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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> So much for melatonin!!!!!!
        
(Message started by: DennisM1045 on Sep 11^th, 2007, 3:18am)

Title: So much for melatonin!!!!!!
Post by DennisM1045 on Sep 11^th, 2007, 3:18am

I've was on 3mg Melatonin for two weeks prior to the start of my cycle. Once it started I went up to 6mg. After many PF nights I finally had a breakthrough HA tonight. I knew deep inside that it wouldn't last. I've slept through a few recently and woken up with high K's. So [smiley=hammer.gif]+O2+Rock Star = no sleep for a while.

Oh well... I hope everyone else is getting some PF sleep tonight. I'm going back to my tank for round 2.

-Dennis-

Title: Re: So much for melatonin!!!!!!
Post by BarbaraD on Sep 11^th, 2007, 6:21am

Dennis

Up the Melatonin to about 12 mg.... When I'm in a high cycle I go up to whatever it takes to get thru the night -- been up to 15 at times.

Normal level is 3 when in low cycle.

Good luck - hope it's a short cycle.

Hugs BD

Title: Re: So much for melatonin!!!!!!
Post by Kevin_M on Sep 11^th, 2007, 7:01am

on 09/11/07 at 03:18:22, DennisM1045 wrote:

and woken up with high K's.

Dennis,

I don't know if you have any other preventative prescribed. There is Barb's choice, to try more and see; results can vary, it wasn't effective for me.
The waking at high kip though can be a more long lasting, painful abort time. I kept three icepaks in the freezer for some type of aid while getting a hit to subside. Used each until pretty melty so rotated three a night in the freezer.
Preventative help is preferrable though.

best to ya Den

Title: Re: So much for melatonin!!!!!!
Post by barry_sword on Sep 11^th, 2007, 7:13am

Sorry to hear this Dennis, hang in there. The pain will stop.

Barry

Title: Re: So much for melatonin!!!!!!
Post by E-Double on Sep 11^th, 2007, 10:27am

That's still pretty low.
Rozen recommends 12 and they are now recommending upwards of 18-20.

i don't recommend as I am not a doc (just sharing)

Title: Re: So much for melatonin!!!!!!
Post by Redd on Sep 11^th, 2007, 12:36pm

Combining Melatonin with benadryl has also helped many folks, including myself.

Don't toss the baby with the bathwater quite yet. There are still a few tricks you can try.

Title: Re: So much for melatonin!!!!!!
Post by DennisM1045 on Sep 11^th, 2007, 12:51pm

Thanks for the replies and the support. I'm thinking clearer now. Not clearly, just clearer ;;D

I'm going to add 3mg of Melatonin tonight and every other night till I a) get some relief or b) hit 15mg.

Redd, thanks for the Benedryl tip. I'll add that in too careful to follow the recommended dosage.

Kevin, on the preventative front I've been considering going with Lithium or Kudzu. I had a bad reaction to Verapamil at 240mg so maybe I can tolerate Kudzu as it's also a CCB. I'm going to call my Neuro for an appt to discuss the two alternatives. Maybe I can come away with a pred tapper too!

Till then I hope the adjustments to Melatonin and the addition of Benedryl can get me through. Of course I always have Trex injections if it gets too bad.

-Dennis-

Title: Re: So much for melatonin!!!!!!
Post by Tom_Thumb on Sep 11^th, 2007, 1:35pm

Hi Dennis Sorry to here that you are having to deal with the beast again . I know you are a smart person to ch so hang in there . You have very good input for me . I hope that your doc will help you through this tough time .Good Luck You are in my prayers .

Title: Re: So much for melatonin!!!!!!
Post by Kevin_M on Sep 11^th, 2007, 1:49pm

on 09/11/07 at 12:51:22, DennisM1045 wrote:

I'm thinking clearer now. Not clearly, just clearer ;;D

I do understand this. ;)

Quote:

on the preventative front

This is good Dennis, be it any suggestion here or what you discuss with your doctor, keep up the hunt. Becoming unclear from regular waking with the ragers will accelerate that search, a priority this affliction makes clear.
Offered the ice thing if there is a time gap finding effective prevention.

:) take care Den.

Title: Re: So much for melatonin!!!!!!
Post by Kilowatt3 on Sep 11^th, 2007, 2:24pm

Dennis,

Sorry to hear you're hit!

I posted this a couple of weeks ago on the "Getting to Know You" board, but here's an update. I have had GREAT success with the following:

Here's my regimen:

Kudzu - 1000 mg, 2x per day (morning & night)
Magnesium - 250 mg, 2x per day (morning & night)
St. John's Wort - 300 mg, 2x per day (morning & night)
Skullcap - 425 mg at bedtime
Melatonin - 10 mg at bedtime

In addition, I keep Red Bull at hand, and slam one down at the first sign of a shadow, along with a couple of 500 mg Taurine tablets.

A little background: I'm a 50 y/o male, 210 lbs, episodic CH since 1992. I was in complete remission for about the last six years until a month ago, when the Beast came back. I decided to try 'alternative' treatment, since I've never had very good luck with doctors for much of anything. I also would rather avoid the potentially severe and/or permanent side effects that most of the pharmaceutical treatments seem to offer!

All of my 'ingredients' are pretty benign, available OTC, and cheap. Total cost is well under a buck a day. Most importantly, they work - at least for me. I have nearly stopped the Beast in its tracks!

No wild claims of a "cure", but I continue to be ecstatic over my success with this "program" - I've been on it for a little over three weeks now.

I've had two really light hits - nothing worse than a K3 since I started the regimen. I actually thought I had completely aborted the cycle, until I got a little K3 last night. From past experience, I would expect to be right about at the peak of my cycle right now - getting hit with a K8 or so at least once a day.

No promises, and no guarantees, of course, but I sure feel good about this. I urge you to try it and lemme know how it works out!

Very best regards & PFDAN,
Jim

Title: Re: So much for melatonin!!!!!!
Post by DennisM1045 on Sep 12^th, 2007, 7:24am

on 09/11/07 at 14:24:26, Kilowatt3 wrote:

I was in complete remission for about the last six years until a month ago, when the Beast came back. I decided to try 'alternative' treatment, since I've never had very good luck with doctors for much of anything.

Jim, I'm glad you found a routine that works. From everything I've read the Kudzu and Magnesium are probably what is making the difference for you. I'm already on a low dose of Verapamil (120mg) and I'm nervous about combining that with Kudzu as they are both Calcium Channel Blockers. That is the reason for waiting till I can talk with my neuro. I imagine I'll have to detox from Verapamil before trying it. I didn't get through to his office yesterday. Will try again today.

on 09/11/07 at 13:49:09, Kevin_M wrote:

Offered the ice thing if there is a time gap finding effective prevention.

Kevin, the ICE pack tip is a good one. I have 5 gel packs in the freezer at all times. Though at night I get on the O2 ASAP and only use ICE if I need a 2nd round. During the day I can give my wife or one of my kids the high sign and they'll fetch me one.

So my night time rules of engagement are:
1. O2 immediately followed by a 16oz Rock Star
2. O2+ICE
3. Imitrex injection

I've never gotten to the third option.

-Dennis-