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I've had cluster headache for about 4 years now. I've tested a range of different treatments, both from the doctors and some more experimental, but nothing's helped much. I was travelling to India for work about six months ago, when I was recommended an ayurvedic doctor who had been successful in treating an acquaintance' migraines. Although I was a bit skeptical, I thought 'why the hell not' and went. The doctor had mixed a range of different medicines for me, and I went there for three days for a treatment that consisted of warm oil being dropped in my forehead and rubbed in to the skin around the neck. Already after the first night did I feel better, and after only 3 days of treatment I felt better than in months. Since then I only had slight 'shadow' attacks, so went to an ayurvedic practitioner in my hometown in Europe, and I still have most of the medicine left, and so far I've been able to avoid the clusters. I have no idea what all the medicines contain but one of the bottles have a list of ingredients, so in case someone finds this interesting I post them here: - Terminalia chebula 0.79% - Terminalia belerica 0.79% - Emblica officinalis 0.79% - Swertia chirata 0.79% - Curcuma longa 0.79% - Azardirachta indica 0.79% - Tinospora cordifolia 0.79% - Woodfordia fruticosa 2.534% - Madhuca indica 2.328% - Acacia nilotica 1.1672% - "Guda" 29.14%

Hey Rudolf, Good questions. For starters, the following chart comes from the online survey of 313 CHers taking this regimen of which 257 (82%) experienced a favorable response in the first 30 days. The favorable response was a significant reduction in the frequency of their CH from 21 CH/week down to 3 to 4 CH/week as illustrated the normal distribution and cumulative probability curves for their 25(OH)D3 serum concentrations measured ≥30 days after start of regimen. As you can see, the mean 25(OH)D3 response is 80 ng/mL (200 nmol/L) with a min at 30 ng/mL (75 nmol/L) and max at 175 ng/mL (437 nmol/L). The blue S-shaped sigmoid cumulative probability plot illustrates the therapeutic response range as a probability. Ordinarily, I would shoot for a 25(OH)D3 serum concentration between 200 and 250 nmol/L (80 to 100 ng/mL) to ensure a higher probability of a favorable response. However, as you were unable to get a PTH lab, your serum calcium concentration is up against the normal reference range upper limit bump stop, you're not in a CH cycle and you're experiencing joint pain, I would hold off on any further loading doses and drop back to a vitamin D3 maintenance dose of 50,000 IU/week along with all the cofactors. After you've been on the vitamin D3 maintenance dose for a week to 10 days, do try to press your PCP/GP for a complete set of labs for your serum 25(OH)D3, calcium and PTH all at the same time. This is the only good way of assessing normal calcium homeostasis. Are you taking at least 400 mg/day magnesium and the vitamin K2 complex? The vitamin K2 complex menaquinones, MK4 and MK7 have the capacity to reduce calcium accumulation in soft tissues, joints and arteries while serving as a catalyst in building bone mineral density. If you're not taking the K2, I would start it as soon as you can get some. I take the LEF Super K with advanced K2 complex as it has both MK4 and MK7. If you haven't already done so, I would add Turmeric (Curcumin) at 1000 mg/day, 1000 to 2000 mg/day Omega-3 fish oil, and 3 grams/day liposomal vitamin C (1 gram every 3 hours). Curcumin and the Omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatories so should help with the sore knuckle. Vitamin C is essential as the human genome lost the gene that expresses the enzyme needed to synthesize vitamin C from simple carbohydrates. Vitamin C is essential in synthesizing collagen needed by cells throughout the body including the cartilage in joints. It's also a potent antioxidant that supports hundreds of enzymatic reactions. Regarding the swollen knuckle, I've not seen this as a side effect from vitamin D3 therapy or taking the entire anti-inflammatory regimen in the 9+ years I've been tracking results reported by thousands of CHers taking this regimen. In most cases, vitamin D3 and Omega-3 fish oil would tend to reduce inflammation like this, hence the anti-inflammatory name I gave this regimen. That said, anything is possible. The Kirkland Adult 50+ Mature Multi is formulated with 220 mg of calcium here in the US. It may be different in formulations available in the UK and Europe. For reference, I'm a chronic CHer so have taken this regimen daily since I developed it in October of 2010. I've been essentially CH pain free the entire time and I keep my serum 25(OH)D3 above 100 ng/mL (250 nmol/L) all the time. My PCP is okay with this as long as my serum calcium remains within its normal reference range. I switched to the Bio-Tech D3-50 50,000 IU water soluble form of vitamin D3 in 2018 and have been taking one D3-50/week since January of 2019. The 3-year chart of my labs for 25(OH)D3, calcium and PTH illustrates both the safety of vitamin D3 at higher doses as well as normal calcium homeostasis. That is illustrated by the inverse relationship between serum calcium and PTH. As the calcium serum concentration goes up, the PTH serum concentration drops. This keeps serum calcium within its normal reference range by pulling less calcium from the gut. Take care and please keep us posted. V/R, Batch

