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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2003 >> afraid of meds
        
(Message started by: sabdet on Jan 23^rd, 2003, 9:52am)

Title: afraid of meds
Post by sabdet on Jan 23^rd, 2003, 9:52am

Hi, my first post. I suffer from cycles every 18-30 months, currently in the 2nd week of one. The last couple I have treated attacks with Oxygen, reasonably effectively, and have taken Prednisone, this time 100 mg for 4 days, then tapered by 10 less each day. The Prednisone seems to do wonders for me, usually lessening the cycle within hours. I haven't notice any side effects (I could stand to gain some weight and I already have a beard).

The doctor this time prescribed verapamil, 60 mg twice a day (I have low blood pressure). I took the first one this morning, feel a bit woozy and light headed. I have always been a little hesitant about using drugs if I don't need them, and worry about the verapamil. They want me to take it for 60 days. Does it seem to work?

The doctor also prescribed lidacane, 4 mg that I am to drop in my nose during an attack as needed. I picked it up last night and got freaked out by the warnings (careful, have resucessitative equipment nearby, etc). Since I travel by plane for work sometimes, I had asked if there was something other than oxygen I could take for attacks. I am afraid to try it, however. I am a lawyer and understand the need for overstating warnings, and I have seen on this boardsite that many people use lidacane. Is it something I need to be worried about?

Any insight would be helpful. Thank you.

Title: Re: afraid of meds
Post by Bob P on Jan 23^rd, 2003, 2:03pm

I tried lidocaine nasal spray a few years back. 4.5% solution in one of those pump nasal spray bottles. I don't think it helped me at all. It also didn't have any side effects.

I doubt 120mg//day of verap is going to do you any good either. Doc Robinson, at the vancouver convention, said that clusterheads need to take it at levels that would give a cardiologist a heart attack. 960 - 1080 mg/day.

After oxygen, the best abortives are the triptan drugs, Imitrex injections. Knock out an attack in 5 minutes. These do have side effects for some people, tightness in the chest, difficulty breathing, etc. Some people it doesn't phase at all. Just have to give it a try and see.

Title: Re: afraid of meds
Post by domm on Jan 23^rd, 2003, 4:47pm

sabdet - welcome to clusterville ! Good advise from Bob above but stay with the Verapamil. 120 mg/day is low, but I had success at 180 mg/day. I have to watch bp also. It will take 5 to 7 days to really have any effect.
I use the triptans (Imitrex) also for abortives, (along with oxygen) but there are many new ones that some are having success with. Read up.
I never tried the lidocaine nasal thing. Some have and I'm sure they'll check in (Rev Deford comes to mind).
good luck
domm