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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Preference?
        
(Message started by: dafreeman on Oct 13^th, 2004, 1:21pm)

Title: Preference?
Post by dafreeman on Oct 13^th, 2004, 1:21pm

Hello all,
Unfortunately my cycle is definitely underway. I followed last week's attack with one on Monday night and one just this morning. I went to the Dr. and he gave me percocet (I think because I had told him I had previous success with it during my last cycle years ago). Well, I tried the percocet this morning and either it didn't work very well or it took too long to 'kick in'. Basically, I went through the warm up and peak without any relief. If it did help at all, it was may have eased period when the HA was already fading out. Thus, I couldn't really tell if the percocet had actually had an affect. I plan to call his office and ask if I could try the imitrex. Sounds like this comes in the form of as a pill, inhaler, or a shot. Is there a preference as to which I should try? My HA's hit the peak within about 20-25 minutes, I would think the pills wouldn't act fast enough to counteract them.

Title: Re: Preference?
Post by E-Double on Oct 13^th, 2004, 1:31pm

SHOTS!!!!!! 7minutes to pain drain ;)
& get a preventative (don't think you mentioned it) to help decrease the frequency.

Title: Re: Preference?
Post by karma on Oct 13^th, 2004, 1:34pm

sorry to hear your back in again.
Percocet is a pain killer isn't it? Probably no doing anything for the ha at all.
Haven't use the trex but I'v read shots are fastest and the delivery can be adjusted to give 1/3 or 1/2 shots which works for allot.
some people have success with the spray.
Pills are probably to slow.
While your there ask about the oxygen. People have allot of success with it. Its cheap and it has no side affects.
What ever you end up with try and hit it early.
Good luck

Title: Re: Preference?
Post by ArCane on Oct 13^th, 2004, 3:53pm

From my personal experience dont go for the pills. They dont work near fast enough. If you can, get the shots. The nose spray is good too, from what I hear.

Title: Re: Preference?
Post by Bethany1 on Oct 13^th, 2004, 6:25pm

Shots---pills take waaay too long and the spray just as long. :)

Title: Re: Preference?
Post by Guido on Oct 13^th, 2004, 7:50pm

What is working for me most of the time if I can catch it soon enough is Imitrex nasal followed with 15 lpm of o2.
Most that us Imitrex are having better results on the injection.
O2 seems to be predominate as well.
There is plenty of suggestions and support here. Out of all this is seems one must find what combo of stuff works for them.
Sad and glad your here,
Guido

Title: Re: Preference?
Post by Mr. Happy on Oct 13^th, 2004, 8:02pm

If you're taking Percocet for your CH, scripted by your doc, then you both have some homework to do...and it's all right here at your fingertips.

Keep studying,
RJ

Title: Re: Preference?
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Oct 13^th, 2004, 8:04pm

By all means, go for the Imitrex statdose (injects) ... and stay away from the Percocet.

For many here, narcotics cause rebound HA's, in addition to the fact that they have no effect on the pain of clusters.

Your other alternative would be O2.

My question - is your doc a neurologist? I can't imagine a knowledgeable cluster doc prescribing Percocet. Not trying to be a smartass, but am a little concerned for you. You might be interested in this link. Has all the latest in medical treatment for clusters.

http://www.future-drugs.com/admin/articlefile/ERN020304.PDF

Best Wishes,

Kris

Title: Re: Preference?
Post by thebbz on Oct 13^th, 2004, 10:01pm

For myself, Tried nasal first ,didn't work..then went to the pills,didn't work...INJ relief in 3 to 5 min ...02 works during the pred taper... 8)
BB

Title: Re: Preference?
Post by TxBasslady on Oct 14^th, 2004, 1:54am

on 10/13/04 at 20:02:07, Mr. Happy wrote:

If you're taking Percocet for your CH, scripted by your doc, then you both have some homework to do...

Narcotic pain meds can and will cause rebound headaches. They do very little for CH. Any relief you get is temporary. The CH will come back with a vengeance!

I agree w/Randy.....do the homework....and find a real doc with knowledge of CH.

Good luck....

Jean

Title: Re: Preference?
Post by dafreeman on Oct 15^th, 2004, 7:24am

Thanks for all the replies everyone. :)
I requested (and recieved) imitrex nasal. I also want to explore the O2 route, but my Dr. was out this week and I figured I could try this in the mean time and see how it goes. The good news is that I haven't had an attack to try it out yet. I am always a little leery about taking anything the first time (especially with the prospect of a 'shortness of breath' side effect), but I'm sure that'll go away when the pain is about to hit (and you'll do anything to stop it). Yesterday, I had little 'twinges' on and off all day. I even thought an attack was emminent a few times, but nothing developed. This must be the "shadows" I've read about? I have no problems with these as long as they stay in their place! ;)

Title: Re: Preference?
Post by mustang on Oct 15^th, 2004, 7:54am

I use 5mg Zomig the kind that dissolve under the tongue. It takes about 5-8 minutes and ha free.
Also take verapamil (640mg ) aday as a preventative.
This works for me.

:) Mustang :)