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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> new mom needs help ASAP!
        
(Message started by: Lissa on Jan 3^rd, 2007, 2:51pm)

Title: new mom needs help ASAP!
Post by Lissa on Jan 3^rd, 2007, 2:51pm

I have a 2 1/2 month old child and I've been getting hit recently with very bad clusters. I'm taking 180 mg Verapamil and Imitrex to abort. The imitrex works but it takes some time. I need a preventative. Please help with any suggestions. I can't take care of my baby like this. :'(

Title: Re: new mom needs help ASAP!
Post by seasonalboomer on Jan 3^rd, 2007, 3:14pm

1.) Are you taking Imitrex tablets or has your doctor given you the correct version for clusters, being the Imitrex injections. Injections work in less than 10 minutes, and most of the time even quicker. Pills are pointless for cluster.

2.) Are you breastfeeding? If so, has your doctor reviewed whether Imitrex and breastfeeding is okay. The imitrex website seems to allude to the fact that the doctor should be advised if you are pregnant or nursing.

3.) Do you have Oxygen? O2 has been a lifesaver for many pregnant and new moms because it is completely safe and often very effective. If not find the link here at ch.com about O2 and talk to your doc about getting you O2 with a reg that will go to 12-15 lpm volume and a NON-rebreather mask -right away.

Scott

Title: Re: new mom needs help ASAP!
Post by Lissa on Jan 3^rd, 2007, 3:46pm

I'm taking imitrex pills. I'm not nursing. And I have tried oxygen with success. I need a preventative though. Any suggestions? Should I be taking a stronger dose of Verapamil?

Title: Re: new mom needs help ASAP!
Post by Jonny on Jan 3^rd, 2007, 3:54pm

on 01/03/07 at 15:46:07, Lissa wrote:

Should I be taking a stronger dose of Verapamil?

Yes you should, 180 is WAY to low. ask your doc to up it!

Its good to see you again, babe......but not like this! :'(

Title: Re: new mom needs help ASAP!
Post by TxBasslady on Jan 3^rd, 2007, 5:23pm

Guess I can't add to what Scott and Jonny says..but I will send you lots of vibes.

Bless your heart...

Jean

Title: Re: new mom needs help ASAP!
Post by E-Double on Jan 3^rd, 2007, 7:41pm

Talk to doc about increasing.

Hugs, congrats & good luck

Title: Re: new mom needs help ASAP!
Post by vig on Jan 4^th, 2007, 8:18am

listen to J/EE...
hope you're feeling better!

Title: Re: new mom needs help ASAP!
Post by burnt-toast on Jan 4^th, 2007, 10:55am

New mom - peak cycle. I can only ask that God bless you with a quick remission.

In the alternative, since you're not breastfeeding you have options for preventative medications, including combinations that may help get attacks under control.

Although not perfect, my salvation is 1200mg Lithium Carbonate/720mg Verapamil over the course of a day with 9mg Melatonin 30-40 minutes before bed. As Jonny points out your Verapamil dose is low, it may help to increase it but this will depend on your tolerance for it.

I would like to add that while I'm not a big proponent of Prednisone, 1-2 week tapers have helped knock down the the severity of attacks. Unfortunately, results have been hit & miss, it either works or it doesn't. Prednisone is a risky drug and long-term use is not recommeded for treating CH.

Put pressure on your doctor(s) to work closely with you to establish aboritive/preventative therapies that help you. Anyone in your situation warrants some additional attention from doctor(s). You have far more important things to deal with than CH.

Best Wishes,

Tom

Title: Re: new mom needs help ASAP!
Post by Bob_Johnson on Jan 4^th, 2007, 11:12am

See author's comments on Verap:

Here is a link to read and print and take to your doctor. It describes preventive, transitional, abortive and surgical treatments for CH. Written by one of the better headache docs in the U.S. (2002)

http://www.brightok.net/~mnjday/chtherapy.pdf

Title: Re: new mom needs help ASAP!
Post by pubgirl on Jan 4^th, 2007, 3:04pm

Lissa

Congratulations on your baby!. If it is your first, I remember this period of my life well and I can TOTALLY sympathise with needing to be attack free while your baby is so small- your Verap dosage wouldn't even tickle most CH sufferers, so try upping WITH AN ECG to check your reaction to it, or as suggested, a short , tapered course of steroids to try and "break" the cycle.

Under doctors advice you can use the prednisolone steroids while you are waiting to achieve the correct level of verapamil for you (it takes time to work and get it right) Don't forget that ECG though.

