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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2002 >> Need some information on medications
        
(Message started by: emilysmommy on Oct 12^th, 2002, 4:56pm)

Title: Need some information on medications
Post by emilysmommy on Oct 12^th, 2002, 4:56pm

Hello.

I've posted a couple times in the last couple weeks regarding my ha's. I'm certain that they are cluster headaches. I'm currently taking Elavil & Celebrex on a daily basis. Just got some Imitrex Injection samples the other day and had to use it twice in 10 hours, but it worked within 10 minutes. My insurance company will NEVER cover enough of the imitrex for me to use it everyday so I'm looking for some preventative medications. I have an appointment next Monday with the neuro. so I wanted to go in armed & ready! I'm currently nursing a toddler, weaning slowly, so I can't take any of the ergot containing meds. I know the Elavil isn't helping at all, maybe making it worse. I have read that Verapamil is safe to take while nursing. Has anyone had any luck using this drug? I'm so desperate & in so much pain. I really want to try oxygen too, but my insurance won't cover it unless it's medically necessary. Any ideas on getting them to cover this? Also, another strange thing is this- If I wake up around 7:30am with my husband I normally don't get the CH, but if I fall back asleep & wake up around 8:30 or 9:00 I'm in severe pain. I was awakened an hour after I went to sleep last night with another severe ch and then again at 9:30 this morning. I feel like I can't take much more. I know there are people here who have been suffering for years & I don't know how you do it! I feel like my life has been taken from me. I'm so drained right now.

If anyone has any info on meds that have worked for you, please let me know! I really appreciate the help!

Michelle

Title: Re: Need some information on medications
Post by Margi on Oct 12^th, 2002, 6:06pm

Hi Michelle,

Are ANY drugs safe to take while you're nursing?! To me, oxygen would be the ONLY safe thing for you and baby.

Reading some of your posts, especially your one about the Ice Cream Headache that never goes away, makes me worry that maybe your headaches are something else. Have you taken the cluster quiz? It's a very detailed quiz that really helps to identify if what you are going through are cluster headaches. It's so dangerous to take the cluster drugs if you don't have to. Please make sure this neuro IS cluster knowledgeable. We have a list of them over at the OUCH website, organized by area, in the first menu above the map.

That scares me that you're taking Imitrex while nursing a wee one. :( I'd sure hurry up the weaning if you want to continue on the meds.

Title: Re: Need some information on medications
Post by kim on Oct 12^th, 2002, 6:19pm

Hey Michelle,

Fortunately for me I bottle fed all babies and could take a variety of preventatives without worrying about nursing. I did have the o2 delivered to my house. I drank tons of coffee (not sure how doc would feel bout caffeine and breast feeding....) As far as I know Verapimil is ok (don't quote me - ASK DOC)....Most of the preventatives are pretty dangerous while pregnant or breast feeding.

some of the WORST cycles I ever went through were directly following childbirth. but i never breast fed. I always used bottles so could take meds.

That aside, try the o2 with a non rebreather mask. also make sure got right flow and liters.......it works betta.

Good luck to you. Wish I could help more. Usually, I ended up doing my own habitual ritual (last resort - sumpin i think we each cling to when all else fails)

Best LUCK! Kim

Title: Re: Need some information on medications
Post by domm on Oct 12^th, 2002, 6:23pm

Verapamil is working very well for me. But I'm not nursing anything except a cold one.... ;D soda that is. Click on the medical info button on the left and you'll find tons of info on preventatives. Also go to the OUCH website (button on the left) and pull down the first tab labeled "cluster help" and go to medications. About half way down are the preventatives. You will have to discuss which one will work while nursing with your doc.
Good luck and I hope you find the right combo of meds that work for you
domm

Title: Re: Need some information on medications
Post by emilysmommy on Oct 12^th, 2002, 6:31pm

Hi Margi.

What I meant about the ice cream headache is that it doesn't go away like a normal ic ha would. I guess I worded it all wrong. I'm pretty certain that they are clusters as they have all the characteristics of a CH. I did take the quiz & answered all but 2 questions "correctly". Horrible eye and forehead pain, can't sit still, goes from no pain to severe pain in a matter of minutes, etc. My "baby" isn't really a baby. She'll be 3 in December and only nurses twice a day. Dr. Tom Hale has a website and Book called "medication in mothers milk" and states that Imitrex is probably safe while breastfeeding and has been approved by the AAP for use in breastfeeding mothers. I believe the peak is around 1 hour, so there really isn't an issue with this medication. Midrin on the another hand is contraindicated in breatfeeding. If I were nursing an infant it may be a different story. I would never take anything harmful to my child. I never take my doctors word on any drug, I do extensive research and then make a decision. Most drugs pass into milk in very small amounts & some are never detected in mothers milk. Verapamil is considered safe while nursing and that's why I wondered if anyone had success with this drug.

