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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> oxygen,predisone, imitrex(verapamil)
        
(Message started by: elaine8488 on Oct 15^th, 2004, 2:24am)

Title: oxygen,predisone, imitrex(verapamil)
Post by elaine8488 on Oct 15^th, 2004, 2:24am

I went to Dr last week, had been having 3-4- clusters a day, for 7 months, was put on prednisone tapering down from 60mg x's 3 days to 40mg.x's 3 days to 20mg. x's 3 days, to 10 mg. x's 3 days to 5mg x's 3 days. I am currently on 3rd day of taking 20 mg. Clusters have subsided down to a mild to moderate cluster every 2-3 days.I'll take this reprieve, whether temporary or not. I also have been using oxygen for many years. I was using 5-8 liters per minute, but Dr. informed me to be much more successful, it needs to be run @ 10-15 liters per minute. This can be very costly if your'e running E- tanks. My medical supply co. put me in touch with someone who is working on getting me liqiud oxygen.My insurance approved it, and I'm waiting for it to come in. I will let you know how it works out. Dr. also prescribed verapamil, which I had tried many years ago. I was on 240mg a day for 2 years and still the clusters came. Dr. said dosage must be increased slowly over time. I am skeptical to try it again, being on so many other meds, Imitrex included. I could use anyones experiences about the use of Verapamil and what dose must be taken to prevent clusters if at all . Thanks and God Bless

Title: Re: oxygen,predisone, imitrex(verapamil)
Post by don on Oct 15^th, 2004, 7:20am

verapamil= 480mg per day for me.

Title: Re: oxygen,predisone, imitrex(verapamil)
Post by Bob_Johnson on Oct 15^th, 2004, 8:17am

Change your thinking!

Oxygen is a quick aborative but doesn't offer long term protection; ditto for prednisone--it will abort a cycle but, if used alone, clusters will regularly return when you stop it.

Verap. is used for long term prevention/reduction of attacks. Both types of med should be used together especially since it takes several weeks for the Verap to become effective (and dose adjustments may be needed). It is not unusual to need large doses of Verap, upwards of 900mg/day--so you need a doc who understands the complexities of treating Clusters.

Title: Re: oxygen,predisone, imitrex(verapamil)
Post by Biker on Oct 16^th, 2004, 9:45am

220mg of verapamil is pretty standard for me, but in the rougher times I can get up toward 660mg. As soon as I stop getting attacks, I reduce, then eventually taper down to nothing. Sometimes I can stay verap free for quite a long time.