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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2005 >> Possible Triggers? - 2 part question
        
(Message started by: maureeng96 on Jan 14^th, 2005, 9:53pm)

Title: Possible Triggers? - 2 part question
Post by maureeng96 on Jan 14^th, 2005, 9:53pm

My boyfriend, Steve, is at the end (hopefully) of a killer cycle (just got home from a week in hospital), so, of course, I've come home again (to CH.com) after a long time away to look for answers.

He has been on Verapamil and Depakote for about 2 1/2 years (since his first time in the hospital) and they usually work well. His doctor took him off both and switched him to 1200mg of Lithium. Thankfully, Steve put himself back on the Verap and Dep and off the Lithium, but I think the Lithium would be worth a try with the dosing method that was recommended in another post. His doctor was not around when Steve was chronic before the Verap and Dep, so he thinks that they are not working. The fact that he basically has seasonal cycles twice a year is proof that they are. He also has 02 and uses 100mg Imitrex pills when needed. His doctor gave him Imitrex injections in the hospital, but never gave him a script.

This has just been a particularly bad cycle, so I am trying to figure out the triggers.

1. Does anyone have problems with sleep apnea? I have seen indications of it in Steve, and when he was in the hospital the nurses heard him snoring and watched him stop breathing for about 30 seconds. (Good nurses, they stood there and watched him). About 10 minutes later, he woke from a sound sleep asking for pain meds. Unfortunately, his doctor has the impression that by doing a surgery for the apnea (if it's obstructive apnea), Steve's headaches might magically disappear.

2. Has anyone had evidence of video games (PlayStation, Xbox, etc.), computers, or TV triggering clusters? Don't laugh! Steve is addicted to PlayStation and he can play with his friends for hours, then ends up with a slammin' HA. Maybe it's just a coincidence. Maybe he stays up later than usual when he's playing or there is some other factor. He thinks I'm just saying it so he'll get rid of that evil machine, but I've noticed the result many times. (His last stay in the hospital followed a full-day Madden-fest).

I haven't seen any posts related to either of these factors, so maybe they are not at all related to clusters.

Sorry for the long post.

Maureen

Title: Re: Possible Triggers? - 2 part question
Post by nani on Jan 14^th, 2005, 9:57pm

I have sleep apnea, but I don't usually get hit at night. I don't know about the video games.

Title: Re: Possible Triggers? - 2 part question
Post by don on Jan 14^th, 2005, 10:31pm

Check the archives.

Plenty of sleep apnea postings

Title: Re: Possible Triggers? - 2 part question
Post by Rock_Lobster on Jan 15^th, 2005, 1:16am

Not enough sex is a trigger. Pleasure him while being careful not to interrupt his PS2 gaming, then make him a nice meal.

Title: Re: Possible Triggers? - 2 part question
Post by Rock_Lobster on Jan 15^th, 2005, 1:19am

And have his doc replace those Imitrex tablets with Imitrex vials and syringes. A cluster is half over before those tablets kick in, if they kick in.

Yes... needles suck. But boy... once you are getting hit that needle going through your skin is the best feeling on the planet.

And try o2... read the many posts here on it. Works for many... and no rebounds like from Trex.

Title: Re: Possible Triggers? - 2 part question
Post by maureeng96 on Jan 15^th, 2005, 1:47am

Rock_Lobster - have you been talking to Steve??

Did you miss the part about playing Madden w/his FRIENDS??? Sorry, I'm not into having an audience.

He does have O2, and I don't know why he didn't speak up to get a script for injectable. Unless it's because he can handle a "10" better than he can handle a needle. I told him I'd be happy to stick him with the needle if he couldn't do it. ;)

We're looking for a good neuro in RI right now. He's only been seeing his GP for a while. The doctor is pretty well informed for a GP, but I think that's why Steve got complacent about finding a new neuro. But, I think I finally convinced him to go.

Thanks for the input.

