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Title: Back after two good years... Post by Dave_W on Apr 26th, 2004, 6:29pm Ick. Doing the standard therapies: Verapamil 960 mg / day, no help Added Lithium 1800 mg / day, no help Added Depakote 1000 mg / day, no help Normally I'd have added Sansert in there but I understand it's gone... Oxygen to abort (works 80% of the time) Imitrex nasal for those stubborn ones (always works, less than 10 minutes). Anything new out there? I can't do the mushroom thing. Whether or not -- glad ya'll are here.... Old Dave |
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Title: Re: Back after two good years... Post by Rock_Lobster on Apr 26th, 2004, 10:43pm Topamax worked for me this time. 125mg/day Topamax... 50mg morning/75mg evening 720mg/day Verapamil Good luck, Rock |
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Title: Re: Back after two good years... Post by HypnoticFreddy on Apr 26th, 2004, 11:19pm Old Dave, Topamax worked for me like magic. I was one month in on 1-2 per day cycle. Especially the awaken you 1 hr after falling asleep kind. Grrrrr!!!! The worst kinds. Started at 50 mg, and added 25 mg every 3 days (divided PM and AM). I tapered up until 175 mg and then tapered down. I am now at 50 mg. One week after I started Topamax, I have NOT had one single CH. Tomorrow it will be a full 4 weeks. I am certainly lucky to have found a medicine that worked. I see the Neuro tomorrow for a check-up. See if I can get off it. Be warned. There are a lot of side-effects that people can't tolerate from Topamax, also known as Dopeymax. Also, you said you used Imitrex nasal sprays. My experience and lot of cluster heads is that Imitrex injections are much more effective. I would try this is an abortive vs. the nasal spray. You'd be surprised at how quickly it can abort an attack. Of course, there is still good old oxygen. Which is the best choice, especially if you are getting hit more than your insurance can cover Imitrex. -Scott |
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Title: Re: Back after two good years... Post by Dave_W on Apr 27th, 2004, 9:04am Thanks Guys! I'll give Topamax a shot. As for the Imitrex injections, I've used them too -- it's just that the nasal sprays are equally effective for me (well, 8 minutes to relief vs. 5 minutes with a shot) and they cost less. I know some folks don't absorb readily through the nasal route though. I'm a lucky one... I'll let you know how I do! Pain Free Days, Friends... Old Dave |
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Title: Re: Back after two good years... Post by Superpain on Apr 29th, 2004, 4:51am Damn Dave, that's alot of pills you're taking for no relief... Ever tried prednisone? |
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Title: Re: Back after two good years... Post by jmorgan52 on Apr 29th, 2004, 5:47am Hi Old Dave You might consider my detox diet therapy to try and break the cycle. It has worked for me during my last 2 cycles to break the CH within a week each time. Basically: Drink at least 2 litres of water throughout the day. Nothing else to drink except fresh fruit juices. Eat only fresh fruit, salads and grilled or stirfry fresh vegetables with maybe some spices, olive oil, vinegar for flavour for the first 3 days or so, then add some grilled fish/chicken, but eat very light. No bread, grains, pasta, starch, red meat for at least a week, longer if you can manage it. It is not an easy diet to stick to but it really flushes you out. I found that I had a 3 day "detox headache" each time from about the 3rd day but when it went away the CH attacks had stopped and I felt great again. Use your imigran if need be but I suggest you stop all the other stuff if you can. Maybe the shock to the system of not eating any junk food, coffee, additives etc etc is what makes it work for me. What to expect the first week: Feeling weak and achey at first, a bit like the flu? Shit a lot! Dull to throbbing Headache for 3 days? (bit like a tension HA?) Shadows and maybe the odd CH What to expect the second week: No more HA's Feeling energetic Some weight loss No guarentees but it has worked for some people and helped me a lot. Nothing to lose but a week or so of effort and willpower. Try it. It costs nothing! Cheers John |
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