I have just had another cycle of clus... - National Migraine...

National Migraine Centre

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I have just had another cycle of cluster headaches. I don't use medication and am curious do others? what medication works best for you?

Inqontrol profile image
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Inqontrol
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Tearfuldragon profile image
Tearfuldragon

I'm not sure anything really works, my nueurologist prescribed steroids at the beginning of a cycle, ive taken that several times, and found it shortened the cycle. My last cycle though, it didn't and it didnt end either. I'm currently taking indomethacin, which they usually give as a preventer, which does seem to lessen the pain, but the headaches still roll round like clockwork! My sister in law has a friend who uses oxygen, which works, but is quite cumbersome! Hope that helps xx

Champerdamper profile image
Champerdamper

I use high flow oxygen (I have large tanks at home and potable at work) and sumitriptan injections for attacks. I take topamax as a preventer and am about to start lithium. I also take steroids when a cluster has been going on a while. Good luck.

Charlotte_NMC profile image
Charlotte_NMCPartnerNational Migraine Centre

We have a great factsheet on cluster headache treatment here: migraineclinic.org.uk/wp-co.... Although I must stress that cluster headache is a very severe form of headache which I am sure you already know about and we advise you to seek help from either your GP or our specialists at the centre. You should not suffer without adequate treatment.

Inqontrol profile image
Inqontrol

Thanks guys. Yeah I don't think anything really works which is why I don't rely on drugs. pain killers never work in time for me. Thank you for taking time to reply. x

Hopkinssmith123 profile image
Hopkinssmith123

Hi I just felt I had to reply. I don't suffer myself but my mum has had cluster headaches for over 40 years and my brother has started with them the last 3 years!! My mum has after all these years started to be able to control the attacks. By using the sumitriptan injection, the high flow oxygen for when she can't use the injection and uses steriods when she seems to be in the middle of a bout not at the start which alot of doctors advise. As you say pain killers do not work in time but the injection for my mum and brother helps in less then a minute! They say they feel abit spaced out afterwards but as you know that is nothing compared to a headache.I hope this helps as by my mum taking all these years to get some control, it has help my brother to control them by he's 2nd bout. x

andyt267 profile image
andyt267

Drink lots of water and get oxygen! good luck!!

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