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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> Lithium !
        
(Message started by: Davjac on Aug 26^th, 2004, 10:53am)

Title: Lithium !
Post by Davjac on Aug 26^th, 2004, 10:53am

I have been taking verapamil 480mg per day for about a year now, with limited effect. I suffer from chronic cluster headache.

My consultant is considering putting me on lithium at my next appointment. Anyone have any experience of lithium ie. does it work?

Thanks

Dave

Title: Re: Lithium !
Post by Ueli on Aug 26^th, 2004, 9:19pm

Hi Dave,

Could be, your Verapamil dose is a bit on the low side.

At least that is what one of the world most renowned cluster experts,
Dr. Peter Goadsby, says here: (http://www.hospital-doctor.co.uk/hd_news/hd_news_article.asp?ID=2498&Section=Feature)
Quote:

Verapamil is the preventative drug of choice in both episodic and chronic CH. Clinical experience has demonstrated that higher doses than those used in cardiological indications are needed, so outpatient assessment and follow-up is appropriate. The dose is increased until the cluster attacks are suppressed, side-effects intervene or the maximum dose of 960mg daily is achieved.

Somewhere else Goadsby says that the regular Verapamil is to be favoured over the fancy retarded or delayed forms.

I myself take 600mg Verapamil per day.

Lithium is also used as preventative. Some who neither get good results from Verapamil or Lithium alone, have success by combining the two (ask jonny about that).

By all means stay away from Dr. Frankenstein and his surgery of any kind!
PFNADs, Ueli [smiley=smokin.gif]

Title: Re: Lithium !
Post by toolong on Aug 27^th, 2004, 10:52am

I've got one thing to say about Lithium!It make work for some but it made me so stoned I walked ito a wall and ended up with a nice scar on my forehead.Use with caution!!!!!!!!

Title: Re: Lithium !
Post by ex_pat_asia on Aug 27^th, 2004, 1:29pm

What is the recommended dosage for lithium? As I recall, I read that the dosage recommnded for cluster is much lower then in the case of its primary usage. Is that correct? How often do blood tests need to be performed to monitor levels?
can anyone point me to some info that gets a bit more specific?
Thanks and PFDAN,

Title: Re: Lithium !
Post by clavers on Aug 27^th, 2004, 3:01pm

900 mg. of lithium divided into three 300mg doses gave me a remission for six months before it quit working. It was worth it. It makes your hands shake but its worth it. It seems to work best for chronics, which I am.

Title: Re: Lithium !
Post by PerryGR on Aug 27^th, 2004, 5:29pm

Hello everyone,

Never used lithium but my doc says i might have to. Anyway ex_pat_asia here are a couple of links: (if they don't appear as links then you might have to copy/paste the url)

This is about Lithium in general
http://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/p30-l02.html

This is about preventative medications in general
http://www.headachedrugs.com/archives/preventivemeds.html

I quote some lines from the second link:

Quote:

Lithium: Although lithium carbonate is probably more effective for chronic cluster headache, it is helpful for many episodic cluster patients. Low doses, usually one to three of the 300 mg. pills, are usually utilized with cluster patients. With low doses, lithium is generally well tolerated. Lithium may be combined with verapamil and/or cortisone. After verapamil and cortisone, lithium is often the next choice for cluster prevention.

Hope these links help some.

PFDAN to all,
Perry.

Title: Re: Lithium !
Post by Jonny on Aug 27^th, 2004, 5:42pm

Ive been taking 480 Verapamil and 600 Lithium everyday for 12 years, three weeks after I started this combo I went from four HA's a day to about eight HA's a month and Im chronic.

Recently I have had to up the dose to kill a major break through, but for 12 years this chronic was in heaven.

I have had no side effects from the Lithium, just some slight hand tremors (But the beer probably has some to do with that ;;D )

Dont mean to be harsh, but, you would be a fool not to try this combo........what do you have to lose.....Pain?

I hope it works for you like it has for me....pure heaven for a chronic!!!

...............................jonny

Title: Re: Lithium !
Post by chris on Aug 29^th, 2004, 1:28am

Ihave been chronic for 8 years now and have also been on the 480 verapamil and 900 lithium. It worked good for 4years altering doses occasionally. Then Jan and Febuary it quite working. After 4years so Doctor threw in Neurontin w/ the mix. Did well for 3 months,weined myself slowly off verapamil. Then Weined myself off Lithium also. Currently jusst taking Neurontin. 1800 mg in three doses. Has done wonders!!! I know all the Hype about Neurontin lately on the news. Deppresion and suicide. Bullshit!! I had a lot worse side effects on the lithium. Lithium levels were checked in my liver about every 6 months. Lithium really helped with the headaches but I personally had a lot of tremor problems,and reactions to cold weather. Not to mention Really bad diarrehea. Had to take lomotil 1hour before Lithium. Neurontin is kind of a new treatment for migraines,and doesnot have near the side effects of a lot of preventative meds.It leaves the body quickly and does not take time to build up. But must take 3 times a daybecause of this.