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 >> iMPORTANT QUESTION ON MEDS
        
(Message started by: zwibbs on Nov 29^th, 2005, 1:55am)

Title: iMPORTANT QUESTION ON MEDS
Post by zwibbs on Nov 29^th, 2005, 1:55am

I have been in a cycle since October 20th---went to a Neuro last Tuesday, and he prescribed Prednisone, and Verapamil----One night it works then the next night I have three-to-four attacks. I have watched my diet--no alcohol , no MSG , NO peanut Butter....HAS ANYONE ELSE EVER HAD THIS PROBLEM.I ALSO WAS PRESCRIBED PURE OXYGEN, BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO GET IT UNTIL I SAW HOW WELL THE MEDS WORKED. THROUGH THE YEARS I INJECTED IMITREX, BUT 1 HOUR LATER WAS IN AGONY, PLUS I AM A SMOKER AND IMITREX ISN'T COOL WITH SMOKING.............SORRY TO BE ALL OVER THE MAP, BUT I AM A LITTLE CONFUSED AS TO WHY IT WORKS, THEWN DOESN'T WORK......THANKS , IN ADVANCE !!!

Title: Re: iMPORTANT QUESTION ON MEDS
Post by MJ on Nov 29^th, 2005, 2:16am

Zwibbs.

Why what works?

I ran out of peanut butter just the other day it was a terrible problem.
I wouldnt wait too many years for the oxygen though seems to work well for others, you'll fit right in.

It may be beneficial to revise your post a bit.

Title: Re: iMPORTANT QUESTION ON MEDS
Post by MJ on Nov 29^th, 2005, 2:23am

On further analysis.

How are you taking the prednisone?

Title: Re: iMPORTANT QUESTION ON MEDS
Post by chewy on Nov 29^th, 2005, 6:44am

First of all, what dosages are you using?

Is the prednisone being taken as a taper?

Verapamil takes 7-10 days to reach a theraputic level.

Title: Re: iMPORTANT QUESTION ON MEDS
Post by zwibbs on Nov 29^th, 2005, 6:59am

The dosages that I am taking are: Prednisone-20mg--3/day----------with 1 protonix to keep my stomach calm.Then Verapimil SA 240mg--1and 1/2 per day. I take these all at 5:30 PM and all together, which was the instructions of the doctor. Perhaps I didn't explain it well, but one night I am fine, then the next night I have 3-to-4 cat5 type attacks. Should the Verapimil start taking a strong effect after 7-10 days. Until I found this site I used to try and tough it out, until the cycle went away, so these meds are positively new to me. I appreciate the answers thus far, and hope to report back that I am on the downslide of the cycle soon !

Title: Re: iMPORTANT QUESTION ON MEDS
Post by E-Double on Nov 29^th, 2005, 7:53am

Switch to immediate release as opposed to the sustained!
Mine went from all over the place (random & A LOT) toi stable when I switched.

Smoking should not effect trex unless you have a heart problem and then you shouldnt do either.

Get Oxygen NOW!!!!!!!!

Title: Re: iMPORTANT QUESTION ON MEDS
Post by Bob P on Nov 29^th, 2005, 9:44am

For a lot of people the pred starts to work pretty fast. Regular pred in 2-4 days. Medrol dosepack starts the first day. The verap takes a couple of weeks to build up in your system. Often the dose has to be upped. Some people take over 1000mg/day!

Title: Re: iMPORTANT QUESTION ON MEDS
Post by zwibbs on Nov 29^th, 2005, 10:52am

Thank You all for your help. I really appreciate it. Scott

Title: Re: iMPORTANT QUESTION ON MEDS
Post by MJ on Nov 29^th, 2005, 11:08am

zwibbs

Sorry for my initial response last night. My head was cloudy.

For most Cluster HA sufferers we are subscribed the tapering dose paks of prednisone. This works relatively quickly. (a few days) Starts with a higher dose and then the dosage tapers a bit day by day. 20 mg is a very low dose for the taper IMHO. I have been as high as 140 mg in the past
If this is a continuous dose of pred. It is common for many other issues, primarily inflamations, but have not heard of that used much for CH.
It gets ugly on the phsyce after a while and this too can make CH worse

Its possible the mix of meds taken at the same time are causing the problem. Maybe you just have to space them out.

I would contact the pharmacist directly and consult with them on side effects and the interaction with other drugs especially the stomach med. Docs arent allways so willing to understand the whys.

MJ

Title: Re: iMPORTANT QUESTION ON MEDS
Post by Jasmyn on Nov 29^th, 2005, 12:51pm

Hi Scott.

Pred like everyone said is good to lower a peak cycle but only starts to work in 2 days or so. Higher dosage.

Verap SR does not work as efficiently as the immediate realease but then your dosage should also be much higher.

I'm on 120mg x2 morning, 120mg x2 afternoon and 120mg x 3 at night and still get hit every other day with shadows inbetween. But it gives you that break as it is hell to get hit 4 -8 times a day at Kip 7 - 10's

But the Verap takes longer to get the hits down to a more acceptable frequency and lower Kip.

Ask your pharmacist like MJ said and speak to your Neuro again in a weeks time if there is no improvement.

Wishing you PF times and hang in there!

Title: Re: iMPORTANT QUESTION ON MEDS
Post by zwibbs on Nov 29^th, 2005, 1:50pm

Thank you all very much--I can't express how much I appreciate it.Scott

Title: Re: iMPORTANT QUESTION ON MEDS
Post by zwibbs on Dec 1^st, 2005, 4:26pm

It is now 9 days since I started taking the medications. AND last two nights I slept fairly well. You were all right as far as the Verapamil taking at least 7 days..I hope everybody gets through their battles...believe me ...I know the horrific pain.......Scott