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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> HOw do you really know... Right meds...How long?
        
(Message started by: E-Double on Jun 17^th, 2004, 4:32pm)

Title: HOw do you really know... Right meds...How long?
Post by E-Double on Jun 17^th, 2004, 4:32pm

Hi again,

Although I must admit thank god, that the depakote, zomig (Rules!!!)& prednisone appear to be helping; I guess I wonder how long it takes for us to really know.

After nearly 10 years I finally got my stubborn ass to the neuro and did something about this!

I also have never had a cycle that has lasted this long. Been 3.5 weeks. I have had them that long only at night but now they are through out the day.

I finally tried working today. what a disaster.. I couldn't think for shit... a little dopey, then a full blown attack! That's a sure way to get a vote of confidence from a desperate parent seeking your help for their disabled child :P

I know we are all different and god help me if this thing goes from episodic to chronic but I was just curious how long on the average has it taken people to get "used" to their meds?

And thanks again for all the sharing, experiences & support. Really something else!!!
You all are truly special people!!

Best and No more pain for all :)
Eric

Title: Re: HOw do you really know... Right meds...How lon
Post by thomas on Jun 17^th, 2004, 4:46pm

The shortest cycle of my ch life was 3 weeks. It was also my latest cycle, the treatment that I used, follows;

My CH treatment

20min HOT steamy shower 1 hour before bed
3 mg of melatonin and 2 mg of time-release melatonin afterwards
Go to bed
Wake up, take 250 mg of magnesium and 20 mg of fluoxetine (prozac)
Abort with zomig as needed.

Title: Re: HOw do you really know... Right meds...How lon
Post by E-Double on Jun 17^th, 2004, 5:30pm

All our own little hells!!!!!!!!!
I guess it just feels forever despite now knowing people out there go with these things for months non stop. I guees I'm lucky. NAH!!!
It sucks regardless.
Melatonin always made me "bug" but I never took it during a cycle. Will give it a shot.

Is there a time when you can be med free???

Again thanks and good luck.

Eric

on 06/17/04 at 16:46:55, thomas wrote:

Title: Re: HOw do you really know... Right meds...How lon
Post by thomas on Jun 17^th, 2004, 5:37pm

I'm med free right now dude. Have been since January. ;;D

Title: Re: HOw do you really know... Right meds...How lon
Post by E-Double on Jun 17^th, 2004, 5:46pm

My friend that just brought a tear of joy to my face!!!!
I know these things will just go away but while you are going through them it seems they never will! and when they do ya have the anxiety of them returning. I'm still bugging since the whole change in mine. HArd to get used to them. I was able to "deal" with the nocturnal bastards but during the day. >:(
That's fantastic man.
Be well

on 06/17/04 at 17:37:54, thomas wrote:

I'm med free right now dude. Have been since January. ;;D

Title: Re: HOw do you really know... Right meds...How lon
Post by FZfan on Jun 17^th, 2004, 7:04pm

on 06/17/04 at 17:30:10, E-Double wrote:

Is there a time when you can be med free???

Yes, but that depends on so many variables it's hard to articulate. For example, my last cycle lasted a little over 5 weeks and I went through the whole thing with nothing but o2. But many factors allowed me to do this:

1) My attacks occurred at 8:30p and 2:00a like clockwork with some scattered random ones thrown in just for fun.

2) o2 aborted completely over 80% of my attacks

3) curiously I never had a daytime attack unless I was NOT at work. In my 9 years of living with these, I have NEVER had an attack at work. Weird, huh? I did have morning and afternoon attacks on my days off.

Since I was never attacked at work, it was possible to fight off the beast with o2 alone, the main side effect being a lack of sleep due to the 2am wake-up call every night. I have arranged for an area at work where I can keep an o2 tank, if needed. You might try this where you work since you are getting attacked there.

But if o2 doesn't abort a high percentage of your attacks, there are very few alternatives to meds other than clusterbusters, and even that is really a med.

If o2 is effective at aborting your attacks, and it's near the end of your cycle based on past experience, you can give some consideration to dropping all meds and finishing the cycle with o2 alone or maybe with the occassional triptan. That way, you will know for sure when your cycle ends.

I feel for ya, though. Daytime attacks are the worst, at least for me. That when I usually get kip 9's and 10's. Hard thing to handle when you're at work. Hope your cycle ends soon.

