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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> DHE Administration Question
        
(Message started by: whart on Aug 26^th, 2007, 11:08pm)

Title: DHE Administration Question
Post by whart on Aug 26^th, 2007, 11:08pm

I am very close to being checked in to a headache clinic here in NYC as an in-patient to receive a DHE drip. (I have run through a variety of blocking meds with no success; 02 does abort, and I use it but the HA will come back in 2 hours; injectable imitrex works, but there are obvious limits to that, and as you know, it ain't blocking, just aborting). I am now in week 7 of this cycle and its a drag. I have got to terminate it if possible so I can get on with my life- and the pain, as you know, truly sucks; I am running on 1/4 power most of the time.
So, here's my question: can I get the same DHE therapy that results from a drip through injections by the doc without having to stay in a hospital?
Or, by having a home care thing- nurse to set me up on an IV at home?
Hate hospitals; also, I have wonderful home, view of river, much better food (my lovely wife is a fabulous cook) and access at home to a masseuse (no, don't think anything but therapy here, gang- the massages help my rigid neck and upper back muscles from the cycle).
Responses appreciated, thanks-all!

Title: Re: DHE Administration Question
Post by Brewcrew on Aug 27^th, 2007, 7:27am

I've heard of it being possible, but I don't know for sure. I've only been inpatient (twice). I think the main reason for being in the hospital is being able to regularly monitor blood pressure and EKG.

Sorry I couldn't help more.

Title: Re: DHE Administration Question
Post by E-Double on Aug 27^th, 2007, 8:24am

Where are you thinking of going?
Roosevelt?

I went in for a few days at the beginning of July for in treatment of DHE.

I was @ NSLIJ which now has Noah Rosen (previously from Jefferson) running there new HA clinic.

If I were you I would go inpatient as you will more likely get the rest you need that many of us can not get at home. I have a toddler so it would have been impossible.

I have had good results.
I am sleeping angain after averaging about an hour per night for a few months.
I also have only had a few breakthrough attacks that were "bad"
everything else has just been shadows.

Feeling good :)

E

Title: Re: DHE Administration Question
Post by Karla on Aug 27^th, 2007, 12:38pm

I received a DHE drip in my neuros office. It took about 3 hours and I felt much better afterwards.

Title: Re: DHE Administration Question
Post by whart on Aug 27^th, 2007, 6:36pm

thanks, all. yes, E- it is Roosevelt, good ol' Dr. Newman. I am informed that they have no facility for out-patient administration of DHE and thus plan to check my ass into the "hotel-like" (scary, right) facilities. Frankly, for the room prices they are charging, you'd think it was the Ritz, or a 4 Seasons. But, I'm there to get better, not for the food and amenities, right? Actually, in between attacks, I am quite functional, if now a little worn down from the cycle, so hopefully, I'll just sleep and eat Jello since I imagine that it's gonna be more like a bad Marriott. I did ask about hi=speed Internet access, since, like many of you, I can do much via the Internet, including access to the full array of office databases via Citrix. Internet access is something they are 'just now' working on; welcome to 1996. I'll let you know how it goes. I'm just gonna keep smiling. Oh, and did I tell them I am a complete pain in the ass even in a good hotel, when the service is at 90%? (Nope, I figure I'd save that, what can they do, spit in my IV?) :)

Title: Re: DHE Administration Question
Post by UN solved on Aug 27^th, 2007, 6:43pm

Sure, you can do DHE anywhere you can sit with a needle in ya ;) Most docs won't let you do it at home. Maybe give you a shot at the docs office (1mg) ... but it's stronger doing it with IV infusions and you usually get more (2mg a day - 6mg per week) ... (Done in hospitals) ... DHE is usually very effective for CH, for at least a temp break from the attacks. Sometimes even aborting or terminating cycles ... throwing the beast a curve ball !! ;;D ;;D

Goodluck with your DHE treatment! Don't forget to ask for the anti-nasua meds before you get DHE !!

Let us know how it works !

UNsolved

Title: Re: DHE Administration Question
Post by whart on Aug 28^th, 2007, 5:41am

While in the hospital on the 'drip,' what is used to abort HAs, since Imitrex will be off-limits? I would assume 02, but I'm getting the feeling I'll have to insist. E- you were just 'in the joint' on one of these - what did they use there?

Title: Re: DHE Administration Question
Post by UN solved on Aug 28^th, 2007, 8:37am

Imitrex and all other Triptans will be off limits (for good reason). The plan is ... you won't need an abort ! ;) Stick with the plan ! 02 will be fine if you need it. Narcotics, if you must be stubborn :-/

Hopefully, you'll need nothing else once the DHE starts flowing !

Goodluck

UNsolved

Title: Re: DHE Administration Question
Post by E-Double on Aug 28^th, 2007, 8:43am

on 08/28/07 at 05:41:14, whart wrote:

O2 from the hospitals "15 lpm" which I swear was 100 :o
Tha $hit came out fast and strong.
I just used the gas and ice. Pretty much like at home.

Good luck brother and give a PM or an email and maybe we'll get together soon.

E

Title: Re: DHE Administration Question
Post by whart on Aug 28^th, 2007, 4:08pm

Cool. Ok, I'm in; they have a deluxe floor here, i guess that's true in most metro hospitals these days- room service, movies on demand, etc. Admission was done in the room, I had a cup of coffee and some breakfast before they hooked me up for the anti-naseua med, followed by the DHE IV. (I'm told the anti-naseua med is itself something of a headache blocker). Anyway, i was able to sleep for an hour or so and wake up without a headache. (I was also able to sneak downstairs and catch a smoke after I woke up, so as long as I can get away with that, I'll be ok).
My lovely wife, Liz, is hanging with me right now- and I've got a decent computer hook-up for the laptap. Now, if they'll let me order from Shun Lee West, or Per Se, rather than eat the room service food, we'll be in business!

E- I'd very much like to hook up at some point. I don't know that I've ever even met somebody else in person that suffers from these. I live up near Nyack, along the HUdson, and work in the city. I'll shoot you a note when I break out of here.

REgards, all, so far, so good. I should have done this weeks ago.

Title: Re: DHE Administration Question
Post by E-Double on Aug 28^th, 2007, 4:10pm

enjoy the rest!!!
hope yaatch a break

Title: Re: DHE Administration Question
Post by whart on Aug 30^th, 2007, 1:08pm

Happy to report that 2 nights in hospital with DHE intraveneously broke the cycle, allowed me the first truly pain free sleep in 7 weeks. I have just checked out with a bag full of Migranal spray, and am to continue on the Diltiazem and Neurontin, as previously indicated. I also got a very nice mask for my 02. The flow rate at the hospital's 02 port in the room was impressive. And the staff was first rate.
I should have done this weeks ago.

Title: Re: DHE Administration Question
Post by E-Double on Aug 30^th, 2007, 6:32pm

fingers crossed....don't be a stranger and gimme a holla

Title: Re: DHE Administration Question
Post by rolo65 on Aug 30^th, 2007, 7:03pm

You can do it in the thigh with a 1" needle. ;)

Rolo.

Title: Re: DHE Administration Question
Post by rbmb on Aug 31^st, 2007, 2:16pm

That's what I do.....inject a 1 ml vial of DHE with a 1" needle using a disposable syringe. It hurts a little and isn't my favorite thing to do but compared to the pain of a CH attack, given a choice, it's a no brainer. The stuff works although it seems to take longer to take effect if done a regular basis. The instructions say not to use for more than 6 days in a row and I've done it with no noticable ill effect......no numbness or sign of poor circulation in the extemities or any other obvious signs.
Rich