Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Info on Cafergot??
        
(Message started by: chrisw on Apr 16^th, 2007, 12:23pm)

Title: Info on Cafergot??
Post by chrisw on Apr 16^th, 2007, 12:23pm

Hi everyone,

I just got a script for cafergot today, I never tried this stuff before. My dr. says no imitrex while on it, no matter what. That scares me. Any info on this stuff would be appreciated.

Also, the past three nights, I have had a definate improvement in ha's. Should I wait to start the cafergot until I know if things are getting better for good, in other words, is it one of thosetreatments that tend to make things worse before they get better?

Thanks
chrisw

PS two nights ago, I slept for 7 hrs straight ;;D ;;D I just had to share that good news. that hasnt happened for over 7 months.

Title: Re: Info on Cafergot??
Post by E-Double on Apr 16^th, 2007, 2:11pm

An older med for us but some still take it.........
Barb D and Bob P stand out.

No triptans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

google it!

Title: Re: Info on Cafergot??
Post by Guiseppi on Apr 16^th, 2007, 2:14pm

I use cafergot along with oxygen as my primary abort. If I use only the 02, the headache returns within 10-20 minutes of stopping the 02. I tried staying on the 02 for 10-15 minutes after the HA was gone, no matter within 10-20 of shutting my tank down I'd get hit. Now I pop 1-2 cafergot when the tingle starts, and fire off the 02.

Oral cafergot takes a while to get into your system. If you have the typical CH that ramps to full speed ahead within 10 minutes I'm not sure the cafergot will help. Cafergot never reversed the course of a head ache for me, I've tried it by itself when I didn't have the oxygen and it wasn't much help.

I was given the same warning about not mixing the cafergot and the imitrex, I have had pretty good luck estimating when the 02 and cafergot will kick it, and when I'm really in trouble and need the trex. I've guessed wrong a few times and had to dance a bit.

The only problem I have with the cafergot is I won't sleep for 3-6 hours after taking it, it really winds me up. Good luck!

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Info on Cafergot??
Post by burnt-toast on Apr 16^th, 2007, 4:28pm

Here are two links to help you research meds. The page links are for Cafergot. As with just about every med. prescribed for CH there can be side effects that you should look for when taking.

http://www.drugs.com/alpha/c1.html

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/drug_Ca.html

Best wishes,

Tom

Title: Re: Info on Cafergot??
Post by Rosybabe on Apr 16^th, 2007, 10:22pm

I take Cafergot as my first weapon for the pain during the first and last days of my cycle when the hits tend to be a little less intense and I can catch it early so I give time for the medicine to start working. I did not have insurance this year because hubby switch jobs so I have to improvise a little and my Mom brought me plenty of cafergot and no so much Zomig and Imitrex from Mexico due to the high cost.

You have to wait full 24 hrs before taking triptans. That is why I take it at the beginning and at the end of my cycle when the hits space a little, during the peak time there is no way I can make it only with Cafergot, it just not enough.

So far I have not had any side effects other than a little insomia for the caffeine but nothing worst than a double expresso can give.

It is also cheaper than any other medicine for CH's.

Title: Re: Info on Cafergot??
Post by chrisw on Apr 16^th, 2007, 11:53pm

thank s everyone,

my doc prescribed it as a preventative to be taken every night before bed. It seems that some people use it only when they feel a hit coming on. I will get the script tomorrow and see what happens.

thanks again,
chrisw

Title: Re: Info on Cafergot??
Post by AussieBrian on Apr 17^th, 2007, 12:22am

As an abortive I found it helped a lot to wash it down with a serious cup of hot coffee - made it work more quickly. Don't think it helped much as a preventive but reckon taking it in the morning would be more effective.

An idiot neuro managed to bungle things and I found myself on three times the maximum dosage and don't reccommend that for a moment.

Title: Re: Info on Cafergot??
Post by George_J on Apr 17^th, 2007, 2:18am

Back when I tried it, Imitrex didn't exist. So that wasn't an issue.

