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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> Prednisone
        
(Message started by: Tennesseejim on Jul 10^th, 2004, 11:19am)

Title: Prednisone
Post by Tennesseejim on Jul 10^th, 2004, 11:19am

I have experienced cluster headaches for 11 years. Prednisone has worked everytime I've ever used it. It takes about 36 hours to take effect although there is some relief during that time period. After 36 hours, the headaches are gone for months until the next episode occurs. The last time I took prednisone, I went 11 months before the headaches returned. I have found that Imitrex only works if the headache occurs above the eyes, and it does not stop the episodes like Prednisone does. Imitrex only gives relief for a few hours before they return.

Title: Re: Prednisone
Post by don on Jul 10^th, 2004, 6:40pm

Quote:

Imitrex only gives relief for a few hours before they return

Thats all it is supposed to do. Abort one attack at a time.

Title: Re: Prednisone
Post by Redd715 on Jul 10^th, 2004, 7:08pm

I sure wish more doctors would explain exactly what to expect from our meds and why... this sort of confusion could very well be avoided.

As for the pred...How many days do you take it for and what dosage/s. It's dangerous to take Pred for extended periods of time. My guess would be that if the prednisone is being scripted correctly, you have very short cycles. Lucky you.

Title: Re: Prednisone
Post by Prense on Jul 10^th, 2004, 7:53pm

on 07/10/04 at 19:08:59, Redd715 wrote:

As for the pred...How many days do you take it for and what dosage/s. It's dangerous to take Pred for extended periods of time. My guess would be that if the prednisone is being scripted correctly, you have very short cycles. Lucky you.

There has been some here who have claimed pred to abort thier cycles...

Title: Re: Prednisone
Post by Redd715 on Jul 10^th, 2004, 8:32pm

Then again lucky Guy!!!

Hell I'm thankful that the Verap is keeping the demon to a low roar for the most part. Not preventing by anymeans...but intencity is much improved. Hey it's something. Least I'm not trying yank my teeth out anymore..... :-/

Title: Re: Prednisone
Post by Prense on Jul 10^th, 2004, 8:52pm

Those that don't abort their cycle, claim that attacks return with a nasty vengence shortly after finishing the taper. I have never used the stuff; being chronic, I don't see the point in it.

Chris

Title: Re: Prednisone
Post by Redd715 on Jul 10^th, 2004, 8:58pm

I unfortuneately have (apparently) developed cycles within being chronic. Yeah for me! NOT. This beast just doesn't seem to have a rhyme or reason for the ways it likes to f*ck with us!

Title: Re: Prednisone
Post by mustang on Jul 11^th, 2004, 9:59am

Redd, What dosage of Verapamil are taking? I too am chronic I take 640mg verapamil daily and been mostly pf for 6 months.

:) :) Mustang :) :)

Title: Re: Prednisone
Post by Redd715 on Jul 11^th, 2004, 10:16am

Mustang,

I can only take a max of 300mg. I have naturally low BP to start with, and the verap has me sitting at an average of 90's/60's. Upping it would force me to have monthly EEG monitoring which with no insurance I simply can't afford.

Title: Re: Prednisone
Post by mustang on Jul 11^th, 2004, 10:27am

Redd, sorry to hear that. If I can help you get through
this let me know. I had none stop CH from 1999 to about 6 months ago, Verapamil has been a blessing,
and the help of a doctor who is so up on CH, he even attends the OUCH siminars in Europe. I have him check out this site too. He really is trying to find a cure and a great support to me. Very few doctors like this.

:) :) Mustang :) :)

Title: Re: Prednisone
Post by miapet on Jul 11^th, 2004, 3:01pm

Redd . . . we totally understand the cycles within the cycle of a chronic . . .D too had the same thing going on. The 'regular' cycle was the one that 'seemed doable' . .the cycles with in could get very bad (every hour etc) . . .just want you to know, we're thinking of you, and hope you find relief.
*positive light and energy*
miapet

Title: Re: Prednisone
Post by Redd715 on Jul 11^th, 2004, 3:29pm

I wish I could say I understand it Mia...as you know I started in with the multiple times a day every day back in early March and it didn't go back to these random hits till mid May. What I wouldn't give some days to not worry about when and where that bastard is lurking waiting to pounce on my trig nerve again...lol.

Title: Re: Prednisone
Post by mustang on Jul 12^th, 2004, 7:53am

Even through I have been pf for 6 monthes, not a day goes by that I don't think about my ch's hitting me again. I know I can wake up one night and Bam the meds. may not work. I guess this is another thing we all live will.

:) :) Mustang :) :)

Title: Re: Prednisone
Post by mynm156 on Jul 16^th, 2004, 9:05pm

I have been on Predinsone for 3 weeks now and I really dont know how to say it has helped. I still have HA 3 days a week but not as many LITTLE ones they are all BIG ones. I have been suffering from near constant headaches one my HA days. So who knows.

GOOD VIBES EVERYONE!

MYNM156

Title: Re: Prednisone
Post by cpr on Jul 18^th, 2004, 6:20pm

Started getting CH in the late 1970's... given fiorinol to abort. Started verapamil 240 mg/day in the early 1990's and got off of fiorinol since it can be addictive. I was basically headache free (occasional headache/2x year-took imitrex to successfully abort) until this past May. I began getting up to 3 headaches a day and have tried imitrex again; maxalt; axert for temporary relief. Verapamil was raised to 480 mg/day. I was then given inderol (anti-inflammatory)-worked for 5 days then CH returned. Began prednisone for about 28 days with a dosing regiman that began with 60 mg all at once the first day... then 30 mg in the am/30mg pm for about 4 days... then a gradual tapering off. It began to work within 24 hours and kept me free of headaches for 1 month. The headaches have recently returned to 2 a day and I am now waiting to hear back from my doctor to find out out what my next step will be. I must confess that when I was feeling better on the prednisone, I started using caffeine again... needless to say, I am off caffeine again. There has got to be relief for us... CH has taken a huge toll on the quality of my life!

Title: Re: Prednisone
Post by brain_cramps on Jul 24^th, 2004, 12:08pm

Hmmmmmm... Seems to be a LOT of different opinions on this.

I tried it years ago and don't think it did anything.

This week I have been on 50mg for 5 days to be followed by 25mg for 4 days. The 1st 60 hrs were completely PF - not even a shadow. The next night I was hit once. The following night I was hit 3 or 4 times (lost count along the way). Getting hit more than once in a night is a rarity for me.

I'm gonna finish the 4 days at 25mg but I'm not sure if I'll try it again. All it did for me was a) give me a huge appetite (nothing wrong with that) and b) made me irritable as hell. Almost got myself in trouble a couple times. ::)

grant

EDITED TO ADD: I'm not sure if the pred really had anything to do with the 60 PF hours since I was given a shot of DHE on Monday morning. So much for med-free for this cycle.

Title: Re: Prednisone
Post by jdm on Jul 25^th, 2004, 1:42pm

I have just spent ten days on pred. and at 60 I am pain free for three days. I started on 30 and had no relief. Verap. and Lithium did not work for me. (nor did any other meds for the long term)

I will start to taper this week and we will see what happens. If nothing else I have not dreeded going to sleep, but you can't sleep more than a couple hours. Nothing like walking around the house at 3AM looking for projects to work on. A small price to pay.

I will report in after taper and what happens.

(boy can I loose my temper with this stuff, you need to be careful not to wack somebody)