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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Trying something different.
        
(Message started by: rbmb on Sep 7^th, 2005, 3:32pm)

Title: Trying something different.
Post by rbmb on Sep 7^th, 2005, 3:32pm

I've been in cycle since the end of May. I use Topomax as a preventative....was taking 100 mg. in morning and 100 mg. at night and stopped taking it in the morning as I couldn't deal with the side effects at work. It didn't seem to be helping anyway. I only get HAs at night, generally around 11 to 12 pm and use a DHE shot, which is effective. Problem is that the HA is well on its way before I wake up enough to give myself a shot and I have to endure the pain until the shot kicks in. My neuro suggested taking a shot before going to bed, an idea I resisted because I had this weird idea that I shouldn't be jabbing myself with a needle unless I'm really in pain.
I've been giving myself a shot before going to bed for about a week now and have been waking up headache free in the morning for the most part...... occasionally I've woken up with what starts to be a HA, but it goes away after a few minutes. My neuro said not to do this for more than 2 weeks and I have an appointment to see him about then anyway.
Sometimes I get HAs about the time I'm getting ready to go to bed, so I know I'm still in cycle. If I go for a while without these, I'm going to skip the shot before bed and see if I wake up with a HA during the night. Using an abortive as a preventative goes against everything I've read about CHs, but has been sparing me from the nightly HAs.
Rich

Title: Re: Trying something different.
Post by unsolved1 on Sep 7^th, 2005, 4:53pm

on 09/07/05 at 15:32:19, rbmb wrote:

I shouldn't be jabbing myself with a needle unless I'm really in pain.

If you take the DHE before the headache, you'll probably prevent it

on 09/07/05 at 15:32:19, rbmb wrote:

Using an abortive as a preventative goes against everything I've read about CHs, but has been sparing me from the nightly HAs.
Rich

DHE is not only an abortive medication, it can be a preventive med as well. The only problem is that the max dose is 2mg per day and 6mg per week. Taking too much DHE can be harmful (It can seriously restrict blood flow to the extremities)

UNsolved

Title: Re: Trying something different.
Post by E-Double on Sep 7^th, 2005, 4:59pm

you could try melatonin.
6-12mg @ night has helped many prevent their night time attacks.

Title: Re: Trying something different.
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Sep 7^th, 2005, 7:04pm

Ditto to EE. Melatonin at 9mg/night about 30 minutes before bedtime really helps me when in cycle. It sometimes takes a few nights to kick in, but works for many of us.

Certainly better than risking the severe side effects of using DHE as a long-term abortive.

PF Wishes,

Kris

Title: Re: Trying something different.
Post by Salvelinus on Sep 7^th, 2005, 7:47pm

Have you considered oxygen? You could have a tank right by your bed, and use it when you wake up in pain, as an alternative to the DHE.

Use a non-rebreather mask with a liter flow of 10-15 liters per minute. Breathe the O₂ until a few minutes after the pain goes away.

It's helped me, and others, and has no side effects. I'll pray for you . . . :)

Namaste,
--Scott

Title: Re: Trying something different.
Post by rbmb on Sep 8^th, 2005, 5:26pm

Thanks all for your responses......I've tried oxygen and unfortunately it didn't help with the headaches. I wish it did. I also tried melatonin and had 3 or 4 bad headaches the first night I took it. I assumed I was just one of those rare people who react badly to it and never tried it again. Maybe I'll work up the nerve to try it again.
Rich

Title: Re: Trying something different.
Post by brian_m on Sep 8^th, 2005, 8:42pm

research the benefits of water/allergies/dehydration . at least 5 wks before youur cycle normally starts keep water with you. 8liter per day(4 before bed).

Title: Re: Trying something different.
Post by brian_m on Sep 8^th, 2005, 8:57pm

me again .....re water cont.....
too muuch at once couuld cauuse kidney probs. your body will eventually retain the water and less trips to the washroom. not an over night cure but couuld be a cuure as apposed to any meds any of uus seem to know.
"break the cycles." contact your doc.