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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Plan B, anyone...?
        
(Message started by: EstieSA on Apr 8^th, 2008, 2:08pm)

Title: Plan B, anyone...?
Post by EstieSA on Apr 8^th, 2008, 2:08pm

I started a steriod taper (@ 80mg) 4 days ago , whilst at the same time ramping up on verapamil, currently on 480mg/day.

NO luck! >:( I stil get hit daily!

Am I impatient? How long before results can be expected?

Surely the Cymbalta I take cannot interfere with the above meds?

Suggestions?

Title: Re: Plan B, anyone...?
Post by Guiseppi on Apr 8^th, 2008, 2:49pm

Damn, the steroids kick in for me within 24 hours. The verapamil will often take 10-14 days and many have to go substantially higher, up to 960 a day to get relief. Having said that have your doctor monitor CLOSELY any increases as it's a pretty high horepower medication.

Plan B? If verapamil fails you, give lithium a try. It's my primary prevent, at 1200 mg a day it blocks 80-90% of my hits. The effect on me is so minimal I can still work as a peace officer so it's certainly worth looking into. Hang in there, it's a shitty feeling the first couple of times the meds fail you but it's worth fighting thru it to find the silver bullet.

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Plan B, anyone...?
Post by Jonny on Apr 8^th, 2008, 7:49pm

on 04/08/08 at 14:49:05, Guiseppi wrote:

Plan B? If verapamil fails you, give lithium a try.

Plan C: Verap alone didnt work for me, Lithium alone didnt work for me. When I took them both together I had the same results as Joe......it was pure fucking heaven after going 23 years chronic with no meds.

Its worth a shot!.....Good luck!

Title: Re: Plan B, anyone...?
Post by EstieSA on Apr 9^th, 2008, 6:47am

on 04/08/08 at 19:49:33, Jonny wrote:

What dosages are you taking of each ?

Title: Re: Plan B, anyone...?
Post by brewcrew on Apr 9^th, 2008, 8:37am

I was on that same verapamil/lithium train for several years. I took 480mg of verapamil plus 900mg of lithium per day. Worked like a charm for a long time.

Probably would still work if it wasn't for the fact that Mr. Verapamil and Little Elvis don't play well together. Now I try to stay away from the verapamil because of that side effect.

Title: Re: Plan B, anyone...?
Post by EstieSA on Apr 9^th, 2008, 9:28am

on 04/09/08 at 08:37:43, brewcrew wrote:

Probably would still work if it wasn't for the fact that Mr. Verapamil and Little Elvis don't play well together. Now I try to stay away from the verapamil because of that side effect.

Who/what is Little Elvis???

Title: Re: Plan B, anyone...?
Post by brewcrew on Apr 9^th, 2008, 9:33am

on 04/09/08 at 09:28:22, EstieSA wrote:

Who/what is Little Elvis???

:-X

Title: Re: Plan B, anyone...?
Post by midwestbeth on Apr 9^th, 2008, 10:15am

on 04/09/08 at 09:28:22, EstieSA wrote:

Who/what is Little Elvis???

;;D

I needed a laugh this morning. ;;D

Title: Re: Plan B, anyone...?
Post by DragonSlayer on Apr 9^th, 2008, 10:27am

on 04/09/08 at 09:28:22, EstieSA wrote:

Who/what is Little Elvis???

[smiley=crackup.gif] [smiley=crackup.gif] [smiley=crackup.gif] [smiley=crackup.gif] [smiley=crackup.gif] [smiley=crackup.gif] [smiley=crackup.gif] [smiley=crackup.gif]

Well they usually trim his side burns before a vasectomy.
Then it takes "Little Elvis" a while to grow (side burns) back. LOL [smiley=oops.gif]

Title: Re: Plan B, anyone...?
Post by DennisM1045 on Apr 9^th, 2008, 12:32pm

on 04/09/08 at 10:27:57, DragonSlayer wrote:

ROTFLMAO He said sideburns. Bwaaaaaaaaa.
[smiley=spit.gif] [smiley=spit.gif] [smiley=spit.gif]

-Dennis-

Title: Re: Plan B, anyone...?
Post by EstieSA on Apr 9^th, 2008, 12:55pm

on 04/09/08 at 10:27:57, DragonSlayer wrote:

Well they usually trim his side burns before a vasectomy.
Then it takes "Little Elvis" a while to grow (side burns) back. LOL [smiley=oops.gif]

Oh. I see. Poor man , having a little Elvis... ::) ;)

Title: Re: Plan B, anyone...?
Post by Bob_Johnson on Apr 9^th, 2008, 1:07pm

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: Plan B, anyone...?
Post by brewcrew on Apr 9^th, 2008, 3:44pm

on 04/09/08 at 12:55:56, EstieSA wrote:

Oh. I see. Poor man , having a little Elvis... ::) ;)

Never-fuckin-mind. I try to bring a bit of levity....

Just never-fuckin-mind.