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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> At what point do you cave in?
        
(Message started by: frizzle on Jul 12^th, 2006, 9:22pm)

Title: At what point do you cave in?
Post by frizzle on Jul 12^th, 2006, 9:22pm

And take the _____ (fill in the blank with your med here)?

I'm trying to get through this cycle with a few meds as possible due to breastfeeding, but I have to cave and take the imitrex.

At what point do you take what you know will wipe it out right away?

And are you like me where you just try to "will" it away first? Then go to the oxygen and the ice packs? Then when you can't stand it you take the meds?

Yesterday I had the biggest whopper of them all so far. pounding the floor, sobbing, pushing the ice pack into my eye socket so hard I think I've got a black eye today. All the while trying to be quiet so I won't scare my little 3 year old (who was being distracted by his daddy thankfully)

Title: Re: At what point do you cave in?
Post by E-Double on Jul 12^th, 2006, 9:34pm

http://www.drugs.com/imitrex.html

http://www.citizen.org/publications/release.cfm?ID=7378

http://headaches.about.com/od/bookandproductinfo/l/bldrugprofab.htm

Most of the information suggests that triptans do pass into breast milk and may harm infant.

I am surprised that you doctor and I think I read lactation consultant didn't metion this.

I only found one that really says that it is unknown.

Everyone here that I know that has been pregnant or nursing did not use triptans of any sort due to this.

good luck and may you find relief however you can

Title: Re: At what point do you cave in?
Post by Bob_Johnson on Jul 13^th, 2006, 8:25am

Letting an attack fully develop before taking an abortive will, generally, reduce effectiveness.

Rather more important to work with your docs to find a med which is safe for you.

Title: Re: At what point do you cave in?
Post by frizzle on Jul 13^th, 2006, 9:23am

I would have thought the same thing about any meds at all until I found this site...

http://headaches.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=headaches&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fneonatal.ttuhsc.edu%2Flact

Then I talked to the lactation consultant at the hospital and she seemed to be along the same lines.

I'm a mom. I still feel guilt even drinking caffeine.

I just can't get a handle on this cycle. Maybe it's hormonal, maybe it's just a mental thing because I know I'm not actually taking meds.

I don't know.

Title: Re: At what point do you cave in?
Post by E-Double on Jul 13^th, 2006, 9:36am

Sweetie I certainly did not mean to bring any added guilt believe me!!!!!!!!!!! :-/

My wife is in the midst of PPD and had to give up nursing due to some major anxiety.

Good find regarding the research and if you are comfortable and doc is then awesome!!!!

I personally feel that a happy and more comfortable mommy is a better mommy. :-*

Eric

Title: Re: At what point do you cave in?
Post by Charlotte on Jul 13^th, 2006, 3:58pm

I couldn't get the site on the computer I'm at.

If oxygen works, it would be 1st choice. One mom here used it successfully while nursing. I understand the fear & guilt. I nursed 5 babies. It's also hard to guess which one you can ride out and which one to take care of quickly.

Good luck. Hang in there.

Charlotte

Title: Re: At what point do you cave in?
Post by JeffB on Jul 13^th, 2006, 6:53pm

I was told years ago about the dangers of men and trex. Don't know how true it is but something to do with heart valves being damaged. My response was " I don't care, help me, give me the trex". But I do understand what moms go through.

Title: Re: At what point do you cave in?
Post by sandie99 on Jul 14^th, 2006, 6:01am

I'm not a mother, so I cannot advice you in that sense.

But let me tell you how I treat my ch. Back in the days I used meds, I sometimes waited to see, if I indeed would get a major hit before taking a maxalt (which worked in 7-10 mins to abort the hit), because I knew that I'd get lots of side effects later on which would mean that I would have to cancel all my plans for the rest of the day.

When ch returned this spring, I decided to rely on Red Bull. So, whenever I felt a hit coming, I'd run to the fridge and get ice cold RB and drink it as soon as possible. Ch vanished in 5 minutes. Now energy drinks are my ch treatment - less side effects and works quicker than anything else I've tried in the past.

I am aware that nursing mums cannot use RB/other energy drinks. My point is that I don't wait anymore before I begin to treat my hits. Perhaps pain cannot be avoided all together, but suffering can. That's how I see it. :) I hated taking meds myself, so I'm happy that I don't have to, RB is enough.

Now, I have also used visualizing: I concentrade on the pain leaving my head. It is difficult, I know, but it is one med-free way to abort attack. Charlie here can give you very good advice how to use it. :)

Best wishes & loads of PF days,
Sanna

Title: Re: At what point do you cave in?
Post by frizzle on Jul 14^th, 2006, 6:27am

Thanks Sandie. That was my basic question overall.

At what point do you whip out your smoking gun? Do you try all the other things first?

Just learning to deal with this day by day.

Title: Re: At what point do you cave in?
Post by sandie99 on Jul 14^th, 2006, 8:57am

on 07/14/06 at 06:27:58, frizzle wrote:

At what point do you whip out your smoking gun? Do you try all the other things first?

Just learning to deal with this day by day.

This is the best place to learn new things about ch. :)

The lot in here have pretty much tried everything... I think that each CHer will have to consider that how far they're willing to go, what to try. What works for one doesn't work for another... what has worked for one, can work for others.... you'll never know.

I've been episodic, then chronic, now episodic again. I've come to the conclusion that it's good to keep an open mind; something will eventually kill me - I just don't want it to me my own prejudice! (Naturally, the strongest thing I've ever had is verapamil 600mg/day and my mum freaked out when I said that I'll try Red Bull).

