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Title: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by Gena on Jun 26th, 2006, 3:37pm Two weeks in a row I have had a DHE treatment. All though it has not made me completely PF it has knock the beast down to about once a day. My Doc has decided that I should learn to do the shots myself. I have an appt. set for next week to learn how to do it. Has anyone else gone this route? Did you give them to your self or did you always have to go to the Doctor? If you did go this route, did it work for you and for how long? |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by brewcrew on Jun 26th, 2006, 4:22pm Gena - I used to do the DHE nasal spray, but it stuffed my head up somthing fierce. Once I did the 3-day inpatient treatment through an intravenous line (every 8 hours for 3 days). Knocked the shit out of the beast for the time I was there, but I got bitchslapped with some of the worst Kip 8-9 headaches I have ever had starting 36 hours after I left the hospital. Funny thing, though, after about 5 or 6 days of that shit, I was pain free for over 9 months. Causation or correlation? I have no idea. Bill |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by unsolved1 on Jun 26th, 2006, 4:33pm DHE IM injections at home are usually not recommended although many have done it, myself included. DHE comes in a pack of 6 vials (I think - maybe just 5) each vial contains 1 mg of DHE. You should never take more than 1 mg at a time, never take more than 2 mg per day, and not take more than 6 mg per week. (So you can't do it everyday). If you do more than this amount, you'll need to watch carefully for side effects (pain in legs, swelling, chest pain, whitening of the fingers and toes, and most of all HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE). You should monitor your BP everyday, after every shot, for a few weeks. DHE IM injections are given in the hip. It is a BIG needle! (3ml 22g1.5) <-- 1 1/2" needle :o . It needs to go deep too ! If your doc tells you to do more than this amount, find a new doc ! :-/ If there are any other questions I might be able to help you with, just ask away :) Goodluck UNsolved PS. Never mix with Triptans! (unless you want to have a heart attack) Don't do it if your BP is already high ... cause it's going to go higher. It always helps me but I always do it in the hospital now. I don't do it at home at all. |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by Gena on Jun 26th, 2006, 4:51pm I don't like the sound of that at all :-/ I think that they are just tired of me at the doctors office. They can never find a vain to put the IV in. I look like some kind of junkie with all the bruses on my arms. I don't know how much she is going to recommend. Right now I have just been going to the office and they hook me up to and IV and administer a shot over 5min of time. |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by Lizzie2 on Jun 26th, 2006, 6:48pm I do it at home and my needles are only 1 inch. It does need to be IM. It can cause some very bad things if used more than about 2 days a week, however. It canNOT be abused like trex is around here and still be tolerated....gangrene, peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, stroke are all serious results of doing too much DHE. If you want tips, etc - I used to give it to myself twice a week, but I haven't done it for a long time because I hate giving myself injections and because Amerge and Frova work much better for me without horrible side effects. I throw up every time I get a DHE injection, which kinda makes my head hurt just the same! Be safe...! Carrie :) |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by chewy on Jun 26th, 2006, 7:17pm Quote:
Yup. Home IM injections proved useless. The inpatient IV DHE treatment broke a 9 month cycle. |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by unsolved1 on Jun 26th, 2006, 8:04pm on 06/26/06 at 16:51:53, Gena wrote:
This is how I started, then eventually started getting p.i.c.c. lines & midlines, now I have a port implanted in my chest for easy IV access for meds. :-/ I'd be interested in hearing what dosage they recommend / allow for you. Please keep us posted. Heed the warnings: Carrie is right ... you canNOT abuse DHE like some people do Imitrex. Do exactly as the doctors recommend ... not any more. Also, you should have a blood pressure monitor if you're going to be doing this at home. PF Wishes, UNsolved |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by chewy on Jun 26th, 2006, 8:13pm I was on a heart monitor during the 2 day IV treatment. DHE is nothing to play with. |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by The mad viking on Jun 27th, 2006, 3:43am I can only tell you what the professor told us here at our last symposium Gena DHE should NOT be allowed to use on humans. Look at what happend to Chuck or better ask him what happend DHE contracts the arteries with some 44%.Not much more to go on if you are having other problems or using other meds My advice is to STAY AWAY from DHE Just my 2 cents worth Svenn |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by BarbaraD on Jun 27th, 2006, 5:58am I disagree with most of you on DHE. I've used it over the past and with mostly good results. The hospital IV treatment is the best for breaking a cycle, but IM will work. I was on IMs at home every 8 hours until the headache broke (about 3-4 days usually). I agree that it's dangerous if used improperly and without a doc's orders, but it does work. It feels like battery acid going in your rear (and leave knots). Also makes you sick if you don't use an anti-nauseau med with it. (I use phenergan - it can be mixed with the DHE) Reglan (or however you spell it ) CANNOT be mixed in the same syringe with DHE. If you don't overdo DHE it can work great to break a cycle. Hugs BD |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by chewy on Jun 27th, 2006, 6:56am Quote:
