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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Back to the neuro
        
(Message started by: duck_soup on Feb 16^th, 2004, 11:08pm)

Title: Back to the neuro
Post by duck_soup on Feb 16^th, 2004, 11:08pm

I'm running full speed toward the cliff. It's always like this for me. Things build to a fever pitch, then finally tail off. Only problem is I'm getting about 4-5 ch per day, O2 don't work, and I'm going through imitrex like water. I've forced myself to use half shots, but it takes about 30-60 min for the ha to go away, and the time between them is short. Can't work, can't play, pretty much ain't worth a shit.

I got a great neuro. Dr. Soso from the Headache Center at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The wait to see him is about 3 months, but he gets his cluster people in next day. In the past, when I've reached this point in the cycle, I would go on a last pred taper and the thing would go away. That's what I'm going to ask him for, but the last one I did about 10 days ago didn't do squat. Should I ask him to up the dose and try to nuke it? I got to break this imitrex cycle before I scream and run out of $$. Luckily, the neuro wrote a letter to the insurance co and the shots only cost $15 each instead of $45. That and the nurses all feel sorry for me and give me bunches of samples.

Anyway, I just wondered if my plan (or lack thereof) is a good one. Based on what worked before, I figure I should try the pred one more time, then officially panic.

Thanks for all your help folks.

Rick

Title: Re: Back to the neuro
Post by thomas on Feb 16^th, 2004, 11:09pm

Ask for a dhe treatment, (iv) I think that's the point you're at righ now, my friend.............. stay strong :)

Title: Re: Back to the neuro
Post by duck_soup on Feb 16^th, 2004, 11:22pm

thomas,

I've read about dhe of course, but in the 25 years I've had these things I've never had it. I know it pre-dates sumatriptan. What exactly does it do? Will it shock me out of this spiral that I'm in? Is it something that he does in his office? Sorry for all the questions, but in reading all the stuff on this site, I was thinking that was what I should do, too, but I really don't know the details.

thanks

Title: Re: Back to the neuro
Post by Bob_Johnson on Feb 17^th, 2004, 9:10am

The medical literature I've seen, plus reports of folks here, suggest that DHE has "so-so" track record. Likely worth trying if other approaches have failed but a major objection is cost of a lengthy procedure.

Ask about another Pred cycle. Starting dose varies from 10mg to 100mg and it may be necessary to run another cycle or two, increasing the dose each time, to find that which works for you.

Glad that you have found a good doc to work with. That in itself is a source of relief!

Title: Re: Back to the neuro
Post by cathy on Feb 17^th, 2004, 4:03pm

Duck...hope things are okay, let us know how your doing...hang in there...

Vibes from across the pond....

Cathy :)

Title: Re: Back to the neuro
Post by duck_soup on Feb 18^th, 2004, 12:38pm

on 02/17/04 at 09:10:53, Bob_Johnson wrote:

Ask about another Pred cycle. Starting dose varies from 10mg to 100mg and it may be necessary to run another cycle or two, increasing the dose each time, to find that which works for you.

Bob,

Just got back and he gave me a new script for prednisone, 20 mg. Fingers are crossed. Thanks for the info. He also gave me 5 samples of imitrex with 2 shots per. What a guy! Looks like I'll have to get him a bottle of good scotch. Too bad I can't drink any with him til these damn things are over.