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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> ATIVAN
        
(Message started by: GodHelpMe on Oct 9^th, 2007, 5:33pm)

Title: ATIVAN
Post by GodHelpMe on Oct 9^th, 2007, 5:33pm

I was just curious if anyone has tried 2mg of ativan.I personaly dont see it working but a friend of mine who is a chemist in the sports supplement field says that when he feels one comeing on he takes 2mg ativan and 400mg caffeine anhydrous and it knocks them right out. Im not so sure he has the cluster attacks but he says he does and i guess he would know better than anyone. Personally i think the caffeine would take to long to kick in considering he is talking about pill form.I know ativan can kick in within 15 minutes if dosed under your tongue...I have a script for it but am affraid to take it during a cluster in fear it will get worse.

Title: Re: ATIVAN
Post by Lizzie2 on Oct 9^th, 2007, 5:46pm

If your friend actually does have CH, then I'd be wiling to bet that the caffeine does more than the ativan. The ativan might help in terms of keeping calm and not completely freaking out due to the pain, which could help it not reach such severe levels for SOME people, but I doubt it would actually help the headache attack. I know that when I get very anxious and worked up during an attack, that makes it even worse. So if I were to take ativan during that time (which I never have done) that might hold down the anxiety/panic bit and maybe the attack wouldn't be quite so bad, but I don't really know. Ativan is not a mainstream treatment of CH by any means. Think of how many hits we all have - couldn't be taking 2mg of ativan 5 times a day! I would think that could only be done at most once a day....

Have you tried other routes of aborting attacks? I think there are a lot more proven/better things out there than trying ativan, but that is just my opinion!! I did take it at night for the better part of a year at 1mg doses, but just to help sleep, and it never prevented night attacks for me....

PF wishes,
Carrie :)

Title: Re: ATIVAN
Post by E-Double on Oct 9^th, 2007, 5:49pm

Completely agree with Carrie

Title: Re: ATIVAN
Post by GodHelpMe on Oct 9^th, 2007, 5:52pm

I was thinking exactly the same thing.Although im affraid my panic and axiety goes so high during a cluster that ativan wouldnt even touch it.

As far as other abortives the only thing ive tried is the monster energy drink(which i did last night) it seemed to stop it. I had a really bad shadow while lifting weights last night so i slammed a Monster and I still had a slight shadow but it never amounted to anything.I also take verapamil 480mg a day. It seems to work at preventing most of the time.

Title: Re: ATIVAN
Post by Bob_Johnson on Oct 9^th, 2007, 7:09pm

If you want the mainline treatments:

http://www.plainboard.com/ch/chtherapy.pdf

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)

Title: Re: ATIVAN
Post by Brewcrew on Oct 10^th, 2007, 7:33am

on 10/09/07 at 17:52:49, GodHelpMe wrote:

I was thinking exactly the same thing.Although im affraid my panic and axiety goes so high during a cluster that ativan wouldnt even touch it.

I think you'd be surprised. Ativan is some mighty powerful chemistry.

Quote:

As far as other abortives the only thing ive tried is the monster energy drink(which i did last night) it seemed to stop it. I had a really bad shadow while lifting weights last night so i slammed a Monster and I still had a slight shadow but it never amounted to anything.I also take verapamil 480mg a day. It seems to work at preventing most of the time.

Watch it with the energy drinks while taking verapamil. I remember reading that some studies have shown this combination to be extremely risky in some patients.

Title: Re: ATIVAN
Post by GodHelpMe on Oct 10^th, 2007, 1:25pm

Thanks for the Headsup BrewCrew. You wouldnt happen to remember where you read that would you?
THat kinda freaks me out.Im a competitive power lifter and tend to drink those quite often throughout the week when im training, and i also take verapamil year round due to my hypertension....Looks like its off to google for me..lol ;;D

Title: Re: ATIVAN
Post by Brewcrew on Oct 10^th, 2007, 2:04pm

No, but I do remember Carl brought it to the board's attention (he has a strange screen name where he uses different characters to make his name look like Blacksheep).

Title: Re: ATIVAN
Post by GodHelpMe on Oct 10^th, 2007, 2:07pm

Thanks...Im thinking takeing the 2 together greatly increases your blood serum levels of the caffeine just a guess but that seems to be the problem with alot of interactions with verapamil.