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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2002 >> Please help with medications!!
        
(Message started by: ddespain on Nov 6^th, 2002, 6:17pm)

Title: Please help with medications!!
Post by ddespain on Nov 6^th, 2002, 6:17pm

My name is David and I've had chronic cluster headaches for about 2 years now. I need some advice as to any suggestions about how I can get some relief from these headaches. I've tried a lot of different medications and treatments and now taking the following meds:

-Verapamil SA (240 mg twice a day)
-Amitriptyline(50 mg at bedtime)
-Imitrex as needed (lately everyday)
-Chlorpheniramine Maleate (12 mg twice a day)-allergies
-Nasarel (nasal spray twice a day)--allergies

Other Medications I've been on in the past:

-Lithium (last dose was 300mg twice a day, but have been on as much as 600mg twice a day)
-Prednisone (to stop the cycle of headaches everyday)
-Oxygen (didn't work)
-Various other low grade migraine meds

I'm a veteran and have moved quite a bit in the last 2 years and keep getting news docs at VA med center's giving me different drugs. I just went in about a month ago and the doc (Physician's Asst) took me off of the Lithium and gave me the Amitriptyline instead. She also told me not to take anymore Prednisone. I've been off the Lithium now for just over a week and of course the headaches are now with me everyday. I still had the headaches when I was on the Lithium, but less frequently in a week's time than I do now.

Please, can someone tell me a combination that has worked for you other than the Verapamil and Lithium together? I feel very hopeless right now and don't think anyone understands (except you guys) what I'm going through. I appreciate any help that you give. Thank you.

Title: Re: Please help with medications!!
Post by domm on Nov 6^th, 2002, 6:27pm

ddes - sorry to hear you're in pain. I am having success with Verapamil, and after reading through your list, I haven't any good advise. Did you read through the Medical info and medications (buttons on the left). Hit the OUCH website also, tons of info there. Also, when you said O2 didn't work, what flow rate and type of mask did you use.? I tried O2 for my first two cycles with very limited success. Then I read (here) how to use it properly and it has become my abortive of choice. No side effects and cheap. There's an oxygen primer posted on the general board. Take the time to read through it.
Hang in there. I am sure there are others here who have gone through what you are right now, and they will help.
good luck
domm

Title: Re: Please help with medications!!
Post by NotH20 on Nov 7^th, 2002, 8:16am

ddes - Well you have a similar list as everyone else on the board trying meds with no luck.....

Have you tried any of the anti-seizure meds - they helped during my last cycle (Keppra and Topomax). Also there are other abortives such as Maxalt and Zomig (just from my own personal knowledge) that helped me eliminate the pain immediately. You may want to check into increasing your Verap dosage. That seems to do the trick for some people.

I do agree with domm though - you should try the O2 again with the proper equipment - makes all the difference in the world.

Good luck to you and let us know how you are doing...

NotH20

Title: Re: Please help with medications!!
Post by Sweet_Landings on Nov 7^th, 2002, 8:20am

ddespain,
You said that you are a vet, has your GP sent you to a Neurologist? I too am a vet and use the VA for treatment.

I have CPH and am taking Topomax, so I don't think that will help you but my GP at the VA will not treat my headaches. She sent me to the neurologist and lets them treat me in that area.

There are lots of smart folks around here who know what they are talking about who I am sure can give you some good advice and suggestions. Hang in there and best of luck to you.

Title: Re: Please help with medications!!
Post by BobG on Nov 7^th, 2002, 11:06am

After looking at your list of meds I would say that maybe the dose of verapamil was to low and the lithium was to high. Some people here have a verapamil dose up around 900 a day.

jonny!!!!!! can you help this man?

Title: Re: Please help with medications!!
Post by Margi on Nov 7^th, 2002, 11:18am

I believe the successful combo for my husband was 720mgs of regular verapamil and 900mg lithium. He experimented with higher and lower doses of the verapamil, but never higher with the lithium. We were told that a dose of over 1200mg was to treat bi-polarism and clusterheads didn't need that much.
Jonny's at 600mgs a day, I'm pretty sure.

Title: Re: Please help with medications!!
Post by Bob P on Nov 7^th, 2002, 11:48am

Sweet,

Why are you taking Topomax for CPH?

Indocin (indomethacine) is teh drug for CPH. Almost 100% effective.

Title: Re: Please help with medications!!
Post by Lenny on Nov 7^th, 2002, 5:28pm

Hey DD.,
Sorry to hear what the beast is doing to you. I too am chronic,i went thru the same thing when my doc had to take me off of lithium ( toxins in my blood ) that was 7 or 8 months ago.The verap.with any other medication would not help,but with the lithium it keeps the beast under control ( i still get hit,instead of 1-7 times a day,i get hit on the avg. of 1 time a day ). Dr. Kudrow put me back on lithium ( this monday will be 4-weeks ). I noticed that you mentioned that you take the verap. twice a day,i take mine 4-times a day ( spread out every 4-5 hours ) i take the lithium twice a day( you might want to try this and see if it helps( or try to speak to your dr. )as far as aborting,the only thing that ever worked for me was the imatrix (inj. )so dont feel alone.Hopefully you will get some releif real soon.Good Luck and hopefully many PFDAN to come your way.

Title: Re: Please help with medications!!
Post by meggregg on Nov 12^th, 2002, 9:08am

Have you tried taking Depakote 1000 mg. at bedtime. For quite a while, this medication had helped me. At this point in time, nothing does except the pain medicines to treat the headaches after they have started. If you can catch a headache in the beginning stages, try Fiorinal w/codiene. If it surpasses the pain medication in this, ask for (your dr may not be willing to try) Stadol NS. It is a med. used for women in labor. Let me tell you, it works. It has side effects that you want to look at first, but it starts to relieve the pain in 15 mins. If you have questions, e-mail back and we can discuss what tx I have had and all the preventatives and their outcome for me.
Best of luck!