“Cluster headaches?”
Hello, I'm suffering from cluster headaches and it's really unbearable. It's 3:57 AM and I have to get up at 6 to get to work. I really can't stand it anymore. Is there really no cure?
Male | 21 years old
Complaint duration: years
Medications: Used Veraptamil
Conditions: cluster headache
2 Answers
DoctorDoctor
The most effective “cures” are the preventative medication taken daily. Verapamil is one of the best. It may need to be increased in dosage to be effective. Other daily preventative s are Amitryptiline, and Topamax. Prednisone usually will sop a cluster quickly, but can have more side effects.
For each individual headache, oxygen inhalation will usually stop the headache immediately. It’s not usually practical to use though. Finally, sumatriptan is a medicine used for migraine. You have to take it as soon as the headache starts, and either the nasal spray or the injection, not the oral tablets, which don’t work quickly enough to be helpful.
It’s important to have on hand whatever medication works best for you, so you have it available to start using as soon as the headache s start up again.
For each individual headache, oxygen inhalation will usually stop the headache immediately. It’s not usually practical to use though. Finally, sumatriptan is a medicine used for migraine. You have to take it as soon as the headache starts, and either the nasal spray or the injection, not the oral tablets, which don’t work quickly enough to be helpful.
It’s important to have on hand whatever medication works best for you, so you have it available to start using as soon as the headache s start up again.
Cluster headaches are very serious. There's no surgical that I'm aware of. Medical management is the only way. Perhaps a consultation at neurology department at a major medical clinic, i.e., MAYO Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, would be best. These centers have sections in their neurology departments dedicated to treating headaches.
