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        New Message Board Archives >> Jul-Sep 2003 >> Update - the doctors
        
(Message started by: mikey_fromtheblock on Jul 3^rd, 2003, 5:14pm)

Title: Update - the doctors
Post by mikey_fromtheblock on Jul 3^rd, 2003, 5:14pm

OK then, I spoke to my family on the 'phone last night to get information about hereditary or family history of clusters. Nothing forthcoming, though my Dad told me he used to get bad headaches in his temple pretty frequently until he was recommended Cod Liver Oil, of all things - he's been fine ever since. Now, I take that stuff anyway, so we can probably rule that out for me but it might be of use to someone.

The Doctor was OK, I guess. He didn't understand, but I guess many don't. Prescribed me Rizatriptan, and recommended soluble Solpadeine to back it up with (codeine, paracetamol and caffeine). Not sure about the caffeine, but I'll try anything at the moment. Haven't taken the Rizatriptan yet, but if this doesn't shift in the next 30 minutes, I'm going to.

I'll let you all know if I feel any improvement. Thanks for the warm welcome to the board, and I wish you all PFDANs in return. (Pain Free Days And Nights, right?)

Michael

Title: Re: Update - the doctors
Post by Edna on Jul 3^rd, 2003, 5:30pm

Hey Michael,

Glad you're back to let us know how it went. We're pulling for you.

SOOOooooooooooo.......how much of the cod liver oil have you guzzled?? ;) ;)

Gee, I'm not too swift on the med uptake, but from what I do know, doesn't pay to go the route of the likes of the (codeine)

Read, read and read around here and please------ keep us updated on your progress.

pf wishes to ya,
EDNA

Title: Re: Update - the doctors
Post by BlackDog on Jul 3^rd, 2003, 6:56pm

Mikey,
Seems most headache medicines have caffiene. Caffiene has never helped my CH, but I think it does help some people and also helps migranes. (If any migrane sufferers/supporters reads this, please comment). When I was mis-diagnosed last year my GP rx'ed fiornal (barbituate + caffiene) for the pain. I still have all the pills...they never worked. I don't know about solpadeine though. At least you are on the right track, you are getting treatment. I only hope it works for you. You CAN live with this, you just have to find what works for you. Like Edna just said, READ READ READ! plow into the archives as well. You can be the master of the beast. It will take some doing, but it can be done.
Thanks for the update!
Hoping your PF days have begun,
Darren

Title: Re: Update - the doctors
Post by OneEyeBlind on Jul 3^rd, 2003, 8:28pm

Missed your first post ...... so first let me welcome you to the board. For some reason, caffine seems to help some of the people on this board. Whether it be from keeping them up and NOT sleeping (which for sure will bring on a cluster attach) or something else I am not sure.

Educate yourself about what works for people here and ask your doc to try you on it. Try o2 for example, or Imitrex (sorry if your first post referenced these).

Anyways, welcome again.

Title: Re: Update - the doctors
Post by Mark C on Jul 4^th, 2003, 11:26am

Look here (http://www.clusterheadaches.org/medications.htm) Mikey.

PFDAN's (!)
Mark

Title: Re: Update - the doctors
Post by don on Jul 4^th, 2003, 1:06pm

Here ya go.

www.rizatriptan.com

Title: Re: Update - the doctors
Post by BobG on Jul 4^th, 2003, 2:18pm

You mention codeine and caffeine and wonder about the caffeine.

The codeine part is what, IMHO, you should be concerned with. It will do no good for clusters. Pain killers just do not work for us.

Caffeine is used by many clusterheads to help their fight with the pain. Hot, black, strong coffee has been mentioned here many times to abort cluster headaches.

Ergotamine with caffeine is a vasoconstrictor called Cafergot, Ercaf, Cafatine, Cafetrate, Migergot and Wigraine

Rizatriptan is also a vasoconstrictor and is called Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT

Cafergot, Ercaf and Maxalt are all listed in the link posted by Mark C.