So i started a cycle in late December after roughly a 2 year break which has been about average for me lately. I started a Prednisone taper almost two weeks ago that i just ended. Of course I had two headaches while on the Prednisone. My question is, has anyone tried two different Prednisone tapers within a cycle? Reading these boards it seems as if I was on a relatively low dosage (started at 30mg first day). And in my experience it seems as if I am on the Prednisone, it definitely eliminates/decreases the headaches, but it never aborts the cycle completely. Is it wise for me to approach my doctor about starting a second taper?

I would imagine that anything North of 100 is far too much. 80 is the number that most people use.
re: multiple tapers during a cycle. I did three in my first cycle, granted 2 of them were weaker doses. I did a week of 4 mg of a stronger steroid, a 40 mg of pred, and an 80 mg of pred.

The issue is time and when you start getting into the 80s, the taper usually is a 3 day ratchet so you can get off of it quickly but still have the benefit

For a quick pred. taper with Cluster, starting dose is commonly around 80mg., moving down quickly. It's long term use which is to be avoided and simply not needed for its purposes with Cluster.

If your doc is not experience dealing with Cluster, you might print the PDF file, below, and give him a copy. One for your information and you can use the info to guide a discussion of treatment options with him.

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Thank you so much to the both of you. I've never started as high as 80. Normally it's 30,30, etc. for 12 days. Last night was a tough one, three headaches throughout the night...never had more than one in a night. I'm hoping that the next taper will at least get me to the point of seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm at the disadvantage of using my general physician for treatment as my neurologist moved to Colorado. That being said, my physician is very receptive to my history and never questions my treatment ideas.

Your last sentence is a blessing! Many of us have been in the same position, especially in the years when any useful knowledge about Cluster was rare, and so we had to teach our primary care doc how to care for us!

I was blessed with an internist who, when I moved away from him, sent ME and thank you letter for what I had taught him! A rare doc, still missed.....

Do read the link Bob gave you as there is SOO much more available to treat CH, other then pred! Check out these links specifically:

Oxygen should be your first line abortive. Breathing pure 02 will abort an attack for me in less then 10 minutes, that’s completely pain free. Here's the link on HOW to use it and how to get it:

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

This link will show you how to get set up with welding oxygen:

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

Follow this link  to the medications section of this board and read the post "START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

It’s a vitamin/mineral/fish oil supplement, all over the counter stuff, that’s providing a lot of relief for people who have tried it, it’s healthy for you even without CH!

For now, get some energy drinks. Rock Star, Monster, any containing the combo of caffeine and taurine, chug it down as fast as you can when you feel an attack starting. Many can abort or at least really reduce an attack using these.

Finally, visit our sister board for “alternative” treatment methods outside of mainstream medicine. As you’ll see from all the success stories on this board, there is something to it.

clusterbusters.com

Joe