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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> klonopin, topomax, verapmil
        
(Message started by: jckgales on Jun 28^th, 2007, 8:16pm)

Title: klonopin, topomax, verapmil
Post by jckgales on Jun 28^th, 2007, 8:16pm

Just went to a new neurologist, I don't think he heard a word I said. They wanted a list of all med Ive been on and on now, which I had to keep showing and telling him what I have taken. I have been on Verapmil twice and topamax once with no luck, so he gives me verapmil, topamax and klonopin anyone taken this combo? did it help? also said he will add lithium when verapmil is high enough. also sending me for ekg, mri and some test to check some kind of electrical test for left eye said something different( same pain side) anyone ever heard of this or do I need to keep looking. Also on indomethicin 3 times/day and didnt address whether I should quit it. Sorry for long post , need to vent. 5 yrs chronic and tired of all preventives that are not working. I guess I'm taking to many abortives triptans, o2, midrin, stadol but they all seem to work.
any info apreciated
Jackie

Title: Re: klonopin, topomax, verapmil
Post by UN solved on Jun 28^th, 2007, 11:20pm

Wow ! You named off quite a few medications there. I don't even know where to begin. So, I'll just say this: Find you a neuro or headache specialist asap ... and find a prevent that will help. The Stadol is not going to be helpful in the long run and may only complicate your headaches.

Goodluck

UNsolved

Title: Re: klonopin, topomax, verapmil
Post by Bob_Johnson on Jun 29^th, 2007, 1:21pm

Always tell us the doses of the meds you're taking. Especially with Verap and Top, this is very important. The Klon is not a standard for CH so the reason for this is ???

But, having said that, I, too, wonder if this doc has any real experience with headache. If you have options, might consider looking for another doc.

Also, many of us have known more about CH than our docs did and so your personal learning is very important.
========
http://www.headachedrugs.com/pdf/ha2006.pdf Dr. Robbins site. Then explore the entire site by deleting everything following. com/ and then hit enter.
=========================================================================
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

===========And,

MANAGEMENT OF HEADACHE AND HEADACHE MEDICATIONS, 2nd ed. Lawrence D. Robbins, M.D.; pub. by Springer. $59 at Amazon.Com. It covers all types of headache and is primarily focused on medications. While the two chapters on CH total 42-pages, the actual relevant material is longer because of multiple references to material in chapters on migraine, reflecting the overlap in drugs used to treat. I'd suggest reading the chapters on migraine for three reasons: he makes references to CH & medications which are not in the index; there are "clinical pearls" about how to approach the treatment of headache; and, you gain better perspective on the nature of headache, in general, and the complexities of treatment (which need to be considered when we create expectations about what is possible). Finally, women will appreciate & benefit from his running information on hormones/menstrual cycles as they affect headache. Chapter on headache following head trauma, also. Obviously, I'm impressed with Robbins' work (even if the book needs the touch of a good editor!) (Somewhat longer review/content statement at 3/22/00, "Good book....")

HEADACHE HELP, Revised edition, 2000; Lawrence Robbins, M.D., Houghton Mifflin, $15. Written for a nonprofessional audience, it contains almost all the material in the preceding volume but it's much easier reading. Highly recommended.

===========And,

1. Search the OUCH site (button on left) for a list of recommended M.D.s.

2. Yellow Pages phone book: look for "Headache Clinics" in the M.D. section and look under "neurologist" where some docs will list speciality areas of practice.

3. Call your hospital/medical center. They often have an office to assist in finding a physician. You may have to ask for the social worker/patient advocate.

4. http://www.achenet.org/physicians/ On-line screen to find a physician.

5. http://www.headaches.org/consumer/index.html Call 1-800-643-5552; they will send a list of M.D.s for your state.I suggest using this source for several reasons: first, we have read several messages from people who, even seeing neurologists, are unhappy with the quality of care and ATTITUDES they have encountered; second, the clinical director of the Jefferson (Philadelphia) Headache Clinic said, in late 1999, that upwards of 40%+ of U.S. doctors have poor training in treating headache and/or hold attitudes about headache ("hysterical female disorder") which block them from sympathetic and effective work with the patient; third, it's necessary to find a doctor who has experience, skill, and a set of attitudes which give hope of success. This is the best method I know of to find such a physician.

Title: Re: klonopin, topomax, verapmil
Post by jckgales on Jun 29^th, 2007, 5:48pm

Thanks for the info, I have decided not to fill these scripts, and wait for my appointment at university of Michigan, Dr Gelb my neurologist said they have a new Dr. who specializes in headaches and he wants me to see him. I have been on all the preventatives on the list except lithium , his thought was to have occiptal stimulation. It seems that if i just stick to my 02 and abortives , my headaches pretty much stay to one per night, when they start pumping all these other meds , they go from 3/per day up. Ill just hang in there till Aug. Thanks
Jackie

Title: Re: klonopin, topomax, verapmil
Post by Rosybabe on Jun 29^th, 2007, 6:37pm

maybe you are right, and wait until you see that other specialist...that was quite a med mix Hah? :-/

Title: Re: klonopin, topomax, verapmil
Post by taraann on Jun 30^th, 2007, 11:02am

Klonopin = zombie (wanna have some really interesting conversations with walls? lol)
Topamax = a notable preventative that works a bit so far for me (but makes me too tired and dopey as I taper up so I can't seem to get up to the right dose yet) but you also have verapamil listed too and that is also a preventative

so I dont know what your doc is thinking with this combo???

Title: Re: klonopin, topomax, verapmil
Post by Guiseppi on Jul 1^st, 2007, 11:01am

No real expereince with any of the meds you mentioned except for lithium. That has been my prevent for many many years. I'm episodic, when I go back on cycle I use a prednisone taper while I ramp up on lithium, eventually getting to 1200 mg a day. I'm 47, male, about 190 for dosage comparison. The side effects for me are minimal, you pee A LOT the first few weeks and it does give you a lethargic feeling for the first few weeks. Blocks 80-90% of my hits when I avoid my serious triggers.

It's not unusual to see people combine prevents, I've seen a lot of people post success with the verap/lithium combo. Good luck with the new HA doc.

Guiseppi

Title: Re: klonopin, topomax, verapmil
Post by taraann on Jul 1^st, 2007, 11:10am

I wanted to add that everyone is different and may have different experiences with meds and side affects. Also we can share our experiences and advice but none of us are doctors. Goodluck and keep us posted on your progress.

(my first post was MY personal experience and opinions) ;;D

Title: Re: klonopin, topomax, verapmil
Post by cash5542 on Jul 2^nd, 2007, 12:22am

Interesting combo. I can't speak for myself, I'm a supporter but my daughter (22 yrs old)was put on a similar group. She was in a high cycle, up to 10 hits a day in May. The Klonopin was mostly to help her sleep because she was totally worn out. It's an anti psychotic but I learned later it also helps with sleeping. She dropped that one after one dopey night. She is now on 200 mg of Topomax (50 am and 150 pm) and seems to be doing well including a nice weight loss. She was on 640 Verapamil. We are presently going to Jefferson and the first thing the doctor said was all of the right meds just not enough. His goal is to get her verapamil to 1280 using weekly ekgs, increasing 80mg a week. Not sure what I think yet. They are supposed to be one of the top centers.Lithium was a nightmare for her, causing real depression right off the bat. Good luck, sounds like your doctor is trying a similar plan that my daughter has.