Title: Re: HOw do you really know... Right meds...How lon
Post by BlueMeanie on Jun 17^th, 2004, 7:24pm

Hello E-Double and welcome.

I'm not trying to put your pain on any less scale than all of us. To have your longest cycle of 3.5 weeks ? I must say you are pretty lucky. Chronics go forever (until there is a cure or the find the right combo of prevents). My shortest cycle ever was 8 weeks and was thrilled to death that it ended that soon. Don't be suprised if your normal clockwork CH's change from time to time. I've had them day & night. You just never know.

Hang in there. It probably won't be much longer now. PF vibes that it ends soon !!

What meds do you use for abortives ? I hope you read the info to the left of this page about 02 & Imitrex. They are lifesavers !!!!!

Title: Re: HOw do you really know... Right meds...How lon
Post by E-Double on Jun 17^th, 2004, 8:15pm

I don't take it that way at all. I look at it as an individual thing that we all go through at different levels and for different durations, intensities, etc...
Honestly I feel horrible for the rest of you sufferers who deal with this for such long periods.
As far as abortives I just popped Zomig I got a huge one that just came out of no where. Funny thing is it was the first time my fiance' saw it from the beginning. Eye closing, tearing bugging, vain popping.......
Gotta go pace my friend and hope this may kick in soon.

Take care,
Eric : E-Double

on 06/17/04 at 19:24:45, BlueMeanie wrote:

Title: Re: HOw do you really know... Right meds...How lon
Post by don on Jun 17^th, 2004, 10:09pm

Quote:

Is there a time when you can be med free???

YES.

My last cycle lasted 9 months. Full bore, every day, every night all at least Kip 8s. Damn near killed me. So I guess that for that cycle the meds never got used to me. But after a short hospitalization for IV DHE I went into a three year remission. Med free and cycle free.

This cycle the same meds are working pretty well. Go figure.

Title: Re: HOw do you really know... Right meds...How lon
Post by Gator on Jun 18^th, 2004, 5:30pm

Shortest cycle? What day is it. Since this is my first cycle and it has been going on for 8 months now, my shortest cycle is 8 months and counting.

No prevents that work, yet. Thank God for O2 and Zomig NS.

Gator

Title: Re: HOw do you really know... Right meds...How lon
Post by seannap on Jun 20^th, 2004, 1:51am

Have any of you tried Celebrex for the headaches? My neuro gave me some samples, and have been taking them for the past month+... take care of most... still get 3-4 a week that aren't very intense, and maybe a nite-owl 1/week that is a real dozy.

Am I just lucky that I haven't had to progress to Imitrex or Zomig or any of the other harsher meds? I am fortunate that a majority (pre-Celebrex and current) of my HA's only last about 40 minutes with only about 15 of which are at a kip 8 - 9. Doc feels no abortive is really worth the side-effects for such a short time frame.

Any thoughts?

Title: Re: HOw do you really know... Right meds...How lon
Post by Gator on Jun 20^th, 2004, 10:48pm

on 06/20/04 at 01:51:31, seannap wrote:

I suppose it is a personal preference. Personally, I don't like feeling like someone is trying to drive a burning drill bit through my eye. I'll stay with the Zomig and O2.

Gator

Title: How long til it stops? Quality of life thing......
Post by E-Double on Jun 25^th, 2004, 9:47pm

I already feel such a strong bond to you guys, WOW!!! :)
and such enormous appreciation!!

I know there are so many variables when it comes to these things and we all have different durations and intensities but I was curious since mine have taken taken such a different swing. Thus I found you all...

I know that I will prob. be in need of diff. meds (posted that elsewhere) been on stuff for near 2 weeks and don't seem much change.

Anyway curious about :

Average cycles??

How long to break it?

Just trying to figure this out to be honest.

So much seems to ride on these things.
How do we work and function when things are really bad?
What about the all day Shadows? Seems like attack >>shadow>> Pacer>> attack>>> like a freaking videogame. I swear I'm gonna have myself videotaped. Freak show! :-[
Freaking pacing and then the attacks!!
Still can't find a pattern or triggers and just frustrated.

Also are there any in person support groups?
Or hotlines other than the "suicide crisis preventions" NOT NEEDED

Have people had to completely restructure their lives??

Thanks all!!

Best and quick relief!!

Eric