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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Benzodiazepine (clonazepam) as abortive.
        
(Message started by: Pascal on Jul 14^th, 2006, 9:25pm)

Title: Benzodiazepine (clonazepam) as abortive.
Post by Pascal on Jul 14^th, 2006, 9:25pm

[smiley=huh.gif] Firstly hello to every one on line!
After my last visit to Dr. ( I only go twice a year to get my supply if Imigran tabs. Now it's just in case I have an occassionel bad hit since being on KUDZU. I told her of the relief that I had found since having made a kudzu trial for thtwo prévious cycles, (like most users, that meant fewer, shorter, more supportable attacks and sometime none at all, and the last two cycles shortened down from 3 1/2 monthsto 2 months). She had hever heard about the KUDZU either, but was not against it. In the place of Imigran she had prescribed me CLONAZEPAN, an anti-epilectic (family of BENZODIAZEPINES), "just to try". I have been looking over site for other threads concerning this drug, but can't find any. Perhaps ther is another name for it?
In any case, I gave it a try still using the kudzu for the first week, then stopped the kudzu 'just to see' and continued on the CLONAZEPAM. Had very positive results (no more hits at all and slept through all nights as soon as the first day with no side-effects except immediate memory problems and being a little bit "in the moon " sometimes and insomnia. D'ont know how or why an anti-epilepsie treatment could be so effective for cluster headaches? (p.s. have no epilepsie history)
Has anyone els ever been prescribed a similar treatment, and if yes, was it as effective as it has been for me? Grateful for any information.

Title: Re: Benzodiazepine (clonazepam) as abortive.
Post by kissmyglass on Jul 15^th, 2006, 6:36am

Another name is Kolonipin, does nothing for my head but makes me sleep very well. Don't know about it being for epilepsy, doc gave it to me for anxiety attacks, knocked me out so he switched me to xanax.
Good luck,

Kev

Title: Re: Benzodiazepine (clonazepam) as abortive.
Post by Pascal on Jul 15^th, 2006, 7:47am

M
on 07/15/06 at 06:36:29, kissmyglass wrote:

Thanks for your reply; sorry It didn't work for you though. Have now found more info. on the site "www.druginfonet.com" on this drug under the name of KLONOPIN ( by lab. Roche). It is apparently preconised as an anti-convulsant treatment for epilepsy, but the is no mention there of it being used as a treatment for CH. I wil continue my investigations elsewhere.
WARNING!!! N.B.NOT TO BE USED IN THE CASES OF PREGNANCY OR BREASTFEEDING.

Title: Re: Benzodiazepine (clonazepam) as abortive.
Post by Bamalady on Jul 15^th, 2006, 3:18pm

Hi Pascal-

I began having CH following a medical procedure in June 2000. The Dr. thought the CH were being caused by medication I was to take for 6 weeks. When I stopped taking the meds, the CH continued. The Dr. didn't want to hear about it, so I went to another Dr. He gave me Klonipin. The CH stopped with my first dose. I did a taper, and was free from CH for 2 years. Then they started again. This time the Klonipin didn't stop them, but made them almost bearable.

After doing some reading here, I was tested for Sleep Apnea, and found to have that condition. After about a 9 month of adjustment with different pressure and different masks, I am once again tapering the Klonipin. I am one it has helped.

Title: Re: Benzodiazepine (clonazepam) as abortive.
Post by floridian on Jul 15^th, 2006, 4:03pm

There have been some anecdotal reports of the benzodiazpines helping reduce cluster activity. No research on it, but if it helps you, go for it.

I have taken both klonipin and xanax for anxiety - I typically used 1/4 to 1/2 the recomended dose, and that was enough to alleviate my anxiety. If you use it daily for a period, you could become habituated, requiring a tapered withdraw. I had planned on going back to the doctor for a refill at the begining of hurricane season - would not be fun for a person w/ anxiety to ride out a direct hit from a hurricane. Well, plenty of time until we get hit (famous last words).

