality and give you confidence in your direction. What else can I say?

https://vitamindwiki.com/tiki-download_wiki_attachment.php?attId=7708 This link will get you started on the D3 Regimen. It is the first one and what I follow mostly. You will find that 8k of D3 is insufficient. More is needed. Along with the co-factors. I use this year round for my CH. It works. ATB!!!

...welcome....glad yur here, sorry you have to be....now, ...where's the OXYGEN?

Hi Ta, There is a plethora of info on this site specific to the D3 regimen. In the top search bar of the forum just type in D3 and be sure to follow the instructions from a user named Batch (handle XXX) there is more to making the D3 be effective than just taking the D3 (you need to take the co-factors). You never mentioned oxygen so I am unsure if you have a scrip or have tried it or not but many on here swear by it to abort. It works for me from time to time. There is a video on here that goes over the breathing techniques that seem to be effective with a non rebreather mask. I was able to get the intensity of attacks to be manageable without the triptans on the D3 reg. I so understand the frustration with folks mentioning migraine etc. I think a majority of us have gotten that response a time or 2..

So sorry to hear you are struggling. Sounds like you are going to need a fusion which are highly successful procedures in most cases. Will likely lose some range of motion but the pain will be gone so it seems like a far trade. Spinal surgery is not for sissies and since you are anything but a sissy you will do well. Make sure you have someone who has been at it a long time, has a good volume of experience with the procedure and is nice to your wife. Stay strong.

Best of luck to ya Denny, It will all be fine in the end im sure.

My prayers and thoughts are with you! I pray you find a good surgeon and are alleviated of this problem all together. My heart goes out to you @Dallas Denny

Ah, that sucks Denny, I'm sorry. I was basically going to say the same. Although I do not like doctors I have a high respect for surgeons and they sure are doing great stuff lately. Sending good vibes.

I detect a theme here with the reports of consistently successful surgeries of this type. Now a prediction: You'll be dancing a jig out of that OR following your entirely successful version of the procedure, and will be experiencing major, sustained relief, after all these years and this more recent major crisis. The procedure will also be 100% epinephrine free, or everyone involved is going to have @spiny to answer to!