Title: Re: Possible Triggers? - 2 part question
Post by karma on Jan 15^th, 2005, 8:03am

I would think carefully about the sleep apnea surgery. It will not help the Ch and the results for helping the apnea are questionable at best.
The hA after the video game marathons may not be becasue of the video games but may be from relaxing after the intensity of playing.
Having followed the ongoing lithium discussion and if I was in need I would give it a shot.

Title: Re: Possible Triggers? - 2 part question
Post by BobG on Jan 15^th, 2005, 11:14am

on 01/15/05 at 01:47:29, maureeng96 wrote:

He does have O2, and I don't know why he didn't speak up to get a script for injectable. Unless it's because he can handle a "10" better than he can handle a needle. I told him I'd be happy to stick him with the needle if he couldn't do it. ;)

The Imitrex injectable is not a "needle" as you may think of getting a tetnus shot sort of thing. The injector is just a small doo-hicky that you put on your skin (arm, leg, belly, where-ever) and push the plunger. It does the work for you. No syringe/long needle to look at.
On the left side of your screen is a 'imitrex tip' button. It will show you how to save money, meds and heart pain by using only part of an Imitrex injection instead of the whole thing.

Also, scroll to the message titled 'Imitrex Injection question...' More good info there about injecting.

Title: Re: Possible Triggers? - 2 part question
Post by floridian on Jan 15^th, 2005, 7:24pm

As many as 80% of clusterheads have apnea according to some research. But surgery may not help. When most people think of apnea, they think of Obstructive Apnea where something (like the glotis) physically blocks the breathing. There is another type of apnea (Central) that is governed by the nervous system - I think this is what most of us have. Most of us get triggered when we enter REM sleep, when the muscles for the lower body are most 'paralyzed.' Clusterheads (as a group) also have messed up O2/CO2 receptors. So surgery is an iffy proposition - I wouldn't rule it out, but few people here that have had apnea surgery improve.

There have been a few people here that are triggered by flashing or flickering lights. That is a common trigger for epilepsy, an uncommon but probable trigger for a few with clusters. Tell him to unplug hisself a while!! Up the refresh rate on his computer monitor, get rid of cheap fluorescent lights (the high frequency fluor are ok for most).

Title: Re: Possible Triggers? - 2 part question
Post by maureeng96 on Jan 16^th, 2005, 1:36am

Thanks all for the good info!

BobG - Are you referring to the autoinjector? Isn't it easier to use partial doses by getting vials with needles? I've never seen what it looks like, so I just assumed it was a needle. If it's just a doo-hicky, then he probably wouldn't mind that.

Following Don's suggestion, I read a lot of the archived posts about apnea, but some believed it was related and some didn't.

Floridian - thanks for the good info on apnea. I think he was supposed to go for some type of test to find out what kind he has. It makes sense that it would probably be Central. I would just hate for him to have a surgery in the hopes of getting relief, and then have to deal with recovering from that.

I'm hoping he will stick with the Verap and try the Lithium with the 3mg at night dose.

Isn't there anyone out there who believe my theory about the PS2? I need some corroboration so I can throw the damn thing out the window!! >:(

Thanks again for all the input!

Maureen

Title: Re: Possible Triggers? - 2 part question
Post by karma on Jan 16^th, 2005, 8:07am

Its been suggested that Cluster sufferers are more prone to addictive behavior.
Listen to Rock and get him another hobby.
Bribery baby, ;) it works everytime

Title: Re: Possible Triggers? - 2 part question
Post by BobG on Jan 16^th, 2005, 12:52pm

on 01/16/05 at 01:36:30, maureeng96 wrote:

BobG - Are you referring to the autoinjector? Yes Isn't it easier to use partial doses by getting vials with needles? Probably, but it's the sticking the needle in your self that some people just can't do.

Isn't there anyone out there who believe my theory about the PS2? Beats me! I've never even seen one. I need some corroboration so I can throw the damn thing out the window!! >:( Just throw it out. If he is addicted to it you'll find out. You'll also find out his ideas of the 'in sickness and health, for better or worse, yadda yadda yadda vows mean anything.
Maureen

;;D