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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> alcohol--how long to wait?
        
(Message started by: Professor on May 3^rd, 2006, 9:39pm)

Title: alcohol--how long to wait?
Post by Professor on May 3^rd, 2006, 9:39pm

I'm wondering when it's safe to have a glass of wine or beer. My cycle returned about three weeks ago, and I'm now on my tenth day or so of a prednisone taper, also Verapamil. I haven't had an attack since starting the prednisone, which I'll be on for another week. The doctor wants me to stick with the Verapamil for quite a bit longer. Don't want to take any chances, of course, but I've got some events coming up in the next two/three weeks.... Wondering what others have experienced in this department.

Title: Re: alcohol--how long to wait?
Post by BlueMeanie on May 3^rd, 2006, 9:45pm

I don't do any prevents so I'm not sure about people who continue to take meds after they quit getting CH's.

My normal waiting period is 10 days PF before attempting to drink a beer and it's worked without getting a CH so far.

Good luck. Hope your cycle is over.

Title: Re: alcohol--how long to wait?
Post by TxBasslady on May 3^rd, 2006, 10:15pm

For sure if you drink, you'll know shortly if it's too soon.

They say beer is the real test....but I don't do beer, so I wouldn't know that for fact.

I would probably wait till the Pred taper is over..but since I'm not a doc, I don't have a clue as to how long you should wait.

Lots of luck to you....glad to hear you're currently PF on the Pred. The first taper I did gave me 197 PF days. The second gave me only 42...

Jean

Title: Re: alcohol--how long to wait?
Post by jon019 on May 3^rd, 2006, 10:41pm

Hi Prof,

"Beer is proof God loves us" (Benjamin Franklin), but in the middle of a pred taper, NO WAY.

Give this nasty pred stuff a chance. It has helped many here (or solu-medrol) in my case, but it needs time. You are a member of an exclusive group. Accept the miracle (they are rare) and perservere. Beer, maybe later, but do you really want to trade a good time for a visit from the beast?

In my case, I wait for 3 days after what I "think" is the end of a cycle and then sip a beer over at least a one hour period. If no hit, then I try another. Been fooled more times than I care to relate (fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me).

Go have a good time. The beer can wait!

Regards

Jon

Title: Re: alcohol--how long to wait?
Post by chewy on May 4^th, 2006, 8:36am

PF on predisone is not neccesarily cycle free. If I were you I wouldn't indulge in any triggers until 10 -14 dys PF after you have stopped the pred.

Title: Re: alcohol--how long to wait?
Post by danm on May 10^th, 2006, 9:19am

I wasn't on Prednisone but I waited about 7-10 days after last CH. Luckily for me, I have been able to have plenty since then. Good luck.

Title: Re: alcohol--how long to wait?
Post by Richr8 on May 10^th, 2006, 5:14pm

As you can see, it varies greatly from person to person. After a pred taper, it can take up tp two months until I can have a drink. Once I think I'm out of cycle and have an occasional drink or beer, every once in a while, it will still trigger a rogue attack.

I'd say, make sure you have O2 or other aborts if you want to test the waters.

Title: Re: alcohol--how long to wait?
Post by marlinsfan on May 10^th, 2006, 5:41pm

Anything less than 3 or 4 weeks for me will trigger an attack. When out of cycle, I drink all the beer and port wine I can find without problems!!

Title: Re: alcohol--how long to wait?
Post by jmorgan52 on May 15^th, 2006, 10:41am

My cycles tend to ramp up slowly and then get really bad for a few months, then they stop suddenly.

I have found that if I go 3 or 4 days totally CH free without any meds after the bad patch then it means my cycle is over and my "normal" life can start over.

I can then drink beer etc right away without getting CH.

Being PF without any meds for weeks on end AND with no beer is just a waste of beer drinking time ;;D

But that's just me.

John

Title: Re: alcohol--how long to wait?
Post by shabada on May 20^th, 2006, 5:38pm

Like it has been said before beer will be the real test. It seems to have the quickest and most intense effect on me. You will know within hours if not minutes whether you can tolerate alchohol. With preventative medications you must billed up the medication before it begins to prevent any attack ezpecially when consuming alchohol. Good Luck.