Resources
Emergency wallet card
A credit-card sized card to carry in your wallet or keep on your phone. When you are in the middle of an attack and cannot speak clearly, this card tells emergency department staff exactly what you have and what you need.
Front of card
Medical alert
I have cluster headache
I need:
- 1 100% O2 at 12–15 L/min via non-rebreather mask
- 2 Sumatriptan 6mg SC injection, effective for some people
Standard pain relief (paracetamol, morphine, ibuprofen) will not help.
Call 111 in an emergency.
Back of card
About cluster headache
Cluster headache is a primary headache disorder. Pain intensity is typically 10/10. Attacks last 15 min to 3 hours and are not relieved by standard analgesics.
Do NOT give:
Paracetamol / ibuprofen / morphine or other opioids / oral triptans
clusterheadache.org.nz
How to use this card
Print instructions
- Download the PDF and print on standard A4 paper (or card if available)
- Cut along the dashed lines - the card is designed to credit-card size (85mm x 54mm)
- Laminate if possible - it will last much longer
- Keep one in your wallet, one on your bag and one in your car
Save to your phone
Screenshot this page and save the card image as your lock screen or save it to your Photos. When you cannot speak during an attack, you can show the screen to whoever is with you or to emergency department staff.
Share with your GP
Give a copy to your GP, any regular specialist and the people in your life who might be with you during an attack. When you cannot communicate the urgency yourself, a card speaks for you.
At the emergency department
Emergency departments may not have staff familiar with cluster headache treatment. The card tells them what you have and what you need in the clearest possible terms. Show it at triage. You should not have to explain cluster headache from scratch while you are in peak pain.
The In pain right now page is designed to be read during or just before an attack. Bookmark it on your phone. It gives step-by-step instructions for oxygen use, sumatriptan use and exactly what to say at the emergency department.