You bet it can. 9months of pure misery that none of my usual meds would touch. 2 days IV DHE..............cycle gone. Quote:
Like anything else. You want to treat am agressive condition you have to use aggresive treatment. |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by rickyshot on Jun 27th, 2006, 9:16am I have been on DHE for tx of ch and my complicated migraines which seem to be the only thing that works and gives me long times in between pain free. Like the above posters said use under strict instruction and no more. Do not mix with triptans for sure. Sometimes when I am particularly bad I end up on IV steroids too. My DHE is usually 1 mg for 3 days and 1/2 mg for the next two. I am allowed to self administer my shots but I always tell my neuro first and he OK"S the treatment or nixes it. He wont' go that route until I seem to get intractable or have trouble just to stand up or walk. It is not casually administered. Lucky for me I work in a hospital and my neuro is here and the nurse gives me shots a lot of the times. Nice perk. ER is just downstairs. My BP runs low so I have no worries there. I do not get nauseated from it either like some other folks. I may have nausea from some of my headaches though when they are migraines as opposed to CH. |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by Gena on Jun 27th, 2006, 9:53am To the best of our Knowleadge, and I say our meaning Thomas, My Doctor and Me. I am currently having 3 different kinds of HA's. CH, CPH, and migraines. Everything else works for one but not another one. I have tried EVERYTHING. Some of the things I have tried help one and make the others worse!!!! I am 1 more absent from work away from being fired. DHE seames to be the only thing that makes my head feel normal. |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by E-Double on Jun 27th, 2006, 10:11am Part of the reason I went off all meds. I have 4 headache types and a couple of weird variants. Was on too much crap that would help one but not the other or would make others worse. Do what you have to do! The DHE should help with the CH and Migraine not sure if it will help with the PH. Good luck, hugs and relief |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by unsolved1 on Jun 27th, 2006, 10:49am Well, I for one never said it wouldn't work or that it was a 'bad' drug to use. It helps me everytime. It's just a drug that if you are going to be using it, you need to know all about it and it's potential dangers. Anyone who says it can't be dangerous is wrong. Goodluck and hope it helps UNsolved |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by Gena on Jun 27th, 2006, 11:09am UNsolved - I wanted all opitions on it - Thank you and everybody else. I also just want everybody to know how and why I am at this decision. |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by unsolved1 on Jun 27th, 2006, 12:10pm I just read a little bit more about DHE from a goverment guideline website and I believe that if you followed their dosage, it would result in death. :-/ Who wrote this shit ?? Don't go by these website guidelines. You would regret it !! http://www.guideline.gov/algorithm/4769/NGC-4769_6.html http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?view_id=1&doc_id=8576 Disclaimer: I didn't write that shit on those websites and I believe they are totally inaccurate. I am NOT responsible for sending flowers to any funerals of anyone taking 20 - 21 mg of DHE a week. UNsolved |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by nani on Jun 27th, 2006, 1:25pm Renee, (where are you???) told me a story about a girl who was in the ER and had DHE administered incorrectly. She died. Scary. |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by thomas on Jun 27th, 2006, 5:55pm on 06/27/06 at 13:25:15, nani wrote:
Take the correct dose of imitrex and you can die too. |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by Jonny on Jun 27th, 2006, 5:59pm I have 9 types of headaches....lets see ya beat that!....LOL ;;D |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by thomas on Jun 27th, 2006, 6:02pm on 06/27/06 at 17:59:54, Jonny wrote:
The one's in the small head don't count. ;;D |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by Jonny on Jun 27th, 2006, 6:03pm on 06/27/06 at 18:02:30, thomas wrote:
You SOB.....LMMFAO!!! [smiley=laugh.gif] |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by thomas on Jun 27th, 2006, 6:04pm on 06/27/06 at 18:03:17, Jonny wrote:
I just couldn't help myself. |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by LeLimey on Jun 27th, 2006, 6:12pm on 06/27/06 at 17:59:54, Jonny wrote:
