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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> Prozac
        
(Message started by: toader on Apr 1^st, 2004, 4:26am)

Title: Prozac
Post by toader on Apr 1^st, 2004, 4:26am

I'm supposed to taper off Depakote (which has been controlling headaches better during the day, but makes me sick) and start on Prozac, but I'm skeptical of it, though I don't know why. I guess just because it's like the 5th drug in 5 months now.

Still trying to decide how much longer to tolerate the nasty side-effects of Depakote :P

.... I am on the message board at 1:30am so I'm probably answering my own question
:)

Title: Re: Prozac
Post by Bob_Johnson on Apr 1^st, 2004, 11:33am

Look at www.headachedrugs.com, put Prozac in the search box. You will find that this class of drugs (SSRI) is not very effective.

Have you checked the "medication survey" button on the left--for ideas.

Talk to your doc about lithium. It's often quite effective.

Explore also: WWW.MELDRUM.DEMON.CO.UK/migraine. At bottom of home page, look for FAQ on clusters: four sections of extensive material; strong on treatment options.

Title: Re: Prozac
Post by thomas on Apr 9^th, 2004, 8:57am

prozac, along with melatonin and magnesium helped me immensely. ;;D

Title: Re: Prozac
Post by Alan on Apr 9^th, 2004, 2:06pm

Toader,
Your post eludes to your Depakote being replaced by Prozac. I agree with Bob Johnson that Prozac is not an effective tool for CH management.

Prozac is however quite commonly used for anxiety during a CH cycle.

Alan

Title: Re: Prozac
Post by toader on Apr 9^th, 2004, 3:49pm

It's not an "anxiety" issue ... my damn head hurts almost all the time, plus the joy of attacks.

In the end, not everyone is exactly the same and has exactly the same diagnosis and needs exactly the same meds -- case in point is thomas who is using it and likes it.

I'm still undecided and struggling with the Depakote. I guess I won't know until I try.

Thanks for your input, guys ... do appreciate your comments

Title: Re: Prozac
Post by JoeKen on Apr 12^th, 2004, 3:52pm

:)
Hi toader,
I am an episodic CH sufferer and was precribed Prozac to help with unrelated anxiety/depression problems about a month before my episode was expected to start. My GP told me to persist with the Prozac, even if I got side effects, as the Prozac takes a month or more before it helps with the anxiety/depression. Any side effects for me were limited to minor disruption of my sleep pattern, (which I was not warned about), and lurid dreams, (which I was warned about).
Anyway, to get to the point which may interest you, my GP said that I might find that Prozac may help with the CH, as it is sometimes prescribed for this purpose.
All I can say is that, so far, my CH episode has been much reduced from previous years, and my consumption of Imigran has much reduced with it. It may be a coincidence, but I intend to ask my GP, if he has taken me off Prozac by the time next year when I expect the next episode to start, if he will put me back on it for the duration of the CH episode.
In brief, approach the use of Prozac with an open mind. For me the side effects were readily tolerable and the impact on the CH alone makes it worthwhile, irrespective of the very beneficial effect on the anxiety.
Persist with it, even if the results seem to be a long time coming.
Good Luck.
JoeKen.

Title: Re: Prozac
Post by MarkV2 on Apr 12^th, 2004, 10:30pm

toader, not sure how long you've been on Depakote. It gave me bad nausea for a good 2 weeks, then went away as my system adjusted. Also not sure what dose you're on. When tapering from 1000mg, I got the nausea again, but it went away quicker that when I started the drug.

hope this helps -
MarkV

Title: Re: Prozac
Post by Edski_1 on Apr 13^th, 2004, 10:31am

Toader...you have to be patient. Not everyone has an easy time finding the best cocktail. :-/

Hang in there and keep trying. I think MarkV2 has good advice...sometime we adjust to the SE's of certain drugs...like getting used to Topamax. ;;D

Title: Re: Prozac
Post by thomas on Apr 13^th, 2004, 10:36am

on 04/09/04 at 15:49:15, toader wrote:

case in point is thomas who is using it and likes it.

It is a part of a cocktail though, by itself, it is worthless to me.