ams11355

Thank you, I will continue to encourage him. As a side note, he has been having good luck with energy drinks and Excedrin. Topiramate has some side effects too, no appetite and a tingly feeling in your hands and feet. The doctor warned us of these side effects, says patients on this medication usually lose weight.

I appreciate all of the replies and suggestions. We went to the MD yesterday and got the definitive diagnosis of CH, and got 2 prescriptions: Topiramate and sumatriptan spray. The spray would be for when he is at work and wants to abort an attack. (He is a driver). The spray wasn't covered, needs authorization. I don't know if insurance will give the auth, we paid out of pocket $300.00 in the meantime. He is afraid to use it do to the side effects he has heard of. (a tightening feeling in the chest). The MD told my son that some patients have told him they would rather have the CH!! Also, it will take some time for the Topiramate to take effect. Has anyone had experience with sumatriptan and did not get the side effects? My son just had a CH at 3:30 am and would not try the spray do to his fears of getting a panic attack from the side effects!

Thanks for your reply. I have been reading about the different treatments including the alternative ones. Do CH sufferers keep O2 around at all times? Even people like my son who have episodes once every few years?

my son has an appt with a neurologist on fri 10/14. this is his 3rd cluster episode, he goes for 4-5 years with no CH between each episode. this one has lasted 5 days so far. the worst day he had 3 CH. he has not been able to go to work, he is a driver. The last two episodes lasted between a few days to about a week. he had a CH at 2:30 am, very severe, could hardly talk. he just moved out of the house, lives alone so his dad and I have been going over when he has an attack, he doesn't seem to like to be alone when they occur. can't blame him. we are about 20-25 min away. yesterday I left work early when he had a CH at noon. he also suffers from anxiety and depression so this is hitting him hard. any advice is appreciated. he is on meds for the mental illness and is concerned about having to take more meds.