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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> Imitrex or Prednesone?
        
(Message started by: duck_soup on Feb 8^th, 2004, 10:14pm)

Title: Imitrex or Prednesone?
Post by duck_soup on Feb 8^th, 2004, 10:14pm

I have well-defined cycles that last 6-8 weeks. Usually during that time I use only abortives. I tried verapamil the last two cycles and I think it only made things go longer. I use O2 and imitrex, but when things get cranked, only the imitrex works. I usually wait until I'm getting 2-3 bad ones per day and then ask my neuro for a prednesone taper. The prednesone doesn't take away the headaches, but they don't break through and I can tolerate them. I see a lot of bad press for prednesone here, and my question is whether it's better to use the taper rather tan 2-3 shots per day. I know what's easier on my wallet. :). I've three tapers; two six-day and one nine-day in my current episode. I seem to be tolerating it well without any obvious side effects. The first two ended and I went back into my pattern, but I'm hoping this last one will kick it.

I have been on this current cycle for about five weeks now, and I'm hoping that things will be wrapping up soon. There's always that scared feeling that maybe this time they won't end, but they always have before. I was lucky enough to have three years off since the last time I had an episode.

Let me know if I could be /should be doing things different /better regarding the prednesone. I'm hoping, too, that as cycle gears down, the O2 will become effective again.

Thanks,

Rick

Title: Re: Imitrex or Prednesone?
Post by TxBasslady on Feb 8^th, 2004, 11:05pm

Rick,

I don't take the imitrex. But I did go on a Pred taper. Mine was 60mg x 3 days, 40mg x 5 days, 20mg x 2 days, and 10mg x 5 days.

That was 152 days ago.....have had no CH or shadows since the 1st day of the taper.

I know this doesn't work like this for all....but it was the best thing I ever did!!!

Alot of the folks say that as soon as they finish the taper.....the CH returns.

Hope you find what ya need to battle the beasty one.

PF vibes,

Jean

Title: Re: Imitrex or Prednesone?
Post by duck_soup on Feb 8^th, 2004, 11:15pm

Thanks Jean,

I know the first time my doc prescribed it (about 6 years ago) it worked like a charm. This time it hasn't worked the first two times. I think the cycle timer goes on whatever I do, so if I happen to use it at the end, it goes away. What I'm using it for this time is a break from the shots. I don't feel perfect on the prednisone, but I do feel better than when I'm all saturated with the imitrex. One thing I've noticed this time, I've been free of them for 3 years which is the first time I've not had them yearly for 25 years. I simply do not have the patience that I used to have when I was younger. I really resent the needed alteration in my life this time like I never did before. Hope that don't make it hang on all the longer just for spite :).

Thanks for the info.

Rick

Title: Re: Imitrex or Prednesone?
Post by UN_SOLVED on Feb 9^th, 2004, 2:41am

Imitrex and Prednisone both have their own side effects.
Do what makes you feel better.
I need a few doses of DHE or SoluMedrol every so often to keep me sane(r) [smiley=laugh.gif]

UNSOLVED

PS. With repeated use, I DO believe that Imitrex CAN and WILL cause rebounds. :o

Title: Re: Imitrex or Prednesone?
Post by jmorgan52 on Feb 9^th, 2004, 8:11am

My experience is that the pred can extend the cycle by at least the time you get relief, and that they return worse than ever after the taper. It holds out the promise of relief and then lets you down hard,

I have been using pred for about 8 years, but will NEVER use it again.

Might be different for you though.

John

Title: Re: Imitrex or Prednesone?
Post by Prense on Feb 9^th, 2004, 8:01pm

I think that every med discussed on this board has been claimed as the culprit for extending a cycle.

My take, you have x number of consistent cycles for y number of years. You try something new and the cycle lasts longer. Fact; you will NEVER know if that cycle would have lasted the same duration or not.

Folks are always saying things like, "my cycle isn't due yet", or "my cycle started late this year...", etc. Is that because you had an imitrex injection a year ago?? Not everyone can set a clock to their cycles or attacks.

If the literature on CH is accurate, then the clock that we are all ticking on is not the same 24hr/365 day a year clock anyway.

I'm not saying that meds do not extend a cycle; I am saying that you can only assume that it does...not know for certain.

Rick, I cannot answer your original question as I have never gone the steroid route.

Chris

Title: Re: Imitrex or Prednesone?
Post by jmorgan52 on Feb 11^th, 2004, 10:35am

I have kept a fairly accurate diary of my CH attacks over the past many, many years years toi se if there was anything that made a difference for me. The length of my cycle varies quite a lot, but.... I always seem to get around the same NUMBER of really bad CH attacks per cycle no matter what meds I was using. The cycles I used Pred for several "tapers" during which I got relief did not reduce the total number of HA's but it did extend the average cycle length by about 3 weeks for me.

I usually get around 40 or so kip 9/10 CH's in a cycle and numerous less painfull ones

So I deduce:
Pred does not help me.
It makes my cycles longer
When I do not use Pred my cycle is shorter, but I get just as many attacks!

Thankfully imigran injections stopped the bad ones in their tracks, but also did not reduce the quantity, but improved the quality :)

I still maintain that a strict detox diet for a few weeks is the best way to break a cycle, and it is the only thing that has worked so far for me to end my "normal" very lengthy cycle quite quickly. This last cycle I had only around 10 really bad ones and about 20 milder ones, and that was before I started the detox.

John

John