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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Climbing the walls
        
(Message started by: Pellsey on Feb 1^st, 2007, 4:21am)

Title: Climbing the walls
Post by Pellsey on Feb 1^st, 2007, 4:21am

G'day,

Just started back on the Verapamil and Cafergot.

Feeling completely shit from one or both? I feel as though i've got the heebie jeebies all the time. Only dropped two Cafergot last night at the onset of a CH but to no avail, went through the whole mess then droppped another two today when I got a bit of a shadow.

I read a few things about your body taking a few days to get used to it. I don't remember feeling like this last time I was on them though.

I can't keep my hands and feet still and my skin is crawling; maybe just the caffeine? Bloody horrible but the shadow today stayed just a shadow which was nice.

Has anyone else had similar experiences with either the Cafergot or Verapamil? I plan on telling the Doc ASAP.

Chris

Title: Re: Climbing the walls
Post by georgej on Feb 1^st, 2007, 9:21am

I've never taken Verapamil, but I was prescribed caffergot perhaps thirty years ago. I'm not a fan of the stuff--it did little or nothing for me headachewise, gave me the jitters, upset my stomache, and generally made me feel lousy. The crawly skin you describe sounds par for the course.

Best,

George

Title: Re: Climbing the walls
Post by Bob_Johnson on Feb 1^st, 2007, 10:27am

Verap is the first choice preventive for many people while Cafe. has no real role for most folks with CH. Please review you options and take this info to your doc.
==============
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: Climbing the walls
Post by Guiseppi on Feb 1^st, 2007, 4:09pm

I use cafergot in conjunction with my oxygen. If I use only oxygen the beast is back within 20 minutes even stronger. 1-2 cafergot at the start of a HA, then oxygen and I'm good for 10-12 hours. I get the caffeine jitters and it keeps me from sleeping but those are the only side effects for me.

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Climbing the walls
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Feb 1^st, 2007, 7:41pm

George,

Please follow Bob's link. There are other, much better, alternatives to abort a CH than Cafergot. Oxygen, Zomig, Imitrex, just to name a few. They work within minutes and usually don't interfere with sleep (except when the beast wakes you up and you have to use them).

Cafergot is an "old school" med that sometimes works well for migraines, but usually not for clusters.

PF Wishes,

Kris

Title: Re: Climbing the walls
Post by froggy on Feb 1^st, 2007, 7:45pm

rebound headaches were an issue with the cafergot.

verapamil worked for quite a while then quit.

Title: Re: Climbing the walls
Post by Linda_Howell on Feb 1^st, 2007, 9:54pm

Bob Johnson,

Has anyone here told you what a great guy you are lately? You come here week in and week out giving out great advice and never entering the frey.

You are awesome sir.

Linda

Title: Re: Climbing the walls
Post by Pellsey on Feb 2^nd, 2007, 1:59am

on 02/01/07 at 21:54:35, Linda_Howell wrote:

Bob Johnson,

You are awesome sir.

I second that, thanks for the info Bob. I will make sure my Doc gets the info also.

The Heebi Jeebies are a lot more bareable than the headaches but more often than not Cafergot does nothing for the HA's anyway so i'm going through them both.

Thanks everyone for the responses. Glad to know that the side affects are pretty much standard. Thought I was flipping out for a while there.

Title: Re: Climbing the walls
Post by burnt-toast on Feb 2^nd, 2007, 6:48pm

Caffergot is the only med. that I've ever had adverse side effects from in my entire life. Side effects can be serious so discuss with the doc. as soon as possible.

"Dihydroergotamine and ergotamine belong to the group of medicines known as ergot alkaloids. They are used to treat severe, throbbing headaches, such as migraine and cluster headaches. Dihydroergotamine and ergotamine are not ordinary pain relievers. They will not relieve any kind of pain other than throbbing headaches. Because these medicines can cause serious side effects, they are usually used for patients whose headaches are not relieved by acetaminophen, aspirin, or other pain relievers.

Dihydroergotamine and ergotamine may cause blood vessels in the body to constrict (become narrower). This effect can lead to serious side effects that are caused by a decrease in the flow of blood (blood circulation) to many parts of the body."

Here is a link to obtain complete information on this and other drugs prescribed to treat your condition.

http://www.drugs.com

Best wishes,

Tom

Title: Re: Climbing the walls
Post by Nancy on Feb 8^th, 2007, 10:34pm

I was on Cafergot for over 17 years! I also felt very jittery!! It helped a little, but that is all I had because they thought they where migraines. I found out years after I stopped using Cafergot and found out that I had clusters, that Cafergot is highly addictive!! I MEAN highly ADDICTIVE!! The doctor told me I was very luck that I had no side affects after I stopped using it. I used it almost everyday for over 10 years straight!!
Find another medicine! Have you tired steroids? Steroids puts the beast to rest evey time I use it!! I love the 15 day Steroid teatment!! Its a live saver!!