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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> What next?
        
(Message started by: Eb on Dec 21^st, 2004, 10:46am)

Title: What next?
Post by Eb on Dec 21^st, 2004, 10:46am

I've suffered from Clusters for nearly two years now (I realize that's relatively little time when compared with some of you)...

For preventatives I've taken Verapamil, Depakote (neither did anything), and Lithium. I've been on Lithium now for 14 months and it's effectiveness is wearing off. I started at 900mg and got an HA about once every 10 days on average. Now I'm up to 1500mg and am getting hit at least once a day...

From reading over earlier posts, I've seen that a lithium/verap combo seems to be a good preventative, and I would like to go that route except that I've been on lithium now for over a year and verapamil did NOTHING for me...

I'm wondering if anyone has initially had no success w/ verapamil alone, but later found that a lithium/verapamil combo worked well....

And also, if a lithium/verapamil combo is not a good next step for me, what might be?

Thx,

Eb

Title: Re: What next?
Post by vietvet2tours on Dec 21^st, 2004, 11:18am

Oxygen my friend oxygen

Title: Re: What next?
Post by nani on Dec 21^st, 2004, 11:22am

Welcome Eb...the verap lithium combo works for me (at least as much as I can expect). Are you having your lithium levels checked regularly? Too much can be toxic. The verap can increase the lith levels in your blood, so talk to your dr about how that might adversly effect you. Are you using an abortive, as well? Oxygen and/or the triptans work well for many here. Look around the boards and see what has worked for others. Arm yourself with as much info as possible and go back and talk to your doc. Pain free wishes to you.

Title: Re: What next?
Post by Eb on Dec 21^st, 2004, 11:29am

Yes, I'm using Oxygen and Imitrex as abortives....and I've been getting my lithium levels checked regularly...so far so good....

Nani, had you tried verapamil alone before using it in conjunction w/ lithium? If so, did it help at all?

Eb

Title: Re: What next?
Post by nani on Dec 21^st, 2004, 11:36am

Actually, yes I did and no it didn't. I also take Neurontin, which is an anti convulsant like Depalote and Topamax, with far fewer side effects. I'm a chronic though, so I still get hit. They aren't very high kips usually. But I still get hit.

Title: Re: What next?
Post by becky8 on Dec 21^st, 2004, 12:22pm

I am also doing the verapamil/lithium combo and its working pretty good for me! You have to adjust doses on both lithium and verapamil. They would lower the lithium if you're gonna do the verapamil with it!!!