Title: Re: Benzodiazepine (clonazepam) as abortive.
Post by Pascal on Jul 16^th, 2006, 6:08am

on 07/15/06 at 16:03:02, floridian wrote:

Thanks for your reply and the info. Just a remark concerning the dosages you were taking "1/4 to 1/2 recomended daily dose)": My doc had prescribed me a higher dose than that; i.e.1,5mg per day which seems to be pretty near the max. daily dose preconised (2,Omg?) . with 1/4 daily dose at mid-day to prevent the P.M. Hits and the 3/4 rest before bed to prevent the 3.A.M. hits. This might be the reason why the treatment seems to work so well. In any case I'm sticking to it as long as it works!

Title: Re: Benzodiazepine (clonazepam) as abortive.
Post by floridian on Jul 16^th, 2006, 12:52pm

The dose range for clusters may be entirely different than the dose required to prevent panic attacks - I haven't used any benzos when in cycle, but surely will next cycle. Many people with anxiety disorder have anxiety about taking too much, and adjust their dose to the lowest level that will control things. The goal is the same - to feel normal or almost so. :)

Keep us posted.

Title: Re: Benzodiazepine (clonazepam) as abortive.
Post by vietvet2tours on Jul 16^th, 2006, 1:07pm

O2 first and foremost

Title: Re: Benzodiazepine (clonazepam) as abortive.
Post by floridian on Jul 16^th, 2006, 4:20pm

on 07/16/06 at 13:07:48, vietvet2tours wrote:

O2 first and foremost

O2 and Taurine are definitely abortives of choice for most, and for good reason.

The ancedotes I have heard on benzos have been as a preventive.

Title: Re: Benzodiazepine (clonazepam) as abortive.
Post by Karla on Jul 16^th, 2006, 6:30pm

I take 4mg of xanax 2x/day for anxiety. It doesn't effect my ch at all.

Title: Re: Benzodiazepine (clonazepam) as abortive.
Post by Pascal on Jul 16^th, 2006, 9:25pm

:-[quote author=floridian link=board=meds;num=1152926752;start=0#8 date=07/16/06 at 16:20:00]

O2 and Taurine are definitely abortives of choice for most, and for good reason.

The ancedotes I have heard on benzos have been as a preventive. [/quote]
You certainly must be right there, and I now realize that that I should have titled this subject otherwise, i;e; "Benzodiazepines (clonazepam) as a prevent" considering that treatments which are classified as 'abortives' refer to those used once the hits have started. Hope I havn't misleaded anyone by my ignorance. However, I'd started the benzodiazepine at the onset of a new cycle over two months ago and it has totally blocked all hits as from the first day until I started trying to taper off a few days ago by reducing the doses. The result was an immediate re-apparition of minor CH activity thus proving that the cycle is still active. Have gone back to the normal dose and all is back in order. Thank you for correcting me. :-[ :-[

Title: Re: Benzodiazepine (clonazepam) as abortive.
Post by bambina on Jul 19^th, 2006, 9:10pm

hi pascal: I take clonazepan, but as far as I know it is not an antiepileptic, it is used to help people with anxiety. I take 1 mg every night after "becoming" anxious, after a surgery I had. I helps me relax and I sleep well. For my migraines I take Imitrex 100 mg and it works for me, I don't know what KUDZU is? Anyway after going to 5 neurologists, accupuncture, accupresure, herbs and many antiepileptics prescribed by the "famous neurologists", I just started being seen by a new doctor and he is trying CARDIZEM which generic is cartia. It is supposed to be for heart attack patients because it lowers the blood pressure and your heart apparently beats slower. Well, it's either working or something is going on! In May I had 18!, yes 18! migraines, and in June after starting with cartia, I only had 8. This month of July I've only had 3! WOW what a relief in so many years(about 6). You might ask you doctor. Good luck [smiley=huh.gif]

Title: Re: Benzodiazepine (clonazepam) as abortive.
Post by Pascal on Nov 27^th, 2006, 10:25pm

on 07/16/06 at 21:25:17, Pascal wrote:

:-[
You certainly must be right there, and I now realize that that I should have titled this subject otherwise, i;e; "Benzodiazepines (clonazepam) as a prevent" considering that treatments which are classified as 'abortives' refer to those used once the hits have started. Hope I havn't misleaded anyone by my ignorance. However, I'd started the benzodiazepine at the onset of a new cycle over two months ago and it has totally blocked all hits as from the first day until I started trying to taper off a few days ago by reducing the doses. The result was an immediate re-apparition of minor CH activity thus proving that the cycle is still active. Have gone back to the normal dose and all is back in order. Thank you for correcting me. :-[ :-[

Title: Re: Benzodiazepine (clonazepam) as abortive.
Post by Pascal on Nov 27^th, 2006, 10:28pm

on 07/16/06 at 16:20:00, floridian wrote:

O2 and Taurine are definitely abortives of choice for most, and for good reason.

