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Topic: Depakote (Read 259 times) |
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larry_b
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I'm looking for some information on Depakote........I was told by a friend that it sometimes is used for CH, even though it is a seizure medicine. Any info would be greatly appreciated. 
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larry b
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E-Double
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Re: Depakote
« Reply #1 on: Aug 4th, 2005, 4:12pm » |
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Hiya
Depakote did squat for me and it appears that many others have to get to the "dunce" level prior to reaching any level of reprieve from CH
Here is some literature that may help anyway.....
This is a great resource to know like the back of your hand...print it out and give it to your doc
http://www.brightok.net/~mnjday/chtherapy.pdf
It will present the appropriate treatments that you should seek and your doctor should know!!!
If you want an abortive with the least amount of danger/side-effects O2 should not only be requested but demanded from your doctor!!!
http://www.maplefallswebdesign.com/misc/oxygen/oxygen.htm
I have recently been using Zyprexa as an abortive and have found it to work (for me) as fast as Imitrex and without the "hangover"
http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=meds;action= display;num=1120904753
If you do have the "typical" wake you up in the middle of the night horrors then.... Melatonin might be very helpful
Many of us (myself included) have found that taking 6-9mg (some take more) about a 1/2 hour to 45minutes prior to bed have Knocked out the night visits and can finally get sleep.
With the exception of 10-12 times.....I have slept through the night since August '04 (went chronic in March 05).....Still get hit during the day but my overall quality of life is better because I am not as exhausted all the time.
Some people report that it seems to make them worse....The fact is that we are all different and respond differently to everything therefore it may or may not...
The one thing I will tell you as far as my experience was that I had to stick with it...The first night I took melatonin, I was awoken with a doozy only I was too groggy to find my O2 .....It got a lot better for me....I then slept through the night but would get slammed about 1/2 hour after waking up....kinda like knocking the beast off schedule.....then again I was peaking and this cycle has been all over the place with no real pattern.
I stayed with melatonin and have had decent sleep overall.
It may help and it is natural with not too many sideeffects....also ask your doctor b/c if there are any side effects or contraindications...I think they have to do with mild depression.....
Like I said we are all different.
Best wishes, good luck & stay as positive as you can!!!!
Eric
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unsolved1
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I took up to 1750mg a day and it still didn't help me any.
Goodluck
UNsolved
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jcmquix
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Re: Depakote
« Reply #3 on: Aug 4th, 2005, 8:47pm » |
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I just tapered-off from doing 1000mg a day from Depakote ER.
It did not do much to stop or prevent my CH's....
I took the advice from a few people here and I use :
Melatonin 9-12mg (30 minutes before bed, I use 12mg when I can sleep in on the weekends)
Benadryl 50mg (30 minutes before bed)
Nice Hott relaxing shower right after I take them, it took about 3 days to start working to get me through the night.... sometimes I still get my usual hits at 1am, 3am & 4am, but they are less intense....
I use about 1/3 the TREX, than I used to use also.....I do not think the decrease was related to the Depakote ER cause even since I have totally stopped it as of yesterday, I have not noticed any difference in my HA's at night or any difference in the Shadow's during the day.
To add also, there were times when I missed the Melatonin & Benadryl at night and got pounded that night & the next day.... So decide for yourself....
I am going to try Lithium next, but I am trying to wait until my next cycle starts (hopefully not) in December till Febuary. I think this cycis almost over for me.
Basically with the help of this site and the people here I have gotton of alot of different Drugs & Pain Killers.
I am just using :
Melatonin & Benadryl at night
O2 & TREX inj for abortives
Each person is different, as Eric stated above. I suggust that you follw what your DR says... If the Depakote makes you feel uneasy ask th Dr to try something different... One thing I have really learned, is there is no #1 drug for getting rid of CH so we have to try all the other stuff...
Sorry didn't mean to go on to much, just trying to help.
This site & the people here have the BEST & MOST information and support that you will find anywhere in the world....
Pain Free days to YOU !!!
Charlie
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jcmquix
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Re: Depakote
« Reply #4 on: Aug 4th, 2005, 9:42pm » |
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Something else... The lady at wal-mart told me she had alot of people coming in with script's for Depakote ER lately...
I am just wonder if that was like on the list for Drug of the Month... ???
Just a thought from me... 
PFDAN's to ALL !!!
Charlie
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Melissa
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Hello,
I was prescribed Depakote during my last cycle. I was initially put on 500mg per day, but had my neuro reduce the amount (to 250mg) due to my brain feeling like it was frying. Anyway, it DID cut down on the frequency of my HA's from 4 a day to 2 a day, BUT I had to make sure I took it at the exact same time everyday, or else I'd get hit worse. I'd say talk to your neuro on what he/she thinks about a preventative med. that would be the best for you. If they are unknowledgable on ch and don't want to listen, then get a new doc who will.
Take care,
mel
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jcmquix
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Re: Depakote
« Reply #7 on: Aug 6th, 2005, 9:00pm » |
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I just want to add to what Tom said...
I was tapered off Depakote ER 1,000mg a day... I quit it totally on wednesday....
I know basically all the Preventives have alot of other different side effects, but I know that I would not want to go over 1,000mg a day of the Depakote ER, I feel alot better as of today, I am thinking better. The Nero Dr also did not want me to go over the 1,000mg a day.
Now the bad news is I have to try Lithium at 600mg a day, but I have been waiting to start it, my CH is tapering off now. I will save it till next cycle.
PFDAN's to YOU !!!
Charlie
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| « Last Edit: Aug 6th, 2005, 9:01pm by jcmquix » |
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Jeepgun
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Re: Depakote
« Reply #8 on: Aug 8th, 2005, 4:03pm » |
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Depakote totally kicked my ass. I was on it and it kept CH at bay for three days. And then, I ended up getting slammed three times on the fourth night, with absolutely the WORST hits I've ever had, and each one lasted 90 minutes. If this condition ever had me on the verge of blowing my brains out, THAT was it!!
"Depakote is a hell of a drug..."
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giffy76
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Re: Depakote
« Reply #9 on: Aug 9th, 2005, 11:51am » |
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I'm on Depekote 1000mgs a day, it doesn't stop my cycle but it cut the frequency and pain level down to almost bearable. "ALMOST" and it cuts my cycles down from 3-4 months to 1-2 months
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