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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Maxalt doses?
        
(Message started by: downstairs on Jan 19^th, 2007, 7:50pm)

Title: Maxalt doses?
Post by downstairs on Jan 19^th, 2007, 7:50pm

I'm a newbie, and only recently got what I'm positive is a cluster headache. (1.5 weeks now, get an attack 1-2 times per day.)

I want to see a neurologist soon, but in the meantime my physician has prescribed Maxalt 10 mg.

It doesn't work 100%, but it seems to be OK if I catch the attack right at the beginning.

The package, says not to go over 3 doses (and my doctor, said not to go over 2 doses) in 24 hours. I am curious if this is generally the case? Could there be a problem if someone went into 4 or so doses?

The reason is, there are times I need to take 2 doses for one attack. If I get an attack hours later, I'm without any help (other than non-medical).

Not looking for anyone to go over my doctor's head… just curious on experiences and the doses most people take.

I am on no other medication at all for anything, including CH.

Title: Re: Maxalt doses?
Post by brewcrew on Jan 19^th, 2007, 8:12pm

It's a pretty serious vasoconstrictor, and people with heart problems can make them worse by overdosing (or even taking it in the first place).

If your GP was willing to write you a script for Maxalt, maybe you should ask him to write you a script for oxygen through a non-rebreather mask at 10-12 liters per minute. It works for about 70% of CH sufferers. At least to get you through until you see a neurologist who specializes in headaches.

Read the "oxygen info" section at the left of your screen. Also, take the cluster quiz to find out if this is really what is wrong.

Welcome. Sorry you're here, but glad you found us.

Title: Re: Maxalt doses?
Post by Bob_Johnson on Jan 20^th, 2007, 8:21am

Robbins article has a section on triptans which you might find helpful to read.
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http://www.headachedrugs.com/pdf/ha2006.pdf Dr. Robbins site. Then explore the entire site by deleting everything following. com/ and then hit enter.
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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: Maxalt doses?
Post by downstairs on Jan 20^th, 2007, 8:26am

Thanks brew and Bob.

FYI, My concern wasn't so much an overdose for one single attack. Its more like what happened last night and this morning.

Last night at 6pm I (think I) successfully aborted an attack with Maxalt and nothing else. Same happened around midnight.

Well, then 7am rolls around and I have an attack and no ammo. (I didn't use the Maxalt because that would have been the 3rd in less than 24 hours).

Luckily it was a small one this morning- but it is scary to now be "without ammo" for like X number of hours.

(PS: Yes, o2 is certainly something I am going to insist on getting from my Dr.)

Title: Re: Maxalt doses?
Post by brewcrew on Jan 20^th, 2007, 8:58am

In the interim, you might consider Red Bull or some other energy drink with large amounts of both taurine and caffeine. They help a lot of us, especially with the smaller hits and shadows.

Title: Re: Maxalt doses?
Post by downstairs on Jan 20^th, 2007, 9:01am

Yeah, I got that from this board and loaded up on Red Bull and some Starbucks espresso double-shots (or whatever they're called).

Slammed one of each this morning, but I was already 45 mins. into a minor attack- so who knows if it worked (the attack ended in 5 mins, but probably would have anyway).

Question: do people find the energy drink/caffene treatment effective even *without* medication? I was afraid that the whole point of the Red Bull was to speed up something like a Maxalt or stronger drug?

Title: Re: Maxalt doses?
Post by brewcrew on Jan 20^th, 2007, 9:04am

If you catch it early enough, it works all by itself for many of us. Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor, and taurine enhances the effect of the caffeine. I often use an energy drink in conjunction with O2.

Title: Re: Maxalt doses?
Post by TonyG1 on Jan 20^th, 2007, 9:34am

Hi, welcome. Sorry you have to be here but glad you found the place !! You might talk with your doctor about a good preventative --- verapamil works well for me. Doesn't prevent all attacks but for those that it doesn't seems to make them much less severe (manageable ...)

I always get night hits (nothing like waking up with hot molten metal in your head) -- I got hit this a.m. and hit the maxalt immediatly chased by a Mountain Dew and 3 cups of coffee.... it worked. Some hits don't need a triptan and can be brought under control with caffeine; however, I've personally never been able to do that without being on a preventative. If you haven't taken the cluster quiz on this board... suggest you might do that. Also, read, read, read on this board.... lots of good information to arm yourself with for your next visit to the doctor. It has been my experience that you have to be very insistent / persistent with some physicians ... sad but true

Wishing you pain free days and Nights !!

T.

Modified to ask:

Is this your first experience (cycle) with CH? Reason I ask is generally as one goes through more cycles -- you become more in tune with when a CH is starting even if you're asleep. I wake up very, very quickly now; however, in my first cycle or two I always slept too long and the CH had progressed too far to abort it very quickly --