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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Am I Chronic?
        
(Message started by: findjoshua on Jan 25^th, 2008, 3:11pm)

Title: Am I Chronic?
Post by findjoshua on Jan 25^th, 2008, 3:11pm

It's been about three months now and I've been getting hits almost every day excpet for the days I've been on prednisone. Am I chronic now? The verapamil didn't work, and now am looking at maybe Neurontin or some other type... not happy about getting side effects but can't handle the pain anymore. My Maxalt and
Imitrex prescriptions are maxed out.

Pained and pissed.
Joshua

Title: Re: Am I Chronic?
Post by monty on Jan 25^th, 2008, 3:17pm

The official definition is something like a year (with less than a month's break at a time). But my episodes have been very regular in the past and relatively short - if I was up to 5 months straight, I would assume that I was chronic. In spite of the official definition.

Title: Re: Am I Chronic?
Post by brewcrew on Jan 25^th, 2008, 3:27pm

You sure you were on a theraputic dose of verapamil? Also, there are other preventatives out there, a few with little to no side effect. Keep looking.

Title: Re: Am I Chronic?
Post by Annette on Jan 25^th, 2008, 3:41pm

Hi Joshua

I am a supporter for my husband who has CH and he had to try a few combos and different dosage before he stumbled across those that worked.

He tried many different ones but in the end Verapamil and Neurontin worked best for him as preventives, and oxygen, triptans plus Zyprexa worked well as abortives.

Dont lose faith, keep searching and trying. Your magic bullet may just be the next thing you try. Hang on there.

Good luck and painfree wishes.

Title: Re: Am I Chronic?
Post by Guiseppi on Jan 25^th, 2008, 4:11pm

We've all been where you are now, tired of hurting and frustrated as hell. It sucks. Push forward with trying different meds and combos of meds, it's worth the effort when you finally find that silver bullet. For me:

I'm episodic, 48, male weigh about 190. When my cycle starts I go on a 2 week prednisone taper while I start taking lithium, eventually ramping up to 1200 mg of lithium a day. That's my preventative strategy.

When a headache breaks through that it's pure oxygen and an occasional imitrex jab. Imitrex is expensive and I hate the side effects so I reserve it for the real butt kickers.

Some have had success combining the lithium and the verapamil. What Brew meant about the verapamil is most docs start at way too low a dose. Some go as high as 980mg a day before they get relief. Hang in there.

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Am I Chronic?
Post by ski2k on Jan 25^th, 2008, 4:11pm

I kinda doubt it (unless I am and don't realize it). My cycles can last 6-9 months long. I then get about a year painfree before the next one starts (so about a year and a half from beginning of one, to the beginning of the next). I think Monty is right... a year without a month long break is how they diagnose chronic. ( I may be wrong)

Hope it ends soon!!
Adam

Title: Re: Am I Chronic?
Post by chewy on Jan 25^th, 2008, 8:34pm

The answer to your chronic question is no.

One year with less than 30 days pain free.

Title: Re: Am I Chronic?
Post by Travis1980 on Jan 26^th, 2008, 11:15am

Hey Josh,

I actually posted an identical thread a while back. I am currently in the exact same cycle as you. Almost three months and scared as hell that it isn't going to end. My Doc has been great about giving me some heads up on treatment options in the future. That gives me hope. You can always try something new. I actually upped my Verpamil this week to over 500mg. I think the best thing I can do for myself at this point is to expect remission. Something is going to work. Good luck, I'm right there with ya'.

Also, how is your imitrex script "maxxed out"? Call it in, right?

Title: Re: Am I Chronic?
Post by findjoshua on Jan 27^th, 2008, 7:04pm

By "maxed" out I mean that I've used all the alloted meds way before the next refill is available to me. I am trying to get them to adjust what is given to me with one co-pay.

Title: Re: Am I Chronic?
Post by DennisM1045 on Jan 27^th, 2008, 8:23pm

Hi Joshua,

Sorry the beast is still kicking your ass. Forgive me for not knowing but are you using O2 and energy drings or Taurine tablets? Using O2 and energy drinks I have my triptan use down to an average of 1 per week. These are effective for many of us and work without all the side effects of triptans. Namely rebound headaches.

Maxalt-MLT and Imitrex are good abortives but they aren't the only triptans out there. There are actually seven in all. Another fast acting triptan you might turn to is Zomig nasal spray. There are several around here that swear by it though I haven't tried it myself.

The other triptan formulations like Amerge (Naratriptan) are slower acting (1 hour) but longer lasting. However if your hits are regular you can take them before you are due to get hit as a kind of preventative.

If not then use O2 and taurine to knock the hit down while you wait for the slower acting triptan to kick in.

Insurance companies limit the quantity of each triptan they cover in a month. Working with your Doctor you can get perscriptions to cycle through various triptans over the course of the month.

My perscription plan covers the following triptan quantities:

4, 4mg Imitrex injections
6, Maxalt MLT tabs
6, Zomiz Nasal Spray doses
12, 2.5mg Amerge tablets

This covers one triptan for each of 28 days and you've only used four of the seven triptan formulations out there.

I'm not suggesting you live on triptans as I'm sure you'd feel like crap in no time. But some folks have no alternative. This is one strategy that might work to get you the relief you need.

Good luck. I hope you catch a break soon.

-Dennis-

Title: Re: Am I Chronic?
Post by findjoshua on Jan 27^th, 2008, 8:27pm

Wow, thank you for the very detailed reply, and the concern. I love these boards. I am actually on O2 (home only) and I do take Imitrex (nasal spray & tablets) plus Maxalt-MLT tabs. I have a neuro appt tomorrow and will try to get back on pred to break this cycle and ramp up on more verap or try something more heavy hitting.

When I was at my wits end last cycle and had no refills on anything I did pound Red Bulls and that was both disgusting and just effective enough to keep it going. I am going to try taking Magnesium supplements, as I've heard they can also be effective.

Will update tomorrow after my neuro appt.

Title: Re: Am I Chronic?
Post by DennisM1045 on Jan 27^th, 2008, 8:33pm

Good luck finding your magic bullet Joshua.

-Dennis-