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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2002 >> New Prophylaxis Regimen
        
(Message started by: johnrudd on Apr 25^th, 2002, 8:43am)

Title: New Prophylaxis Regimen
Post by johnrudd on Apr 25^th, 2002, 8:43am

Currently doing 480mg Verapamil for about 5 wks. My Doc found the following regimen specifically for CH:
dilantin, tegretol, and baclofen to be used together. I didn't ask at what dosages until I can do some research here and on the web. Has anyone tried this and to what effect?
John

Title: Re: New Prophylaxis Regimen
Post by Ueli on Apr 25^th, 2002, 9:48am

John,

It looks like the 480mg Verapamil for about 5 wks didn't do the trick, hence the proposal for a new combo.

But there is a simpler solution: Up the Verapamil!

Here a quote from Correct management of cluster headaches by Prof Peter Goadsby and Dr Manjit Matharu (http://www.hospital-doctor.co.uk/hd_news/hd_news_article.asp?ID=2498&Section=Feature):
Verapamil is the preventative drug of choice in both episodic and chronic CH. Clinical experience has demonstrated that higher doses than those used in cardiological indications are needed, so outpatient assessment and follow-up is appropriate. The dose is increased until the cluster attacks are suppressed, side-effects intervene or the maximum dose of 960mg daily is achieved.

And you should ask your doc what are the references and success rates of this mind bending combination:

Phenytoin (Dilantin) is an antiepileptic drug.
Baclofen is a skeletal muscle relaxant, used for MS patients.
Carbamazepine (Tegretol) is an anticonvulsant and specific analgesic for trigeminal neuralgia and has been proved time and again to be absolutely useless against CH.

PFNAD's
Ueli

Title: Re: New Prophylaxis Regimen
Post by Sweet_Landings on Apr 29^th, 2002, 10:26am

Yes those are traditionally drugs to treat TN. Unless you are having a crossover of TN and CH, you should probably question those drugs.

However, if you are having a crossover of both disorders, (Cluster Tic Syndrome), I can tell you that the mixture will provide some relief given time.