I have been diagnosed with cluster headaches,I'm looking for some advice as to how to deal with them
I have suffered from cluster headaches since me teen years. They normally occur around this time of the year, October, and last for 2 to 3 weeks. I now live in Germany and am impressed at the efficiency of the German health service. I have been prescribed with Allegro (Frovatriptan) and AscoTop Nasal Spray (Zolmitriptan), and am currently trying to get Oxgen from my health insurance. The triptanswork relatively quickly, usually within 30 - 45 mins from the start of an attack, however with this time I am usually in pretty severe pain! However, as i suffer from 3 to 4 headaches per day, I find that I am taking more than the recommended dosage, however this is preferable to the pain! I find that rubbing my temples, squeezing pressure point at top of nose, and generally rubbing and massaging the left side of head helps. I sometimes feel nauseus and am often irritable. Can anyone offer any advise or suggestions, or anything. Thanks.
Laurence,
Several of the cluster sufferers I know get good relief from oxygen. I hope you're able to get it approved soon.
Some people use the injectable sumatriptan (Imitrex/Imigran) for cluster headaches because they're able to use it more times in one day than the other triptans. The maximum dosage is 12mg in a 24-hour period. Rather than use the autoinjector, they get the 6mg individual dose vials and use only 2mg per dose. Also, since the sumatriptan is a subcutaneous injection, it works more quickly than other triptans.
Still, there is a risk of medication overuse with any of the triptans if they're used more than two or three days a week. Take a look at Medication Overuse Headache - When the Remedy Backfires for more information on this.
Have you tried any preventive medications?
Good luck,
Teri
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