Just back from Neuro.  In addition to FINALLY getting a script for 25lpm o2 (and not 15) - she prescribed me Lyrica in addition to my current regimen of Verap.  - Does anyone have any experience with it?  Side effects?

Jeez, just read some older posts on this -- not promising.  I'm going to give it a try anyway.  She also recommended starting some melatonin - which I will do as well.

Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009 Jul 8;(3):CD007076.
Pregabalin for acute and chronic pain in adults.

Moore RA, Straube S, Wiffen PJ, Derry S, McQuay HJ.

Pain Research and Nuffield Department of Anaesthetics, University of Oxford, West Wing (Level 6), John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK, OX3 9DU.

BACKGROUND: Antiepileptic drugs have been used in pain management since the 1960s. Pregabalin is a recently developed antiepileptic drug also used in management of chronic neuropathic pain conditions. OBJECTIVES: To assess analgesic efficacy and associated adverse events of pregabalin in acute and chronic pain.

[edited for length. Technical data deleted. --BJ]

THERE IS NO EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THE USE OF PREGABALIN IN ACUTE PAIN SCENARIOS.

PMID: 19588419

I am new here in Clusterheadache.com and a cluster headache sufferer here in the Philippines for 6 years now.
My neuro prescribed me to use Lyrica way back 2009. She advised me to take Lyrica 75mg with Mefenamic Acid and settle in a place where I can rest. Because Lyrica will make you a little drowsy. It was effective for me before especially on daytime attacks.
But last night, after 3 years that I took Lyrica, it seems that it didn't work at all... I need to endure the pain for more than an hour...

I am a diabetic and I take Lyrica for my peripheral neuropathy (does great, although it doesn't seem to last long enough). I take 100mg BID and cannot tell if it is helpful for my CH. I DO know that the other drugs I am taking ARE helpful but my hydrocodone RX has been stolen....I need it desperately but it looks like I'll have a half-month without. Here comes PAIN

snookarosis wrote on Sep 8^th, 2012 at 1:00pm:

but my hydrocodone RX has been stolen....I need it desperately but it looks like I'll have a half-month without. Here comes PAIN

Have you got oxygen and / or imitrex to abort your CHs? For most people they work a lot, lot better than hydrocodone, plus you're unlikely to ever have anyone try to steal oxygen or imitrex.

Amen on that Mike, Hydrocodone may be comforting, but it doesn't abort attacks like oxygen and imitrex injections, tends to aggravate them for many, and will eventually make you sick (addicted). Just my two cents.
Lyrica, tried it about 5 years ago, no go for me.

I have imitrex inj..(best abortive ever!) but I find that the codone, taken prophylactically takes just enough edge off the more minor hits to get me thru them without using my blessed shots

Have you tried oxygen?

I know that given a choice of oxygen or an opiate I'd go for oxygen anytime in an instant as I know it can kill CHs, not just take off the edge with no risk of any of the problems from opiates.

yes....works great.....impossible to set up in current living arrangement

snookarosis wrote on Sep 12^th, 2012 at 8:07pm:

yes....works great.....impossible to set up in current living arrangement

I'm not sure what would stop me having my O2 set up when in cycle.

Ya, I spent some homeless time a while back, had 10 E tanks in my car. Would have put an M tank in there if it had become necessary. Nobody and nothing keeps me from my O2.