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Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications,  Treatments,  Therapies >> Antidepressants as preventative
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Message started by Doc Leila on Jul 17th, 2012 at 2:57pm

Title: Antidepressants as preventative
Post by Doc Leila on Jul 17th, 2012 at 2:57pm
The moment a medical rep dropped a pamphlet for Valdoxane on my desk, my antennae pricked up. Valdoxane is a new class of antidepressants, it regulates serotonin by regulating the Melatonin pathways. I remembered that melatonin was used in CH with some effect in the past and that melatonin can be used to regulate sleep.... and as every clusterhead knows, disrupted sleep is a sure trigger.
I was pregnant at the time so couldn't try it out myself but my dad was heading into his annual cycle and wanted to test it on himself. I prescribed it at the recomended dose of 25mg and he took it for a month.

Well he didn't hit a cycle at all and skipped his next cycle.

Im sure this sounds familiar... "it was probably gonna end anyway" or "its just a coincedence"

But as soon as i've finished breastfeeding I'm going to give it a try

Title: Re: Antidepressants as preventative
Post by Karla on Jul 18th, 2012 at 10:16am
Thanks for sharing.  Maybe this will prove to be effective.  Has anyone else heard of it or tried it?  Good luck in trying it Doc Leila.

Title: Re: Antidepressants as preventative
Post by wimsey1 on Jul 19th, 2012 at 9:15am
I could find no mention of using Valdoxan for headaches. What made you decide to Rx it for CHs? Merely that it is a melatonin agonist? Melatonin has helped some, but for me and others, its only beneficial property is it helps me sleep. Once REM hits, though, all bets are off and the beast comes roarin' in. btw, what sort of doctor are you? Sorry if you said and I missed it. Blessings. lance

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