4 ms·
For several years, I got cluster headaches for two months every two years or so. Thankfully, I haven't had a cycle for over four years, so whatever I tell you
by SloopJon 3y ago
For several years, I got cluster headaches for two months every two years or so. Thankfully, I haven't had a cycle for over four years, so whatever I tell you may be out of date, and of course everyone is different. I recommend you find a good neurologist, preferably one not too old--mine kept retiring at the most inconvenient times.
Ibuprofen, Tylenol, and indomethacin have never helped me for cluster headaches, often leading instead to rebound headaches of a different kind. The three things that help me are oxygen, sumatriptan injection, and verapamil.
The number one thing that helps stop my episode is oxygen: 15Lpm or so of pure oxygen through a non-rebreather mask. A concentrator probably won't do the trick. If you have daily episodes, you can go through an MM tank in a month.
My second choice is an Imitrex (sumatriptan) injection with a STATdose pen. Pills are worthless. The 4mg dose is just as effective as 6mg, so I can take three doses if I'm having a bad day. (The daily limit is 12mg.) They sometimes make me feel funny, and the headache occasionally comes back in an hour or two.
Verapamil helps reduce the frequency and intensity of my headaches. It has a tendency to lower my resting heart rate: I was below 40bpm one morning, and I'm not a runner.
Good luck. Clusters aren't fun.
- criddell 3y agoLots of great information for me in this thread. I appreciate you taking the time to share all of this.