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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> middle of a BAD cycle
        
(Message started by: Targa_Ray on Sep 4^th, 2004, 8:01pm)

Title: middle of a BAD cycle
Post by Targa_Ray on Sep 4^th, 2004, 8:01pm

Hi folks, I am in the middle of a BAD cycle. I've been having them for over 20 years now on and off. Usually, I wake up to them in the middle of the night and sometimes during the day I would get one. Now they come on randomly, day and night.

I was just prescribed Relpax 40 mg. It works with 600 mg of Motrin. Works good for shadows and aborts headaches for about 12 hrs., but if I miss the beginning and get a full headache it takes 2 to 3 hrs. to work.

I have some questions.

1. Anybody using Relpax, if so, how does it work for you?

2. Relpax cost $114.00 for 6 40mg tabs. Medical only covers 10 tabs per month, can you cut these in half?
Any cheaper alternatives?

3. Oxygen, where do you get this and what kind of set up should I look for?

4. I can't function or work at all with these headaches.
What do you folks do??????

Thanks fo any help

Title: Re: middle of a BAD cycle
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Sep 4^th, 2004, 8:38pm

Hi,

So sorry to hear you're suffering, but glad you found the board.

I can't speak to Relpax, though I've seen it a number of times on the board ... you could do a search?

If you've been diagnosed with clusters, the doc who diagnosed you should prescribe your O2. Any doc who doesn't at least mention it as a treatment for clusters, doesn't know diddly about the syndrome, and you should get a second opinion - and yes, it's probably cheaper than what you're taking.

You also haven't mentioned a preventative med. Aborting the HA is only one aspect of treatment.

You can find lots of info on this board about meds and O2 - start with the links on the left. And yes, you can get O2 without a prescription - much here about it.

If you have a doc who's willing to listen and work with you, print this out and take it to your next appointment.

http://www.future-drugs.com/admin/articlefile/ERN020304.PDF

Keep us informed. Wishing you many PFDAN!

Kris

Title: Re: middle of a BAD cycle
Post by Ueli on Sep 4^th, 2004, 11:21pm

Hi Targa,

I take Relpax 20 mg before bed time, and I usually only wake up for a pit stop.
You can split the pill, that's what I'm doing. You might even look if you can get the same number of 80 mg tabs. Pfizer makes the price per pill, not per dose.

Please skip the Motrin with the Relpax, OTC painkillers do nothing for CH, but may damage your stomach.

Do you take a long time preventative, like Verapamil? If not, I strongly recommend that you talk about it with your doctor. CH is so devastating that we need both, preventative and abortive.

Everything you need to know about oxygen you find Here (http://www.headachesupportgroups.com/oxygen/oxygen.htm)

PFNADs, Ueli [smiley=smokin.gif]

Title: Re: middle of a BAD cycle
Post by Superpain on Sep 5^th, 2004, 6:01am

Good advice. O2 is essential for most of us!
Relpax is a triptan. There are pill, nasal spray and injectable forms of 14 triptans on the market and most of us do not get adequate relief from a tablet. Imitrex and zomig, nasal and injectable, are the most effective for a majority of people here. Check with your doc about that. I second the suggestion to skip OTC pain relievers. It's too easy to take too much and have subsequent problems compared to the amount, or mes thereof of relief for CH.
Welcome! Good luck!

Title: All cycles are bad
Post by Mr. Happy on Sep 6^th, 2004, 9:28pm

All cycles are bad. Listen to Mahatma Ueli. Get big, bogus Relpax and split the bastids as needed. Follow the O2 link, and get some of that. Today. You won't be able to keep up the work thing till you tend to the rest of this.
Yer gonna be at it for a long time. Quit fooling around, find what works, and git to it. No pity here........

EOF,
RJ