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LucyBee210 CH.com Junior Offline Posts: 34 x0\|Brooksville\|USA\|\|0\|0\|FL,Florida Gender:	Episodic Meds Options Oct 13^th, 2009 at 11:11am I have been reading from the many posts here people taking Verapamil and Topomax. My question is, would an episodic sufferer take these medications also even though, in my case, my cycle lasts approx. 8 weeks? Thanks..
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Marc

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Re: Episodic Meds Options
Reply #1 - Oct 13^th, 2009 at 11:39am

Typically, yes.

A "standard" approach is to use a Prednisone steroid taper to provide relief while ramping up Verapamil.

Most preventative medications like Topomax and Verapamil take 1-3 weeks to achieve their full effect. While Predisone cannot be taken for long periods of time, it is considered pretty safe when only taken for short periods in a downward tapering dose over a week or two.

Marc

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Bob Johnson

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Re: Episodic Meds Options
Reply #2 - Oct 13^th, 2009 at 12:58pm

If your cycles are very consistently this short, it's a matter of personal choice. Some doc and Ch--ers, if they have an effective abortive, just advise using it and get over the cycle.

Argument is that the time it takes for the preventive to become effective just about runs you out of the cycle.

No medical issue--just personal choice.

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Bob Johnson

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bejeeber

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Re: Episodic Meds Options
Reply #3 - Oct 13^th, 2009 at 1:23pm

As an approximate 8 week episodic sufferer myself, I'd say definitely yes.

I find that in peak episode there are just way too many hits - especially rebounds after an abortive is used - to deal with if no preventative is being used.

It's the use of preventative(s) that make o2 and imitrex practical abortives for me (for "breakthrough" hits), otherwise it just becomes a rebound circus.

And it doesn't take that long for some of the preventatives to kick in - if ya hop on them pretty quick, they can be in effect by the time you would otherwise be at peak activity/intensity.

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« Last Edit: Oct 13^th, 2009 at 1:24pm by bejeeber »

CH according to Bejeeber:

Strictly relying on doctors for CH treatment is often a prescription that will keep you in a whole lot of PAIN. Doctors are WAY behind in many respects, and they are usually completely unaware of the benefits of high flow 100% O2.

There are lots of effective treatments documented at this site. Take matters into your own hands, learn as much as you can here and at clusterbusters.com, put it into practice, then tell this CH beast Jeebs said hello right before you bash him so hard with a swift uppercut knockout punch that his stupid horns go flinging right off.

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ellenjoanne CH.com Junior Offline Posts: 77 Greenfield, WI Gender:	Re: Episodic Meds Options Reply #4 - Oct 15^th, 2009 at 8:26pm I'm an episodic sufferer, and I've been on Verapamil, ever since I was formally diagnosed with CH back in July 2005. It acts as a preventative, when I'm out of cycle.
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George CH.com Moderator CH.com Alumnus Offline Black-Billed Magpie Posts: 8126 Boise, Idaho USA Gender:	Re: Episodic Meds Options Reply #5 - Oct 16^th, 2009 at 2:52am As Bob Johnson mentioned, some episodics elect to use only an abortive. Since my cycles are normally only six weeks in duration, I've chosen this route. Oxygen, and nothing else. YMMV, of course--but I believe it's been the best choice for me. Best wishes, George
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wip5150

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Re: Episodic Meds Options
Reply #6 - Oct 16^th, 2009 at 3:38pm

LucyBee210 wrote on Oct 13^th, 2009 at 11:11am:

I have been reading from the many posts here people taking Verapamil and Topomax. My question is, would an episodic sufferer take these medications also even though, in my case, my cycle lasts approx. 8 weeks? Thanks..

No question - my cycles typically last between 8-12 weeks and I take Verapamil (180mg 3X daily) during the cycle and also use Imitrex as an abortive but only when necessary due to rebounds. When I feel like the cycle is ending, I wean off the Verapamil but always keep it at the ready for that inevitable shadow that comes back in 12-18 months.

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Marc

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Re: Episodic Meds Options
Reply #7 - Oct 16^th, 2009 at 7:21pm

wip5150 wrote on Oct 16^th, 2009 at 3:38pm:

LucyBee210 wrote on Oct 13^th, 2009 at 11:11am:

I have been reading from the many posts here people taking Verapamil and Topomax. My question is, would an episodic sufferer take these medications also even though, in my case, my cycle lasts approx. 8 weeks? Thanks..

No question - my cycles typically last between 8-12 weeks and I take Verapamil (180mg 3X daily) during the cycle and also use Imitrex as an abortive but only when necessary due to rebounds. When I feel like the cycle is ending, I wean off the Verapamil but always keep it at the ready for that inevitable shadow that comes back in 12-18 months.

I do agree with that approach based on my experiences.

Curious if you are taking "SR" or regular version?

Marc

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seaworthy CH.com Hall of Famer Offline Posts: 706	Re: Episodic Meds Options Reply #8 - Oct 16^th, 2009 at 7:31pm ellenjoanne wrote on Oct 15^th, 2009 at 8:26pm: I'm an episodic sufferer, and I've been on Verapamil, ever since I was formally diagnosed with CH back in July 2005. It acts as a preventative, when I'm out of cycle. You will also build a tolrance to it so that it less effective when you are in cycle.
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Joni

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Re: Episodic Meds Options
Reply #9 - Oct 16^th, 2009 at 8:49pm

I take 60mg during my cycle and TAPER down to 10 mg year 'round. Next time, I will probably increase the dosage to 80mg during my cycle as it didn't do as well this time as previously. I am not a good example of dosages because I am very sensitive to meds and take small doses. I am episodic and have a cycle once a year for 8 weeks...have had a cycle twice in a year before.

Joni

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Experience: That most brutal of teachers. But you learn, my God do you learn. -C. S. Lewis

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