Hey Dehabel. You're not annoying. You've received some great answers about Benadryl (Diphenhydramine HCL). Diphenhydramine is classified as an anticholinergic - a chemical that blocks the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) at synapses in the central and the peripheral nervous systems. Accordingly, it should only be taken for a week to 10 days dosing at 25 mg every 3 to 4 hours during the day and at bedtime. As Diphenhydramine a also classified as a first-generation antihistamine, it's antcholinergic properties will make you drowsy so you should avoid driving while taking this much. If you do need to drive during the day, wait until you're home for the day then take 50 mg as you walk through the door and another 50 mg at bedtime. If an allergic reaction is contributing to the frequency, severity and duration of your CH, Benadryl (Diphenhydramine HCL) should start providing relief in a few days. If there's been no change in your CH patterns, after a week, discontinue.' The Diphenhydramine mechanism of action is relatively simple. As a first-generation antihistamine, it crosses the blood brain barrier (BBB) into the brain and blocks histamine H1 receptors at the genetic layer in neurons throughout the brain and in particular, the trigeminal ganglia where histamine released as a result of an allergic reaction, triggers the expression of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) and Substance P (SP) another neuroactive peptide. These are two of the four neuropeptides responsible for the neurogenic inflammation and pain we know as cluster and migraine headache. It is also important to note that second- and third-generation (non-drowsy) type antihistamines cannot cross the BBB to block histamine H1 receptors in neurons throughout the brain and CNS so will be less effective. I look at Benadryl (Diphenhydramine HCL) as a diagnostic tool. If it works to reduce the frequency, severity and duration of your CH, histamine is the likely culprit. If it doesn't work, the odds are higher histamine is not your problem. Many of us have found adjusting the vitamin D3 intake to be a more effective and much safer method of controlling and preventing CH than taking Benadryl (Diphenhydramine HCL). The following photo illustrates the supplements by brand in the basic anti-inflammatory regimen CH and MH preventative treatment protocol. All are taken daily with the largest meal of the day at the doses shown for the first 12 days. After that, you reduce the vitamin D3 dose (Bio-Tech D3-50) to one capsule a week and continue taking everything else daily. There's a lot more to this regimen and you'll need to discuss it with your PCP/GP before starting it, when asking for labs of your serum 25(OH)D3, calcium and PTH (Parathyroid Hormone). CHers who stick with the brands illustrated below tend to have higher favorable response rates. With the exception of the Bio-Tech D3-50 50,000 IU water soluble vitamin D3 that I added in place of the 5,000 IU oil-based liquid softgel vitamin D3 formulations in July of 2018 and the Methyl Folate + I added in place of the vitamin B 50/100 complex in January of 2019, the rest of these supplements have remained unchanged since 16 December, 2011. The rationale for these changes is due to the higher bioequivalence and improved efficacy in controlling and preventing CH and MH these two supplements offer. Readers of my webpage at vitaminDwiki.com at the following link have downloaded 51,216 copies of the anti-inflammatory regimen CH and MH preventative treatment protocol since I posted it in January of 2017. https://vitamindwiki.com/Cluster+headaches+substantially+reduced+by+10%2C000+IU+of+Vitamin+D+in+80+percent+of+people You will also find a copy of this protocol at the above link. If you're interested in starting this CH and MH preventative treatment protocol please take a copy to your PCP/GP to discuss and ask for lab tests of your serum 25(OH)D3, calcium and PTH before starting this treatment protocol. You can also download a copy of this treatment protocol by clicking on the following link. http://www.vitamindwiki.com/tiki-download_wiki_attachment.php?attId=7708 I've sent you a PM with more information about this CH and MH preventative treatment protocol. That you experienced an 8-year haitus, free of CH tells me you're a good candidate for the anti-inflammatory regimen. It's likely something changed in your diet or there was a decrease amount of summer sun you were getting that caused your CH to return. This bring us to the burning questions you may have... Will this treatment protocol be effective for me and is it safe? The best answer I can provide comes from data compiled from the online survey of 313 CHers who have started this treatment protocol since 16 December, 2011 when I placed this survey on the Internet. The year over year efficacy of this treatment protocol between December of 2011 and December 2018, finds 80% of CHers experiencing a significant reduction in the frequency of their CH from 21 CH/week down to 4 CH/week in the first 30 days after starting it. 53% of CHers starting this regimen experience a lasting cessation of CH in the first 30 days. It's important to understand that this regimen needs to be taken daily in order to experience results like this. Most of us who take this regimen daily, consider it a way of life that keeps us CH pain free. Moreover, the health benefits that come from taking this regimen are hard to ignore. The exciting news comes from CHers who started this survey during 2019 after I changed the suggested form of vitamin D3 to the Bio-Tech D3-50. The efficacy of this protocol during 2019 finds over 90% of CHers experiencing a favorable response with a significant reduction in the frequency of their CH in the first 30 days from 21 CH/week down to 4 CH/week and 67% of CHers experiencing a complete and lasting cessation of their CH in the first 30 days. I've tracked results from all open source RCTs of CH prophylaxis and none of them come even close to this level of efficacy. Moreover, since this treatment protocol went online, there have been no reports of hypercalcemia, a.k.a., vitamin D3 intoxication/toxicity nor have there been any adverse events reported that required medical attention. The following charts illustrate data from 313 CHers who started this treatment protocol since December of 2011, then took this survey ≥ 30 days later. The following chart illustrates the normal distribution (green curve) and cumulative probability (blue curve) of lab results for serum 25(OH)D concentrations after ≥ 30 days on this regimen. The following two charts illustrate the time to respond after starting this regimen. Taken in concert with the efficacy data, the above charts make a clear case that an inverse relationship exists between the frequency of CH and 25(OH)D3 serum concentration. In simple terms, when the frequency of CH is high, the 25(OH)D3 serum concentration is low around a mean of 24 ng/mL and when the CH frequency is low or the CHer is CH pain free, mean 25(OH)D3 serum concentration is higher around 80 ng/mL. This is why it's important to obtain lab tests of your serum 25(OH)D3, calcium and PTH before starting this regimen and again 30 days after starting it. You can thank the 313 CHers who took the time to take this survey. They came from 35 countries around the world. Take care and please keep us posted should you decide to start this treatment protocol. V/R, Batch

I am being so annoying and I am sorry. So, I am trying to figure out this D3 thing and it says I need 700 mcg of Vitamin A. I take a fish oil supplement that has 625 mcg of Vit A. Is this D3 thing an exact science or do I need to find a Vitamin A tablet that has only 75 mcg in it? I have to take the fish oil supplement for my dry eyes.

Spiny, There are two changes to the supplements listed in the posted version of this treatment protocol that will appear in the updated version I hope to have available later this month. They include switching to the Bio-Tech D3-50 50,000 IU water soluble form of vitamin D3 that's suggested at a dose of one (1) D3-50/week as the initial maintenance dose. Rationale: The Bio-Tech D3-50 is proving to be faster acting with a higher bioequivalence in elevating serum 25(OH)D3 than the same dose of the oil-based liquid softgel vitamin D3 formulations. The D3-50 is also less expensive at one 23 cent capsule a week or ~3 cents/day. Bio-Tech D3-50 https://www.amazon.com/Bio-Tech-Pharmacal-D3-50-100-Count/dp/B000A0F2B2?ref_=ast_bbp_dp&th=1&psc=1 https://www.iherb.com/pr/Bio-Tech-Pharmacal-Inc-D3-50-Cholecalciferol-100-Capsules/55186 The other change is a switch to Methyl Folate + (vitamin B complex) in place of the vitamin B 50/100 complex. Rationale: This form of Folate and B complex appears to have a higher bioequivalence in preventing CH and MH. These are also the same B vitamins called for in the Coimbra protocol used to prevent MS and other autoimmune disorders. Methy Folate + Vitamin B Complex https://www.amazon.com/Bioactive-Formulated-Pharmaceutical-Methylcobalamin-Synergistically/dp/B01MQJVHHC?ref_=ast_bbp_dp https://www.iherb.com/pr/Doctor-s-Best-Fully-Active-B-Complex-with-Quatrefolic-30-Veggie-Caps/50940?refid=1c105ef4-ca2e-4f09-bcc7-bddc10c426b9&reftype=rec Take care and please keep us posted. V/R, Batch

Batch is the man for D. He is emphatic about his preference: >>The most significant change occurred in July of 2018 with the switch from the oil-based liquid softgel vitamin D3 formulations to the Bio-Tech D3-50 50,000 IU water soluble vitamin D3. Several of us found it faster acting with a higher bioequivalence in elevating serum 25(OH)D3 than the same dose of the oil-based liquid softgel vitamin D3 formulations. << More here: https://clusterbusters.org/forums/topic/6807-new-to-this-forum-–-cast-iron-until-hit-by-ch/?tab=comments#comment-67520

CBD oil works for migraine, but it works better before you have an episode rather than during you have an episode. I used to have migraines usually once or twice a month and then they would last for about 3 to 4 days, but now, I take CBD Harlequin Feminized, 2 drops daily under my tongue empty stomach in the morning, and I am free of these migraine pains.

