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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> TAPERING QUESTION...
        
(Message started by: Maria_Scala on Jun 25^th, 2004, 8:44am)

Title: TAPERING QUESTION...
Post by Maria_Scala on Jun 25^th, 2004, 8:44am

Hi Guys:
I'm new to the site so I'm trying to familiarize myself with some of the wording. What exactly is "tapering"??? Is it like weaning off??? Feel silly asking. I'm on Depakota ER now, I want to get off of it, but my doctor won't give me Verapamil or any drug that can tend to rise your blood pressure. Any suggestions. And I suppose I would have to "taper" off Depakote ER right? I've taken it for 2 weeks and have had only a headache a week, so obviously it's working. I'm also on imitrex and OX for aborting them, but I know the side effects of Depakote ER are not the greatest and I also notice that most of you are not on it...some advice would help. Hope everyone is PF today (I got that one finally - pain free!) ;;D

Title: Re: TAPERING QUESTION...
Post by thomas on Jun 25^th, 2004, 9:33am

yes, you are right tapering is like weaning. ramping is just the opposite.

Title: Re: TAPERING QUESTION...
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Jun 25^th, 2004, 9:42am

Thomas is right on - tapering means gradually lowering the dose. The idea is control the clusters with the least amount of meds.

I'm confused about your docs reluctance on prescribing Verap, though. I was kept on it after my last cycle because I'm hypertensive and it helps lower B/P.

I'm not familiar with Depakote, but if it works for you stick with it!

Kris

Title: Re: TAPERING QUESTION...
Post by Kevin_M on Jun 25^th, 2004, 9:53am

on 06/25/04 at 08:44:14, Maria_Scala wrote:

Hi Guys:
I'm new to the site so I'm trying to familiarize myself with some of the wording. What exactly is "tapering"??? Is it like weaning off???

Yeah, like taking a slightly smaller dosage, see how it affects you, kind of like a feedback loop, then decrease again if a couple days go by and the attacks don't return more frequently. A slow paced, decreasing of the dosage in regular steps.

Quote:

my doctor won't give me Verapamil or any drug that can tend to rise your blood pressure.

Verapamil will lower blood pressure, doctors know that.

Kevin M

Title: Re: TAPERING QUESTION...
Post by don on Jun 25^th, 2004, 10:01am

Tapering= Gradual lowering of dosage.

Title: Re: TAPERING QUESTION...
Post by Maria_Scala on Jun 25^th, 2004, 11:06am

Thanks guys. I thought so, but thanks for clarifying. I could have misunderstood him and took what he said to mean the opposite. I don't have adrenal glands due to a tumor that made my blood pressure go up. When he saw that on my records, I thought he said that's why he couldn't prescribe it. Either way, I'm looking for another Neuro. Thanks again! ;)