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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Melatonin
        
(Message started by: starlight on Jul 10^th, 2006, 12:25pm)

Title: Melatonin
Post by starlight on Jul 10^th, 2006, 12:25pm

Hi...I'm new here--I'll introduce myself in other section. I just wanted to share this in case it might help anyone and also b/c I am very happy this seems to be working.
I am a 32 year old woman. I have had cluster headaches since I was 14. Basically have just suffered through them using oxygen (when I finally was prescribed it about six years ago). My last cluster cycle the pain had hit an all time high in later part of cycle--it was hell--KIP 9 I would just sit with head down breathing oxygen, hot water bottle on head and ice cubes in mouth. I would tell people to try that--it is the only thing that could bring any relief when pain was KIP 9--the combination I just described and it was the ice cubes in the mouth pressed up against the roof of my mouth that touched the pain at all. Or try Imitrex if it works for you--for me it gave me lots of rebound headaches but it was worth that at a KIP 10.

I just started another cycle 3 nights ago after skipping two years. The GOOD NEWS is that I took 9mg of melatonin an hour before bed the night right after I got the first warning--it was a strong warning I was pacing around and the warning persisted on and off for about two and a half hours. Anyway I took the melatonin the night following this strong warning. That night I awoke at 3:15 am with a full-blown trying to break through and it didn't!!!!! It was a very strange feeling like it just had no power to get through! That morning again it tried and then again at 5pm (only milder attempts). Next night I did not awaken and only a MILD twinge in morning. I know this may not work for anyone but to me I am crossing my fingers. I am telling you that I was in shock to feel what I felt--the sensation of something keeping this monster at bay. In the earlier part of my life doctors did not help me. Finally I went to a headache clinic--this is what the doctor told me to do--take 9mg of melatonin immediately when I got the first warning of the next cycle. And it seems to be working!!! I am keeping my fingers crossed and hope this can help someone else!!!

Love, Starlight

Title: Re: Melatonin
Post by LeeS on Jul 10^th, 2006, 1:20pm

Thanks for sharing Starlight. I hope it continues working for you.

-Lee

Title: Re: Melatonin
Post by ShaneM on Jul 10^th, 2006, 2:11pm

Having some good results myself at 12mg. Hope it continues for you.

Shane

Title: Re: Melatonin
Post by starlight on Jul 10^th, 2006, 3:23pm

Thank you Lee and Shane.

I have a question for anyone (maybe Shane)? Do you know how long to keep taking the melatonin? Should it be taken throughout what would be the normal duration of a cycle (mine are usually 6-7 weeks)? Or only for a couple of weeks? Or just till you "sense" that they are gone? I'd love any insight or information--there seems to be a wealth of it here. Thanks.

Title: Re: Melatonin
Post by starlight on Jul 10^th, 2006, 3:25pm

Also Shane, it is great to hear you are having good results with melatonin and really encouraging too. Starlight

Title: Re: Melatonin
Post by marlinsfan on Jul 10^th, 2006, 3:45pm

on 07/10/06 at 15:23:53, starlight wrote:

Do you know how long to keep taking the melatonin?

I take 9 mg every night while in cycle. I start to taper it about 30 days after my last hit, doing 6 mg for 3 nights, 3 mg for 3 nights, then stop. That's what I do, I'm sure others will share their experience.

Glad to have another clusterhead getting relief from Melatonin!
PF wishes.
Jose

Title: Re: Melatonin
Post by starlight on Jul 10^th, 2006, 3:59pm

Marlinsfan--

Thanks so much for the advice! I definitely do not want to stop taking it too early!!! Tapering off like you say after 30 days sounds very sensible and it is so good to hear that it works for you. It is really good to talk to people who have first-hand experience with this--it is reassuring to me to hear that that is the method that works for you--thank you--Starlight