That you suffer or inflict? Be specific! :P |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by BlueMeanie on Jun 27th, 2006, 8:10pm Wow... that DHE sounds a little iffy. Sure hope you be REAL SAFE Gena. Good luck, hope you get a looong break. |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by thomas on Jun 28th, 2006, 8:52am DHE IS iffy, so is zomig, imitrex, amerge, axert, lithium, prednisone, sansert............... you see where I'm going, right? All CH meds are very dangerous and can cause death and/or serious other medical problems. Our world is literally "Pick your poison." I'm just glad that my wife and I have a great team of doctors, that do weigh the risks vs benefits. So far my wife has had ZERO complications from the DHE treatment, only positive results. So I will hope that she would gamble that way again, if necessary. I know that I would. |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by unsolved1 on Jun 28th, 2006, 9:11am You are very right Thomas. I did not post any of that to discourage Gena from taking DHE. I just wanted her to realize that she needs to know alot about this drug too. It's a good thing that (we have this board and) she came her asking about it. I take DHE all the time. I would not hesitate to use it, in the right dosages under the right circumstances. Anytime I start getting slammed, I go for the DHE. Sometimes I'm forced to alternate between that and IV steriods. (because I've either had enough DHE or already had too much Trex) I believe that DHE will help most clusterheads. Gena, if you don't object, plz post or IM me the dosage your docs prescribe for you. Goodluck and I see more pain free times ahead for you ! :) UNsolved |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by Pinkfloyd on Jun 28th, 2006, 9:45am Hey Gena (and Thomas) ;;D DHE worked the best for me, as an abortive, for years. I used it both SQ and in nasal spray form. Both worked equally well except the shots would work better (quicker) aborting the attack I would be in. Both the shots and spray (migranal) would keep the attacks away for 24 hours. (Imitex would only work on that one attack and had no residual effects.) I used the large needles for years until my pharmacist suggested the 1 inch needles and they worked just as well with much less pain and bruising. It would leave my head feeling a little "full" and made my throat feel sore and swell a bit. Side effects I gladly accepted at the time. Hope the stuff works well for you and continues. Bobw |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by Wendy1 on Jun 29th, 2006, 12:41pm I've done the DHE @ home in the past with little to no luck. All I remember is it required a LARGE ass needle. You'd have to break the little glass vial, draw it up with this large needle with a huge metal hypodermic contraption. That alone was enough to say screw it. Then yes, you'd have to try to stick yourself deep with this huge needle into your hip/butt area (try doin that with a 10) and inject it with this huge contraption. And then it didn't really work. Maybe others had better luck but I sure didn't. I still have the big metal thing.... |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by Wendy1 on Jun 29th, 2006, 12:46pm Thomas, I'm with you on most of the drugs being 'iffy'. Unfortunatley all we can do is offer our experience. It doesnt' mean ANY treatment will work or not work for an individual. I guess that's why we're all here. I've tried just about everything you can imagine and have yet to find anything that works great during the first few weeks of a cycle. Wendy |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by BarbaraD on Jun 29th, 2006, 4:49pm Wendy I use a 22g 1 1/2 needle and don't have any trouble. What kind of contraption are you talking about. I just draw the DHE up in the syringe. It burns like battery acid in your butt and leaves knots, but it gets rid of the damn HA. One thing I've found is -- get someone else to give it to you if you can -- doesn't seem to hurt so much that way. It's been a lifesaver for me several times. Hugs BD |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by Pinkfloyd on Jun 29th, 2006, 9:21pm on 06/29/06 at 16:49:48, BarbaraD wrote:
I always used the upper front of my leg, just off the side toward the inner thigh. It's nice to sit through it. Fill the syringe, slap the skin, pinch it up so you've got plenty of flesh above any bones, and drive it home. Allow yourself 40 letters worth of words to yell (that allows for 10 4-letter words if you don't bother with pronouns and words that start with W) get up and limp over to the recliner. Bobw Alternate 40 letter expression following the injection is (3) hypenated M-Fs and (1) 4-letter exclamation point. I believe this can be found in the AHS guidelines, somewhere. |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by Gena on Jun 30th, 2006, 8:54am on 06/29/06 at 21:21:38, Pinkfloyd wrote:
[smiley=bag.gif] |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by Wendy1 on Jun 30th, 2006, 11:13pm Barbara, Come to think of it now, maybe it was the Torodal that had the contraption. All I know is that it was a big metal syringe that they used to give shots with in the old days.... :o That never worked either... |
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Title: Re: DHE Treatment Questions? Post by Pinkfloyd on Jul 1st, 2006, 12:45am on 06/30/06 at 23:13:05, Wendy1 wrote:
Yes, toradol comes in a glass tube like a syringe without the plunger. The contraption is the plunger and comes in plastic or metal. Bobw |
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