It didn't do anything for me, but perhaps you will have better luck. I know others have had varying degrees of success with it.

Best wishes,

George

Title: Re: Info on Cafergot??
Post by Bob P on Apr 17^th, 2007, 7:01pm

Dang e-doub! Do you have to group Barb and I in the same sentence?

I've used cafergot for 30+ years. Don't know why, it doesn't work worth a crap! When I took it without O2, the attack would run 1/2 hour to 45 minutes. With O2 it probably helps like Joe said. The O2 knocks the attack down and the cafergot keeps it out.

In bad weeks I've taken up to 30 tabs. Freaks my doc out. Wake up in the morning and the first thing you do is check your toes to see if they are turning black from lack of circulation.

If I ever start another cycle I'm gonna load up on O2 and munch some RC seeds. If that don't work within a few weeks it'll be back to cafergot.

BTW - luv ya Barb

Title: Re: Info on Cafergot??
Post by chewy on Apr 17^th, 2007, 10:09pm

I'm wondering why a Doc would prescibe an old school migraine med. not reportedly all that effective for CH, when there current more effective treatments available.

Title: Re: Info on Cafergot??
Post by chrisw on Apr 18^th, 2007, 9:54am

who knows.
probably dont want to admit that they are out of ideas, and feels bad telling you that there is probably no hope,
:'( :'( :'( :'(

Title: Re: Info on Cafergot??
Post by Guiseppi on Apr 18^th, 2007, 10:52am

THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE!!!!!! That's the beauty of the board. Your doc might be running out of ideas, print more stuff off of here and give him some new ones! And as someone said earlier this week, often times success is found in a combination of meds, none of which were effective standing alone. The trial and error part sucks big time, the rewards of a succesful routine are worth it. Really hoping you catch a break soon, we're here for you in the mean time.

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Info on Cafergot??
Post by Bob P on Apr 18^th, 2007, 5:49pm

It didn't work for me but I used it as an abortive. Your doc is prescribing it as a preventative. I have read articles in the past couple of years regarding it being used successfully as a preventative. 1 tablet, 2 times a day keeps the HA away (of course this puts you at 14 tabs/week which is 4 over the allowable amount)

Title: Re: Info on Cafergot??
Post by testy01 on Apr 21^st, 2007, 10:35am

I use cafergot as an abortive and it works well for me. My hits usually only last 30 - 45 minutes if I can get 2 cafergots in me right away. One thing that is REALLY horrible but helps, is chewing the things. I chew them thoroughly and wash them down with water and they seem to work faster. The taste is like something from the bottom of a bird cage but who cares if it knocks the pain a bit faster.

Regards

Jack

Title: Re: Info on Cafergot??
Post by chrisw on Apr 22^nd, 2007, 10:53pm

Hi again,

If anyone is still reading this thread, I want to tell everyone that I started the cafergot three nights ago, and guess what? No HA since then!!! I slept for eight hours every night since then. I dont know if that is it for sure, but maybe anyone who hasnt tried it yet should give it a go. i am on verap, cafergot, and Ive been taking melatonin before bed also.

I have some shadows but they arent too intense. Feel better all around. Yeah. Yeah Yeah. (thats my happy chant ;;D ;;D ;;D ;;D)

chrisw

Title: Re: Info on Cafergot??
Post by Guiseppi on Apr 22^nd, 2007, 10:55pm

Anytime you get a break it's worthy of the happy dance!!!! Hope the break lasts for a while!

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Info on Cafergot??
Post by testy01 on Apr 27^th, 2007, 2:57pm

ChrisW

As I mentioned, I use cafergot as an abort but I've never even thought of using it as a preventive. How much of it does your doc have you taking? Is it before bed? I'm really interested in this as we don't have Imitrex in Saudi and Immigran and Relpax just delay the onset for a half hour or so and then I get the hit with compound interest.

Regards

Jack