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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004-2005 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> LAST NIGHT WAS REALLY BAD
        
(Message started by: Carolann on Jun 2^nd, 2004, 3:45pm)

Title: LAST NIGHT WAS REALLY BAD
Post by Carolann on Jun 2^nd, 2004, 3:45pm

I am having trouble keeping up a brave front. This is week 13. Last night (2am), I had a killer headache. I'm exhausted.

I have an appointment with a neuro tomorrow morning. My primary care physcian has given up.

I am so afraid of taking any triptaphan meds because I had a horrible reaction the one time I took it for migraines years ago. I felt like I was drowning. The doc at the time said "Don't take it again!"

I am taking melatonin at night. I have been on Atenolol for years (migraines) and the pharmacist said I must taper off it.

I have read alot on this msg board about verapamil. Can I start taking this drug and Atenolol?

Are there any abortive meds other than triptaphans?

Thank you all for the help you have given me,
Carolann

Title: Re: LAST NIGHT WAS REALLY BAD
Post by Bob_Johnson on Jun 2^nd, 2004, 4:12pm

Other abortives with a good track record: Ergomar and Zyprexa. (Print this out and take to your doc.)

1: Headache 2001 Sep;41(8):813-6

Olanzapine as an Abortive Agent for Cluster Headache.

Rozen TD.

Department of Neurology, Jefferson Headache Center/Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate olanzapine as a cluster headache abortive agent in an open-label trial. BACKGROUND: Cluster headache is the most painful headache syndrome known. There are very few recognized abortive therapies for cluster headache and fewer for patients who have contraindications to vasoconstrictive drugs. METHODS: Olanzapine was given as an abortive agent to five patients with cluster headache in an open-label trial. The initial olanzapine dose was 5 mg, and the dose was increased to 10 mg if there was no pain relief. The dosage was decreased to 2.5 mg if the 5-mg dose was effective but caused adverse effects. To be included in the study, each patient had to treat at least two attacks with either an effective dose or the highest tolerated dose. RESULTS: Five patients completed the investigation (four men, one woman; four with chronic cluster, one with episodic cluster). Olanzapine reduced cluster pain by at least 80% in four of five patients, and two patients became headache-free after taking the drug. Olanzapine typically alleviated pain within 20 minutes after oral dosing and treatment response was consistent across multiple treated attacks. The only adverse event was sleepiness. CONCLUSIONS: Olanzapine appears to be a good abortive agent for cluster headache. It alleviates pain quickly and has a consistent response across multiple treated attacks. It appears to work in both episodic and chronic cluster headache.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Olanzapine has a brand name of "Zyprexa" and is a antipsychotic. Don't be put off by this primary usage. Several of the drugs used to treat CH are cross over applications, that is, drugs approved by the FDA for one purpose which are found to be effective with unrelated conditions--BJ.

Title: Re: LAST NIGHT WAS REALLY BAD
Post by thomas on Jun 2^nd, 2004, 4:13pm

How much melatonin are you taking?

Title: Re: LAST NIGHT WAS REALLY BAD
Post by TxBasslady on Jun 2^nd, 2004, 4:40pm

Aside from Thomas's question on the amount of Melatonin you are taking.....

Have you successfully gotten off the vicodin???

I sure hope so.......those type drugs do little for CH.

PF vibes,

Jean

Title: Re: LAST NIGHT WAS REALLY BAD
Post by UN_SOLVED on Jun 2^nd, 2004, 5:08pm

Just goes to show that what works for some - won't work for others.

Dr. Todd Rozen also tried Olanzapine (Zyprexa) on me and it did NOTHING. Glad it worked for the others though.

I think i've got Dr. Rozen stumped !

Unsolved

Title: Re: LAST NIGHT WAS REALLY BAD
Post by Carolann on Jun 2^nd, 2004, 9:27pm

Thomas, I am taking 300 mcg. a night.

I am down to two vicodin a day.

Thanks guys,
Carolann

Title: Re: LAST NIGHT WAS REALLY BAD
Post by andy on Jun 2^nd, 2004, 11:19pm

Why is it that all these docs push the meds so much?
oxygen should be the first treatment for CH. Its cheap, its safe, and IT WORKS for most

Thats all i got to say about it

............andy

Title: Re: LAST NIGHT WAS REALLY BAD
Post by maylaw on Jun 3^rd, 2004, 2:30pm

Hi Carolann,

I totally know your pain and just want to support you. Don't be give up. I have been suffering from Cluster Heaache for 25 yrs. Now,my Cluster Headache is coming every 2 years. I have been tried a Chinese medicine for the past 10 yrs. It helped me to skip 2 times suffering. Another words, I suffered from Cluster headache was only 3 times for the past 10 yrs. To skip the suffering from the headache, we must take the medincine at the right time (*just right before Cluster Headache coming). Hope this experience can help you!

