new here/pain help requested

[AchyBreakyHead]

Hi, I’m new to the group/website…Seeking any and all advice on pain relief, and hoping to connect with others who have both chronic CH and chronic migraine.

Recently diagnosed with chronic CH but, at age 62, I have 50 years of chronic migraine and occipital neuralgia experience following a TBI and fractured neck. CH, of course, is my worst head pain. I’m now on SSDI (permanently disabled) after “soldiering through” decades of trying to hide my pain from employers. Even without the extra stress of a career, the DAILY CH is still so debilitating and discouraging. I find strength and hope, though, in the hours in between my worst pain attacks. : )

Helps some: Triptans, Emgality, lidocaine nasal spray, Qulipta, Neuro Energy & Focus caffeine gum, neck pillow, Penetrex muscle rub, ice packs.

Doesn’t help: Oxygen therapy (bummer!), nerve blocks (have had for migraine, not specifically for CH yet), ketamine hospitalization (x2), many other RXs, PT, various neurostimulator devices, etc.

Any suggestions? Thank you, and hoping to meet some of you at the October conference.

[Bejeeber]

Hi @AchyBreakyHead - sorry you have the need to be here, but welcome.

You've tried a bunch of stuff I see. Good news is there is more to try, and it's better stuff.

One thing to get out of the way first, is whether your attempts with oxygen were optimized or not? High liter flow (like 15 lpm or higher) with a non-rebreather mask is widely considered a minimum requirement by those in the know, so if you were prescribed and tried lower flow (like 8 to 10 lpm) with a rebreather mask it's not surprising it was ineffective. You'll find more about this and plenty of other very pertinent info in the Basic non-busting information linked to below.

Meantime busting, which is a much more effective preventive than any prescription, is described at  the blue New Users Please Read Here First bar at top of the page here ^^.

My suggestion would be to check this info out, then post any further questions you might have!

https://clusterbusters.org/forums/topic/6213-basic-non-busting-information/?do=findComment&comment=61401