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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Lithobid
        
(Message started by: OceanMatty on Jun 27^th, 2007, 10:56am)

Title: Lithobid
Post by OceanMatty on Jun 27^th, 2007, 10:56am

Good afternoon. I have been visiting this site since about 2003. I have had cluster headaches since around 17-18 years of age. I am now 32. My clusters are becoming more and more irregular and attenuated. I used to have them regularly in the spring and fall and now have them about once a year. In fact, I have gone almost 2 years to a year and a half between clusters recently. Feb 06 was my last bout. I am about 3 weeks into a cluster and my neurologist has prescribed a steroid taper and lithobid. This is my first time trying lithobid.

Any success out there with lithobid? My main concern is that I am relatively healthy but for the clusters. Will I be able to get off the lithobid with relative ease once I feel I may be out of my cluster period? The cluster normally lasts about 1.5 months. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Also, if you had a choice between a calcium channel blocker and lithobid, which would you choose?

Thank you.

Title: Re: Lithobid
Post by Redd on Jun 27^th, 2007, 11:08am

Lithium carbonate is sometimes used in conjunction with Verapamil (the calcium channel blocker) when neither med alone is controlling the cycle well. If you are getting good relief of your cycle, my opinion would be...

If it aint broke, don't fix it.

Title: Re: Lithobid
Post by MR_FLOOR on Jul 1^st, 2007, 11:14pm

For a preventative I use Verapamil all by itself.For years I've been on it,when my CHs get out of control my doc puts me on a prednisone 5mg taper it does the trick usually.

Dave

Title: Re: Lithobid
Post by Gator on Jul 2^nd, 2007, 2:42pm

Many people use Verapamil, while others swear by Lithium. Still others use Depakote, Topamax, Neurontin, etc. Each med has its own set of pros and cons. While the individual experiences of the folks here is great for getting a general idea of what's out there and what usually works or doesn't, your body will ultimately be the determining factor.

It's encouraging that your neuro has prescribed both a steroid taper and a preventative at the same time. Sounds like he might actually know something about treating clusters. Since you have already been prescribed the lithium, give it a fair shot.

I hope the lithium knocks it out for you and you don't have to do too much experimenting.

Good luck.

Title: Re: Lithobid
Post by Guiseppi on Jul 2^nd, 2007, 3:55pm

I swear by lithium! I do the pred taper and start lithium as soon as my cycle starts up. I'm male, 47 and weigh about 190, I use 1200 mg a day of lithium as my prevent. For the first 2 weeks you pee a lot! It makes you feel a little lethargic but after a week or two you won't even notice it.

I wean off the same way I go on, over about a 10 day period. It blocks 80-90% of my head aches depending on how strict I am about my triggers. I hope it provides at least the same level of relief for you as it has for me! ;;D

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Lithobid
Post by OceanMatty on Jul 3^rd, 2007, 10:36am

Thanks for the feedback. I am still tapering down. When I got to 30 mg I had one heck of a hit. Probably one of the most painful I ever had. The pressure around my right eye was something terrible. My doc said to go back up to 40 mg for a few more days to give the litihium a little more time to work its magic. My head today feels terrible.

I get depressed you know. Normally, I have no problems, but when this hits it just wrecks me. Thanks again for your feedback.