I wish wish that there will be a day when docs will tell you these things:

1. it may take a while before we'll find you a treatment, which works.

2. there's a wonderful site called clusterheadaches.com, you should visit it.

3. you might get depressed while you're in cycle. you might also get depresses after your chronic ch finally ends. it's part of ch, nothing to worry about...

But hey, after 6 neuros, I don't expect miracles! ;;D

PF time to all!
Sanna

Title: Re: At what point do you cave in?
Post by bambina on Jul 19^th, 2006, 9:31pm

[smiley=huh.gif]Hi: I am a mom but I am glad I did not suffer from migraines while nursing. I've had migraines after the menopause, my mother had them for 5 years, I"ve had them over 5 years. I have been to 5 neurologists, and they all prescribe antiepileptic drugs but they never worked. Nothing until now, I've had accupressure and accupunture which works for many people and don't think would harm the baby, but that did not work either, neither meditation or herbs. This new internist I have as a doctor has started me on Cardizem which is prescribed for people with heart attacks because is lowers their blood pressure. After 10 to 18 migraines a month, I started on this capsule and this month I have only had 3 migraines. Of course I use Imitrex tabs 100 mg. and sometimes have to take 2 in 24 hours, but please check with your doctor about side effects in your breast feeding and don't wait until the pain is almost impossible to relieve. Read about meds or get yourself the Pill Book (great) it has all the info and side effects of all meds, just like the doctor's PDR. Good luck!

Title: Re: At what point do you cave in?
Post by suffermom on Jul 19^th, 2006, 11:12pm

I have had cluster headaches off and on for 30 years, (luckily with several years between bouts at times). I have just gone to a Neurologist and received a prescription for Verapamil (which is also used to treat high blood pressure). Several days after taking my first dose, my bout (which has lasted 3 months now) is over. Apparently, this is a medication that you can stay on long term, (not just to treat the headache that you currently have).

I don't know if it is O.K. to use while nursing, so you would need to check with your doctor. I'm soooo happy to finally be able to go about my daily business without the worry of a headache or the agony of several hours of extreme pain!! :D

Title: Re: At what point do you cave in?
Post by lionsound on Jul 20^th, 2006, 9:08am

Frizzle,
I am so sorry you are hurting so much. [smiley=hug.gif]

on 07/12/06 at 21:34:36, E-Double wrote:

Most of the information suggests that triptans do pass into breast milk and may harm infant.

I am surprised that you doctor and I think I read lactation consultant didn't metion this.

I only found one that really says that it is unknown.

Everyone here that I know that has been pregnant or nursing did not use triptans of any sort due to this.

What Eric wrote is exactly true. So i was a little shocked when my doc told me that very recently the American Academy of Pediatrics has approved imitrex for nursing mothers. I don't understand why given all the questions and risks that exist. I have no idea what form they've approved it in or for how much because even thought they say it's okay, I will not do it. (there's a lot of stuff they approve i wont take) For me, it's too big of a risk to take.

My suggestion would be if you are hurting so bad you absolutely need the meds, pump and dump (throw away) the breast milk you make after taking the imitrex. This may require some prior planning and stored milk. This used to be what they suggested with triptans, so ask your docs for how many hours after you need throw the milk away.

You can also ask your doc about a mild narcotic like tylenol with codeine, or something that may take the edge off enough for you to manage. Narcotics aren't helpful that much with the pain, but are said to be safer with baby.

The first thing I try is ice, then O2, then i'm just SOL and dance for a while. Sometimes swimming helps because I can put my whole head under water.

And I come here and laugh and smile. :)

feel free to PM me if you want to chat.

May you be well and PF!
-Rori

Title: Re: At what point do you cave in?
Post by frizzle on Jul 21^st, 2006, 9:09am

Well, thanks for the advice everyone.

Last weekend I got together with my neuro, my pediatricians, and my gyno and we all looked up meds.

They/we decided on the oxygen, a pred taper and melatonin for night time. So far, so good. Feeling good but I'm on the half pred now and tomorrow it will be over so we'll see if that means they will come back or not.

All agreed that the verapamil was a no no.

Prednisone is classified as a level 2 as well as the Imitrex so I can use the nasal but NOT an injection or pill form, something about the way the body absorbs it.

It's week 7 1/2 now. Hopefully this will end soon. Last time I remember a cycle it went from May 2002 til August 13th or so (the day I had to ship off to basic training. Good thing it stopped then huh?)

Title: Re: At what point do you cave in?
Post by Flash on Jul 22^nd, 2006, 10:46pm

If you are breast feeding then avoid taking CH medications (other than O2) unless you believe it is acceptable to risk harming the child.

But to answer your question: NEVER

Between November 1986 and January 1993 I went through 8 episodes with no medication whatsoever. I have never taken triptans (trex), pred, verapamill, topomax, ergotamine, methysergide (Sansert), or any other mainstream CH medication. Once in 1995 I used propanolol and amytriptylene (however it's spelt), and they did jack shit.

I've sat there and had various doctors write me prescriptions from drugs that I've never taken. Even had one doctor try and force a bottle of sumatriptan tablets into my hand. But nope. NEVER.

And from what I've seen on this board most of those drugs risk making the condition worse for a very small gain, and some of them may even turn people chronic. I've also observed that the people who take the most meds tend to fare worse, and when people detox from meds altogether then they tend to fare better.