Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> insomnia a result of cluster headache meds?
        
(Message started by: Stoic on Jan 12^th, 2008, 7:06am)

Title: insomnia a result of cluster headache meds?
Post by Stoic on Jan 12^th, 2008, 7:06am

I've been having headaches of increasing frequency and severity for about two months, and on Monday my neurologist diagnosed my problem as cluster headaches. He prescribed Verapamil, which I began taking later that day. The headaches gradually ceased, but by Tuesday evening I began to feel slightly nervous and jumpy in the evening, and Wednesday and Thursday I had difficulty sleeping.

I called yesterday and he prescribed Propranolol instead, which I've just taken this morning for the first time, but he added that neither medication, taken in the early morning (when I usually take these meds), should be keeping me awake later that night. I slept reasonably well last night, having taken neither medication during the day; but I had a slight headache and took 50 mg of Imitrex and a half mg of Lorazepam before going to bed.

While I think it's the Verapamil that was keeping me awake, there's an alternative possibility. Imitrex works wonderfully for my headaches, but my insurance grants me only nine 100 mg pills every 23 days -- not enough in the midst of a cluster cycle. When the cycle started I needed medication to stop the pain, and regularly supplemented the Imitrex with Fiorinal (which hardly touched it) or Vicodin (which helped quite a bit) to reduce the pain. It's possible that the withdrawal from these meds has caused my insomnia, but I doubt it.

Finally, not long before I started this cycle, I began taking 1-3 mg of Melatonin to help me sleep. I've read that this is harmless, and even that it helps migraine sufferers like myself; but my neurologist thinks that this, which might affect REM sleep, could have triggered the cluster cycle. In any case, I haven't taken any of that for 10 days or so.

Sorry to go on for so long like this, but I'm new here and very curious if anyone else here has experiences along these lines to share. I'm trying to learn as fast as I can.

Thanks.

Bob

Title: Re: insomnia a result of cluster headache meds?
Post by George_J on Jan 12^th, 2008, 7:28am

on 01/12/08 at 07:06:04, Stoic wrote:

Finally, not long before I started this cycle, I began taking 1-3 mg of Melatonin to help me sleep. I've read that this is harmless, and even that it helps migraine sufferers like myself; but my neurologist thinks that this, which might affect REM sleep, could have triggered the cluster cycle. In any case, I haven't taken any of that for 10 days or so.

If so, that will be the first time I've heard of it doing so.

Many of us take it in order to get some painfree sleep during a cycle--using anywhere from 6 to 18 mg at a time. On a purely anecdotal note, I have taken melatonin out of cycle as well, but have never had it precipitate a new round of headaches.

Insomnia is part and parcel of an active cluster headache cycle for me. Not sleeping just goes with the territory--in fact, I get very gunshy about sleep, since I get hit almost exclusively at night.

Watch out for the narcotics--they do little good for most of us, and can actively make things worse, in many ways.

Best wishes,

George

(edited for spelling)

Title: Re: insomnia a result of cluster headache meds?
Post by E-Double on Jan 12^th, 2008, 7:30am

If clusters, it may just be par for the course.

Regarding the meds, who the hell knows.

Mealtonin is typically used at much higher doses than when used for typical sleep aide.

God luck

Title: Re: insomnia a result of cluster headache meds?
Post by BarbaraD on Jan 12^th, 2008, 7:41am

I've never heard of melatonin causing anything but sleep. Been taking it for years and it's almost (nothing 100%) stopped my night-time hits. I take 9-15mg at night before bedtime.

Watch out for the narcs -- they CAN cause headaches. Even over the counter Excedrin can cause rebounds if taken too regularly.

Try chug-a-lugging an energy drink or some coffee at the onset. Vaso-constrictors work on CH -- not pain meds.

Hugs BD

Title: Re: insomnia a result of cluster headache meds?
Post by Stoic on Jan 12^th, 2008, 7:42am

Thanks to both of you for such a rapid response. I'm pretty receptive to the notion that this is a cluster phenomenon. I'm usually hit in the early morning, with congestion on the left side and an ache there and behind my eye. And until recently, the frequency had increased until I was getting a headache as often as once or even twice a day. I thought the problem might be sinus related, but I had an ENT specialist look me over, and this doesn't seem to be the problem.

I'm trying, as you say, to stay away from drugs as much as possible, esp. the Lorazepam, which can be very addictive.

Bob

Title: Re: insomnia a result of cluster headache meds?
Post by artonio7 on Jan 12^th, 2008, 7:48am

Hi Bob... welcome and sorry that your going through this crap.

I noticed that you didn't mention oxygen in the abort arsenol. Ask your neurologist for a prescription of o2 @ 15 - 25 lpm with a non-re-breather mask.

with warm regards,
Tony

Title: Re: insomnia a result of cluster headache meds?
Post by Stoic on Jan 12^th, 2008, 8:06am

Yes, my neurologist mentioned this, and I'll be discussing it with him further this coming week. From what I've read online, this seems to work well for many people with cluster headaches. Sounds like a good idea.

Bob

Title: Re: insomnia a result of cluster headache meds?
Post by Charlotte on Jan 12^th, 2008, 11:05am

good luck. I hope the propranolol helps a bit.. If not, you may want to give the verapamil a better try - it has a better track record.

Charlotte

Title: Re: insomnia a result of cluster headache meds?
Post by Shedz on Jan 12^th, 2008, 11:05am

When I first came to the board I was mainly on strong painkillers, but with the advice and support of this place, I now use 02, Imigran/Imitrex, ice packs and Taurine/caffeine drinks. As for the insomnia, its part and parcel of having CH I'd say.

Paul ;;D

Title: Re: insomnia a result of cluster headache meds?
Post by Stoic on Jan 12^th, 2008, 11:33am

Hmmmm. Sorry to hear this about the Inderal. I was able to tolerate the Verapamil just fine, but started having serious insomnia. Perhaps the latter was a consequence of getting off the Vicodin a couple of days earlier...

Title: Re: insomnia a result of cluster headache meds?
Post by thebbz on Jan 12^th, 2008, 6:10pm

I've had sleep problems going back as long as the CH.
Get the 02 and hopefully you can taper off the other meds.
Whatever kicks the episode.
The sleeping problems are symptomatic of CH in my opinion.
Circadian rhythm being what it is...tied to the hypothingy.
thebb