Hey Cast Iron, I made several trips to your country between 1997 and 2003, mostly to Den Haag to work at the SHAPE Technical Centre. Den Haag was great and so was Amsterdam, but I loved Scheveningen. Great little seaside restaurants with wonderful food. Getting to your problem, I suspect you are vitamin D3 deficient and that deficiency is contributing to the frequency, severity and duration of your CH. Baseline lab tests by CHers reporting in this survey, before starting this regimen are illustrated in the following normal distribution curve. The normal reference range for the 25(OH)D3 lab test is 30 to 100 ng/mL (75 to 250 nmol/L). Most CHers experience a favorable response to this regimen with a mean 25(OH)D3 serum concentration around 80 ng/mL. We've made some important changes to the anti-inflammatory regimen and treatment protocol. The most significant change occurred in July of 2018 with the switch from the oil-based liquid softgel vitamin D3 formulations to the Bio-Tech D3-50 50,000 IU water soluble vitamin D3. Several of us found it faster acting with a higher bioequivalence in elevating serum 25(OH)D3 than the same dose of the oil-based liquid softgel vitamin D3 formulations. The following photo illustrates the supplements I take and now suggest to other CHers. Most CHers in Europe have found they can order these supplements through iherb.com. I just crunched the numbers from the online survey of CHers taking this regimen as of 31 December 2019. There was a significant increase in the efficacy of this regimen during 2019. Over 90% of CHers starting this regimen in 2019 experienced a significant reduction in the frequency of their CH from 3 CH/day down to 4 CH/week in the first 30 days. Moreover, 67% of CHers starting this regimen in 2019 experienced a sustained cessation of CH symptoms in the first 30 days. Although I can't say for sure, it appears this increase in efficacy is likely due to the switch to the Bio-Tech D3-50 as nothing else has changed. I track all the other CH prophylaxis and none of them come close to this level of efficacy, let alone at a cost around 50 cents/day USD with no adverse events. I've made some changes to the treatment protocol that include new target 25(OH)D3 serum concentrations and longer vitamin D3 loading schedules to reach these new targets. These changes will appear in the updated version of this treatment protocol I hope to post on my web page at vitaminDwiki.com later this month. These changes include: New TGT 25(OH)D Concentrations - New Loading Schedules Episodic CHer 80 to 100 ng/mL. - Load at 50,000 IU/day for 12 - 14 days Chronic CHer 90 to 120 ng/mL. - Load at 50,000 IU/day for 14 - 16 days Migraineurs 100 to 140 ng/mL - Load at 50,000 IU/day for 16 - 18 days It's important to understand these suggested 25(OH)D3 serum concentration target ranges and loading schedules are a starting point for the average ECHer, CCHer and migraineur. Many CCHers (like me) will require a higher 25(OH)D3 serum concentration, a longer period of loading at 50,000 IU/day and a higher maintenance dose to experience and maintain a CH pain free response. In practice, CHers can start the accelerated vitamin D3 loading schedule and stay on it until they experience a favorable response then add an extra two days at 50,000 IU/day to build a reserve then drop back to a maintenance dose of one (1) D3-50 a week. I've also added some other supplements needed by migraineurs and some chronic CHers taking this regimen that are illustrated in the following photo of what I take daily. There are other go-to supplements that can be taken in the event the above are not resulting in a favorable response, but I think you have enough to go on should you decide to try this regimen again. Take care and please keep us posted. V/R, Batch

@Cluster S welcome to the site I don’t have a direct link to the article but just to get you started Bio tech D3-50 once a week (you need to do a loading dose for a week or two. More explained in the article I’m sure someone will post soon) order these on amazon k2 advanced once a day fish oil 1200 mg (I take 2 per day) magnesium 500 mg once per day multi vitamin once per day (Kirkland brand sold on amazon if you don’t have a Costco membership. I got 800 for like $30) needs to be taken year round.

Your friend can't get nearly enough D from foods. Batch's recommended minimum daily dose of D3 is 10,000IU. Your friend would have to eat between 5 and 10 pounds of salmon in a day to get 10,000IU (depending on whether the salmon is wild caught or farmed). More than ten pounds a day of fresh herring; more than 20 pounds of pickled herring. More than 6 tablespoons per day of cod liver oil. Pills are a lot easier. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/9-foods-high-in-vitamin-d#1

My best friend has started Vitamin-rich food rather than taking Vitamins D3 regarding this. He used to eat vitamins 3d rich food such as Salmon, Herring and sardines, Cod liver oil and Canned tuna

Finance, Batch is the man for the D3 regimen, so I can only partially answer your questions. He'll be here soon, I'm pretty sure, or you can send him a PM (click on the envelope icon at the top of any page and then type Batch into the "To" line). He is amazing at responding to questions, here and by PM. Plus, you can type either "Batch" or some key words ("Kirkland," for example, as I mention below) into the search bar at the top of each page and get virtually all the information you might need, though it's a lot to read through. So . . . 1. Verapamil comes into two versions, "standard" ("immediate") release and extended release. The extended release form is, for some reason, generally ineffective. (BTW, docs will sometimes prescribe a course of steroids, such as prednisone, to quell your pain while the verap is getting into your system. A few fans of verap here, but many are unhappy with the side effects and not thrilled with the preventive effects. Doses that are quite high (even up above 1000mg/day are sometimes needed for it to be effective.) 2. I think some of these co-factors are good in themselves, but they also combat the side effects. 3. You have to take a whole lot of D3 over an extended period of months to get D toxicity, and the effects are reversed when you stop taking it. But Batch is insistent that the co-factors do what is needed to prevent hypercalcemia, and I don't think he's seen a situation where that developed as he has been in touch with several hundred people taking the regimen. I can say I know of one person who thought she could slide by on less than the full regimen and did become hypercalcemic. The symptoms are quite evident if you have them. 4. You can get most of the supplements, including fish oil, in large enough doses to reduce your pill intake. Batch gets many of his from COSTCO's store brand, Kirkland. Batch is now taking a 50,000IU D3 pill (not Kirkland Brand) every x days (I don't remember if it's every 5 days or more days than that). 5. If Batch says that, I assume that it is correct. I think Batch would also advise you to take Benadryl at 25mg several times a day. That has helped a lot of people. 6. (You don't have a 6. I'm just using this to say again, GET THAT OXYGEN. Your doctor, of course, should have prescribed it. I am assuming that s/he was more comfortable with the sumatriptan because it's the kind of thing s/he typically prescribes . . . but O2 is the winner here, and the Imitrex should only be used for breakthrough attacks, if they occur. You can also get sumatriptan in vials, so you can measure out your own doses, and some people do fine with the triptan nasal spray. Please be sure to read that "basic non-busting info" file that I linked you to -- one or two things there (such as energy shots and melatonin) can help you quite a bit.)

