Hello everyone.  I have visited this site at various times over the last few years but never post.  I have suffered from CH's now for about 15 years.  My cycles are yearly, and for the last 3 years the cycles have lasted about 6 months with increasing duration.  I am afraid I am transferring from eposidic to chronic.  I have tried numerous medications, but have found that high doses of prednisone is the best to control the cycle, and oxygen is the only thing that has worked to alleviate the pain when I have the daily attacks, which are generally 3-8 attacks per day.   I absolutely hate the side effects of high doses of prednisone, but it does help me.

I started another cycle in November while I was away from home on business.  No oxygen pr prednisone, or anything else.  Desperate I reviewed some of the posts on-site and decided to buy a bottle of Aleve hoping that it would help with the inflammation like prednisone, not the pain, as there is no medication I have tried which gets rid of the pain.

The Aleve did not work right away, but I stayed with it hoping to avoid getting back on prednisone.  I take 3-4 Aleves (220mg each) per day (generic Naproxen Sodium) as well as 50 mg of Amitriptyline at night (which I don't have any side effects from other than drowsiness).  It has been over a month now, and I haven't had any full blown attacks where I need oxygen and I haven't had to start with Prednisone yet.  I guess it is possible that this is a long shadow period, but I can tell you that if I forget to take an Aleve, I have increased shadows.   

I will update this post if the Aleve/Amitriptyline works for the entire cycle (or if it doesn't), but this is the first time in years that I have been so hopeful during a cycle.  Hopefully this will help someone else.

As promised, I am updating everyone after two full months of trying the Aleve/Amnitriptalane combination.  I am happy to report that I am in month three of my cycle, and the Aleve/Amnitriptalane combintation first reported has kept the full blown attacks away.  I have also added 2000 milligrams of Vitamin D after reviewing some of the controversial posts regarding the same. In my mind no reason not to try it.  For whatever reason, this combination has worked for me.

I know some of you may be reading this thinking either I don't really have CH's or I am not in a cycle, and thinking there is no way this combination would work for them.  All I can say is that I have suffered with CH's for over 15 years and after trying the normal CH combinations, I settled on Prednisone at 60mg tapered at 2.5mg per week when the Devil allowed, and Oxygen during an attack.  I too have been hesitant to believe this is working thinking I am not really in a cycle, but every time I take less of the Aleve, the shadows return.  Last week I thought the cycle was over so took 2 Aleve's per day instead of the normal 4 and the shadows returned.  The only explanation I can think of is the Aleve is serving to reduce the inflammation the same way the prednisone does.  I am not sure what the Amnitriptalane does, but was recommended by my doctor during last year's cycle.

All I can say is if you are on heavy doses of Prednisone, hate the side effects, and are looking to try an alternative, this combination has worked for me over the last three months and I have had no adverse side effects.   

That's great news Shawn. If you get a chance, read the link in this section:

"123 pain free days and I think I know why."

A lot of tweaking has been done to the original vitamin D supplement regimen, it now includes calcium, magnesium, zinc and fish oil. Results have been a bit suprising to say the least, with many going pain free.

I only suggest that because of the potential for stomach and internal organ issues with long term use of the nsaids. Here's hoping either way the pain free time continues for you brother.

Joe