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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> My second cycle started
        
(Message started by: BigCoffinHunter on Aug 22^nd, 2006, 8:17pm)

Title: My second cycle started
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Aug 22^nd, 2006, 8:17pm

Went through this the first time back in '03. After couple grueling months, I found some relief with Amerge + Keppra + Melatonin, eventually they went away. A couple weeks ago I woke up, and there he was, grinning at me. I knew he was there before the pain even began. I immediately popped all my old expired meds, and called my neuro the next day. So now I'm on Keppra, zomig nasal, a week's worth of steroids, and melatonin. I haven't had too many full blown ones yet, at least not like last time. Maybe getting on the meds so quick helped this time, I dunno, still too early to see. I just took a blast from the zomig for the first time, seems to work quickly. Definitely sucks to be back here.

Title: Re: My second cycle started
Post by georgej on Aug 22^nd, 2006, 8:27pm

Sorry you've had to come back. Sounds like you have a handle on what works for you medically.

Have you tried oxygen as an abortive? Take a look at the "oxygen info" at the left side of your screen for detailed information on how it should be administered. Many people have great results with it. I haven't tried it yet in the way it ought to be done, but I fully intend to during my next cycle.

I gotta tell you, you get my vote for "Most Intriguing Screen Name".

Regards and best wishes,

George

Title: Re: My second cycle started
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Aug 22^nd, 2006, 8:37pm

LOL from King's Dark Tower series, don't look too deeply into it. I haven't tried the O2 yet. I'm still pretty new in terms of all the meds, but the Keppra / Triptan mix seemed to control it at least some last time. Previously I had been using an Amerge a night, under the theory that if I got a CH while sleeping, it would be in my system allready. That causes lots of insurance grief, so he's trying the zomig as an abortive this time. We'll see how it works out. Other than that I use 9mg melatonin every night, plus a lot of caffeine when I have to. I guess it may take a while to see where this cycle is leading. The neuro I go to seems to have a lot of experience with these, and said he has a lot of stuff to try if this regimen doesn't pan out.

Title: Re: My second cycle started
Post by sandie99 on Aug 27^th, 2006, 10:09am

I'm so sorry that you're back in cycle... [smiley=hug.gif]

PF wishes,
Sanna

Title: Re: My second cycle started
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Aug 29^th, 2006, 1:09am

Ugh I just woke up with the worst one since my last cycle. The zomig nasal took about 5 minutes to start working hard against it, but the whole thing took about 15 minutes. Now I'm afraid to go back to sleep, which just makes me miserable. Hopefully the zomig will keep it away for the rest of the night. The Keppra has been working fairly well at keeping them away most days, with only a few breakthroughs. This one was a full blown monster, though thankfully "short" lived (minutes seem like hours, you all know the drill).

Title: Re: My second cycle started
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Aug 29^th, 2006, 5:59am

Made it till 5:30, then my friend strolled back in. May call up the Neuro today and see what he suggests. I've been on the Keppra almost a month now, and they have suddenly taken a turn for the worse. Thinking now that the dexamethasone I was on for a couple of weeks was doing most of the work. My god you quickly lose perspective of just how bad they can get, I was totally unprepared for the amount of pain those brought.

Title: Re: My second cycle started
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Aug 30^th, 2006, 7:37pm

Well I'm to taper off the useless Keppra, start Verapamil, and another steroid run. That should at least give me a few good days. We'll see how this works.

Title: Re: My second cycle started
Post by georgej on Aug 31^st, 2006, 3:04am

Keep us posted.

They suck.

We'll back you up, though.

Best,

George

Title: Re: My second cycle started
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Sep 1^st, 2006, 7:41am

2 pain free days and nights...I wish I could stay on the steroids the entire time. I get sleep and feel like a normal human being again. Should be good until the middle of next week, hopefully the verapamil will be in full effect by then.

Title: Re: My second cycle started
Post by chewy on Sep 1^st, 2006, 8:04am

What verapamil dosage are you on?

Title: Re: My second cycle started
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Sep 1^st, 2006, 8:06am

240/day. Neuro said that when I start to taper off the steroids, if I start to get twinges, he would double it.