, @CHfather , Thank you very much for your quick response! I sincerely appreciate your help. A few questions to follow-up, If you don’t mind.. 1. what do you mean by Verapamil being standard release, not fixed release? 2. So Omega 3 fish oil, calcium, Magnesium, vitamin K2, Vitamen A, Vitamin B 50, Zinc, and Boron all work together to counteract the negative side effects of D3? 3. Is there a health risk of taking all of these vitamins? For example, the Mayo Clinic states: The main consequence of vitamin D toxicity is a buildup of calcium in your blood (hypercalcemia), which can cause nausea and vomiting, weakness, and frequent urination. Symptoms might progress to bone pain and kidney problems, such as the formation of calcium stones.” (https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/vitamin-d-toxicity/faq-20058108) Is this a risk for CH sufferers who follow this regiment? 4. For this regiment, will I need to be taking multiple tablets of some of the vitamins daily? For example, the omega 3 fish oil comes in 360mg tablets, but 1000-2400mg are reccomended each day for the regiment? Am I missing something? 5. (last one!) the study states “A single tablet of the Mature Multi provides most of the other vitamin D3 cofactors at the required doses including calcium, zinc, boron and vitamin A (retinal). Does this mean if I take this Tablet,, I won’t need be taking calcium, zinc, Boron, and vitamin A (retinal)? Again, thank you very much for your help!

@Luis have you also tried taking melatonin at night? I take 6 mg every night to help regulate my sleep pattern. I also doubled up on the fish oil, @Batch suggested it to help fight my depression

Hey Scott, Yes, 19 ng/mL is low when it come to serum 25(OH)D3 serum concentrations. The normal reference range for this lab test is 30 to 100 ng/mL. Vitamin D experts will tell you any serum concentration below 40 ng/mL is low. Data collected from the online survey of CHers taking the anti-inflammatory regimen with at least 10,000 IU/day vitamin D3 plus the cofactors are illustrated in the baseline normal distribution curve for 25(OH)D3 lab results before starting this regimen. As you can see, your 25(OH)D3 serum concentration falls under this curve. As a CHer, you need to elevate and maintain your 25(OH)D3 serum concentration between 80 and 100 ng/mL in order to enjoy a CH pain free state. You can find the anti-inflammatory regimen CH preventative treatment protocol at the following link. Discuss it with your PCP/GP or neurologist then follow this treatment protocol and you'll elevate your 25(OH)D3 to a therapeutic level that will keep you CH pain free: http://www.vitamindwiki.com/tiki-download_wiki_attachment.php?attId=7708 I've updated this treatment protocol by suggesting the supplements illustrated in the following photo. You can order all of the above from amazon.com if you live in the US. If not, you may need to order most of these same brands from iherb.com. I've listed links at amazon and iherb.com below for each item. A. Bio-Tech D3-50, 100 water soluble 50,000 IU capsules https://www.amazon.com/Bio-Tech-Pharmacal-D3-50-100-Count/dp/B000A0F2B2?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-ffnt-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B000A0F2B2 https://www.iherb.com/pr/Bio-Tech-Pharmacal-Inc-D3-50-Cholecalciferol-100-Capsules/55186 B. Kirkland Adult 50+ Mature Multi https://www.amazon.com/Kirkland-Signature-Mature-Vitamin-Tablets/dp/B00P8ZAWK0/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=Kirkland+Adult+50%2B+Mature+Multi&qid=1576305520&s=hpc&sr=1-3 https://www.iherb.com/pr/21st-Century-Sentry-Senior-Multivitamin-Multimineral-Supplement-Adults-50-220-Tablets/43845 C. Nature Made Extra Strength 400 mg Magnesium https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Made-High-Potency-Magnesium/dp/B07G2TYKR1/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=Nature+Made+Extra+Strength+400+mg+Magnesium&qid=1576305613&s=hpc&sr=1-4 https://www.iherb.com/pr/Nature-Made-Magnesium-Extra-Strength-400-mg-60-Softgels/76915. Order three (3) D. Nature Made Omega-3 Fish Oil Liquid Softgels https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Made-Omega-3-Liquid-Softgels/dp/B00KKA0G04/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=Nature+Made+Omega-3+Fish+Oil&qid=1576305953&s=hpc&sr=1-5 https://www.iherb.com/pr/Nature-Made-Fish-Oil-Burp-Less-1-000-mg-150-Softgels/40457 E. LifeExtension Super K with Advanced K2 Complex https://www.amazon.com/Life-Extension-Advanced-Complex-two-pack/dp/B00ATD4JKA/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=LifeExtension+Super+K+with+Advanced+K2+Complex&qid=1578005023&s=hpc&sr=1-6 Order two for a year's supply https://www.iherb.com/pr/Life-Extension-Super-K-90-Softgels/90368 Order four bottles for a year's supply F. METHYL FOLATE +. https://www.amazon.com/Bioactive-Formulated-Pharmaceutical-Methylcobalamin-Synergistically/dp/B01MQJVHHC/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=METHYL+FOLATE+%2B&qid=1578006730&s=hpc&sr=1-5 https://www.iherb.com/pr/Thorne-Research-Basic-B-Complex-60-Capsules/18791?refid=683bbb72-92bc-45ee-9bb0-6b7aecacf850&reftype=rec We've made some adjustments to the treatment protocol available at the link above. I say "We" as none of this would have been possible without the participation of thousands of CHers here at Clusterbusters and CH.com over the last 10 years. In a very real sense, this is your regimen and treatment protocol. Direct feedback from CHers taking this regimen is so valuable. For example, this feedback indicates the efficacy of this regimen increases with time and higher serum concentrations of 25(OH)D3 due to higher daily maintenance doses of vitamin D3. These protocol adjustments have been simple, yet effective. When I first started posting about the efficacy of this regimen in December of 2010, it was one size fits all with 10,000 IU/day vitamin D3 plus the cofactors. The first adjustment involved starting this regimen with a 2-Week or 4-Week accelerated vitamin D3 loading schedule to elevate serum 25(OH)D3 more rapidly and achieve a favorable response more rapidly. Over the next two years that loading schedule evolved to a 12-Day loading schedule taking 50,000 IU/day vitamin D3 for 12 days. It was just as effective and took less time to reach a therapeutic effect. I attribute the increase in the raw efficacy of this regimen and CH preventative treatment protocol to the switch to the Bio-Tech D3-50 and the 12-Day accelerated vitamin D3 loading schedule. My analysis of survey data through the end of 2018 indicated the mean 25(OH)D3 serum concentration for Episodic CHers experiencing a favorable response to the anti-inflammatory regimen was 80 ng/mL while the mean 25(OH)D3 serum concentration for Chronic CHers experiencing a favorable response to the anti-inflammatory regimen was 90 ng/mL. Clearly, one size does not fit all... Accordingly, I've made the following changes to the vitamin D3 dosing strategy regarding the target 25(OH)D3 serum concentration ranges and accelerated vitamin D3 loading dose duration ranges. Episodic CHer Target: 80 to 100 ng/mL - Load at 50,000 IU/day for 12 - 14 days Chronic CHer Target: 90 to 120 ng/mL - Load at 50,000 IU/day for 14 - 16 days Migraineur Target: 100 to 140 ng/mL - Load at 50,000 IU/day for 16 - 18 days It's important to understand these suggested 25(OH)D3 serum concentration target ranges and loading schedules are starting points for the average CHer. Many of us (like me) will require a higher 25(OH)D3 serum concentration, a longer period of loading at 50,000 IU/day and a higher maintenance dose to experience and maintain a CH pain free response. At the completion of these loading schedules reduce the vitamin D3 intake to an initial maintenance dose of 10,000 IU/day with the oil-based liquid softgel vitamin D3 formulations or if you're taking the suggested Bio-Tech D3-50, you'll need to take one (1) of these 50,000 IU water soluble vitamin D3 capsules a week. Doing the math, that works out to an average dose of 7,140 IU/day. Given the higher bioequivalence of the D3-50, this should be sufficient for most CHers. Changing the dose is a simple matter of adding or subtracting a day or more between doses. Take care and please keep us posted. V/R, Batch

