Oxygen therapy for migraines?

[bennevisplace]

A friend, who was successfully treated with inhaled oxygen for debilitating cluster headaches, recommended I look into this.

I have read that oxygen therapy can be helpful in the event of a migraine attack, but that the best quality, controlled studies demonstrate no benefit compared with placebo. Does anyone have first hand experience?

[ChrissieMons]

I think it depends on what triggers the headache in the first place. I know, because my lungs are wrecked, that things like blowing up balloons is impossible, because it brings on a migraine. If I have an asthma attack it is frequently accompanied with migraine, so there is something in the idea that I need more oxygen in my blood/brain.

In my view, anything is worth a try if it doesn't harm you!

[bennevisplace in reply to ChrissieMons]

In the Introduction section of the paper below you will find two references supporting your assumption, that hypoxia (oxygen deficit) can induce migraine, while hyperoxia (oxygen surfeit) constricts blood vessels, thereby normalising any elevated blood flow that might be causing migraine.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

"Experimental hypoxia induces migraines with and without aura [6,7] whereas hyperoxia has vasoconstrictive effects [8]".

After reviewing many studies the authors of this paper concluded that in the best studies oxygen therapy showed no benefit over placebo. Does this mean absolutely no benefit? No. And we shouldn't bother? No, I think it could well be worth a try. You might be one of those who responds well, or you might not; until you try you don't know. It's certainly no panacea and is probably only capable of temporary pain relief. The difficulty might be getting oxygen on the NHS.

I would like to hear from anyone who has tried oxygen therapy for headache of any kind, and especially for migraine. How was it for you?

PS I am not trying to promote oxygen therapy. My only interest in the subject is as a migraine sufferer.

[Onthemove1971]

Yes, when I was pregnant with our son they did not to give me any medication so I used oxygen. Yes it was helpful..One of the problems is I never know when there is an onset to a migraine. Bit my doctor said I could have it at home to use when I needed it.

I have just not needed it.

Good luck.

[bennevisplace in reply to Onthemove1971]

Thanks for your reply. I asked my friend how inhaled oxygen is used against cluster headaches, i.e. at what stage (hoping to hear that it can be an effective prophylactic). But he just gave me a look and said "when you get an attack". Not terribly encouraging for someone who suffers from chronic migraine, which is why I value the experiences of other migraineurs.