I'm 51 years old, female, and have had headaches since I was a child. They seem to have gotten progressively worse throughout my life. I had an MRI about 15 years ago~ normal. The headaches were initially diagnosed as migraines and successfully treated with triptans, particularly Imitrex, but as time has gone on, a) I've had a heart attack, making triptan use riskier than for normal people; b) when I try a triptan out of desperation, I get a 24-hour rebound headache every single time.

My current internist believes they are cluster headaches and has prescribed Medrol dose paks and oxygen. Neither of these is helping much. My biggest problem is that with about 30% of these headaches I experience such severe nausea and vomiting that within just a few hours I become desperately ill-can't eat, can't drink, lose about five pounds of body weight in liquids, etc. and I will tend to be ill for days-it takes me awhile to recover from this! I use injectable Phenergan for the nausea (which tends to make me a little sleepy, doesn't relieve the nausea much) I had a headache a week ago Wednesday, now I started one yesterday and still have it today-if I have to suffer through these once a week-what is the point of living? I can't accomplish anything, I can't go anywhere, enjoy anything-the pain is one sided, usually, about 85% right sided headaches, periorbital radiating to back of head. If I don't get actual nausea I at least lose my appetite so nutrition is becoming an issue. Does anybody have any ideas? I do have some medical knowledge so I think I've thought of the not-so obvious-am I missing something stupid? Can anyone help with ideas?
BTW I take nothing for the pain, as I used to be addicted (started because of this very problem)
Thanks in advance,
DewB