Hey MRUPE, Welcome to Clusterbusters. You've come to the right place. We know what you've been going through and the good news is it just doesn't need to be that way. You've already discovered the wonderful benefits of oxygen therapy. I only wish more CHers would pressure their neurologists to obtain it. As you appear to be taking a discerning approach in selecting a CH preventative treatment protocol, you may find the following of interest. I'm heavily biased to suggest the anti-inflammatory regimen with vitamin D3 and the cofactors as a safe and effective method of controlling/preventing your CH. I'm also biased to suggest psilocybin as another safe and effective method of controlling your CH. I've seen it work many times when all else failed. As the guy who developed the anti-inflammatory regimen and started taking it in October of 2010, I consider this method of CH intervention a very safe bet. I've been essentially CH pain free ever since. I started providing information outreach on the benefits of this vitamin D3 regimen in December of 2010 and I've been running an online survey of CHers taking this regimen since December of 2011. As of 30 December 2018, 290 CHers had completed and submitted their responses to this survey. The results are impressive to say the least. In terms of raw efficacy, the 30-day response rate for the entire cohort finds over 80% of CHers starting this regimen experiencing a significant reduction in the frequency of their CH from a mean of 3 CH/day down to a mean of 3 CH/week. Moreover, 52% of CHers starting this regimen experience a complete cessation of CH symptoms in the first 30 days after starting this regimen. It's significant to note that over the 10 years I've been providing information outreach on the benefits of this regimen in preventing CH, that there have been no reports of adverse events requiring medical attention and no cases of hypercalcemia, a.k.a., vitamin D3 intoxication/toxicity. I've analyzed the results of every RCT and study involving CH and migraines. None of them including verapamil, have reported or concluded a level of efficacy that comes even close to matching the safety and efficacy of vitamin D3 in preventing CH. The basic anti-inflammatory regimen supplements illustrated in the following photo haven't changed much since December of 2011 with the exception of vitamin D3. I began suggesting the Bio-Tech D3-50 50,000 IU water soluble form of vitamin D3 in July of 2018. I began suggesting the Bio-Tech D3-50 after finding it was faster acting with a higher bioequivalence in elevating serum 25(OH)D3 than the same dose of the oil-based liquid softgel vitamin D3 formulations. It's also less expensive. Now for the exciting news regarding the raw efficacy of this regimen in preventing CH. I took a download of the survey database a week ago on 30 December and have been crunching the numbers ever since. Surveys submitted during 2019 indicate a 30-Day favorable response rate of over 90% and complete cessation of CH symptoms at greater than 65%. I'm not going to give the actual raw efficacy figures as I hope to publish these results at some point later this year and I don't want my manuscript rejected for self-plagiarism. I've already had two of my manuscripts on this study rejected for this reason. I know the medical evidence purists will say this was not a randomized, blinded and placebo controlled RCT, so lacks strength as medical evidence. No argument. However, as a CHer since 1994 and chronic since 2005, I'm not going to pole vault over mouse turds... To CHers, there's no difference between a CH prevented by an intervention or placebo effect. In short, I'll take the placebo effect any day to avoid the terrible pain of our disorder. Moreover, as for the infamous p value reported in RCTs, that over 300 CHers from over 30 countries have enjoyed the same efficacy of this regimen over the last 9 years of this study, this level of efficacy is hardly a coincidence. We've also made some adjustments to the treatment protocol. I say "We" as none of this would have been possible without the participation of thousands of CHers here at Clusterbusters and CH.com over the last 10 years. In a very real sense, this is your regimen and treatment protocol. Direct feedback from CHers taking this regimen is so valuable. For example, this feedback indicates the efficacy of this regimen increases with time and higher serum concentrations of 25(OH)D3 due to higher daily maintenance doses of vitamin D3. These protocol adjustments have been simple, yet effective. When I first started posting about the efficacy of this regimen in December of 2010, it was one size fits all with 10,000 IU/day vitamin D3 plus the cofactors. The first adjustment involved starting this regimen with a 2-Week or 4-Week accelerated vitamin D3 loading schedule to elevate serum 25(OH)D3 more rapidly and achieve a favorable response more rapidly. Over the next two years that loading schedule evolved to a 12-Day loading schedule taking 50,000 IU/day vitamin D3 for 12 days. It was just as effective and took less time to reach a therapeutic effect. I attribute the increase in the raw efficacy of this regimen and CH preventative treatment protocol to the switch to the Bio-Tech D3-50 and the 12-Day accelerated vitamin D3 loading schedule. My analysis of survey data through the end of 2018 indicated the mean 25(OH)D3 serum concentration for Episodic CHers experiencing a favorable response to the anti-inflammatory regimen was 80 ng/mL while the mean 25(OH)D3 serum concentration for Chronic CHers experiencing a favorable response to the anti-inflammatory regimen was 90 ng/mL. Clearly, one size does not fit all... Accordingly, I've made the following changes to the vitamin D3 dosing strategy regarding the target 25(OH)D3 serum concentration ranges and accelerated vitamin D3 loading dose duration ranges. Episodic CHer Target: 80 to 100 ng/mL - Load at 50,000 IU/day for 12 - 14 days Chronic CHer Target: 90 to 120 ng/mL - Load at 50,000 IU/day for 14 - 16 days Migraineur Target: 100 to 140 ng/mL - Load at 50,000 IU/day for 16 - 18 days It's important to understand these suggested 25(OH)D3 serum concentration target ranges and loading schedules are starting points for the average CHer. Many of us (like me) will require a higher 25(OH)D3 serum concentration, a longer period of loading at 50,000 IU/day and a higher maintenance dose to experience and maintain a CH pain free response. At the completion of these loading schedules reduce the vitamin D3 intake to an initial maintenance dose of 10,000 IU/day with the oil-based liquid softgel vitamin D3 formulations or if you're taking the suggested Bio-Tech D3-50, you'll need to take one (1) of these 50,000 IU water soluble vitamin D3 capsules a week. Doing the math, that works out to an average dose of 7,140 IU/day. Given the higher bioequivalence of the D3-50, this should be sufficient for most CHers. Changing the dose is a simple matter of adding or subtracting a day or more between doses. The following chart illustrates the last three years worth of my labs for serum 25(OH)D3, calcium and PTH. As you'll see, as a chronic CHer, I've maintained my 25(OH)D3 well above 120 ng/mL. It's been as high as 188 ng/mL to remain CH pain free during a major allergic reaction to mold spores. I've averaged 150 ± 4 ng/mL for the first 7 months of 2019. If you haven't gotten the message from my labs, don't be afraid to take your serum 25(OH)D3 concentration as high as needed to experience a lasting CH pain free response. My PCP has no problems with my 25(OH)D3 serum concentration this high as long as my serum calcium remains within its normal reference range (in the green), and it has as you can see in my charts above. You'll also note that my serum PTH mirrors serum calcium. This inverse relationship between serum 25(OH)D3 and PTH concentrations indicates normal calcium homeostasis. In short, when serum calcium goes up to a high normal, serum PTH drops to a low normal. This is a classic indication of calcium homeostasis in action that helps prevent hypercalcemia, a.k.a., vitamin D3 intoxication/toxicity. Before I go any further, it's essential for CHers to see their PCP/GP or neurologist, whoever has the best visibility of their overall medical history and prescribed medications if any, to discuss this regimen before starting it and to ask for a set of labs for serum 25(OH)D3, calcium and PTH. It's not uncommon for some physicians to avoid recommending this regimen or even suggest CHers not start it and that's perfectly natural. They're concerned about malpractice suits. If you feel strongly enough about starting this regimen, have your doctor note any concerns in your medical records, but try to make your doctor part of your team while starting and continuing this regimen. You'll need another set of labs for your serum 25(OH)D3, calcium and PTH, 30 days after starting this loading schedule. Ask your PCP/GP or neurologist to have your lab orders for 25(OH)D3, calcium and PTH sent to the nearest Quest Diagnostics collection center. The rationale for doing this is simple. Quest Diagnostics uses the 25(OH)D Liquid Chromatography Dual Mass Spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS) assay that's good to a maximum 25(OH)D (combined D2 and D3) serum concentration measurement of 512 ng/mL. The DiaSorin 25(OH)D assay used in most medical clinics can only measure 25(OH)D up to a maximum serum concentration of 117.4 ng/mL. As you may need a higher 25(OH)D3 serum concentration than 117.4 ng/mL, the LC-MS/MS assay for 25(OH)D3 is the only way to go. Try to get copies of your labs sent to you so you can track your progress. If you register at MyQuest, it's free, at the following link, https://myquest.questdiagnostics.com/web/home you'll have access to all your lab results as soon as your doctor has acknowleged their receipt. I'll be posting the above changes to the existing protocol posted on my webpage at vitaminDwiki.com later this month at the following link, ttp://is.gd/clustervitd. You can download the existing treatment protocol by clicking on the following link. http://www.vitamindwiki.com/tiki-download_wiki_attachment.php?attId=7708 . It's interesting to note that since I posted this treatment protocol on 21 Jan, 2017, nearly three years ago, readers of my web page at vitaminDwiki have downloaded 43,387 copies of this treatment protocol... Doing the math, that's an average over 45 downloads a day. I've no idea how many CHers or migraineurs are following this treatment protocol. That said, if the rule of "one out of ten" applies, > 4000 headache sufferers are following this regimen. In closing this epistle to vitamin D3, the other great news is it appears there's going to be a gold standard RCT conducted on this regimen as a CH prophylaxis later this year. When the result of that RCT are published, I'm confident you'll have ample medical evidence to take to your PCP/GP or neurologist. Take care and please keep us posted should you decide to start this regimen. V/R, Batch

