Cluster headaches: searching for effective therapies

Thanks for that ... though I thought Dr Chatterjee had recently discovered a cure (stress reduction, change in diet, pulling slightly concerned faces) .

There are two treatments-

1: For immediate relief during the acute headache- sumatriptan injection works miracles, 10 minutes after injection total relief from screaming pain. Note sumatriptan pills do not work and sumatriptan nasal spray is useless because of the running nose (rhinorrhea). The injection is NICE approved, so don't let your GP fob you off because of cost, it is approved for up to 2 injections per day.

2: To stop a Cluster period (as opposed to the actual headache), NICE have approved the use of Verapamil, however this is a calcium channel blocker so if you are on one for hypertension this cannot be used. Also there are cardiac dangers especially for the older patient. They also suggest a short 2-5 day course of Prednisolone 60-100 mg per day, tailing off with reducing dose for a few days. British National Formulary 4.7.4.3 May 2017. This is not for long term prevention, but to shorten the Cluster period.

If you are a periodic cluster sufferer with good remission between clusters, cure is better than prevention because long term steroids have serious consequences and Sumatriptan injections are so effective without rebound headaches or long term consequences.

I.H.Patterson retired medical physics consultant (definitely NOT a surgeon!)

migraine responds to gentle exercise, accupuncture (esp fire needles), meditation and botox

unfortunately none of them seem to help CH but reducing the migraine effect (if you are a dual sufferer) can help reduce CH

tried them all but unfortunately all I can say (for myself) is "give me the drugs" and oxygen.

in my case the only great improvement is oxygen and I'm getting friendly with the deliverer every week.

malcolm