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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2003 >> Doxipin
        
(Message started by: Hai on Sep 27^th, 2003, 8:57am)

Title: Doxipin
Post by Hai on Sep 27^th, 2003, 8:57am

I have had cluster headaches for about 15 years now. About 8 year ago I sought treatment with a headache clinic. The doctor was from europe and prescribed me Prednizone, and a medication known as Doxipin. He said my headaches would go away within a week or two. He was right, the cycle broke.

Now, I was leary about the Doxipin fix, because as we all know cluster cycles can start and stop at any time.

Well .....

The next year the same pain came back, same doctor, same treatment. Within 2 weeks the clusters were gone again.

This time I got lucky and was given a year off of clusters.

2 Years later, they are back. This time my doctor is no longer practicing. I am referred to a neurologist. She gave me the prednisone, and imitrex nose spray. I asked about Doxipin and she said she never heard of it being used for cluster treatment, and did not prescribe it. 1 and 1/2 months later (still suffering) and 2 doctors visits later, I BEGGED the doctor to put me on Doxipin. She mentioned something about it being an anti-depressant, and not going to help me, yet she would prescribe it for the heck of it.

Within 2 weeks the headaches were gone.

I have not had clusters for about 4 years up until now. I ran across this board this morning and noticed that the same treatments are being used for clusters (nothing has changed). I am seeing a doctor on tuesday and requesting the Doxipin again (along with a few spare injectors of imitrex till it kicks in)

Maybe it was pure luck on those 3 occasions, or maybe just maybe it works. I am making this post for those of you who have exhausted all other options, and are looking for alternative treatments. I am not a doctor, just a fellow sufferer like you.

Regards,

Hai

PS -

I will keep ya updated on my (hopeful) recovery once I start the Doxipin treatment again.

Title: Re: Doxipin
Post by cathy on Sep 27^th, 2003, 2:41pm

Hai....thanks for sharing that info, it's always nice to be able to read a success story and nice to know there are people like you kind enough to take the time to spread the word!

If this posts helps just 1 sufferer it will have been worth it....

PF vibes to you and hope the Doxipin works...have to admit it's not one i've heard of either will see if it's called the same thing here in the UK....

Do you think the combination of Pred and Doxipin was what knocked the CH..?

Let us know how you get on.

Cathy

Title: Re: Doxipin
Post by cathy on Sep 27^th, 2003, 2:45pm

http://www.doxepin.com/

Title: Re: Doxipin
Post by maria9 on Sep 27^th, 2003, 6:24pm

Hey Hai, I may be preaching to the choir, but I have said all along that the anti-depressants have an analgesic effect on the headaches, there is something wrong with our pain modualation system, and the anti-depressants have a positive effect on the serotonin levels.

Maria

Title: Re: Doxipin
Post by Hai on Sep 28^th, 2003, 4:03am

Ooops,

I did spell it wrong, your right "Doxepin" is the correct spelling.

RE: DO I think it was a combo of Doxepin and Prednisone that helped stop my clusters (ala , break the cycle) ? Well I am not sure, as every doctor who has a clue about clusters kicks off a treatment with the prednisone, so I have used it along with other meds in the past without much success. On my last scenerio mentioned above I had already busted through my pred many weeks prior and was pretty much just taking verapamil when I begged the doc to precribe me Doxepin.

Something I forgot to mention that sort of made me smirk to myself. This neurologist who is a part of the Headache Foundation (listed), told me 2 weeks later when I was back in the office claiming not to have had an episode in 3 days (which usually means they are gone for a year or so). This doctor said that Doxepin had no bearing on it, and my cycle just ended its course in her professional opinion

:NOTE: - I did some probing around the net last night after making this post and it seems Doxepin is being listed as one of the meds that can be used for cluster treatment, and yes it is catagorized with other anti-depressants.

So maybe this particular anti depressant has an effect on some cluster sufferers to balance back the serotonin levels in the brain, and get it used to keeping balanced again on its own.

Once the attacks go away, I usually discontinue use of Doxepin 2 weeks after.

Regards my new Friends,

Hai

Title: Re: Doxipin
Post by cathy on Sep 28^th, 2003, 9:48am

Hai, if it works for you thats all that matters...hope it helps someone else too!

Cathy

Title: Re: Doxipin
Post by violet on Oct 7^th, 2003, 11:53pm

doxepin is a cousin of elavil, which is sometimes used as a preventative