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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Should I continue with...
        
(Message started by: meb777 on Oct 31^st, 2007, 10:49pm)

Title: Should I continue with...
Post by meb777 on Oct 31^st, 2007, 10:49pm

Hi All,
I'm a newbie to this site, but not a newbie to CH's! I want to thank everyone for all the valuable info they are contributing here.

I'm probably one of the lucky ones where my cycles tend to be every 4 years and last about 4 weeks. O2 and Imitrex are my best friends for aborting but haven't had any luck with a preventive. I started verapamil today with 80mg and had the worst CH in my 2 week cycle so far. Since I'm already into my 2 week of hopefully my 4 week cycle maybe I should just ride it out w/o the verapamil. I'm afraid it's making matters worse.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!!
meb

Title: Re: Should I continue with...
Post by BlueMeanie on Oct 31^st, 2007, 10:53pm

Everyone deals with CH's a little different, but if you know how your cycles run and they only last 4 weeks, I would just ride it out without prevents. Of course that's what I always do anyway so I may not be a lot of help here.

Title: Re: Should I continue with...
Post by Kevin_M on Oct 31^st, 2007, 11:09pm

on 10/31/07 at 22:49:52, meb777 wrote:

I started verapamil today with 80mg and had the worst CH in my 2 week cycle so far.

I might think at mid-cycle it could be at a peak.

The idea to not use a preventative and rely on oxygen, with trex as a help can go both ways. If the cycle lasts longer and harder than before then a lot of abortives will be used, a tough bind. Wondering if using it is necessary for the next two weeks must take into consideration it may not build up enough to help much for at least a week. Tough call.

Title: Re: Should I continue with...
Post by birdman on Nov 1^st, 2007, 8:28am

Another option is to take a predisone taper during the high point of your cycle. That is if you can predict when it will be.

Title: Re: Should I continue with...
Post by Guiseppi on Nov 1^st, 2007, 9:52am

If I was relatively certain my cycle had 2 or so weeks to go I'd definitely consider a prednisone taper. I can get complete relief from headaches at as low as 30-40 mg a day. It's a bad med to take long term as it can be destructive to your body. But for a short term break it's magical for me! Have the oxygen ready, when I go off prednisone without anything else in my system, and I'm stil in cycle, I get slammed pretty hard.

Hoping you're at the end, good luck!!!

Guiseppi