Thanks.

Michelle

Title: Re: Need some information on medications
Post by emilysmommy on Oct 12^th, 2002, 6:35pm

Thanks for the other replies! I was typing my return message to Margi & didn't see the other responses. I'm going to try to talk me neuro in to calling the Insurance co. They can be a really pain in the behind. There are many drugs considered safe while nursing. I was very careful early on, but as I stated before my daughter is close to weaning she weighs 37lbs. The breastfeeding & meds. isn't THAT big of an issue. I just wouldn't take anything that was contraindicated in breastfeeding moms.

I do the strong coffee thing. Have been for a long time & it does nothing.

Thanks for the input!

Michelle

Title: Re: Need some information on medications
Post by Margi on Oct 12^th, 2002, 6:35pm

Hi Again, Michelle
ok, cool, just was worried. You sound like you have done a lot of research and that's always good.
Verapamil IS a commonly prescribed cluster drug and lots of folks have success with it. some, however, do not. Not while they take it alone anyways. Sometimes it needs to be combined with lithium to become the 'magic bullet'.
You can probably type 'verapamil' in the search button above and bring up a virtual encyclopaedia on the subject. It's used very commonly in this group. I hope it works for you. Oh, and if you take it? Eat prunes, honey - you'll need them. ;)

Title: Re: Need some information on medications
Post by emilysmommy on Oct 12^th, 2002, 6:39pm

Thanks Margi. I've heard that about the verapamil and that sucks! I'm a vegetarian so hopefully that helps ;). I HATE PRUNES!

Michelle

Title: Re: Need some information on medications
Post by sueellen83 on Oct 12^th, 2002, 8:05pm

Hi Michelle,

Sorry to hear your having so much trouble. I started taking Verapimil for the first time in Sept. It has been a god send for me. ;D

Good luck,
Sue Ellen

Title: Re: Need some information on medications
Post by emilysmommy on Oct 12^th, 2002, 8:16pm

What dosage of verapamil works best for any of you?

Title: Re: Need some information on medications
Post by baldy on Oct 12^th, 2002, 9:05pm

I feel for you. I'm 20-25 years with this thing and have had help from Indomethacin. I understand it is an old drug from the 60's that works on clusters. It has helped me for a lot of years. I'm just coming off a 5 -6 month relief period and take it about 3-6 times a day as a preventative....if I remember!! If I forget ,,,,,the hammer hits. Ask your doctor about it. I haven't ever seen a side effect.

Luck to you,
baldy

Title: Re: Need some information on medications
Post by emilysmommy on Oct 13^th, 2002, 7:40am

Hi Baldy.

I actually mentioned indomethacin to my GP & she said "I don't want you to think this is some great drug that will get rid of your ha's, it's only an anti-inflammatory, just like motrin". Needless to say, she's got no clue. She also told me clusters were just any ha clustered together. Initially I thought I may have hemicrania continua because I continue to have dull headaches (eye, forehead) t/o the day, but someone here suggested they are maybe just shadows. Indomethacin is used to treat hemicrania continua, but I didn't know it worked for clusters. I will definitely bring this up at my neuro appt. . Thanks again.

Michelle

Title: Re: Need some information on medications
Post by Tom on Oct 13^th, 2002, 8:33am

From the RxList:

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/verapsr_wcp.htm

Nursing Mothers

Verapamil is excreted in human milk. Because of the potential for adverse reactions in nursing infants from verapamil, nursing should be discontinued while verapamil is administered.

Title: Re: Need some information on medications
Post by emilysmommy on Oct 13^th, 2002, 8:40am

Thanks for the information, but I've done extended research and have concluded that Verapamil is safe to take while nursing. It is rated L2 (safer) and approved by the AAP to use while nursing. I don't need any information on Verampamil other than dosages that work best and success stories with the drug. Thanks

Michelle

Title: Re: Need some information on medications
Post by emilysmommy on Oct 13^th, 2002, 8:43am

Tom,

I wanted to add one more thing. Most RX companies will tell you that the drug shouldn't be continued while breastfeeding or pregnancy when in fact a lot of them can be taken w/o adverse affects to the baby. They do this to cover themselves. As I stated earlier on this thread, I would NEVER take anything that would harm my child.

Michelle