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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> propranolol hydrochloride for preventative ???
        
(Message started by: Ouch1975 on Mar 29^th, 2007, 9:54am)

Title: propranolol hydrochloride for preventative ???
Post by Ouch1975 on Mar 29^th, 2007, 9:54am

Has anyone been prescribed this as a preventative?? I have had ch for about 10 years and finally have had ENOUGH of this hideous demon. No-one quite understands what they are like and my boss is ready to fire me!!! The doc gave me these to take everyday and prednisone for acute attacks. I have been on them for about 3 days now and am only getting very mild and short episodes - after a run of about 5 acute attacks in two weeks. Used to take codine, imigran too expensive....

Title: Re: propranolol hydrochloride for preventative ???
Post by Bob_Johnson on Mar 29^th, 2007, 2:15pm

This is an old time med for migraine but it has found little favor for CH. That your doc would Rx it at least suggests he may be a bit out of touch with current therapies.

On a per dose basis, this med works very nicely for some of us (generally aborting an attack within 20-min). I'd suggest you ge a sample from your doc and try. You will know within 1-3 attacks whether it works for you.

Headache 2001 Sep;41(8):813-6

Olanzapine as an Abortive Agent for Cluster Headache.

Rozen TD.

Department of Neurology, Jefferson Headache Center/Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate olanzapine as a cluster headache abortive agent in an open-label trial. BACKGROUND: Cluster headache is the most painful headache syndrome known. There are very few recognized abortive therapies for cluster headache and fewer for patients who have contraindications to vasoconstrictive drugs. METHODS: Olanzapine was given as an abortive agent to five patients with cluster headache in an open-label trial. The initial olanzapine dose was 5 mg, and the dose was increased to 10 mg if there was no pain relief. The dosage was decreased to 2.5 mg if the 5-mg dose was effective but caused adverse effects. To be included in the study, each patient had to treat at least two attacks with either an effective dose or the highest tolerated dose. RESULTS: Five patients completed the investigation (four men, one woman; four with chronic cluster, one with episodic cluster). Olanzapine reduced cluster pain by at least 80% in four of five patients, and two patients became headache-free after taking the drug. Olanzapine typically alleviated pain within 20 minutes after oral dosing and treatment response was consistent across multiple treated attacks. The only adverse event was sleepiness. CONCLUSIONS: Olanzapine appears to be a good abortive agent for cluster headache. It alleviates pain quickly and has a consistent response across multiple treated attacks. It appears to work in both episodic and chronic cluster headache.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Olanzapine has a brand name of "Zyprexa" and is a antipsychotic. Don't be put off by this primary usage. Several of the drugs used to treat CH are cross over applications, that is, drugs approved by the FDA for one purpose which are found to be effective with unrelated conditions--BJ.
___________
Suggest you print this article.

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: propranolol hydrochloride for preventative ???
Post by Redd on Mar 29^th, 2007, 4:59pm

I've never heard of Predisone being scripted for an abortive.... [smiley=huh.gif] :-/ [smiley=huh.gif]

Time to find a different Doc.

Title: Re: propranolol hydrochloride for preventative ???
Post by burnt-toast on Mar 31^st, 2007, 6:59pm

http://www.drugs.com/alpha/p15.html

Here's a link for Prednisone. As Redd has already pointed out its not known as an abortive. It's not really known as a preventative either. Prednisone is usually used to break/control a cycle while giving more common preventatives time to establish sufficient serum levels in the bloodstream.

Long term use can also lead to searious health problems. Just make sure you know what you're taking/what to look for - and work closely with your doctor(s) and pharmacist before agreeing to treatments with prescription meds.

Here are two links that with help you learn just about anything you want to know about meds. being prescribed.

http://www.drugs.com

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginformation.html

Best Wishes,

Tom

Title: Re: propranolol hydrochloride for preventative ???
Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on Apr 2^nd, 2007, 5:08pm

Hi Ouch,
I am not sure if there is a difference between Propranolol (Inderal) and Propranolol Hydrochloride, do you know?
I take Propranolol daily for another condition. Its main use is a blood pressure medication, but also has some positive effects for other things.
Verapimil is another blood pressure medication that has positive effects for CH sufferers. Verapimil is prescribed frequently as a preventative for CH.

PF wishes
B$

Title: Re: propranolol hydrochloride for preventative ???
Post by Ouch1975 on Apr 2^nd, 2007, 8:34pm

Thanks for all your replies!! I have never met another CH sufferer and just to be able to come on this website where there are people that totally understand what I'm going thru, is awesome.

THANK YOU !!!!