Posts Tagged ‘cluster headache’
December 28, 2011 | 
Author Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd President of the United States has often been included in lists of famous migraineurs. Diamond S.; and Franklin M.A. of Diamond Headache Clinic have suggested in their abstract The Jeffersonian Headache that Jefferson actually was afflicted with cluster headaches.
Jefferson kept detailed journals, often describing his daily experiences. In these journals, and personal correspondence, he left a wealth of information reporting the timing and duration of the headaches.
While historically Jefferson was reported to have migraine headaches, his own descriptions point to the diagnosis of cluster headache. HEADACHE The Journal of Head and Face Pain Vol. 48
The main abortives for clusters remain:
- triptans (Imitrex, Maxalt, etc.),
- oxygen
- analgesics
- lidocaine nasal spray
- ergots.
Triptans do work the best, particularly Imitrex injections (many cluster sufferers get by with 2 or 3mg, which is half of a vial). Oxygen, 100% at 7 to 10l/min, works for about 60% of pts. Analgesics can take the edge off, but do not stop the headache. Lidocaine is very mildly, if at all, effective, but may be helpful while awaiting something else to work. Ergots are not used much anymore, but can be very helpful, albeit with more side effects.
Posted in Uncategorized | 
Tags: cluster, cluster headache, ergots, Headache, Imitrex, lidocaine, oxygen, triptans | 
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The cost of Botox, unfortunately, just went up.. from about $390 per 100unit vial to approx $417 a vial.
The cost of Botox does limit it’s use; the average patient now recieves 50 to 100 units per treatment. In the earlier days, we used lower doses. I do think Botox has a role to play in migraine, CDH, and clusters, but the role is still being worked out.
Posted in headachedrugs | Tags: botox, cdh, chronic daily headache, cluster headache, Headache, migraine | No Comments »
