Other Cluster Headache Treatment Options

Two other treatment options may be recommended for those who do not respond to medicines: histamine desensitization or surgery.

 

Intravenous histamine has been found to be an effective treatment for people who no longer respond to cluster headache medicine. Research has shown that after about 10 days of treatment with histamine, people will begin to respond to medications again. This treatment is not recommended for people who have other medication options. However, it should be considered as an alternative to surgery.

 

About 10 percent of people with cluster headaches do not respond to medicines or cannot take them because of other medical conditions. In these cases, surgery may be recommended. Surgery typically involves cutting certain facial nerves using one of several methods. These procedures have had limited success for cluster headache treatment. Also, some cluster patients have had facial nerves cut, only to have them regrow years later. As with any procedure, it is important to understand possible complications that can occur.