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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2003 >> Best Medication for CH?
        
(Message started by: NDC on Jan 11^th, 2003, 9:50am)

Title: Best Medication for CH?
Post by NDC on Jan 11^th, 2003, 9:50am

What has been the most effective medication for you?

Title: Re: Best Medication for CH?
Post by Jarvis on Jan 11^th, 2003, 11:48am

NDC- though I have tried most all of the meds that have been available for clusters except shrooms, as a medicinal item, never has one or a combination of any had any real results for me. Prednisone at 80 mg and tapered off can give me a short vacation but makes me want to kill something . Methamphetymenes once stopped a nasty 3 yr cycle but I wouldnt reccomend that.....I do use ephedrine with some results in the daytime hours. My main med is pushups wich help create endorphins (I think) and gets me thru and sometimes aborts the worst hits......I am sure many will answer with positives on meds. Wish I was one of them.

Title: Re: Best Medication for CH?
Post by ave on Jan 11^th, 2003, 2:00pm

There is no "best" med for clusters yet. You can't have it on a plate.

So shake a leg (or a mouse button) and research the info available on this site and the OUCH-website.

Should see you right.

Title: Re: Best Medication for CH?
Post by bRathbone on Jan 11^th, 2003, 9:03pm

Different meds work for different people, so there is no one best medicine. In fact sometimes what works for one cluster doesn't work in the next cluster for the same patient. It all comes down to experimentation.

Imitrex works great for me, stops even the worst headaches in 5-10 minutes.

As far as preventatives go, I've tried most of them and the only one which ever helped was depakote.

Here's a good website:
http://www.headachedrugs.com/

Title: Re: Best Medication for CH?
Post by Svenn on Jan 12^th, 2003, 11:06am

Different meds work for different people, so there is no one best medicine

I just wont to add my medications for breaking out of cycle.But remember that i`m not a doc,just another clusterhead from Norway

Verapamil Retard 120mgX5-7/daily during cycle
Oxygene alone at 10ltm for 15 minutes or combined with imitrex-shots does miracles.The shots should start working in 6-9minutes.a few secons after that you are almost painfree
Prednisolone in high doze for 10 days 80mg
then over a 3 weeks periode step down like 60-40-30-20-10-5mg /daily

This is the miraclecure for me,but i`m not a doc.just another clusterhead from Norway

Svenn

Title: Re: Best Medication for CH?
Post by jamie_h on Jan 12^th, 2003, 9:52pm

Had my first cycle of clusters this year. I had about 1 month of torture when I did not know what I was dealing with. After much reading and doctors who were quick to pick up on my symptoms, this is what has worked for me.

Maxalt 10 mg melts have been outstanding for me, they have aborted serious HA's virtually every time that I have used them. I was using them 2-3 times per day for a period of about a month. Once I went to the neuro, He started me on verapamil 120mg x 4 per day, increased to 6 per day. Predisone to break the cycle starting at 60 mg and tapering down. Did the pred thing twice and the cycle has been broken. I also have O2 and it also helps as an abortive.

After 3 months, I am seeing only mild HA's and less frequently. In addition to the above listed items, much prayer has been a key!! :) :) :) :) 8)

Title: Re: Best Medication for CH?
Post by tommyD on Jan 13^th, 2003, 6:58am

Like everyone says, there is no one best medicine for everyone.
Learn more about one of the best preventives at these websites:

http://home.attbi.com/~rwold350/
http://www.geocities.com/ClusterBusters2002/

But this too is not for everyone. Read and research carefully.
I've been pain free for a full year since my last treatment. Mid-cycle, two small doses give me two months pain-free before the beast returns. And when he does, I immeditely send him back to exile. Attacks fade the same day from Kip 8's to shadows, and the shadows disappear in a week. For some, it takes a little more effort. Other have complete and immediate relief with one dose.

And evidence is growing the stuff can work as an abortive as well...

-tommyD

Title: Re: Best Medication for CH?
Post by rick on Jan 13^th, 2003, 1:34pm

NDC,

A number of us, myself included, have had success with mushroom therapy. I would definitely recommend it, and encourage you to read through as much information on the topic as possible before giving it a go if you decided to do so. Prescription meds have only seemed to exacerbate my condition and lengthen my cycles. Please feel free to ask us any questions you might have.

Peace,

-R