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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Can't do this on my own anymore...
        
(Message started by: Samiam on Mar 7^th, 2007, 9:10am)

Title: Can't do this on my own anymore...
Post by Samiam on Mar 7^th, 2007, 9:10am

I was really hoping and pleading that what I was getting was just a product of having the flu and now Mono. I just feel that since Jan I have been kick with major stress and sickness. Well two weeks ago I was getting minor hits and then I would skip a couple of days which gave me hope that this was just not the clusters.

Well yesterday I got a kip 8 and did it with nothing. I was scared. No one was around and the pain was pretty bad. The funny thing is I found a new neuro and made an appointment last week and I was on the phone to cancel today when it hit. Thank God I didn't I see him at 10:10 this morning.

I'm a bit uptight because this is the first time seeing this neuro. Not like my last neuro who is retireing. Totally different office and approach to things. Maybe it will work out. I'm two weeks into a 6 week cycle (well at least that is what I think it will be) I think things get hairy because I already take steriords (cortef) for adrenal fatigue so this may be why I'm not getting slammed. I'm not sure if they will let me take the Imetrix due to having Angina which came after my last cycle 6 yrs ago. Some abnormal EKG's.

I gotta laught someone saw me yesterday and told me I looked the picture of heath and couldn't believe I was 44 well I feel 90 and at the end of my rope. I know we don't get anymore then we can handle but Dam Flu, Mono, Thyroid that's going haywire, Adrenals. I think I had enough. Someone else needs to tag in. :-/

Sami

Title: Re: Can't do this on my own anymore...
Post by marlinsfan on Mar 7^th, 2007, 9:42am

Hang in there, Sami. When my neuro retired, the one who took over his practice was the one that finally gave me the correct diagnosis. Sometimes change is great.

Ask for Oxygen. See the link on the left and print it out and take it with you. Also take this:

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

PF wishes.
Jose

Title: Re: Can't do this on my own anymore...
Post by Rosybabe on Mar 7^th, 2007, 12:58pm

yeah Sami, The Doc might take you away from Imitrex because your angina, but Cafergot could work for you and O2 also..

Be strong, God would not give you a cross to heavy for you..you are already strong!!

Good Luck with your new Neuro and PFD for you!!!

Title: Re: Can't do this on my own anymore...
Post by Gator on Mar 7^th, 2007, 10:56pm

on 03/07/07 at 12:58:12, Rosybabe wrote:

yeah Sami, The Doc might take you away from Imitrex because your angina, but Cafergot could work for you and O2 also..

Triptans and ergotamine compounds are typically contraindicated for people with heart related problems. If a doctor is going to take away Imitrex, then he will likely not prescribe cafergot.

O2 is an excellent abortive. Cheaper and safer than most CH abortive drugs. First line of defense for many. Besides that, you may also want to talk to your doctor about Zyprexa (olanzapine). Zyprexa has been used by some people with heart conditions to abort CH. Several people here use it and swear by it.

Quote:

1: Headache 2001 Sep;41(8):813-6

Olanzapine as an Abortive Agent for Cluster Headache.

Rozen TD.

Department of Neurology, Jefferson Headache Center/Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate olanzapine as a cluster headache abortive agent in an open-label trial. BACKGROUND: Cluster headache is the most painful headache syndrome known. There are very few recognized abortive therapies for cluster headache and fewer for patients who have contraindications to vasoconstrictive drugs. METHODS: Olanzapine was given as an abortive agent to five patients with cluster headache in an open-label trial. The initial olanzapine dose was 5 mg, and the dose was increased to 10 mg if there was no pain relief. The dosage was decreased to 2.5 mg if the 5-mg dose was effective but caused adverse effects. To be included in the study, each patient had to treat at least two attacks with either an effective dose or the highest tolerated dose. RESULTS: Five patients completed the investigation (four men, one woman; four with chronic cluster, one with episodic cluster). Olanzapine reduced cluster pain by at least 80% in four of five patients, and two patients became headache-free after taking the drug. Olanzapine typically alleviated pain within 20 minutes after oral dosing and treatment response was consistent across multiple treated attacks. The only adverse event was sleepiness. CONCLUSIONS: Olanzapine appears to be a good abortive agent for cluster headache. It alleviates pain quickly and has a consistent response across multiple treated attacks. It appears to work in both episodic and chronic cluster headache.

Title: Re: Can't do this on my own anymore...
Post by LeLimey on Mar 8^th, 2007, 9:05am

Sami there is always the Family Services Team at OUCH too, they are a wealth of information and understanding and will be able to help with everything from doctors in your area to just an understanding ear. They really are the jewel in OUCH's crown and I can't recommend them highly enough

http://www.ouch-us.org/familysvs/familysvs1.shtml

We will always help here too but it pays to get advice from all quarters!
Take care
Helen

Title: Re: Can't do this on my own anymore...
Post by Bond007 on Mar 8^th, 2007, 2:28pm

Hey Samiam, hang in there! It's true that we're not given more than we can handle. You can get through this too. Another med you might want to ask about is Inderal. It was originally designed for heart patients, but found to work well for people with migraines. I'm not sure if it would help with clusters, though. It's worth a shot, eh?

Regardless, you've got a great support network here. Best of luck to you!

Jamie