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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> clusters and breastfeeding?
        
(Message started by: frizzle on Jun 18^th, 2006, 11:43am)

Title: clusters and breastfeeding?
Post by frizzle on Jun 18^th, 2006, 11:43am

Hi all - my first post here. I've done a search on the site on this topic but for some reason I can't seem to get it to come up with anything.

Here's my background - I get clusters about every 3 years, sometimes they last 8 weeks, sometimes longer but thankfully I get that 3 year respite between bouts. Last year I was due for them again but I got pregnant and was cluster free (maybe I should just stay pregnant for the rest of my life????) but in the hospital a day after giving birth there was the shadow of one again (*@$^^$)

So, now the little fellow is just 3 weeks old and I'm nursing - I'm planning on nursing as long as possible (my first son I nursed for well over a year)

The question is - What can I take that won't be secreted into breastmilk? I usually go on a mix of verapimil, prednisone (which keeps them away totally but really does a number on me with the swelling and side effects etc.) and imitrex sprays. Reading on the package inserts on the sprays says they are a no-no for nursing mothers.

I've got a call in to my dr about it but he won't be in the office til tomorrow and this morning was a whopper of a headache.

Thanks for reading this far!
Frizzle

Title: Re: clusters and breastfeeding?
Post by Bob_Johnson on Jun 18^th, 2006, 11:55am

Your pharmacist is a good source of such information for they have manuals on hand which give this sort of data.

Title: Re: clusters and breastfeeding?
Post by floridian on Jun 18^th, 2006, 12:09pm

Oxygen and magnesium are two things that come to mind that under most circumstances would not negatively affect a child that is breast feeding. For the magnesium, better to start at a low dose and ramp up over a few days to avoid stomach upset, and you may also need to supplement with calcium and vitamin D if you are nursing.

Even the most laxative forms of magnesium seem to be ok when lactating:

Quote:

J Hum Lact. 1998 Sep;14(3):259-62.

Gastrointestinal medications and breastfeeding.

Hagemann TM. Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy, Oklahoma City 73190, USA.

Medications used to treat gastrointestinal symptoms are increasingly being used as more have been gained nonprescription status. Most of the gastrointestinal medications, such as laxatives, antacids, and antidiarrheal agents, are used short term. Women who breastfeed should be aware of the risks of taking any medications, whether prescription or nonprescription. There is little information describing transfer into breast milk for many of these products. Cimetidine, atropine, cascara, cisapride, loperamide, magnesium sulfate, and senna are the only products identified by the AAP as compatible with breast feeding. Metoclopramide is listed by the AAP as a drug whose effect on nursing infants is unknown but may be of potential concern, although studies published to date have not reported any adverse effects. The safest laxatives and antidiarrheals are those that are not absorbed and should be considered first-line therapy for conditions of constipation or loose stools. Famotidine and nizatidine are excreted into breast milk to a lesser extent than cimetidine or ranitidine and may be the preferred histamine antagonists. Despite the limited data on the use of cisapride in nursing women, it is considered safe by the AAP and may be preferred over metoclopramide for first-line prescription treatment of heartburn. Although most of these agents appear safe in the nursing infant, caretakers should be aware of the potential adverse reactions that may occur in infants whose mothers require these products.

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Title: Re: clusters and breastfeeding?
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Jun 18^th, 2006, 8:10pm

I have to agree with Flo - Oxygen to abort. Good for the CH, and won't hurt the baby. I'd certainly avoid Trex - the vasoconstrictor properties could certainly affect your milk flow and could have the same vasoconstricting properties for the baby as is does for you.

I would certainly think that Prednisone would be a no-no, but you need to talk with your doc. Verap is probably OK as long as it doesn't drop your BP. Again, you need to consult.

Good luck and congrats on your new addition.

Kris

Title: Re: clusters and breastfeeding?
Post by lionsound on Jun 18^th, 2006, 9:24pm

Hi Frizzle,

I'm also a current nursing mom here. My baby, my third boy, is now 5 months old.
I use only OXYGEN and it works great.

I'm too afraid that anything else won't be good for baby.

Call a knowledgeable neuro or your pediatrician and ask before you take anything.
please let us know how you make out.
Be well and Pain free,
lionsound

Title: Re: clusters and breastfeeding?
Post by frizzle on Jun 22^nd, 2006, 4:29pm

Thank you for the responses. I took the info along with me to the dr's today and he seemed to agree with the oxygen.

So here I sit breathing my first dose of oxygen, trying to fight off my first headache technically med free. Hoping it works quickly........ luckily the kids are all sleeping so my 2 year old isn't trying to figure out what mommy is doing -LOL

I'm not sure what to expect with the oxygen though - is it going to work quickly? Like the imitrex which makes it go from pain pain pain to poof - gone in less then 30 seconds? Or is it a gradual easing of the twinges? guess I'll find out since I've been breathing it now for about 8 minutes but I can still feel the headache creeping in there....

Title: Re: clusters and breastfeeding?
Post by E-Double on Jun 22^nd, 2006, 8:40pm

We are all different in responsiveness as well.

If you have a good/proper set up with a high flow rate and a good non rebreather mask then you are more likely to abort an attack in a few minutes.

If it does not abort in 10 minutes put it down and try again.

always stay positive