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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> night time headache change
        
(Message started by: maryo on Feb 10^th, 2008, 10:25am)

Title: night time headache change
Post by maryo on Feb 10^th, 2008, 10:25am

Has anyone out there as a result of prophylactic treatment (mine: Verapamil) had their headaches change rather than go away?

I can't say I'm unhappy but instead of the intense right-sided headaches 4-5 a night I'm getting one of those at midnight (aborted by oxygen) and around 3 or 4 a.m. a bilateral headache that is less painful but covers more area (my whole head, with referral to neck and shoulders). Oxygen doesn't abort these but imitrex does, and cafergot takes about 90% of it away. When I get up in the morning whatever headache I still have dissipates. I take 15 mg Melatonin, and 2-3 times a week take clonopin at night so that I can get some decent sleep.

I posted a few weeks earlier about frustration with my doctor. I have interviewed two other doctors and am using one on a trial basis (by mutual agreement) who has referred me to a neurologist. Am having an MRI this week. Just don't know what the heck is going on.

Title: Re: night time headache change
Post by Bob_Johnson on Feb 10^th, 2008, 10:39am

Direct answer: no medical evidence that Verap induces such changes.

Changes in location of pain, time, duration of a cycle, etc. are all common experiences with CH. It's important not to regard the descriptions which you read as carved in stone. You can drive yourself nuts worrying about shifts like this one rather than being aware of the major side effects of your meds and just monitoring yourself for them and taking action if a MAJOR change in pain levels, changes in vision, etc.

I hope that your new doc can help you stabilize on as few meds as possible so that you can learn what is YOUR stable pattern. I'm really concerned about people who, reading about this-and-that-med, change around too often & quickly. This pattern prevents you body from stabilizing on one regime and increases the issue of drug interactions.

Title: Re: night time headache change
Post by maryo on Feb 10^th, 2008, 1:13pm

thanks bob.

I've decided the regime I'm using, while not ideal, is working so-so and will do until I'm in with the new neuro. However, this year the headaches have ratcheted up from a mild mixed chronic-episodic pattern that was easier to live with than all previous episodes, to worst ever. So I am looking forward to the neuro visit, and to getting my eyes checked out as I have been seeing halos around lights during this cycle.

Title: Re: night time headache change
Post by Stinger on Feb 10^th, 2008, 1:42pm

My headaches, as with most of you, seem to set their own schedule, same times each day, and then for some reason, change to an hour or two later for a period of time. It could be the meds, just have never figured it out.