Author |
Topic: does treating cause them to retaliate with severit (Read 427 times) |
|
Stewart
New Board Newbie
it hurts, here!!
Gender: 
Posts: 45
|
 |
does treating cause them to retaliate with severit
« on: Oct 5th, 2006, 8:32pm » |
 Quote  Modify
|
It seems when I treat mine, with Imitrex nasal or O2 then the next one is twice as fearce..and they tend to run longer. as in Months when beofre the diagnosis, I didnt treat them and I dont recall them lasting 3 months like the last couple of years I've had them.
acutally I went almost 3 years this time pain free.
|
| « Last Edit: Oct 5th, 2006, 8:34pm by Stewart » |
 IP Logged |
|
|
|
unsolved1
Guest
|
|
Re: does treating cause them to retaliate with sev
« Reply #1 on: Oct 5th, 2006, 8:40pm » |
Quote Modify
 Remove
|
I know that some things I've tried using to stop the headaches actually made them worse. Imitrex was not one of them.
Hopefully you'll find something effective soon.
Goodluck
UNsolved
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
George_J
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
White-Breasted Nuthatch
Gender:
Posts: 4222
|
|
Re: does treating cause them to retaliate with sev
« Reply #2 on: Oct 5th, 2006, 9:47pm » |
Quote Modify
|
I don't normally talk about this, but...
I elected many years ago to cease treating my headaches for just this reason. It was my experience that treating them simply made them worse--more frequent, and more intense. This, of course, was back in the days when clusters were treated with caffergot, periactin, Sansert, and heavy pain medications. I can't speak for Verapamil, Imitrex and some of the more contemporary treatments, because I've never tried them. But I've seen little in the experience of many, many others here that would cause me to change my mind, with the exception of melatonin, magnesium supplements, calcium supplements, taurine-containing energy drinks, and oxygen.
Let me stress that this is a personal decision, and not one that I advocate for anyone else. It means taking them as they come, knowing that a severe attack will simply last as long as it lasts, with no recourse.
I know that medicating is not a choice for many--their attacks are simply too severe and too incapacitating to leave any other option. Chronics, especially.
But I'm episodic, and my attacks are not incapacitating, except for short periods during the year.
All I can say is that my cycles have decreased steadily in frequency over the years, and although the cycles have not shortened in duration, they are predictable and--bearable. I feel that my approach is working for me.
To medicate or not is a deeply personal decision--only you can weigh the risks and benefits and make a decision that best fits you.
Best wishes for pain-free days ahead,
George
|
|
IP Logged |
Ah! The foreigners put on such airs
Wearing the tangerine suits
And their harlequin eyes.
The pain they inspire
Draws in harmonica melodies
And the feathers of birds
Which flame up at their touch.
It all comes to light in the sheer
Debonair.
(Ellen)
|
|
|
Jobette
New Board Veteran
This too shall pass! If you don't passout first!
Gender: 
Posts: 140
|
|
Re: does treating cause them to retaliate with sev
« Reply #3 on: Oct 6th, 2006, 1:15pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Topamax did this to me. So yes some meds can change the beast, but as we say here all people are different. 
|
|
IP Logged |
Who gave cupid those flaming arrows, and why is he shooting them into my right eye?
Where is his love?
|
|
|
Guiseppi
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
Gender:
Posts: 2703
|
|
Re: does treating cause them to retaliate with sev
« Reply #4 on: Oct 6th, 2006, 1:56pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Prednisone, when used by itself, has that affect on me. It will completely stop the headaches within 24 hours of going on it, with 100 % relief. When I taper off, with no other med in my system, they come back at a KIP 200......okay maybe not quite that high but they make damn sure I know they're back.
I haven't found that to be true with my lithium, oxygen or my cafergot, and I'm still too new to the imitrex to have anything to compare. As George so perfectly put it, it's all a personal decision, the demon himself versus the demons in the meds!!!
Guiseppi
|
|
IP Logged |
Why are all sensors, seeking intelligent life, pointed AWAY from earth?
|
|
|
Chonas
New Board Junior
Can I buy you a drink?
Gender:
Posts: 95
|
|
Re: does treating cause them to retaliate with sev
« Reply #5 on: Oct 6th, 2006, 3:16pm » |
Quote Modify
|
on Oct 5th, 2006, 9:47pm, georgej wrote:| It was my experience that treating them simply made them worse--more frequent, and more intense. |
|
It does happen exactly the same to me.
I take meds (Zolmitriptan) in order to get some sleep during one week or so, only when I get one of those extremely bad cycles, and after the 3rd. full of pain month, this helps me to recover without rebounds and keep swallowing more pain till the end of the cycle.
|
|
IP Logged |
Here we go again...
|
|
|
Margi
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
Nuthin like a good neck rub!
Gender:
Posts: 3757
|
|
Re: does treating cause them to retaliate with sev
« Reply #6 on: Oct 6th, 2006, 3:18pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Imitrex DEFINITELY causes more attacks for my hubby and verapamil and lithium gave him his longest cycles ever.
|
|
IP Logged |
http://askusaboutourgrandkids.photosite.com/
And, on the Eighth Day...God created Beer (to stop the Canadians from taking over the world)
source unknown
IMHO (which in my universe is correct)
kathy copelin, ch.com 8/8/06
|
|
|
JDH
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
We will get by, We will survive!
Gender:
Posts: 2453
|
|
Re: does treating cause them to retaliate with sev
« Reply #7 on: Oct 6th, 2006, 3:41pm » |
Quote Modify
|
From 1985 till '97 before Imitrex my cycles lasted 4-6 weeks. After I found out about Imitrex in '97 my cycles started lasting 4-6 months.
Personally I think there are better and safer ways to fight this fight than w/triptans.
Jim
|
|
IP Logged |
9-11-01, to remember is to honor.
It's not what you know, it's what you can prove.
ECH established 1985
|
|
|
Stewart
New Board Newbie
it hurts, here!!
Gender:
Posts: 45
|
|
Re: does treating cause them to retaliate with sev
« Reply #8 on: Oct 6th, 2006, 11:15pm » |
Quote Modify
|
thanks for the feedback..the IMITREX nasal is usually about 85 %effective in aborting my nocturnal headaches, but personally I think they extend my overall duration..It's like they have to run a strength course before leaving me for my season (years etc)
O2 is effective only for the time I'm wearing the mask, but as soon as I remove mask it returns to finish it's run for the night.
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
Guiseppi
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
Gender:
Posts: 2703
|
|
Re: does treating cause them to retaliate with sev
« Reply #9 on: Oct 8th, 2006, 5:29pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Stewart, I had the same problem with oxygen, 10 minutes after shutting down the 02 they were back again. I find if I take one cafergot when I start the oxygen, the headache will stay away 8-12 hours. I'm working on a theory about imitrex extending my cycle too but don't have enough info yet.
Guiseppi
|
|
IP Logged |
Why are all sensors, seeking intelligent life, pointed AWAY from earth?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Home
Help
Search
Members
Member Map
Login
Register
Reply
Notify of replies
Send Topic
Print
test rss