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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2005 >> Anyone using Inderal (propranolol)
        
(Message started by: kingsiren on Mar 7^th, 2005, 11:16pm)

Title: Anyone using Inderal (propranolol)
Post by kingsiren on Mar 7^th, 2005, 11:16pm

Hi guys I'm back again, can't say that I'm glad to be here but I do thank God that I have a place to come where people understand what I am going through. My last episode my doctor had me on Corgard. This episode I found a new neurologist who imediately placed me on Inderal (60 mg per day). As usual, when I start taking a preventative the atacks really start to ramp up, like thay know i am getting help and they are going to make me pay. I hope the meds work because I only get mild relief from the H2O. I use Relpax and Imitrex as an abortive but they only help with the milder attacks, not the demons that last 4 or 5 hours. Has anyone else tried Inderal and has it worked? Please let me know if I have something to look forward to.

Title: Re: Anyone using Inderal (propranolol)
Post by nani on Mar 7^th, 2005, 11:22pm

I've used it in the past, but it didn't help. I had a lot more luck with verapamil, instead.

Title: Re: Anyone using Inderal (propranolol)
Post by Mr. Happy on Mar 7^th, 2005, 11:29pm

on 03/07/05 at 23:16:44, kingsiren wrote:

Please let me know if I have something to look forward to.

Heh...yeah.........all kinds of stuff.

Ware the fat lady singing,
RJ

Title: Re: Anyone using Inderal (propranolol)
Post by kingsiren on Mar 7^th, 2005, 11:43pm

I'm already getting all these insanely vivid nightmares, sometimes I get "waking" nightmares the same time as my attacks that interact and make for some bizarre images/thoughts/voices...wonder if that is the Inderal?

Title: Re: Anyone using Inderal (propranolol)
Post by Kevin_M on Mar 7^th, 2005, 11:54pm

on 03/07/05 at 23:16:44, kingsiren wrote:

Has anyone else tried Inderal and has it worked? Please let me know if I have something to look forward to.

A "way back when" experiment that failed, but there were many. Not been mentioned much here, maybe for the lack of effectiveness for clusters.
Don't know how they stumbled on verapamil, I'd guess it was an odd experiment too, however, more have left the Inderal by the wayside. If it was effective, there'd be some raves about it. Not by me.

Kevin M

Title: Re: Anyone using Inderal (propranolol)
Post by don on Mar 8^th, 2005, 7:32am

Great for meeegraines
Not so great for CH

Try nudging your Doc into the 21st century.

Title: Re: Anyone using Inderal (propranolol)
Post by Bob_Johnson on Mar 8^th, 2005, 9:03am

For cluster, a very ineffective med, if the experience reported here is any indication.

Suggest you print this out and use it to talk with your doc about more current treatments.

It describes preventive, transitional, abortive and surgical treatments for CH. (2002)

http://www.brightok.net/~mnjday/chtherapy.pdf

Title: Re: Anyone using Inderal (propranolol)
Post by vig on Mar 8^th, 2005, 9:34am

i think it shows the doctor is reading... but maybe he's reading an old book.

Title: Re: Anyone using Inderal (propranolol)
Post by Gator on Mar 8^th, 2005, 12:45pm

on 03/07/05 at 23:16:44, kingsiren wrote:

I use Relpax and Imitrex as an abortive but they only help with the milder attacks, not the demons that last 4 or 5 hours. Has anyone else tried Inderal and has it worked? Please let me know if I have something to look forward to.

Never tried Inderal, but from what I have read here there's really not much reason to try it.

You do have something to look forward to if you are mixing triptan medications - a possible heart attack or stroke.

DO NOT MIX TRIPTANS

Maxalt (rizatriptan), Zomig (zolmitriptan), Imitrex (sumitriptan), Amerge (naratriptan), Relpax (eletriptan), Axert (almotriptan), Frova (frovatriptan) and meds containing ergotamine are dangerous to take within 24 hours of each other. Mixing triptans can cause serious cardiac problems. If you switch from one to another, wait at least 24 hours between the two different meds.

If you are taking the pill forms of the triptans, that may be why you are not seeing any relief. Some people who report that imitrex tablets are ineffective have found that the injectible form does actually work for them. Have you tried the StatDose injections? Also, have you tried oxygen? O2 is usually described as the first line of defense for a lot of us.

5 hour cluster attacks are not typically heard of. Some people have more than one type of headache. Is it possible you have another type of headache in the mix? Maybe keeping a headache journal could help your doc in diagnosing what (if any) other demons may be tormenting you.

Welcome back to the asylum!

Title: Re: Anyone using Inderal (propranolol)
Post by rextangle on Mar 8^th, 2005, 8:06pm

Yep, tried it, hated it, made me nuts... got off of that crap!
I wouldn't recommend this shit to anyone....

Title: Re: Anyone using Inderal (propranolol)
Post by Karla on Mar 8^th, 2005, 9:11pm

I tried inderal but it gave me horrible side effects that I couldn't live with. I would try verapamil first inderal last. Good luck. Your not alone in getting attachs that last for long periods of time and finding no relief. Eventullaly you will find something to help it just may take some time.