@Banjer Taylor welcome to the forum! I too just recently joined in july. I was very fortunate to obtain oxygen pretty early on. It was very challenging. Not so much to get the script, but to find a place that actually provides the tanks. I got the proper mask from cluster02kit and it works very well. I’m still learning the proper breathing techniques and everything. I got on the D3 regimen a month after I started feeling terrible. I still get a lot of shaddow pain and I’m sure the D3 has helped tons. I take extra fish oil to help with the depression. My next step is to try busting with mm. I would read up on that if I were you. I would absolutely put all your focus on getting that oxygen. It’s imperative to abort the attacks. You’ll hear back from more experienced members soon. @Batch has all the answers for the D3 regimen. take care Kat

Ohayou Geisha, You're on the right track upping the daily maintenance dose to 20,000 IU/day. There are a couple other things to try. The first is to take a 50,000 IU/day loading dose of vitamin D3 for two to three days then drop back to your usual maintenance dose. If you're still experiencing shadows after three days of loading, add another day or two of the50,000 IU/day loading dose. The second thing is switch to the Bio-Tech D3-50 50,000 IU water soluble form of vitamin D3. Many of us have found it to be faster acting with a higher bioequivalence in elevating serum 25(OH)D3 as the same dose of the oil-based liquid softgel vitamin D3 formulations. https://www.amazon.com/Bio-Tech-D3-50-50-000-200/dp/B00IAQUJH0 I buy it from amazon.com. Due to its higher bioequivalence, most CHers, me included, take one D3-50 a week as a maintenance dose. That works out to an average of 7,140 IU/day. If that's not enough to keep the CH symptoms away, decrease the dosing interval to one capsule every 6 days. That said, some CHers, usually the chronic types, need to reduce the dosing interval to one capsule every other day to remain CH pain free. It's a good idea to double the magnesium dose while loading from 400 mg/day up to 800 mg/day split 400 mg with breakfast and 400 mg with the evening meal to prevent osmotic diarrhea. It's best to take these supplements 10 minutes after eating the largest meal of the day. Stomach acid is highest at this point to digest the food you've eaten and this also helps dissolve the supplements for better absorption and less GI tract problems. Take care and please keep us posted. V/R, Batch

Hi all, hope everyone is having a good Christmas period. I have been episodic since 2001, this site is great it has really saved me and I am thankful to the Cluster Buster community. Oxygen, busting, D3 regime and low carb diet have really helped me. Apologies in advance for asking this if it has been already been answered within the forum. I have not been in a cycle since March but have been getting shadows the last few weeks but with no attack so far. I have upped my D3 intake from 10,000 to 20,000 combining this with fish oil, K2, magnesium and a multi vitamin taking these once a day with food at night. Should I keep doing this if I am experiencing the shadows or should I take 10,000 of D3 with the fish oil, magnesium and multi vitamin twice daily? Or any other suggestions welcome Thanks

