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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> New Doc, New Meds
        
(Message started by: bradboy on Dec 5^th, 2006, 7:32pm)

Title: New Doc, New Meds
Post by bradboy on Dec 5^th, 2006, 7:32pm

First of all I'd like to thank whoever put together the list of recommeded doctors by state. I went to see one of the recommended doctors in my area (Florida) and he was very knowledgable about clusters and was very compastionate and helpful.

For the past year or so I have been on nothing more than 240mg of verapamil daily and for the most part that has kept the headaches away I thought, maybe just between cycles I don't know. This was because I never followed up with my doctor when I was in CT because I didn't like him and didn't feel he was helping me. Anyway the doctor I saw today thinks this cycle came on because I stopped taking the verapamil cold turkey for 3 days(I don't like the constipation side effect). I have been back on it over a week now but god damn headaches are still going. I had 2 yesterday, the 2nd nearly took the life out of me.....

The doctor is keeping me on verapamil, he says is the first line of defense for clusters. He also gave me a RX for imitrex and Zomig nasal spray AND a one for a home oxygen tank! He advised me to try all three (he gave me a sample of imitrex and the spray) and see what I like best. He also has me on steroids to knock out this cycle. I am going back in 3 weeks.

Title: Re: New Doc, New Meds
Post by BB on Dec 5^th, 2006, 7:55pm

Hi Brad,

Sounds like your doc knows his cluster stuff. Follow his advice and check up with him often.

All the best

Annette

Title: Re: New Doc, New Meds
Post by Linda_Howell on Dec 5^th, 2006, 8:39pm

Welcome Brad. Everyone here has contributed to the Dr.s list you speak of.

I am so happy one is working FOR you instead of against you. As far as the 02 is concerned...make certain you have a non-rebreather mask and the regulator goes up to 15 LPM

Linda

Title: Re: New Doc, New Meds
Post by Richr8 on Dec 5^th, 2006, 8:53pm

Hey Brad,

I'd be careful with the Verap between cycles. I was on it for 18 months straight because every time I started to wean off I would start shadowing. Thanks to advice here, this last year I toughed it out with O2 and after a couple of weeks the shadows stopped. No sense in taking unnecessay meds.

Title: Re: New Doc, New Meds
Post by E-Double on Dec 5^th, 2006, 8:59pm

DO NOT TAKE EITHER TRIPTAN WITHIN a 24hr period of eachother.
This could be very dangerous

Title: Re: New Doc, New Meds
Post by brewcrew on Dec 5^th, 2006, 9:19pm

on 12/05/06 at 20:59:06, E-Double wrote:

DO NOT TAKE EITHER TRIPTAN WITHIN a 24hr period of eachother.
This could be very dangerous

...unless you've discussed it with your doctor and he/she is in agreement.

There have been a couple times in the past where I was taking Amerge twice a day as a preventative and Maxalt + O2 for breakthrough hits. All with the blessing of my neuro, who happens to be one of the best docs I know (I have been under his care for over 12 years).

It's not always a no-no. Just don't decide to do it on your own. Your doc will want to evaluate you for heart risk.

Title: Re: New Doc, New Meds
Post by bradboy on Dec 5^th, 2006, 9:28pm

thanks to everyone for your support and advice. This website has been very helpful to me the past year.

Title: Re: New Doc, New Meds
Post by bradboy on Dec 8^th, 2006, 3:37am

3:15am I wake up with first sign up headache, 10 minutes with O2 at 10LPM and I'm writing this pain free! WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW! ;;D
AMAZING!
now instead of pacing the floor for the next 45 minutes in agony, I'm going back to bed!

I guess I had a "shadow" the past two afternoons at work, took an imitrix and within 15 min they were gone!

there is hope again.....