Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Oxygen therapy question...
        
(Message started by: Conrad on May 12^th, 2005, 4:41am)

Title: Oxygen therapy question...
Post by Conrad on May 12^th, 2005, 4:41am

[b][b]How does oxygen therapy work for everyone? For me, it works 9 times out of 10 quick... but an hour later it is right back. Is it the same headache only being pushed back in a corner for awhile?? Normally I have to take a Zomig to completely end it but of course you can only have 2 of those in any 24 hour period.

Also, I take verapimil 240mg... should I ask my doc for a higher dose.. been on it awhile and I still get a couple headaches daily in this cycle??? Thank you for your time. [smiley=huh.gif]

Title: Re: Oxygen therapy question...
Post by Bob P on May 12^th, 2005, 9:37am

Common complaint re the O2. If it feels like a bad attack I take a tab of cafergot and then start the O2. The O2 holds the attack down until the cafergot kicks in and keeps it from coming back. When the cycle winds down and the attacks are less severe, the O2 works by itself.

That is a little low for verapamil. I'm currently at 360mg/day. Feel good for 5-6 hours after taking a 120mg tab but then my head fuzzies up until the next 120mg tab (I take one every 8 hours). I'm thinking of upping it to 480mg/day to see if it wipes em out completely. Dr. Robinson, at the Vancouver OUCH convention, said he had patients up as high as 1080mg/day.

Here's what Prof. Goadsby says about verap:

Quote:

verapamil

Verapamil is the preventative drug of choice in both episodic and chronic CH. Clinical experience has demonstrated that higher doses than those used in cardiological indications are needed, so outpatient assessment and follow-up is appropriate. The dose is increased until the cluster attacks are suppressed, side-effects intervene or the maximum dose of 960mg daily is achieved.