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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2003 >> Desperate in Africa!  Help!
        
(Message started by: zimmy on Jan 30^th, 2003, 8:47am)

Title: Desperate in Africa! Help!
Post by zimmy on Jan 30^th, 2003, 8:47am

Dear Friends,

I am in the 11th day of a CH cycle. Last had them in 1999.
Have about 4 more imitrex left and verapamil at 720mg a day has not broken the cycle. Had CH for two days, then a three day break, then three days of CH, then 2 day break, and now back again.

I live in Kenya and Imitrex is unavailable here and I have yet to find a nuerologist who has much experience with it.

Any advice greatly appreciated on how I can get out of this cycle. In 1999 I was able to break the cycle with Verapamil dosage of only 360 mg that I drew back over the course of one week to 0 mg.

If the headaches continue, does anybody have any suggestions on how to deal with them once I run out of Imitrex? Also, any experiences with using Verapamil to break the cycle would be really appreciated.

Mark

Title: Re: Desperate in Africa! Help!
Post by Bob P on Jan 30^th, 2003, 10:46am

Prednisone (steriods) will usually stop a cycle dead in it's tracks. Because of adverse side effects, you can't stay on it for long. The neuros usually do something like 60 or 80mg a day for a week and then start tapering down. Others use the Medrol dosepaks. I think it's 60mg the first day, 50 the next, then 40, 30 20 10. It stops my attacks the first day I take the 60mg but they usually return when I get down to the 20mg day.

Title: Re: Desperate in Africa! Help!
Post by Roxy on Jan 30^th, 2003, 11:34am

Hi Mark....sorrry you having a hard time, but welcome to the site.

I don't have any experience breaking cycles....but, Bob's advice is pretty good. :) Do you have access to Zomig or Maxalt? I know they work for some people on the board....and you can order Imitex online at some pharmacies (sometimes even without a prescription).

In my experience, your best bet is 02. Not for breaking the cycle, but it will abort most of the attacks.

Take care,

Tracey

Title: Re: Desperate in Africa! Help!
Post by clavers on Jan 30^th, 2003, 11:54am

Roxy is right, your best bet is oxygen which should be available. Make sure that the regulator is running at least 8 liters a minute and that you are using a non-rebreather mask, the kind with the bag hanging down.

Title: Re: Desperate in Africa! Help!
Post by ami on Jan 30^th, 2003, 3:56pm

Sorry to hear about your experience right now. I'm new to this as well -- but I found this site online for you -- maybe it will help. It says you can order w/o a prescription.. Let me know if there is anything else I can do. -- Ciao, -ami

http://www.jamesstarritt.com/Imitrex-Oral/

Title: Re: Desperate in Africa! Help!
Post by JDH on Jan 31^st, 2003, 11:19am

zimmy,
I've had the same experience with Prednisone that Bob has described. It broke my cycle the first night I started the 60mg and I had about 4 pain free nights in a row but it came back once I started tapering down.
If there's no Imitrex available perhaps you can get access to oxygen. For me the o2 has worked as well if not better than Imitrex injections w/out any side effects.
Good luck & PFDAN's to you!

Title: Re: Desperate in Africa! Help!
Post by ozzman on Jan 31^st, 2003, 2:32pm

Mark,
This cycle for me has been different than my previous ones. Prednisone, usually works, but this time after I finish all of it, did not break the cycle. Verapamil seems to be working and O2. Let me tell you that I was a bit skeptical about oxygen, but it DOES work.

Just my 2 cents

Ozzy