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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Posts >> Help with DHE
        
(Message started by: catlind on Jun 24^th, 2004, 11:19pm)

Title: Help with DHE
Post by catlind on Jun 24^th, 2004, 11:19pm

Hi all,

I need some answers to questions regarding DHE treatment. I have been taken off all triptans, and have been through 45 different medications in the quest to find a preventative and abortive that is suitable without side effects and it seems we aren't going anywhere.

Even though I have coronary artery spasms I think that an inpatient course of DHE would be safe and would hopefully break the cycle. I've never tried it and I want to before the doc resorts back to narcotics.

What I need to know is what dosage, for how many days in hospital and at what interval should it be given.

I need to have this info for the doc tomorrow so I can get him to agree and help me break this cycle. I figure it's much safer to do this in hospital than for me to go ahead and use the imitrex I have here (50+ vials) without medical supervision of my heart condition.

Any and all input is needed!

Thanks
Cat

Title: Re: Help with DHE
Post by Gator on Jun 24^th, 2004, 11:32pm

Check with Un_Solved. He just got back from a DHE induced break.

Gator

Title: Re: Help with DHE
Post by Kevin_M on Jun 24^th, 2004, 11:48pm

Just want to say Cat, I hope the DHE helps you. I am sure you will get all the info this board can offer. The prevent search is difficult news. Hang in Cat. Miss you on board with us. Hugs.

Kevin M

Title: Re: Help with DHE
Post by UN_SOLVED on Jun 25^th, 2004, 12:01am

on 06/24/04 at 23:19:07, catlind wrote:

Even though I have coronary artery spasms I think that an inpatient course of DHE would be safe and would hopefully break the cycle.

DHE IV infusions will mess with your blood pressure. It has to be monitored before each infusion. Anything above 160 (top#) or 90(bottom#) ... you are denied DHE. Any heart related problems would probably disqualify you from even trying this as an option.
DHE can be given IM @ 1mg injections for the most of 5 - 6 per week (no more than 2 mg per day)
DHE IV infusions are usually given @ 0.5mg every 6 hours for three days ... a total of 6 mg. Anyone trying this should probably ask for an anti-nasuea med before infusion of DHE. (Phenegran works for me)
Doctors and patients should watch for signs of too much DHE such as moderate - severe leg, ankle, or knee pain. Whitening of the fingers or toes or general discoloration of the skin.
It is a powerful med that I use often. It works for me ... stopping the worst HA's in thier tracks. I may have some shadows ... but nothing like the usual HA's.
I'm glad it's available as I need the occasional break but it will not break my 'cycle'. I've heard from others and doctors that said DHE can break a cycle. Wish it would break mine ... it's been a Long time

http://home.insightbb.com/~unsolved/crash.gif

PS. Drip methods can also been done but must stay within the same dosages. Same side effects can occur but it may help with the nasuea getting the med a little slower in the drip form. I've never had it that way.
Goodluck ...
Unsolved

Title: Re: Help with DHE
Post by Pinkfloyd on Jun 25^th, 2004, 12:01am

Cat,
I would suggest the DHE drip rather than the shots. I think different places use different methods. Some use several shots over a period of several days. Others have you on a constant drip.

I used to give myself the shots....probably thousands of them...and they used to make my eye balls pucker. I can only imagine what else was puckering at the same time. They did work well for me though as an abortive.
As far as the dose in the drip method, I'm sorry but I couldn't even guess. Maybe Un_solved does know or could get the info for you from his doc.
The other Doc I know that does the DHE treatment is Dr. Ninan Matthew in Houston. Maybe your doc could contact him?

The DHE method doesn't have a good record as far as staying power and breaking cycles for long but it may be worth a try for you and is probably safer than you opening up the lock on your Imitrex vault.

Sorry to not be much help...hope you find something SOON

BobW

Title: Re: Help with DHE
Post by Woobie on Jun 25^th, 2004, 3:13am

[smiley=heart.gif] U CAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Title: Re: Help with DHE
Post by don on Jun 25^th, 2004, 4:55am

I to recommend a DHE drip with an anti nausea, usually phenegran, and throw in some benedryl for rest. My stay was only for 2 days. They will place a heart monitor on you for the duration.

It was after this treatment I had a 3 year remission.

If the current Prednisone taper with verapamil doesn't end this cycle I will go in again for the DHE drip. I am not sure of the dosages.

Title: Re: Help with DHE
Post by pubgirl on Jun 25^th, 2004, 5:53am

Cat

Can only add reports from friends who have had it, because I thank the Lord I haven't had to try yet.
Bob's view is confirmed by them (all chronics so no cycle to 'break') The inpatient drip DHE gave them a week pain free and a full week's sleep to repair and regenerate, but the attacks returned after a couple of days off the DHE.

Sorry this isn't cheerful news, but they all said they would do it again because the PF time was so wonderful.

Wendy

Title: Re: Help with DHE
Post by don on Jun 25^th, 2004, 5:58am

The DHE is like all the other meds.works for some, not for others. I would notsay definitively the treatment provided the remission but it was the only break I have ever recieved in 26 years. Pretty big coincidence if it was one.

Title: Re: Help with DHE
Post by Lizzie2 on Jun 25^th, 2004, 7:57am

Hey Cat,

I have to go inpatient for DHE all the time. It is more effective for my clusters than my NDPH...doesn't seem to do much for that at all. My docs always start off on 0.5mg of DHE, and then if that isn't really doing the trick they up it to 1mg of DHE every 8 hours. I usually get premedicated with reglan to start with, and then they switch to droperidol (have to watch this as it can cause prolonged QT on the EKG). After that they often try thorazine, but for me...Zofran works the best. I get really nauseated with DHE, and I can't tolerate IV phenergan. I've been on DHE upwards of a week...maybe even 10 days last stay, but I don't remember. In the past, the doc has written orders to hold it if my heart rate is over 90. I am often in tachycardia (sinus), so that's why I have to watch it.

Most docs are very very cautious of giving it to cardiac patients. I also have it to give myself at home in IM injection form. For that, I use the 1ml vials and a 22guage 1 inch syringe. I still have to get an antinausea to take with it since it makes me so nauseated, but I haven't yet.

Best of luck with it!!! My doc still claims it can work wonders for CH!!

Hugz,
Lizzie :)

Title: Re: Help with DHE
Post by UN_SOLVED on Jun 25^th, 2004, 2:52pm

on 06/25/04 at 07:57:19, Lizzie2 wrote:

they switch to droperidol (have to watch this as it can cause prolonged QT on the EKG)

This happens to me too. A steady increase in the QT intervals. Gotta watch this med !
Good info Lizzie

Unsolved