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Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> i started new treatment this year http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1355480956 Message started by mr anderson on Dec 14th, 2012 at 5:29am |
Title: i started new treatment this year Post by mr anderson on Dec 14th, 2012 at 5:29am
last year i was taking sumatriptan tablet form ,,,,but this year im on the nasal pray form sumatriptan ...which i take now when i get a shadow instead of waiting for the pain to strike if and when possible....but they have also gave me prednisolone tablets and verapamil tablets but i have not tried or even entertained the notion of trying them and i dont know why this is....maybe it was after reading the side effects can anyone please shed light and give your views of guidance if you have taken either prednisolone and/or verapamil....
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Title: Re: i started new treatment this year Post by Guiseppi on Dec 14th, 2012 at 9:02am
What Bob said! I've been doing the pred tapers for over 25 years with only minimal side effects. A little weight gain, some irritability, a little acne when i go off, but guarantees pain free time for me while I ramp up my prevent, lithium.
The pred taper while you're ramping up on the verapamil is a very common and effective treatment plan for CH. JOe |
Title: Re: i started new treatment this year Post by wimsey1 on Dec 14th, 2012 at 9:03am
Bob's given you good background info and advice. I also urge you to have a conversation with your doctor. Verapamil is used as a preventative medicine and it takes time to build up in your system. The prednisone is often given as an intermediate med which really can help in the short term while the verapamil builds up. It sounds as if your doc has some idea of how to treat CHs but perhaps did not explain the meds and how to use them well enough. Look into O2 as an abortive as well. God bless. lance
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Title: Re: i started new treatment this year Post by AppleNutClusters on Dec 14th, 2012 at 6:42pm
Yes, prednisone MIGHT make you hyper, aggressive, overly hungry, and in general just behaving like someone with "roid rage". Key word, MIGHT. Prednisone is a tricky beast, and it will often manifest with very different side effects from person to person. Your best bet is to just monitor yourself carefully, as you take this for the first time... or even better, ask someone else to look out for you.
Personally, I react to pred with some mood swings, hyperactivity, and a desire to eat every damned thing in the house. For a friend, it is similar but she doesn't have the mood swings. Everyone's very different on this med. |
Title: Re: i started new treatment this year Post by Traveller on Dec 16th, 2012 at 1:17am
By all means, try the Verapamil - it is a lifesaver for many of us. Yes, it has side effects, among these, lethargy, constipation, and a rather negative impact on your sex life, but all are well worth bearing.
I was getting hit 5 or 6 times a day and a 360mg/day dosage of Verapamil ended all the serious hits after about a two week ramp-up period. I stayed on it for 4 months, then tapered off. I spent the last 3 months of my cycle with some moderate daily pain (shaddows) but without a debilitating hit. It is strong medicine to be sure, and your BP should be watched carefully, but I can tell you from one CH'er -- IT DOES WORK! Don't put youself through additional suffering when there is chance that the standard therapies can help. |
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