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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Introduction
        
(Message started by: gMike on May 15^th, 2005, 4:28pm)

Title: Introduction
Post by gMike on May 15^th, 2005, 4:28pm

Hi,

I'm new here. 56 year old cluster sufferer, recently diagnosed. I've been having them fairly steadily since last November. I get anywhere from 2 to 6 a day and generally wake (or get woken) up with one.

Neurologist has me on 480 mg of Verapamil and injectable Imitrex. I'm in the first month of this stuff and, so far haven't seen too much improvement. The Imitrex either doesn't work for me or I don't have the stones to wait for it to work. I ususally take 1,000mg of Tylenol with 800mg of Ibuprophen when the Imitrex doesn't work as quickly as I'd like.

I'm sure I'll be asking lots of stupid questions trrying to understand what's going on in my left eye. :o

Title: Re: Introduction
Post by yikes-another-one on May 15^th, 2005, 4:32pm

Nice to meet a fellow sufferer.

Since Sept. i had onlyhad 12 days with less
than 4 headaches.

I am just greatful they hang around the level 4 orlevel 5 pain level....instead of the insane pain levels of the past.

I too, an recentlyon Verapamil. 120mg...
and currently 3 pills a day.
At first I thought that would be the magic bullet,
thenthe tunderstorm rolled in and I got
5 on wed....

It's quiet online today.
No too many roaming around.

Later in the day, more will be on.

Title: Re: Introduction
Post by bnfreeman on May 15^th, 2005, 7:02pm

Hello there. I have been suffering from CHs for almost 2 years. Sometimes the Imitrex injectables work and sometimes they just don't. I don't know why. I tried Verapimil and it didn't work. I don't know if my doctor actually had me on a high enough dosage to work. Trying new meds now. Wish you well. -BF

Title: Re: Introduction
Post by don on May 15^th, 2005, 7:57pm

Ask your Doc about upping the verapamil and throwing in a prednisone taper.

O2 works a an abortive for many if the imitrex doesn't help.

Title: Re: Introduction
Post by gMike on May 15^th, 2005, 8:33pm

My doc had me do the prednisone taper and it dramatically cut down the number and severity on the headaches while I was on it. Once that wore off they came back. Not as bad but still enough to really screw up whatever I'd like to get done!! I guess I was hoping the Verapamil would do more.

Title: Re: Introduction
Post by sandie99 on May 16^th, 2005, 1:34am

How about asking your doc if you could add more mgs on your verapamil dose? I was on verapamil & prednisone first, didn't work. The just on verapamil 400mg, didn't work. But when the dose went up to 600mg/day, the med started to work. :)

Best wishes,
Sandie

Title: Re: Introduction
Post by Karla on May 16^th, 2005, 3:05pm

I tried up to 960 mg of it and other than severe constipation I got a irregular heart beat out of that one. So the dr took me off the verapamil after being on it for months with no luck I was glad. Imitrix pills can take an hr or longer to kick in. For many that is far to long to wait. I take the nasal spray in 6-10 min. the ha is gone! I hate shots. Zomig makes a ns now also. Otherwise you may want to try axert but that will take time to kick in again. YOu can't take that much tylanol and ibuprofin everyday It just isnt' goood for your kidneys and other organs. I think you know that. Try oxygen. It is cheap and a natural method to stop a ha quickly.