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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> DHE
        
(Message started by: BarbaraD on Mar 9^th, 2007, 9:28am)

Title: DHE
Post by BarbaraD on Mar 9^th, 2007, 9:28am

Geezzz! I'd forgotten how nasty this stuff is. I'm on an 8 hour schedule with the injections trying to break this cycle.

Actually slept thru the night last night without a hit (better than I've done in weeks and weeks). Keep your fingers crossed that this stuff works. I'd hate to think my rear was this sore for nothing. ;;D

Hugs BD

Title: Re: DHE
Post by Chillrmn1 on Mar 9^th, 2007, 9:44am

Fingers crossed for you.

Title: Re: DHE
Post by Gator on Mar 9^th, 2007, 10:14am

That is one I haven't had the pleasure? or misfortune? to try. Glad you are getting some rest. I hope it continues for you. Uh, the sleep that is, not the sore butt. ;;D

Crossing my fingers for a break in the cycle!

Title: Re: DHE
Post by UN solved on Mar 9^th, 2007, 11:33am

DHE kicks ass !! Hopefully it'll break the cycle, but if it doesn't, it should give you a good break anyway !

Goodluck

UNsolved

Title: Re: DHE
Post by LeLimey on Mar 9^th, 2007, 11:55am

Hoping it breaks it for you soon Barb!
love
Helen

Title: Re: DHE
Post by thebbz on Mar 9^th, 2007, 12:17pm

[smiley=hurl.gif] Sorry you have to go through it. Hope it breaks the beast.
DHE [smiley=hurl.gif]
all the best
jb

Title: Re: DHE
Post by Rosybabe on Mar 9^th, 2007, 12:58pm

Sorry if I am being ignorant but...
What is DHE????

Title: Re: DHE
Post by LeLimey on Mar 9^th, 2007, 1:14pm

DHE is Di Hydro Ergotamine - its all one word but I've broken it up to show you where the initials come in.

It is made from ergot alkaloid and is a very effective treatment for CH BUT - there isalways a but! It is absolutely not suitable for everyone and there are alot of contra-indications and nasty side effects.

Look it up here for more info http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/DVH/Uses/0,3915,551831|Dihydroergotamine%2BInjection,00.html

Hope that helps!
Helen

Title: Re: DHE
Post by Samiam on Mar 9^th, 2007, 1:20pm

DHE kicks Ass! I was on this in the hospital every 6 hrs. I was as sick as a dog with the IV's but it was before Imetrix came to light.

Later I used it as a IM every morning for 6 weeks. Nausea was the worse for me but it did give me back my life. I could take any anti nausea meds due to being allergic to them.

I'm praying for you that this will work. I just got done a kip 10 this morning that lasted 2 hrs and I didn't use anything other then cry and rock.

Sami

Title: Re: DHE
Post by Brewcrew on Mar 9^th, 2007, 1:50pm

I did the IV DHE treatment twice. Nice 3-day break in the hospital. First time the headaches came back with a vengeance 36 hours after my last dose and lasted for a week, but after that they were gone for a good, long time (about 9 months).

The second time it ended a 6-hour intractable Kip-9, but alas the headaches returned a day after I was released. Started on Sansert two weeks after that and began a 5-month pain-free holiday.

If you are at the point where nothing else is working, I highly recommend it (if your doc says your heart is strong enough to do it - it's a powerful vasoconstrictor).

Good luck!

Title: Re: DHE
Post by Brewcrew on Mar 9^th, 2007, 1:56pm

on 03/09/07 at 13:20:15, Samiam wrote:

I just got done a kip 10 this morning that lasted 2 hrs and I didn't use anything other then cry and rock.

Sami - I don't recall your entire history, but I cannot imagine a 2-hour kip-10 without sucking down at least a couple of E-tanks of O₂. Is there some reason you're not using oxygen? You may have already said so, but I don't remember.

Title: Re: DHE
Post by Samiam on Mar 9^th, 2007, 2:03pm

Yep, I wish someone was here to hold my hand....Neuro's office forgot to fax in my script for the o2 on Wednesday. I thought I was going to lose my mind. But I made it. I just found this out when I called to find out when and if my insurance was going to take care of this. That is when I found out that the office never followed through. I just cried and the women told me not to worry she would call the office and kick some ass. I'm now waiting to see if everything will go through. She is going to call me and see if they will allow me to get this. If so I should have it maybe by tomorrow. But in any case Hubby will be home with me on the weekend so I will take the Imetrex if needed. This way if there is a problem he will be here.

Sami

Title: Re: DHE
Post by Rosybabe on Mar 9^th, 2007, 5:17pm

Thanks for the description!
I actually take Cafergot for my CH's and so far it has been working. I only take them when I am getting one so I do not overdose.
Thanks again!
PFD for all!!

Title: Re: DHE
Post by rbmb on Mar 9^th, 2007, 6:28pm

I've been using DHE for some time as an abortive and it definitely stops the HAs and I haven't noticed any side effects with it. I don't especially enjoy jabbing myself with a needle (it stings sometimes at first when injecting the dose) but compared to the pain of a cluster headache, the pain from the injection is nothing. Like everything, there is a downside. My neuro said that prolonged use of DHE can cause scarring of the heart valves, so it isn't something to be used on a long-term basis.
Rich

Title: Re: DHE
Post by UN solved on Mar 9^th, 2007, 8:52pm

I can't see anyone using it everyday for 6 weeks. Side effects could be deadly.

UNsolved

Title: Re: DHE
Post by Samiam on Mar 9^th, 2007, 9:07pm

That's what Dr. Steven Silberstein put me on. I also questioned this and he told me there wasn't a problem. That was only one cycle that I did that.

I got through it but I later left this doctor. I think he takes too many chances on people that are desperate. He also does a lot of drug trials. I use to work at Germantown hospital other Doctor's don't have a real high respect for him.

This is also the doctor that when I had an abnormal EKG while under his care he cut me off of all meds and help until a cardio cleared me. That took 2 weeks. He didn't want to be sued and told me this right out. I still can remember being so upset that he left me without a life line during a really bad cycler. Until they covered his ass.

He's the one that put me in the hospital back in 89 for DHE IV treatments that he was running at that time.

Sami