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Title: Need help now Post by needhelpnow on Jul 27th, 2007, 12:42pm I've been free ch for 4 years now they are back with a vengence. Norm cycle is 2 years free 30 day attacks. I am mid cycle and I just can't do it. I took 6mg imitrex injection at 8:30 pm then another at 12:15 am along with a total of 4 hydrocodone during this time. I'm just beginning a new job and sense one coming this afternoon. Obviously no more injections until the next battle this evening. I don't want to go through a 3:00pm attack like the most recent but that is the direction I'm going. Norm 10am, 3 pm, 12a. Now we've added the 8p. The imitrex has stopped the 10a. The last 2 were of the most severe I've ever had EVER. I'm scareed of what's coming and I'm overmedicated already. How do I do this???????????? |
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Title: Re: Need help now Post by Brewcrew on Jul 27th, 2007, 12:56pm on 07/27/07 at 12:42:42, needhelpnow wrote:
You need to prioritize what needs to be done. 1. Call your neurologist and try to get in as soon as possible to talk about preventatives. Your descriptions of your actions is all abortive. Talk to him/her about verapamil, lithium, etc. Check the "medical info" link to the left. 2. Stock up on ice gel packs, Red Bull or its equivalent, and get a prescription for 100% oxygen through a non-rebreather mask at 12-15 liters per minute. You can't live your life on Imitrex. It's a great drug, but should be used sparingly if it is to remain effective. There are also other triptans out there that you can talk to your neuro about. Good luck, and take charge of your own healthcare, dude! You can do this. You're a clusterhead. By the way - welcome. Keep posting when you have questions. |
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Title: Re: Need help now Post by Bob_Johnson on Jul 27th, 2007, 1:02pm If Imitrex is not working (and it is not 100% effective), ask your doc for a sample of his pill. You will know within 1-4 dosings whether it works for you. Several of us had experienced complete relief in 20-min or less. ------------ 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. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Olanzapine has a brand name of "Zyprexa" and is a antipsychotic. Don't be put off by this primary usage. Several of the drugs used to treat CH are cross over applications, that is, drugs approved by the FDA for one purpose which are found to be effective with unrelated conditions--BJ. ============ Also see: 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 |
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Title: Re: Need help now Post by Guiseppi on Jul 27th, 2007, 1:21pm Brew's right, you are in bad need of a preventative. I use lithium, others use verapamil or depakote, if I used only an abortive I would not be able to function while in cycle. The purpose of a prevent is to reduce both the frequency and the intensity of your hits. As far as the abortives go, Imitrex is great but is purely a "last ditch when all else fails" med for me. Oxygen is first, and almost always effective for me. It's cheap and no side effects. Hang in there, stick around the board and keep asking questions, lots of good people here. Guiseppi |
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Title: Re: Need help now Post by alienspacebabe on Jul 27th, 2007, 3:31pm Ouch! Listen to the smart guys who have already posted.... We understand the feeling of not being able to do it. It can be scary, waiting for that next hit. But... you can do it. It's not always easy, but you can. and, hydrocodone/vicodin (as well as percocet) seem to create hits for me. if you can avoid taking it, give it a shot - might help reduce the severity. |
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Title: Re: Need help now Post by horsegirl on Jul 27th, 2007, 4:48pm we know what your going through and we are here. I would go right now , ask for a predisone taper, that will slow or stop your ch for a week, also take verapimil, hopefuly that will be in your system enough to take over when your done with the predisone, the verapimil prevents most hits for me. Then if some ha break through, try the oxygen, it has to be on high like 12 to 15, nonbreather mask. and if you still have to try your imitrex, or redbull. please try this as soon as possible, you don't have to suffer like this! this is what works for me and many others, goodluck ,and let us know how your doing. hopefuly a reg dr will perscribe this for you if you can't get into a neroligist asap. |
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Title: Re: Need help now Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on Jul 27th, 2007, 6:37pm Like the girl on the horse said, look into O2. It works for a lot of us and is easier on the body than triptans. Stay strong, and understand that all of us are in your shoes. You can get through this, and you have us here to help. PF wishes B$ |
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Title: Re: Need help now Post by GrandPotentate on Jul 27th, 2007, 6:54pm Yeah, what they said. Get a good neuro NOW and work on meds. Keep in touch on this board, these folks helped me through some baaad stuff. Jon |
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Title: Re: Need help now Post by BlueMeanie on Jul 28th, 2007, 5:14pm To the left of this page there is a link for the "Imitrex Tip". You can basically use 1/2 of your shot at a time. That allows you to abort 4 CH's a day. Since I rarely ever get more than 4 CH's a day, it works great for me. As others said, O2 is worth trying. If you want to reduce the amount of hits and/or intensity, check into getting prevent meds. Good luck and I am sending PF vibes that your cycle is a short one. |
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Title: Re: Need help now Post by rolo65 on Jul 28th, 2007, 6:49pm NeedHelpNow, Hang in there guy! We know how bad it is. The best advice I have is like the others have said. Crank up the O2 to 10-12 LPM and teach your self to breath consistently through the pain. It’s really hard at first to stop from holding your breath when the red hot spikes come. The breathing thing is probably the most important part of O2 success (was for me anyway), got to get it in your blood for it to work. Bob_Johnson, Very interesting article on the Olanzapine, never tried it and will remember to check at my neuro appointment in August. Thanks :) PFD&N to all! Roland.. |
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Title: Re: Need help now Post by E-Double on Jul 28th, 2007, 8:57pm I second the zyprexa!!!! As quick as imitrex (for me) and did not have the side effects. Oxygen is a must |
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Title: Re: Need help now Post by docblondie on Jul 29th, 2007, 11:15am We all know this is scary to face- you will get throught this!!! Have you been on prednisone before? That's the only thing I can count on as a preventive med. 80mgs a day down to 20 over two weeks. Also- as others say- get the Oxygen, mask, high flow (8-10 litres/min) for 15 mins. and you can split up the imitrex- try asking your doctor to prescribe it in vials rather than stat dose and get your own syringes and inject 1/2 or 1/3 the amount- it works for many- and you use much less imitrex. Best thing- get in to see the doc. asap- don't let them make you wait- and get a good preventive that will work NOW- until you can get a combo on board that will help you long term. My combo right now is... Verapamil 320mgs/day Topamax 400mgs/day Prozac 40mgs/day Bellergal S tabs 2x a day Serequel 25mg/day I'm a 39yo female, 135lbs have been eposodic since 1990, went chronic in 2002. Used to take prednisone all the time until a neuro. in Tampa started me on this combination- have been headache free for almost a year. Best wishes--keep posting here-there is lots of support! |
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Title: Re: Need help now Post by MR_FLOOR on Jul 29th, 2007, 11:49am on 07/27/07 at 15:31:56, alienspacebabe wrote:
This I know to be true.I had my bought with Those narcotics they are definitely triggers for me. Dave |
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Title: Re: Need help now Post by horsegirl on Jul 30th, 2007, 4:32pm the o2 has to be 12 to 15 to be effective, my opinion,and many others. |
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