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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> Pregnancy and CH
        
(Message started by: ericasharp on Jan 29^th, 2004, 8:27pm)

Title: Pregnancy and CH
Post by ericasharp on Jan 29^th, 2004, 8:27pm

Hi! This is my first post, so here goes...
I get CH, Migraines and have Occipital Neuralgia. All of this started during my last pregnancy, and continued on. The only things that worked as preventative measures were Topamax and Zyprexa, with nerve blocks in my Occipital Nerve, neck and shoulders. My husband and I want to have another child, so I have had to taper off my preventative meds because both Topamax and Zyprexa are category C pregnancy drugs. I'm not pregnant right now, but am afraid to take any risks. I still get the nerve blocks, but they are not helping my clusters at all. I am currently having a round of them (my 5th today!) and am ready to cry (I haven't slept in about 3 days because of the pain/waking up)
The point: Is anyone aware of any non-medical interventions that have worked to prevent or stop clusters. I have tried TENS, acupuncture, O2 and yoga. I don't drink, smoke or drink caffeine, so my lifestyle is pretty mellow.
My neurologist is wonderful and willing to try anything I bring to her attention, so any thoughts are very welcome!
Thanks!
-Erica

Title: Re: Pregnancy and CH
Post by BlueMeanie on Jan 29^th, 2004, 9:29pm

Erica,

Unfortunately I don't believe there are ANY non-med formulas for stopping clusters attacks other than O2. Are you using the right amount ? Read the oxygen info to the left. You may NOT have been prescribed enough. Lower flow rates do NOT work. Check with your doctor. I believe triptens will NOT cause a problem for you when using them to abort a Cluster attack. Imitrex works best for most of us.

Good Luck !!

Title: Re: Pregnancy and CH
Post by ericasharp on Jan 31^st, 2004, 12:15pm

Hi! I ended up talking to my neuro and husband, and I am going back on preventative meds. She put me on Zonegran, and the plan is to use it till I am for certain fertile (via tests) and stop then. Apparently, Zonegran doesn't have a wash out period like the other drugs, nor is it folic acid depleting, so it will be safe until I am absolutely "ready" to get pregnant.
Thanks!

Title: Re: Pregnancy and CH
Post by kim on Jan 31^st, 2004, 1:46pm

Hi and Good luck both with prenancy and with clusters. There are many meds available to you at this time. I advise looking around the website thorougly and discussing at length with doc.

Well wishes

Title: Re: Pregnancy and CH
Post by sharbare on Jan 31^st, 2004, 9:26pm

:) :D :) :D :) :D :D :) :D :) :D

Hi Erica,

I have been using oxygen at 8-10 ml for 10 to 15 minutes and that seems to help only if I get to the tank within the first 30 seconds. Check it out with your doctor.
Also try prayer, He is always listening.

Good luck!

Title: Re: Pregnancy and CH
Post by KarynG on Feb 9^th, 2004, 7:49pm

Erica,
I'm sorry to hear that you had clusters during pregnancy. The only year I missed a cycle was when I was pregnant with my son. I got them when he was one or two weeks old totally out of season. It was almost like they were waiting... creepy.
Good Luck-wishing you the best.
Karyn

Title: Re: Pregnancy and CH
Post by taraann on Feb 9^th, 2004, 8:37pm

I just wanted to say goodluck getting preggers! And with both my pregnancies I didnt' get ANY clusters OR migraines the whole time I was pregnant! Ok just my 2cents!

Title: Re: Pregnancy and CH
Post by Paigelle on Feb 9^th, 2004, 10:23pm

on 02/09/04 at 19:49:23, KarynG wrote:

Oh geez Karen! This sounds just exactly like what happened to me. I missed a cycle when I was pregnant (thank God) and when he was 3 weeks old, I got hit and out of season.

Title: Re: Pregnancy and CH
Post by henzey on Feb 10^th, 2004, 12:24pm

The only suggestions I have are to try small doses of melatonin and/or magnesium supplements, but high doses would be an issue for pregnancy. It is somewhat unusual for clusterheads to get worse during pregnancy, but sounds like you are that exception to the rule. I wish I had other options for you....good luck.

Title: Re: Pregnancy and CH
Post by TxBasslady on Feb 10^th, 2004, 12:34pm

Welcome to the board, Erica

Wish you lots of luck on your "future" pregnancy.
Hope the beast gives you a rest!

PF vibes,

Jean

Title: Re: Pregnancy and CH
Post by pubgirl on Feb 10^th, 2004, 4:34pm

Erica

I too stayed pain free in pregnancy, but got hit very badly only 5 days after giving birth. The reason for my post is that if you want to breast feed, you need to anticipate remaining drug free for a considerable amount of time after the birth too.
I use 02 (wacked in at 12l/minute) and if I ever consider having another child (unlikely but not impossible) I would make sure I had tanks of the stuff ready and waiting as for me, it would be the only thing I would be happy to use.

Good luck with the making baby business!

Wendy

Title: Re: Pregnancy and CH
Post by KarynG on Feb 10^th, 2004, 6:02pm

I didn't know about o2 when I was breastfeeding. I survived off excedrin every four hours and a lot of begging, pleading, and crying... My son was not a good sleeper either-probably all the caffeine!

Again, best of luck!