Title: Re: Anyone using Inderal (propranolol)
Post by kingsiren on Mar 9^th, 2005, 4:11pm

I went back to my neuro today to discuss th Verapamil and some other alternatives. He prescribed the 7 day prednisone pack and wants to stick with the Inderal, according to him he has had good experience using it to treat cluster headaches so I will try and give it another week. I have to stop taking the triptans, the rebound headaches i get are sometimes worse that the ones I am treating, I usualy get the very long intense attacks after I have used Imitrex to abort. I asked for Oxygen and he said that if the prednisone isnt working by friday he will prescribe it. I am still getting 2-3 attacks a day but they seem to be fairly mild, almost like shadows with the ice pick pain mixed in. maybe the Inderal is helping but man after that 5 hour attack Sunday morning I think anything less would be almost pleasant.

I think that this latest attack was triggered by stress, I have ben going through a really dificult financial problem and then I was hit with legal problems and it all seemed to be too much to handle. Now the stress combined with the fear and terror the CH's bring on have me so down, I may have to ask my doc to give me something for the anxiety/depression. Any sugestions?

Title: Re: Anyone using Inderal (propranolol)
Post by vig on Mar 9^th, 2005, 4:14pm

yes, ask the doctor for the names and phone numbers of the people he 'had good experience with'.

I bet THEY didn't have a good experience. They probably found another doctor.

edited to fix misquote.... oops

Title: Re: Anyone using Inderal (propranolol)
Post by Gator on Mar 9^th, 2005, 6:27pm

on 03/09/05 at 16:11:23, kingsiren wrote:

I asked for Oxygen and he said that if the prednisone isnt working by friday he will prescribe it.

AAAAAHHHHHH!!! [pulls out two fists full of hair] Fucking moron doctors.

Oxygen: Cheaper than most meds
More consistantly effective than most meds
Fewer side effects than most meds

What a terrible thing to prescribe to a person. I should probably sue my doctor for getting me hooked on O2. Oh wait. O2 is not addictive, either.

Sheesh

Maybe it is time to find another ~~quack~~ doctor.

Title: Re: Anyone using Inderal (propranolol)
Post by don on Mar 9^th, 2005, 9:22pm

Quote:

I bet THEY didn't have good luck.

I agree. I'm thinking your doc is misdiagnosing Meeegraines for clusters.

Title: Re: Anyone using Inderal (propranolol)
Post by Chillrmn1 on Mar 15^th, 2005, 8:03pm

My Neuro had me on Lithium & Inderal - didn't do nothing good for my clusters but did make me ho-hum.

Definitely get the O2 and check out: www.clusterbusters.com - this treatment/medication has helped many.

Title: Re: Anyone using Inderal (propranolol)
Post by toolong on Mar 16^th, 2005, 7:46pm

Tried the Inderal LA for about 6 months.It made me so friggin' tired I could hardly work.Doctor claimed it would get better with time.Well it didn't. Switched to Nadolol and it seems to not make me so tired.Still chronic,just not as bad.Wondering if I'm screwing up taking the Nadolol with the Kudzu?Anyone got any thoughts on this? [smiley=huh.gif]David

Title: Re: Anyone using Inderal (propranolol)
Post by paddleball1 on Mar 17^th, 2005, 1:07am

Hi, I've tried inderal. In fact I was on it for two years and was doing pretty good, but the clusters came back and have lasted over 5 months. I think the reason it lasted so long was because I was using cafergot. When the cafergot was stopped, my body rebounded. I finally couldn't take it anymore and found a new neurologist who put me on disability and switched my meds. I took prednisone for two weeks. This seems to have broken the cycle, but now I'm getting regular chronic migrains. I'm now off the Inderal and on Verapmil and Topomax.

Title: Re: Anyone using Inderal (propranolol)
Post by kingsiren on Mar 18^th, 2005, 12:02am

Went back to the neuro again. After a week on the Prednisone pack (7 day taper) I was still getting 2-3 bad CH's a day. Obviously the Inderal wasn't working, but I was hoping the Prednisone would give me some relief. I was all out of Imitrex and getting really bad anxiety because I still didn't have the Oxygen. My doctor gave me (2) bottles of Topomax, 25mg 60 pills each, (6) 20 mg 2 pack Relpax samples and (6) Imitrex inhalers (they work well for me I can't stomach the injections) and he had his girl call in for the Oxygen. 2 days on the Topomax and so far so good. I caught some shadows and took a Relpax early and it never blossomed. I have been taking Melatonine at night and it seems to help me sleep tight. My insurance company was quick to pay for the oxygen but the morons at Aprila Medical don't seem to grasp a medical emergency (I'll post that story elsewhere) so I won't have the tank until tomorrow but God willing the Topomax seems to be helping, although I am pretty lethargic and seem to need a nap to get me through the day. Thank God for this site and OUCH, I gave the address to my doc and he did some research. Hopefully the Topo and the oxygen can help restore me to some kind of sanity the last month has been a really sickening roller coaster. God bless everyone of you out there and the families and friends who try to understand. Wishing you all pain many pain free days.....