Title: Re: LAST NIGHT WAS REALLY BAD
Post by FZfan on Jun 3^rd, 2004, 5:31pm

Quote:

I have been tried a Chinese medicine for the past 10 yrs.

Ancient Chinese secret?

Title: Re: LAST NIGHT WAS REALLY BAD
Post by cathy on Jun 4^th, 2004, 2:51am

Carolann sorry to hear your having a tough time, I hope you find support and help here to ease the suffering in the meantime PF vibes to you.

Maylaw any chance you might share this wonder drug's name with us..?

Cathy

Title: Re: LAST NIGHT WAS REALLY BAD
Post by maylaw on Jun 4^th, 2004, 1:31pm

Hi All,

Firstly, I highly recommend you should consult a chinese medicine doctor to give you a right remedy. As diferent patient might have diferent agree of needs. My experience is When should I take these medician is very very important. I must take medicine before the headache is coming. If you have a bit symptom you should take. If your headache is confirmed coming , it might be too late to stop the pain.

Title: Re: LAST NIGHT WAS REALLY BAD
Post by Gator on Jun 7^th, 2004, 10:08pm

Howdy Carolann! How have things been going since your visit to the neuro? What has he done for you? I must agree with the previous replies. The pain killers are no way to go. They can even cause more pain in the form of rebound headaches. If you haven't already read all there is from here and the OUCH site, I suggest you do that. The links on the left contain excellent info.

Here is a link to check up on drug interactions. I always double check when the docs give me new meds and ask questions if there seems to be a problem.

http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/Interaction/ChooseDrugs/1,4109,,00.html

To maylaw:, one of the things we do here is share the things that have worked and the things that have not to build up a sort of database of known treatments and to try to keep from re-inventing the wheel as it were. Could you perhaps share with us the thing that worked so well for you? It may greatly help someone else here.

Gator

Title: Re: LAST NIGHT WAS REALLY BAD
Post by Bytor on Jul 15^th, 2005, 2:53am

Hello all, I could only wish i could get a 2 year break, I am a cronic CH sufferer, And Carolann , Gator is right , Everything that i have read say that narcotics will only make CHs worst and i am proff of that, It usally makes it so bad for me i end up vomiting.
What worked for me before i was diagonsed was ibuprofen (like 1200 mg) and beg for mercy for 45min to an hour. Now that i am knowing what is going on i am on verapimil on a daily bases which has made life liveable again(not perfect but much much better) As far as something for a pill to take on the onset of a CH attack Imitrex, Zomig & relpax (triptans) have worked for me 95% of the time.
Triptaphans are actully a chemical that is found in many foods ( which i am searching out a list for ) like red wine , dairy, some nuts and many many more.
I am or was a extra curicular smoker ( marijuana ::) :o )and i have found that it will increase my frequince of my headaches esspecialy if acompanied with dairy. (marijuana increases exspands your blood vesals)
There is a website that has me quite in intregued its called clusterbusters.com, wont tell you what it is about i'll let you make your own dissition, some real good info here.

Even though I'm afraid to go to bed tonight, I will and i beleave that there is something out there that can help us, Stay BRAVE

Title: Re: LAST NIGHT WAS REALLY BAD
Post by marlinsfan on Jul 15^th, 2005, 8:35am

Hi Carolann, sorry to hear you're having such a hard time.

Oxygen is what most of us use to abort. 8 liters per minute and up, with a non-rebreather mask. There is an Oxygen link on the left, print it out and bring to your neuro appt. DO NOT LEAVE HIS OFFICE WITHOUT A SCRIPT FOR O2!

I believe Vicadin triggered my current cycle. I had back surgery and took it for 4 days, and that's when my cycle started. I don't know what you are taking it for, but I have since been switched to Celebrex.

PF days to you.
Jose

Title: Re: LAST NIGHT WAS REALLY BAD
Post by SteCo on Jul 15^th, 2005, 2:23pm

Hi Carolann,
Tried the vicodins myself (twice) in an attempt to grap a full nights sleep. Got the sleep okay...but the payback (rebounds) were horrible. I will never try that one again.

As others have mentioned already....take a serious look at O2, works wonders for many for an abort. If you have the vics still in your system, it may not work too well (for me anyway), but once out....the O2 worked GREAT!!
Look at this link.....pay attention to all of the particulars like the high flow regulator and mask.....both very important to make it work for ya.
http://www.maplefallswebdesign.com/misc/oxygen/oxygen.htm
Insist on a O2 script before leaving the docs office. Then do some reading on the site for further remedies to pursue.
Good Luck!!
SteCo