The ancedotes I have heard on benzos have been as a preventive.

Title: Re: Benzodiazepine (clonazepam) as abortive.
Post by chopmyheadoff on Nov 28^th, 2006, 5:33am

i experimented with the benzo's back before i was diagnosed . .
just grasping at straws really.

i had diazepam - sometimes up to 30mg a night.
all this did was to send me to sleep, but when the beast came knocking i was up straight away, but couldnt stand up and was really wobbly on my feet.

still in intense pain but with the added bonus of feeling groggy and basically like sh1t.

glad it seems to be helping you though

Title: Re: Benzodiazepine (clonazepam) as abortive.
Post by BB on Nov 28^th, 2006, 7:59pm

Clonazepam is an anticonvulsant, similar to Lamictal, Lamogine, Neurontin, Lyrica, Epilim, and Topamax ... All have been tried for CH, with various success rates for different people.

For some it works wonder, for others it doesnt do much.

So kudos to you if it works so well, all the best. :)

Annette

Title: Re: Benzodiazepine (clonazepam) as abortive.
Post by BB on Nov 28^th, 2006, 8:14pm

Forgot to add, Clonazepam is NOT a benzodiazepine. They are totally different, different classes of drugs even. Benzodiazepine is in a class of drugs that are sedative/hypnotic such as Diazepam, Alprazolam, Oxazepam ect and is used for antianxiety and panic disorders.

Annette

Edited for spelling

Title: Re: Benzodiazepine (clonazepam) as abortive.
Post by Mr. Happy on Nov 29^th, 2006, 2:41am

Clonazepam is an anti-anxiety medication in the benzodiazepine family, the same family that includes diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), flurazepam (Dalmane), and others. (http://www.medicinenet.com/clonazepam/article.htm)

Are we reading from the same Google search/Medical manuals?

I'm just wondering here.
Hap

Title: Re: Benzodiazepine (clonazepam) as abortive.
Post by chewy on Nov 29^th, 2006, 5:53am

Quote:

Posted by: BB Posted on: Nov 28th, 2006, 8:14pm
Forgot to add, Clonazepam is NOT a benzodiazepine

It most certainly is.

Quote:

Clonazepam is in a class of drugs called benzodiazepines

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

Title: Re: Benzodiazepine (clonazepam) as abortive.
Post by BB on Nov 29^th, 2006, 6:37am

I stood corrected, my apology to all. Clonazepam IS a derivative of benzodiazepine. The difference is in Australia its listed under Anticonvulsant and is only authorised to be prescribed as anticonvulsant and not for anxiety/panic disorder.

In the MIMS its listed under Anticonvulsant in the same class as Neurontin and Lyrica and Phenobarbitone.

Quote from the MIMS:

Clonazepam is used for partial and generalised epieplsy in adults and children, and in status epilepticus. Approved indication is for neurologically proven epilepsy. Continuing supply approved only for palliative care patients for the prevention of epilepsy, where consultation with a palliative care specialist has occured.

Annette

Title: Re: Benzodiazepine (clonazepam) as abortive.
Post by chewy on Nov 29^th, 2006, 7:11am

Were you aware that In Austarlia Clonazepam is marketed as Rivotril.

Clearly in the benzo class.

Title: Re: Benzodiazepine (clonazepam) as abortive.
Post by BB on Nov 29^th, 2006, 12:23pm

Rivotril is listed under Anticonvulsant in Australia, its an authority only drugs. One has to ring Canberra PBS ( Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme ) to get an authority number to prescribe. Its in the realm of neurologist and/or palliative care specialist prescribing. Its not approved for any other use and its not listed under Benzo like Diazepam etc. GPs dont normally prescribe it here.

Annette