Hey Emmalou, CHfather is spot on saying your 25(OH)D3 serum concentration target is a therapeutic range between 200 nmol/L and 250 nmol/L so the anti-inflammatory regimen is definitely for you as your serum 25(OH)D3 concentration at 86 nmol/L (34.4 ng/mL) is still too low. The following photo illustrates the supplements by brand and dose I take and suggest to other CHers as we've found they have the best response in preventing CHIf you live outside the US you can order most of these supplements through iherb.com when you're ready to reorder. If you live in the US, you can order all of them from amazon.com. If you haven't already done so, you can download a PDF copy of the anti-inflammatory regimen CH preventative treatment protocol at the following VitaminDWiki link: http://www.vitamindwiki.com/tiki-download_wiki_attachment.php?attId=7708 The best course of action is to start loading vitamin D3 at 50,000 IU/day for at least 10 to 12 days or until you've experienced 24 hours CH pain free, whichever occurs first. At that point you can reduce your vitamin D3 intake to 10,000 IU/day as an initial maintenance dose. The Bio-Tech D3-50 is important. We've found this 50,000 IU water soluble form of vitamin D3 is faster acting with a higher bioequivalence than the oil-based liquid softgel vitamin D3 formulations in elevating serum 25(OH)D3. I'd suggest ordering it now and take one a day as your loading dose when it arrives. You'll only need one (1) of the D3-50 vitamin D3 capsules a week as your maintenance dose. Be sure to double the magnesium to 800 mg/day split AM/PM with meals while loading. Take all the remaining supplements 10 minutes after eating the largest meal of the day. Stomach acid will be highest at that point to digest the food you've eaten and that helps dissolve the supplements. Be sure to drink at least 2.5 liters of water a day. When you've completed the loading schedule and been on a vitamin D3 maintenance dose of 10,000 IU/day for 30 days, be sure to see your PCP/GP for lab tests of your serum 25(OH)D3, calcium and PTH. As long as your serum calcium remains within its normal reference range, even if it's at the top of this reference range and not over, there's no hypercalcemia, a.k.a., vitamin D3 intoxication/toxicity so your actual 25(OH)D3 serum concentration doesn't really matter except as a reference for being CH pain free. When you have the lab results in hand, please find the time to take the online survey of CHers taking this regimen to prevent their CH. To start this survey, click on the following link: http://www.esurveyspro.com/Survey.aspx?id=fb8a2415-629f-4ebc-907c-c5ce971022f6 I'm not a fan of Amitriptyline primarily due to the fact that tricyclic antidepressants tend to have too many adverse side effects. It's up to you, but I would ditch the Amitriptyline and start a week to 10 day course of a first-generation antihistamine like Benadryl (Diphenhydramine HCL). I would do this anyway if you haven't responded to the loading dose by day 5. Ask your PCP/GP about starting the first-generation antihistamine as depending where you live, Diphenhydramine may not be available, but there are other first-generation antihistamines. Take care and please keep us posted. V/R, Batch

Personally I never want to discourage the free exchange of information and ideas because you never know when the next "Flash moment" will appear. We are all aware that when folks get desperate they are vulnerable to any idea or snake oil salesperson. Evidence of this includes offering unsubstantiated surgical procedures at great cost and risk which people consider and actually agree to. In this particular situation I suspicion there may be a mental health issue in play. Whether the initial poster is attention seeking, manipulative or well intentioned their verbose nonsensical communication style speaks to a lost soul. Now that the story is out each person can judge it for themselves, take pity and move on.

Hey CSA, Thanks for the reply. While you're looking for a new PCP/GP, I'd restart vitamin D3 therapy. The following photo illustrates the brands and daily doses my wife, the rest of our family and I have been taking for many years. This is also what I suggested in the posted version of this protocol since 2011. It will also be in the updated version of this protocol I hope to have ready for prime time and downloads from VitaminDWiki.com in December. You'll find the "How To" instructions at the following link. Take a copy to your new PCP/GP when you find one. http://www.vitamindwiki.com/tiki-download_wiki_attachment.php?attId=7708 The Bio-Tech D3-50 is a recent addition to the anti-inflammatory regimen since July. of 2018. It's a 50,000 IU water soluble form of vitamin D3 that I've found to be faster acting with a higher bioequivalence in elevating serum 25(OH)D3 at the same dose as the oil-based liquid softgel vitamin D3 formulations. It's also more convenient and least expensive. You take one D3-50/day while loading and when the loading schedule is complete, you drop back to an initial maintenance dose of one D3-50/week. At 23 cents per capsule, that works out to a little over 3 cents a day for a an average of 7000 IU/day vitamin D3. The daily cost of the least expensive liquid softgel vitamin D3 is 12 cents/day for 10,000 IU. Most CHers taking the Bio-Tech D3-50 have found the 12-Day loading schedule taking one D3-50 capsule a day for 12 days is sufficient to elevate serum 25(OH)D3 to a therapeutic range that prevents CH. When the loading schedule is complete, one D3-50 a week should be sufficient to maintain the therapeutic 25(OH)D3 serum concentration. In short, I'd get back on that horse and send the CH beast running by restarting this regimen now. When you find a willing PCP/GP, the next set of labs for 25(OH)D3, calcium and PTH should confirm a therapeutic 25(OH)D3 range (80 to 100 ng/mL) with normal calcium and PTH in the lower third of its normal reference range. Don't forget to get your daughter on vitamin D3 at 50 IU per pound of body weight/day along with calcium chews. At 2 to 3 years the average weight is around 30 lbs so that works out to 1500 IU/day vitamin D3 or 10,000 IU/week. I'd pick up some Bio-Tech D3Plus. This is an ideal vitamin D3 formulation for kids as it contains the essential vitamin D3 cofactors all in one capsule. It just needs calcium and phosphorus, the two primary building blocks needed to build strong growing bones. https://www.amazon.com/D3Plus-Vegetable-Capsules-Bio-Tech-Pharmacal/dp/B0085F3K2C/ref=sr_1_10?keywords=Bio-Tech+D3&amp;qid=1574813439&amp;s=hpc&amp;sr=1-10 The dose for a 2 to 3 year old with the D3Plus is one capsule every other day (48 hours) for an average of 1250 IU/day vitamin D3. The calcium gummy my grand kids take comes from Vitafusion. It's formulated with tricalcium phosphate. https://www.amazon.com/Vitafusion-Calcium-Gummy-Vitamins-100ct/dp/B003DRD3PG/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=Calcium+Gummies&amp;qid=1574851736&amp;s=hpc&amp;sr=1-4 One of these a day is great for 2 and 3 year olds. Take care and please keep us posted. V/R, Batch

Thank you @Batch! You've always been helpful! About the Vit D3 regimen, I followed it last year before my cycle, and initially, my Vit-D3 were very low, around 10ng/mol, and in a months time, I was able to safely take it up to 80+. However, unfortunately, I still entered my cycle that year and had quite a bad experience managing it that year. It started around the end of December and stretched around the end of Feb this year. I thought I needed to raise my vit D higher so I continued loading and last I checked was 110ng/mol with no luck. That time around, when the cycle was at peak with intense attacks, oxygen didn't help much either. It wouldn't abort the attacks and as soon as I took the mask off the headache would rebound. Still, some great advice I borrowed from the regiment were GOMBS diet, multi-vits that I take every other day now, along with fish-oil and vit D, which was very low (around 10), when I first checked before the regimen. I just wish the regimen worked for me. I also have my thread here where I reported my conditions while I was on vit-d3-regimen, in case you wish to read about it. I would love to offer more information if it helps. Thank you again Batch. I am relieved to hear that oxygen helps in this headache too. And by the way, isn't migraine one-sided? Or is that knowledge obsolete? Because the symptoms of my headache are all like a migraine only that its bilateral.

