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http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> What a drag! (and depakote) http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1345998504 Message started by Joshua on Aug 26^th, 2012 at 12:28pm

Title: What a drag! (and depakote)
Post by Joshua on Aug 26^th, 2012 at 12:28pm

Have read a few links in the archive about depakote. Not tolerating the lithium very well (my level at 600 was too low and on 900 I felt terrible), so may try this instead. Still on 720mg verap, but that's not helping very much on its own.

Sadly, I think I may have to do another taper on pred as I try another prevent cocktail... the HA's are coming fast and furious and I can't make it through a day at work like this.

I'm alternating between DHE nasal (stops ha's for > 24 hours) and newer triptans (but not on same day) to get through, and those are pretty rough on a system. Using O2 at home whenever I'm here.
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So.. Depakote up next I think. Busting is coming up quickly on the list of next things to try.. but not there yet.

Title: Re: What a drag! (and depakote)
Post by Skyhawk5 on Aug 27^th, 2012 at 12:04am

Depakote does not have a good track record for CH. For me even 1,000 mgs a day did nothing. It made me quite ill too. Maybe you'll have better luck.

Don

Title: Re: What a drag! (and depakote)
Post by japanzaman on Aug 27^th, 2012 at 10:38pm

Can't say I had a good experience with Depakote. At best it did nothing for me, though I have to say it seemed to make things worse. I had horrible rebounds while taking that stuff, and improved quickly once I got off that stuff and went on vit D3.

Title: Re: What a drag! (and depakote)
Post by Joshua on Aug 28^th, 2012 at 8:04am

Well that' is not encouraging :) I am currently on 80mg of pred (3rd day) and still getting hit. D3 didn't work for me (had a very high level below 200) and was taking calcium, etc.... back to the drawing board. Thanks for the comments! I"ll let you know how it goes for me.

Title: Re: What a drag! (and depakote)
Post by Bob Johnson on Aug 28^th, 2012 at 10:11am

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

END PRINTPAGE
Explore this site. Long section of questions/answers which might have something. (One of the best headache clinics in the Chicago area.)

Title: Re: What a drag! (and depakote)
Post by Joshua on Aug 28^th, 2012 at 8:23pm

bob- great link! Thank you!

Title: Re: What a drag! (and depakote)
Post by Imitrex4Breakfast on Aug 28^th, 2012 at 9:03pm

Depakote didn't help me any + made me start losing my hair.

Good Luck,

I4B

Title: Re: What a drag! (and depakote)
Post by wimsey1 on Aug 29^th, 2012 at 9:12am

Imitrex4Breakfast wrote on Aug 28^th, 2012 at 9:03pm:

Depakote didn't help me any + made me start losing my hair.

Wel shoot, genetics and 7 kids helped me do that! :D
Joshua, I know this isn't great advice since very few have been helped by it, but have you tried/considered an occipital nerve block? I ask because it was the last preventative I tried, with no other changes, and after a month I'm still pain free. I believe they'll come back, but the interlude without pain has been wonderful. Just curious. Blessings. lance

Title: Re: What a drag! (and depakote)
Post by Joshua on Aug 29^th, 2012 at 10:26am

I had tried nerve block about 3 years ago, she injected into the back of my head and kind of fanned around. I had two series of these, it didn't help much. She called it "neve block" - is this the same as Occiptal? Also, insurance stopped paying for blocks, I asked for one yesterday... they're $300bucks a pop, and since it didn't work last time, I was disinclined to pay. >:(