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        New Message Board Archives >> Jan-Mar 2003 >> DRUG INDUCED COMA
        
(Message started by: toughenough on Mar 16^th, 2003, 12:58am)

Title: DRUG INDUCED COMA
Post by toughenough on Mar 16^th, 2003, 12:58am

Hi,

I have suffered from clusters for twenty five years on and off. Last October I had a cycle that lasted nine weeks. About four to five attacks a night no longer then twenty minutes.
I am on Verapmil,& topamax. The thing is my cluster came back Feb 7th and has been about seven attacks a day ranging from thirty to an hour and a half. They are constant. Been to the hospital four times to get a shot of DHE which has helped, but not stopped them. Except my last shot of DHE had a very strange side effect, which my doctor said is not a side effect of the drug. I was absolutely positive if I got another shot of DHE I was going to die in that e.r. I have lost twenty six pounds.
A friend who really does not understand what I am going through asked me why doesn't the doctor just put you into a drug induced coma for a few weeks so you are not in pain. At first I thought are you Fuc** nuts.
However, after last nights six attacks all at a level of at least nine I am beginning to give this some thought.
I have tried so many different drugs over the years and nothing prevents them or stops them. They eventually stop on there own. So is my friend nuts or do you think my doctor could do a drug induced coma. I seem him on Thursday.

Title: . Re: DRUG INDUCED COMA
Post by achinghead on Mar 16^th, 2003, 1:14am

your doc might think your nuts if you ask him... I DUNNO. I guess when we're desparate were desparate. GL

Title: Re: DRUG INDUCED COMA
Post by BobG on Mar 16^th, 2003, 1:24am

What meds have you tried? How about verapimil, imitrex, pure oxygen?

About the friends suggestion for a drug induced coma, unless he was just joking, IMHO you should get a new friend.

Title: Re: DRUG INDUCED COMA
Post by Jarvis on Mar 16^th, 2003, 1:39am

on 03/16/03 at 01:24:38, BobG wrote:

About the friends suggestion for a drug induced coma, unless he was just joking, IMHO you should get a new friend.

Ditto but Hmmmmm.

Title: Re: DRUG INDUCED COMA
Post by Frank on Mar 16^th, 2003, 9:41am

Hmmm.... You would become total care. Meaning that you would need a nasal feeding tube (if for a week or two, and a G-tube for much longer... which is a surgical procedure). And of course numero uno and numero dos would need to be taken care of. It would probably be necessary to temporarily place you in a nursing home under the circumstances.

You and your doctor would have to have documented that your life can't be lived any other way, and would have an uphill battle with the insurance and medical ethics people.

Title: Re: DRUG INDUCED COMA
Post by kim on Mar 16^th, 2003, 11:15am

Can completely relate to you somehow contemplating such an idea....but there are other avenues you can try first. There are many sound recommendations to be found here. I'd try them all first - LOL ???

Hang in there, it'll get better :)

Title: Re: DRUG INDUCED COMA
Post by cathy on Mar 16^th, 2003, 2:43pm

....Hi toughenough welcome aboard, you'll find a lot of help and encouragement here on the board....as Im not a sufferer but a supporter I can't answer your question, however, were it possible (which I doubt it is) and it worked for you, (which it probably would) what would you then do for relief should you become chronic....(which I pray you never do)...??? ???...

Regardless...I think as your name describes, you are toughenough and will get through this, my husband was using Imitrex successfully and will be trying O2 when next in cycle....(which I hope is never..) hope you find something to help you through this, until then sending you PF vibes ....
Cathy :)

Title: Re: DRUG INDUCED COMA
Post by cootie on Mar 16^th, 2003, 2:57pm

Hi toughenough...sorry it's gotten this bad for you. But as far as the coma idea I jus dunno bout that...sounds scarey.....but seems I have heard and read that anesthetics ect can or have brought on CH episodes.....wouldn't that be of concern it may bring on anouther 'round' ? Just a thought...I could be wrong. Hang in there....yer worth it !! Pam-Coots-jus-speculateing

Title: Re: DRUG INDUCED COMA
Post by KingOfPain on Mar 16^th, 2003, 10:33pm

Welcome toughenough,

My Neuro put me in the hospital (last July) for 3 days on a DHE IV drip.
I was closely monitored.
DHE has a tendancy to give some folks blood pressure problems.
The Neuro also had me on other meds as well.
My attacks were stopped while in the hospital but resumed 3 days later.
When they began again, they were not as bad or long lived.

Just sharing my experiance.

Hope this info helps.

KingOfPain