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In this document, under the heading Treatments without O2 or other meds, some possible abortive strategies are listed: https://clusterbusters.org/forums/topic/6213-basic-non-busting-information/ I'd say that brain freeze and some variation of standing/sitting in very hot water seem to be the most recommended. Be absolutely sure that there's O2 for you when you come out of the surgery. I see Jeebs has just mentioned the surgery experts. Some anesthetics will fire up CH in a big way. I think these are mostly local ones, particularly epinephrine. The experts will know about that, too. I am old enough that the term "Beloved Bums" has a very evocative significance for me. For Shaun brearly, it probably has a very different meaning.

Hi @gegibsonjrsorry to hear about your impending back surgery, I hope all goes well . My only suggestion would be triptan injection if you have them . It's not going to block your busting as I'm guessing your not going to bust whilst in hospital and I'd start using Ginger capsules everyday. They work so well for the shadows

If you can't just call your doctor's office and ask for a quick Imitrex prescription . . . my daughter (the person with CH in my family) has had success going to a walk-in clinic and getting an Imitrex prescription. She is fortunate in that she has a letter from her doctor saying she has CH, so she didn't have to worry about the diagnosis being accepted. If you do get Imitrex, remember this: https://clusterbusters.org/forums/topic/2446-extending-imitrex/

Hi @gegibsonjr, what @Shaun brearley said, and this is not exactly an additional suggestion, more just a mention in case you haven't seen this discussed before - vaped DMT is proving to be an especially effective CH abortive. I'm pinging @spiny here because she knows all too well the ins and outs of back surgery for a CH'er and may have some pointed advice on what to demand in the anesthesia dept. Heck for that matter, the legendary and god-like @Dallas Denny just had major neck surgery, and could conceivably have a pointer. Gee, everyone is doing it - even our own bum also god-like @jon019 may know a thing or 3 about CH/back surgery. (FYI, @jon019 was referred to as a bum for a sec there in a term of endearment American sense, not the UK meaning)

Wow @Bejeeberthought you was being nasty to are beloved @jon019 lol , but @CHfatherhas clarified Bum in the US means something totally different than it means in UK

Prednisone taper?

Thank you all for the input. @Shaun brearleyI stopped taking triptans several years ago as they became very ineffective, i would definitely try them again if i had them now. @Bejeeber I have heard of using DMT, although I need to look into this further. Thank you for the references to those that have been in similar situations. @CHfather thank you for the link to your site up, excellent information! The hot shower is definitely a go to, unfortunately no help this time (cold is a trigger for me). On the O2 coming off anesthesia, I agree 100% as I've been full blown 3x after procedures. Unfortunately, even instructions from my neuro didn't help facilitate the high flow usage The last time, i was given a rebreather mask at 4 lpm. Fortunately my wife was there and turned up the regulator. I'll be attempting again next Wednesday with the instructions from my neuro and how did the best. As always, all input is greatly appreciated.

I am so lucky. My family is so supportive. Right now my spouse is skipping work to go to the o2 place to try to get them to give me a new tank even though we didn’t follow the 24-hour order rule. Even with all this love, generosity, support from my family (which oh my gosh, I know I am so @*^#% lucky to have) I realized in the middle of last night—snot pouring out of my nostril mixing with tears; cries waking up the neighbors, sending them to google to find an exorcist—I realized pain like this… unimaginable pain… unspeakable pain… is just so lonely. All this to say, between pounding my head against the wall, passing out for 20 or 30 minutes, up again in agony, cursing-crying, etc. I’ve been reading the archives here and feeling pure love, empathy, gratitude for all of you people. I still feel lonely as hell, but at least we’re all lonely as hell together.

It is lonely at the top. That is why we have this place.

@Rod H I've been prescribed prednisone for other issues and unfortunately it hasn't had any affect on the attacks.