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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2002 >> ergot
        
(Message started by: hreslingozer on May 10^th, 2002, 9:52pm)

Title: ergot
Post by hreslingozer on May 10^th, 2002, 9:52pm

Hi.

Today my neurologist just told me I was the proud new parent of cluster headaches.

I've got two questions:

What are HA's?

My doctor is putting me on Verapamil, which seems like standard treatment, but he's also putting me on Ergot, and I've never heard of this stuff before except in biochem, where I learned it was rather nasty back in the middle ages.

Has anyone had success with Ergot? I want to know before I go on it.

Title: Re: ergot
Post by Bob_P on May 10^th, 2002, 10:20pm

HAs is short for headaches.

I've used ergots in different forms for 25 years. I've taken cafergot tablets, sublingual tabs that melt under your tongue and ergot inhalers.

The inhaler was the fastest working but is unfortunately not available in the US any longer.

The sublingual, called ergostat, I'm not sure of.

The tablets are available. Also suppositories.

It works for me however the dosing is stringent. Not supposed to take more than 10 tablets per week. This doesn't work if you get 2 or 3 HAs a day. I have taken as much as 25 tabs per week resulting in cold fingers and toes from reduced circulation. The doctor isn't too happy with this but tough!

Also, do not use any triptans within 24 hours of taking ergots.

Title: Re: ergot
Post by murphy on May 13^th, 2002, 1:11pm

I,ve been taking sublingual ergotomine for about 10 years. It's reasonably effective 80% of the time and has no effect the rest of the time.
If you come off it too quickly after the HA's stop you can get some big time rebound HA's.
It also tastes like something crawled under your tongue and died. Get the inhaler if it's available.
Murphy

Title: Re: ergot
Post by hreslingozer on May 13^th, 2002, 6:06pm

Now that I'm straight with what ergotine is, I took my prescription to the pharmacist.

No one has this stuff!

The only kind they have has caffiene, and my neuro doesn't want me taking those because they'll keep me awake at night (the whole purpose behind them being I might be able to actually sleep!)

Please, please help if you know how I can get this stuff. I had a KIP 9 on Sunday and don't know if I can face another one this week.

Title: Re: ergot
Post by mustang on May 14^th, 2002, 5:22am

I have taken Cafergot(ergot) and predizone great for stopping ch but as soon as I was off I got the ch's back
never stopped me from sleeping. Anyway you can't sleep with a ch so whats the dif (at least your awake and pain free for awhile). ;D Right now I'm awake
with pain and only me 02 Hoping my nuro will call back today, didn't yesterday.

Title: Re: ergot
Post by Bob_P on May 14^th, 2002, 8:43am

I too use cafergot, the stuff with caffiene, and have no trouble sleeping. When you're in a cluster cycle and starved for a good nights sleep, cafergot won't keep you awake. I actually think I sleep better after taking the stuff.