Hey Trent, I'm impressed... A life time ban from E-bay... Wow! Welcome to the club... I received a life time band from Facebook for suggesting 10,000 IU/day vitamin D3 plus the vitamin D3 cofactors was an effective preventative for migraine headache. Given you've invested in more than sufficient numbers of M-Size and E-Size oxygen cylinders, I'd suggest a very cost effective alternative to an oxygen demand valve and regulator with DISS fittings. It's called the Redneck Oxygen Reservoir Bag. I made the first one from a new kitchen trash bag, a plastic soda bottle with the bottom cut off (keep the cap), oxygen tubing cut off of a disposable NRB oxygen mask at the mask end, some Duck Tape and electrician's tape. I cut the corners off the closed end of the trash bag as illustrated above, insert the oxygen tubing in one corner and the soda body through the other corner from inside the trash bag and seal both with electrician's tape for a gas tight seal then close the open end of the trash bag with a few strips of Duck tape you'll have a very effective oxygen delivery system that only needs a 7 to 9 liter/minute oxygen regulator if you fill ahead of time and turn off the oxygen at the supply valve. If you've taped the seams properly, the Redneck reservoir bag should stay inflated for at least 24 hours unused. The soda bottle becomes your handle and mouthpiece for inhaling 100% oxygen. I've found a fully inflated kitchen trash bag is good for three aborts using the following procedure and breathing technique. The procedure I suggest involves hyperventilating at forced vital capacity tidal volumes with room air for 30 seconds followed by inhaling a lungful of oxygen from the Redneck reservoir bag and holding it for 30 seconds. You continue repeating this sequence in rapid succession until the pain is gone. That usually takes an average of seven complete cycles or 7 minutes. You remove the bottle cap inhale the lungful of oxygen then replace the bottle cap. The purpose of intentionally hyperventilating at forced vital capacity tidal volumes is to pump CO2 from the blood stream faster than the body generates it from normal metabolism. This lowers the CO2 content of the arterial blood shifting the pH to the alkaline side of neutral (7.35 to 7.45) to a pH around 7.5 to 7.6 resulting in a temporary condition called respiratory alkalosis. This does two things that help abort CH much faster. A low arterial CO2 level and elevated arterial pH triggers a rapid vasoconstriction in and around the trigeminovascular complex. The elevated pH also increases blood hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen enabling it to carry 15% more oxygen sending hyperoxygenated arterial blood to the brain. Oxygen triggers vasoconstriction in the trigeminovascular complex. Hyperoxygenated arterial blood triggers vasoconstriction in an around the trigeminovascular complex even faster. The net result is very rapid and very effective CH aborts like 99% effective in an average of 7 minutes across pain levels 3 though 9 on the 10-Point headache pain scale. Hyperventilating at forced vital capacity tidal volumes involves exhaling forcibly and rapidly until if feels like your lungs are empty... they're not. At that point without delay, do an abdominal crunch like doing sit ups and hold the crunch for one second or until your exhaled breath makes a wheezing sound then inhale a lungful of room air and repeat the above sequence. You should be doing around 10 of these cycles in 30 seconds. On the 10th exhalation, hold the crunch/squeeze for 3 seconds. This will squeeze out an additional half to full liter of exhaled breath highest in CO2 As the guy who patented the oxygen demand valve method of rapid CH aborts in 2010, I've found the Redneck reservoir bag and the above procedures just as effective and fast as the far more expensive oxygen demand valve system and I bought the Cadillac of oxygen demand valves, the Carmét along with a Flowtec Inc, 0-60 lpm, InGage regulator with DISS fitting plus an M60 aluminum cylinder as my roadie along with a pigtail filler nfor a total cost of ~ $2100 USD in 2008. In 2008, I conducted a pilot study of the oxygen demand valve method of aborting CH using the same breathing technique above with seven CHers (1 ECHer and 7 CCHers). They each aborted their CH with this method of procedure for 8 weeks collecting pain level and abort times for each abort. All total, they collected this data on 366 aborts. Their average abort time was 7 minutes and over 99% of the aborts came in at ≤ 20 minutes. The following chart illustrates these results. As you can see, the oxygen demand valve method of procedure produced aborts 3 to 4 times faster than traditional oxygen therapy at a flow rate of 15 liters/minute. Now here's the payoff... The Redneck Reservoir bag method of aborting CH is just as effective in aborting CH as the oxygen demand valve method. If you'll look at the photo of my oxygen kit you'll see a sticker on the oxygen cylinder with check marks indicating 30 aborts, the average number of aborts I obtained with an M-Size Oxygen or Welder's cylinder with the oxygen demand valve. As the copay for each M-Size oxygen cylinder was $30 USD, that works out to $1/CH abort. I got nearly 300 aborts from an M-Size welder's cylinder using the Redneck Reservoir bag method so that makes the cost per abort roughly 10 cents USD. All that said, I developed the anti-inflammatory regimen CH preventative treatment protocol with 10,000 IU/day vitamin D3, Omega-3 Fish Oil and the vitamin D3 cofactors, magnesium, zinc, boron and vitamin A (retinol) in October of 2010. I was CH pain free following the second dose of this regimen. I've been CH pain free ever since. You can find the anti-inflammatory regimen CH preventative treatment protocol at the following link. http://www.vitamindwiki.com/tiki-download_wiki_attachment.php?attId=7708 Take care and please keep us posted. V/R, Batch

Hey Signals, Welcome to Clusterbusters. We know what you've been going through so you've come to the right place. Regarding travel and taking the vitamin D3 regimen, I pack a ziplock bag with enough vitamin D3 and cofactors to last the duration of my travels plus enough for a few more days in case of delays and keep it in my carry on bag. In the 8 + years since I developed this regimen, I've never had any problems with TSA or customs during international travel. I switched to the Bio-Tech D3-50 water soluble 50,000 IU vitamin D3 capsules. They make the loading schedule a snap at one capsule a day. I've been taking one D3-50 a week as my maintenance dose and this has been adequate to kept me CH pain free. At one D3-50 a week the daily cost is ~3 cents/day where the oil-based liquid softgels cost 6 cents per 5000 IU or 12 cents/day. Check your PM InBox, I've sent some additional info. Take care and please keep us posted. V/R, Batch