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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Rec. Medications?
        
(Message started by: Mike_Easton on May 17^th, 2004, 10:08am)

Title: Rec. Medications?
Post by Mike_Easton on May 17^th, 2004, 10:08am

Hi again. I was wondering how else I could approach my clusters.

I am 99% sure I have clusters, and the only things that would take me not to believe this fact are that: I also have a migraine, I don't get a droopy eyelid, and nothing seems to really help it.

I so far have tried many drugs, but here are the ones that are really supposed to help.

Imitrex- Not too good. Aborted the headache after 20 minutes but came back more severe next time, which was an hour and 1 half later. Doctor said I couldnt take so much. Status- Not using

Prendisone- I am on the limit of the adult amount, and since I am not what you would call a large 14, the side effects are getting to me. I get extremely hyper after I take them, and I don't know if I get nauseous (and I vomit) and/or dizzy because of these meds or the verapamil.

Verapamil- Same thing as the prendisone minus the hyper.

None of the above two have seemed to have done anything.

Zomig- I can only use two a day and when I use it, it has the same effect as the imitrex. But what was most surprising with it, was that a 6 pack costs 190 dollars!

Along with Melatonin, Benadryl and this stuff I take under my tongue that is all I am taking.

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Is there any other stuff that I can reccommend to my doctor? (He works at the Headache Center of Connecticut.)

Title: Re: Rec. Medications?
Post by floridian on May 17^th, 2004, 10:45am

Quote:

I am 99% sure I have clusters, and the only things that would take me not to believe this fact are that: I also have a migraine, I don't get a droopy eyelid, and nothing seems to really help it.

You need to get diagnosed - it sounds like you are working on that with a specialist. Have they ruled out CPH? That is very responsive to indomethacin and resembles clusters, although it usually has drooping. Drooping itself is not 100% required to have clusters, but it is usual. What about secretion from the eye and sinus?

Title: Re: Rec. Medications?
Post by Mike_Easton on May 17^th, 2004, 3:43pm

I have been diagnosed, and I dont have excrutiating jabs. It is excrutiatingly relentless.

Im just looking for more medication.

Title: Re: Rec. Medications?
Post by FZfan on May 17^th, 2004, 6:05pm

Have you tried Oxygen? High flow rate, non-rebreather mask. Read the link about it on the menu to the left. I'd say if you breath o2 for 10-20 minutes and the h/a aborts, there's a pretty good chance you have clusters, but get a confirmed diagnosis from a doc. If it is clusters (and I hope it isn't), then you will definitely want the o2.

Although not technically a medication, o2 therapy works for a majority of CH sufferers, and, unlike medication, has no side effects. I urge you to read about it and try it.

Title: Re: Rec. Medications?
Post by Mike_Easton on May 18^th, 2004, 10:16am

I forgot oxygen, tried it. Worked the first couple of times, then it didn't.

Title: Re: Rec. Medications?
Post by miapet on May 18^th, 2004, 1:16pm

D gets severe rebound h/as when using over the counter meds, such as benedryl, so I would suggest stopping that one.

*positive light and energy*
miapet

Title: Re: Rec. Medications?
Post by Harrold on May 19^th, 2004, 12:50am

I took 960mg/day of Verapamil to abort my last attack and I take 480mg/day as a preventive. I had my first cluster attacks in 1956. I didn't discover Verapamil till after I found this site in 1997. I read about it on the message board and it's changed my life. I've had nothing worse than shadows in the seven years since I began using it.

Title: Re: Rec. Medications?
Post by UN_SOLVED on May 21^st, 2004, 7:39pm

on 05/17/04 at 10:08:58, Mike_Easton wrote:

Prendisone- I am on the limit of the adult amount

WTF is that ???

Advice : (1) get properly diagnosed
(2) There are many CH meds. If you haven't found one that works, keep looking. If your doc doesn't have a 'list' to try, find another doc who is more knowledgeable about CH.

Unsolved