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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Pred taper results for chronic?
        
(Message started by: HeadhurtinMama on Oct 19^th, 2006, 10:32pm)

Title: Pred taper results for chronic?
Post by HeadhurtinMama on Oct 19^th, 2006, 10:32pm

I am currently on 720 of verapamil a day and just increase the topamax again up to 150. For some reason, the CH is just out of control the last few months which is why the doc added the topamax. So, I have been getting hit like crazy lately so the doc wants to try a pred taper. I've read that they are frequently used at the beginning of a cycle until the preventive med kicks in, but for a chronic that is already on meds? I kind of feel like she is grasping at straws and that it is my head and my sanity on the line... :-/

Title: Re: Pred taper results for chronic?
Post by davyp on Oct 20^th, 2006, 3:54am

Hi Hhm,

So sorry to hear you are having a rough time i hope you get a break soon.

A pred taper is often used while waiting for other meds to get in to the system but can also be good for giving people a break during nasty cycles/chronics or just when the meds dont seem to be working.
The pred taper may work for you and give you time to recharge your self and who knows might just put an end to this current run of attacks.

Am sure someone more knowledgeable will be along to explain it better.

Dape :)

Title: Re: Pred taper results for chronic?
Post by Guiseppi on Oct 20^th, 2006, 12:19pm

Davy's got it pretty right on. I introduce prednisone at many phases of my cycle. I do a pred taper at the begining when I'm waiting for my lithium to kick in. I'll also use it anytime I need a guaranteed break. My wife and I leave on an 8 day cruise on Sunday. I'll be ramped up on prednisone for the 8 days as it all but guarantees me pain free time.

When your other meds start to break down or when you're in the early stages of finding what works, pred gives you a much needed break to get some rest and gear up for the battle. Long term use can cause you problems so it's definitely a short term answer. Good luck, hoping you find a med balance that works soon, these things suck.

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Pred taper results for chronic?
Post by EDHASFORDS on Oct 20^th, 2006, 3:54pm

Title: hanksRe: Pred taper results for chronic?
Post by EDHASFORDS on Oct 20^th, 2006, 4:04pm

I'll try it again! This time with words! LOL

I am doing a Pred taper and wondered what would be considered a good start and finish?
The doc want's me to start with 60 Mg. However, I have heard some say more is better!
Any comments?

Thanks, Eddie D 8)

Title: Re: Pred taper results for chronic?
Post by HeadhurtinMama on Oct 20^th, 2006, 9:18pm

Thanks guys for the responses! I've tried a pred taper in the past, but it was a piddly little starting dose like 20 or 30 mgs and didn't do anything. It also was being used to try and diagnose CH. At the time, that guy ruled out CH, but here I am again! If this is going to work, how quickly should I notice something? My starting dose is 60 mgs and I take that for 3 days and go to 50 and so on. I am truly hoping for some pain free time and hoping I can drop some of my verap. My poor tummy is a mess!

Sorry this is so random and all over the place, it has been a long, bass akwards day. I think it is time for a glass of wine and catching up on the board, my new home away from home! ;)

Bridget

Title: Re: Pred taper results for chronic?
Post by Guiseppi on Oct 21^st, 2006, 1:43am

My first couple of tapers started at 80mg a day and ramped down 10 mg a day. Experience has shown starting as low as 30 MG stops them within 24 hours. A warning, just doing a pred taper with no other meds on board, for me, results in rebound headaches in the area of KIP 100!!! It's like they punish me for holding them at bay for a week!

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Pred taper results for chronic?
Post by burnt-toast on Oct 22^nd, 2006, 12:23pm

My base meds. are 1200mg Lithium Carbonate and 720mg Verapamil daily - 365 days a year.

When CH unexplainably stops responding to this combo things rapidly get out of hand in regards to frequency and severity of attacks.

Prednisone is reserved for these sudden ramp ups in symptoms (usually once and sometimes twice a year). My experience with Prednisone has been hit and miss.

Sometimes a taper quickly returns symptoms to more manageable levels - sometimes it has little if any effect.

Due to the laundry list of side effects, Prednisone is not my favorite option and I reserve it for truely desperate times. It has been worth taking Prednisone, however positive results are not guaranteed. Why? - appears to be anybodys guess.

Best wishes,

Tom

Title: Re: Pred taper results for chronic?
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Oct 23^rd, 2006, 11:46am

I had a dexamethasone taper this past cycle. I think it worked better and longer than the pred taper. NASTY heartburn with it though, even when taken with plenty of food. Felt like a hole was being burned through my stomach. Still better than a CH though.