Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2002 >> Bill's Amerge & Lithium
        
(Message started by: Jazsaunt on Jul 17^th, 2002, 9:12pm)

Title: Bill's Amerge & Lithium
Post by Jazsaunt on Jul 17^th, 2002, 9:12pm

Hi all! First of all let me express how good it feels to be here. Being able to talk and read about others who are going through the same thing really makes a difference.

As some of you know my husband is new to cluster headaches. He was given Amerge as opposed to immitrex recently. The neurologist said that it lasts longer than immitrex and may help him with the "shadows" that he has been having at night. Has anybody ever heard of it or have any info. they would like to share on it?

Also Bill (husband) goes back to have his lithium increased Friday. He is currently taking 300 mg. Not sure what they will increase it to, but he is a little scared it will really make him feel drugged. The first night on lithium made him feel like he was floating or walking on an air mattress. :o Do you think this will happen again or maybe even worse?

Any info. or comments you have would be appreciated. Hope this finds you all on the road to wellness.

Bill & Michelle

Title: Re: Bill's Amerge & Lithium
Post by Chronic on Jul 18^th, 2002, 12:53pm

Hey Bill & Michelle,

I have used both medications extensively.

Amerge - Usually used as an abortive for migraine headaches because it is taken in pill form (takes about a 1/2 hour to hour to kick in). However, because it is long lasting (6-8 hours), it can be prescibed as a preventative. If you take it an hour or two before you normally get an attack, it should prevent it. My Neuro prescribed it for me (took half a pill in the morning and half at night) and it reduced the number of headaches I got......but it didn't stop them completely. Also, insurance companies only pay for a limited amount in a certain period, usually much less than you need. Imitrex is still much more effective for me.

Lithium - I have been on and off this med for the past 10 years. It works sometimes and sometimes it doesn't. Right now I'm in a "it doesn't" cycle. The "woozy" side effects usually go away after your body gets used to the medication. However, that is only my experience. Please remember, Lithium is like poison to your body, its use has to be monitored closely. It has been very effective for me at times in the past, but you should probably get your blood tested if you stay on it for a long period of time.....or at high doses.

You may want to try Neurontin or Verapamil if the lithium is too much. I have found these to be easier to handle. However, almost every drug used for our "problem" has side effects. Most are much easier to handle than the headaches they prevent.

PFDAN

Title: Re: Bill's Amerge & Lithium
Post by Jazsaunt on Jul 18^th, 2002, 4:26pm

Thanks for your reply. Bill is actually on verapamil, prednisone, and lithium. The Lithium and amerge are new. After taking 300 mg. of lithium he was able to sleep through the day without waking up. He still shadows at night, which is why I'm guessing they are going to raise the dose tomorrow. I'll be sure to let Bill know about taking it before it hits. He has been on a pretty regular schedule with the shadows at work, so that may be a good idea. I found that the immitrex is the same way with the insurance...only want to pay for so many. I'll have him try the halves and see if that works also.

I think the neurologist plans to keep Bill on lithium for a few weeks and then try weening him off and see what happens. He is only on 300 mg. now, so they will probably only go to 600 mg. if that. I know what you mean about poison. He has been drinking a lot of water. They say that it can concentrate in your body and poison you if you don't drink enough.

Thanks again for the info.

Bill & Michelle