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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Trying Something New - About Me Part III
        
(Message started by: BoSoxFan on Jan 19^th, 2006, 11:14am)

Title: Trying Something New - About Me Part III
Post by BoSoxFan on Jan 19^th, 2006, 11:14am

See Parts I and II first.

This long story a little shorter, I could not get the Strattera connection out of my head. After being on amityptiline for a little bit (sexual side affects from that necessitated a Cialis prescription - oh my god, I felt like a 16 year old again but the Kip 10 it gave me was not worth it) Of course, I had to make sure it was the Cialis, so I took it again, same result) It was a low for me - I had the Kip 10 in the car and drove toward a telephone pole on purpose and slammed on the brakes and swerved at the last moment after thinking of my kids. I tried to find out why the Cialis affected me so bad. I learned Cialis is a major vasodialator and has a very long half-life. So somehow I come across Strattera in my Cialis research. It turns out that Straterra is a NRI (norepinephine reuptake inhibitor). Norepinephine is a major vasoconstrictor. If your brain sucks up more of it, your blood vessels will be more dialated. If it sucks up less and is allowed to remain in the bloodstream, it acts as a vasoconstrictor. Straterra prevents the brain from sucking up the norepinephrine.

So now I put 2 and 2 together. Triptans work for us by acting as a vasoconstrictor. O2 works for us by acting a a vasocontrictor. Maybe, technically, my CH's started while I was on Strattera but the Strattera prevented them from happening due to its vasoconstricting properties. Or maybe, I screwed something up by going cold turkey and my body's ability to control my blood vessel size was damaged.

In either case, I am traveling on business next week (cross country) so I am taking a prednisone holiday in order to survive (Start tomorrow, I cannot wait!) Last trip to San Diego resulted in a Kip 9 on the plane and several Kip 9's on the trip. Prednisone does wonders for this time to time business trips I need to take (BTW, Coram Healthcare is a wonderful O2 travel supplier if you have a need). I would be too nervous trying something new while traveling. The axxiety alone would probably do me in.

So I have an appointment on Feb 7 with my PCP and I will be going back on Straterra at that time. I will report my results with you guys. Theoretically, it should work. I will be on it for about three months and will then wean off it like I should have done before. If the CH's return, then it can be assumed that Strattera is a great preventative. If they don't. then it can be assumed that I fixed what I broke by going cold turkey. Then again, if Strattera does nothing for the CH's, I guess I am back where I started.

I left alot of my CH history out, but you guys have all been there before... Thanks for listening and I'll let you know how things go.

Eric

Title: Re: Trying Something New - About Me Part III
Post by marlinsfan on Jan 19^th, 2006, 11:37am

Wow, long but interesting. You're lucky your name was not taken. I almost changed my name to BoSoxFan after half my team moved north. Good luck with your trip. When I'm flying for work, I drink lots of coffee to keep the HAs away.

Title: Re: Trying Something New - About Me Part III
Post by E-Double on Jan 19^th, 2006, 12:04pm

Interesting Eric.

Good luck!

Yankee fan Eric ;)

Title: Re: Trying Something New - About Me Part III
Post by sandie99 on Jan 19^th, 2006, 1:23pm

Good luck! :)

Sanna

Title: Re: Trying Something New - About Me Part III
Post by FramCire on Jan 19^th, 2006, 4:31pm

Eric,

Did your CH start in 2004 when the Sox won the WS? My first cycle ended on the day of game 4 of the World Series, no joke. I was at Busch Stadium and it was my first PF day!!!!

The next day I paid for watching the Sox win it all by having neck pain and subsequent surgery (which I think was what i had to pay for the Sox finally winning it all).

Eric #3 (yes, the 3rd Eric to post in this thread who is a fan of a team in the AL East....... 2 for the good guys and 1 for the evil empire... just kidding E-Double).

P.S. good luck and Go Sox!