My best to you and hope you get it sorted soon so you can enjoy this really precious time (and I mean that, small babies turn into little horrors too fast ;)

Wendy the Brit

Title: Re: new mom needs help ASAP!
Post by FramCire on Jan 4^th, 2007, 7:52pm

1. Get O2... cheap and if it has worked do it.

2. Talk to your Dr about upping verapomil but if he/she balks at it, you may need to show them the article linked above. The dose I was on shocked a doctor who said there was no way I was on that high of a dose. He didn't know the dosage for CH.

3. Prednizone might be a good way to go. It might help out in the short term while the verap takes effect. I dont use prednizone anymore but it did have good effects for a while

If you ever want to talk, PM me. I am a stay at home dad who had to deal with 2 kids (6 months and 2.5 years) during my first cycle. Not easy but it can be done.

You WILL find relief!!!!!!!!!!

Title: Re: new mom needs help ASAP!
Post by chewy on Jan 5^th, 2007, 7:29am

Up the verapamil!

Title: Re: new mom needs help ASAP!
Post by lionsound on Jan 6^th, 2007, 9:00am

Lissa,
please let us know how you are doing. see if you can arrange for someone to come and hold the baby a while for you.

I nursed my baby who is now one so I can't speak to prevents. Although i take a pile of vitamins including magnesium, fish oil and B2. I love my O2 and I have use clustermasx (http://www.clustermasx.com) which works great.

you are not alone I have taken care of my babies while getting hit. it totally sucks, but you can do this!! Remember, support is a med too!!!

PF's for you!!!
-rori

Title: Re: new mom needs help ASAP!
Post by Bill_G. on Jan 7^th, 2007, 4:12am

First of all congrats on being a new Mom :D :D :D
Secondly, for what it is worth,if you are not nursing, I have to join the crowd and recommend upping verapamil. I had been in cycle for about five months taking 320mg per day. Convinced Neuro to let me up meds to 400mg per day came down to nothing more than one or two 4s per day. Admitted to hosp. for unrelated matter they would only give me 320mg. per day. within 36hrs the monster returned. Got released from hosp. went back to 400mg a day and within 24 hrs. was down to mostly shadows.

Title: Re: new mom needs help ASAP!
Post by Lissa on Jan 8^th, 2007, 8:56am

Thank you all so much for your advice! I really appreciate it. I upped my dose of Verapamil and I haven't been hit since. I hope that does it for me. Thank you again!!!

Title: Re: new mom needs help ASAP!
Post by B14CK5H33P on Jan 17^th, 2007, 4:49am

Cool to hear. If you start getting hit again though, your doc may have left some room to up the dosage. Of course the higher up you go, the more often you should have your BP checked so you don;t get on too high a dose. I did that and it wasn't fun.

Peace,
Carl

Title: Re: new mom needs help ASAP!
Post by pubgirl on Jan 17^th, 2007, 5:20am

Lissa

That is great news. Thanks for letting us know. I echo what Carl says though and additionally you must have an ECG at each Verap increase to check how your heart is responding to it.

Enjoy your baby :D

Love

Wendy

Title: Re: new mom needs help ASAP!
Post by bejeeber on Jan 22^nd, 2007, 9:33pm

on 01/03/07 at 15:14:10, seasonalboomer wrote:

1.) ....the correct version for clusters, being the Imitrex injections. Injections work in less than 10 minutes, and most of the time even quicker. Pills are pointless for cluster....
Scott

Agreed!!

And if youy do get hit again, the "imitrex tip" you can click on over there on the left has good instructions on how reduce the dosage by 1/2 or so...

Title: Re: new mom needs help ASAP!
Post by ozzyrocks36 on Jan 23^rd, 2007, 2:45pm

I am a single dad of 2 kids and I know how hard it can be to be a productive parent while in cycle.My kids are 9 and 10 and its still difficult.I can,t even imagine tryin to raise a newborn while being hit. GOD bless you and stay as strong as you are.You are a great fighter. I'm so glad to hear you are doing better now.Keep up the good work and enjoy your little angel....

Title: Re: new mom needs help ASAP!
Post by Karla on Jan 23^rd, 2007, 8:01pm

Imitrex and Zomig both have a nasal spray out. Imitrex kicks in as fast as the shot for me in 6-15 min. Much better than the pills. Good luck with all this info.

Title: Re: new mom needs help ASAP!
Post by sandie99 on Jan 24^th, 2007, 5:30am

Lissa,

I'm glad to hear that you're PF now! That's fantastic! :D
I keep my fingers crossed that the beast will also stay away. :)

Best wishes & PFdays,
Sanna