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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> New MEm Question
        
(Message started by: levine82 on Jan 23^rd, 2007, 1:44pm)

Title: New MEm Question
Post by levine82 on Jan 23^rd, 2007, 1:44pm

I new to this site however, not new to cluster headaches. I have been in a cycle since December 7th. I experienced 1 to 2 headaches a day however, even after an Imitrex nasel spray (20mg) I still had slight pain for the rest of day. I was put on Topamex however, I still was having head aches on a daily basis. I saw a headache specialist at Jefferson in Philly and I was put on Prednisone and I actually was pretty much pain free but the meds made me feel out of it. My medication ended 2 days again and now the head aches are back. I am having intense headaches. I had 5 attaches yesterday, a huge change from the 1 or 2 I was having prior. I have had 1 already today and I know I am going to have at least one more. Any thoughts to why my head is WORSE then before????

Title: Re: New MEm Question
Post by Bob_Johnson on Jan 23^rd, 2007, 1:52pm

No. We get questions like this all the time and there appears that there is no good scientific explanation.

Pred will abort a cycle quickly but were you also given a med to prevent attacks? That's an essential step in treatment.

====
http://www.headachedrugs.com/pdf/ha2006.pdf Dr. Robbins site. Then explore the entire site by deleting everything following. com/ and then hit enter.
=========================================================================
Here is a link to read and print and take to your doctor. It describes preventive, transitional, abortive and surgical treatments for CH. Written by one of the better headache docs in the U.S. (2002)

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

Title: Re: New MEm Question
Post by levine82 on Jan 23^rd, 2007, 1:59pm

O2 and Imitrex for the acute attachs and still on Topamex. Do you know of any other meds to stop cycles? Should I go on the pred again? THis is an odd question will pred make my cycles longer and more intense? or is just the few days after I come off of it?

Title: Re: New MEm Question
Post by LeLimey on Jan 23^rd, 2007, 2:18pm

Pred shouldn't make your cycle any longer or more intense - it just feels like that :-/
It isn't good for you to be on for too long for many other reasons as I'm sure you're aware though so it is onlya short burst therapy for us for either a pain break or whilst tapering up on a new med.
Ideally it shouldn't really be used more than once or twice a year at most either.
Verapamil is probably the most front line of our preventative meds for CH? Have you ever tried that before?
I'm loathe to start mentioning other options as I don't know what if anything you've tried in the past - can you give us a list?
We'll do our best to help!
Helen

Title: Re: New MEm Question
Post by starlight on Jan 23^rd, 2007, 3:10pm

It could just be your cycle unfortunately. My cycle starts out with 1 or 2, then works its way quickly to 3 or 4 then varies between 5 or 6 and 4 or 5 then finally back down to 2 or 3, 1 or 2.
Do you get them at night? I hope you find relief soon. Try verapamil? Star

Title: Re: New MEm Question
Post by Guiseppi on Jan 23^rd, 2007, 5:30pm

When I go on just prednisone I get 100% relief. As soon as I go off the pred I get slammed with headaches that feel like 10 times worse. I always feel like the beast is punishing me for holding him back.

Now I only do pred in conjunction with lithium, my preventative. The pred holds em at bay for the 2 weeks it takes the lithium to ramp up. I've never tried topomax as the lithium works great for me. Good luck!!!

Guiseppi