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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006-2007 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> Guys?
        
(Message started by: Pezman on Mar 2^nd, 2006, 11:40pm)

Title: Guys?
Post by Pezman on Mar 2^nd, 2006, 11:40pm

Howdy. I'm starting my second "go 'round" of CH's since I was diagnosed a year ago. I've actually been sufering with them for awhile but it was never "figured out". I'm 36 and this sucks. I've discovered that O2 really does help. I've also discovered that I hate Prednisone. I'm still trying to rid myself of the 15 pounds it bestowed upon me last time. I haven't gotten the prednisone filled this time. I don't wanna. I'm wondering if O2 will get me through. I've caught this cycle really early. Any thoughts? Please? My shoulder's starting to tighten up. I better go "strap up". G'night.

Title: Re: Guys?
Post by Bob_Johnson on Mar 3^rd, 2006, 10:20am

Here is a link to read and print and take to your doctor. It describes preventive, transitional, abortive and surgical treatments for CH. (2002)

http://www.brightok.net/~mnjday/chtherapy.pdf

Title: Re: Guys?
Post by Dragnlance on Mar 3^rd, 2006, 10:29am

Other options

SLam a can of Red BUll at the onset.
Take a look at Kudzu to prevent a hit.

Verapamil helps many keep the attacks from coming as often.
Imitrex injections, (pills are a waste of time and money)
will help many abort a hit.

Hope this adds to what Bob posted

Lance

BTW, Welcome to the board, welcome home

Title: Re: Guys?
Post by Guiseppi on Mar 3^rd, 2006, 7:08pm

Prednisone used to be my first line of defense. I still use it when I absolutely need a pain free period, I can even drink a little alcohol when using pred, but I agree, the weight gains, irritability, the damage long term to joints...it's nasty.

I now use 1200 mg of lithium when on cycle, oxygen and cafergot to abort the ones that break thru the lithium. As I'm sure you have already read, it seems no combo works for two people, it's a lot of trial and error. Wish you luck finding a combination that works.

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Guys?
Post by marlinsfan on Mar 3^rd, 2006, 7:15pm

Pez, prednisone is a transitional med used while your preventive one kicks in. Lithium and verapamil are preventatives.

O2 is an abortive, used to kill the attack, not break the cycle.

Very different meds. If you don't like prednisone, skip the transitional and go to a preventative. Read the doc that Bob posted, it has all the info on meds.
PF wishes

Title: Re: Guys?
Post by Beastfodder on Mar 7^th, 2006, 6:34pm

Hi Pez,

Sounds oh so familiar - glad the O2 is helping.

Prednisone never had it - but was precribed pizotifen, an antihistamine, for a while and it piled on the pounds.

Didn't say if it's a non-rebreather mask (www.clustermasx.xom) is a good option. Lots of reading including a trip to clusterbusters.com might help you on the road to aborting cycles.

Title: Re: Guys?
Post by Richr8 on Mar 7^th, 2006, 7:49pm

on 03/02/06 at 23:40:21, Pezman wrote:

I hate Prednisone. I'm still trying to rid myself of the 15 pounds it bestowed upon me last time.
I haven't gotten the prednisone filled this time.

I feel the same about the pred, but succumbed after three weeks of no relief any other way. It's a bitch that you have to spend several months getting back in shape after a bout. My joints still aren't right even though I load up on all the appropriate supplements. I think after I get just a little exercise going I will be fine. I am planning on an alternative approach for next year.

Title: Re: Guys?
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Mar 7^th, 2006, 8:13pm

Hi and welcome.

While Prednisone can sometimes completely knock out an attack, as said above, it's usually used as an interim med until good preventatives like Verapamil at high doses kick in. For me, that's usually about a week to 10 days.

Follow the link Bob gave you. It's one of the best and latest guides to medical treatment around.

Good luck!

Kris

Title: Re: Guys?
Post by Jasmyn on Mar 8^th, 2006, 4:47am

Welcome and hang in there!

Title: [smiley=smokin.gif]
Post by Kirk on Mar 9^th, 2006, 7:03am

I hate pred.
I found that Imitrex shots were the fastest abortive around. But everyone is different. Because of a heart condition Triptans are out of the question now.
O2 and Olanzipine are the abortive of choice for me these days.
Read up on the left, and print out what you think is appropriate to take to your doc. I hope you find what works best for you.

Please be well

Title: Re: Guys?
Post by thebbz on Mar 10^th, 2006, 1:25pm

Prednipoison. :o
This in not the only thing for CH. Try the other prevents.
I didn't see if you had been to the neurologist? Probably the one who perscribed the pred. :P
anyway
all the best.
jb

Title: Re: Guys?
Post by sandie99 on Mar 10^th, 2006, 2:16pm

Welcome! :)

I'm sorry that you're hurting... [smiley=hug.gif]
I hope that you'll find a med which works. Pred didn't help me, it was the very first prevention med I tried back in 2003.

Best wishes & PF days,
Sanna