Ok, so this is my second time taking steroids to stop my cluster.  Last year i started the steroids half way through my cluster (which last for 4-6 weeks without treatment) and the cluster was stopped. This year I started the steroids at the onset of the cluster.  They seemed to work as long as I didnt drink any alcohol.  I started at 60mg for two days, 50mg for two days and then decrease 5mg every day.  When I reached 30mg a day, my headaches came back.  I reverted back to 35mg which I have been taking for four days now, no headaches.  How long do I stay on the steroids?  What side effects should I really be concerned about in the short term, and in the long term if I am taking steroids 5 weeks each year? Should I have started at a higher dose and tapered off slower?  Are calcium channel blockers a safer and effective treatment? Why can I still not drink alcohol if all other triggers seem to be kept at bay.  any advice to all these questions would be extremely helpful.  My doctors dont seem to be able to advise me well. Thanks!!

Oh man, that doesnt sound like such good news.  What side effects do people find when they stay on prednisone for a month or so?  If I take 35mg a day I am headache free but as soon as I go to 30mg I am getting them once a day (my regular).  O2 wasnt good for me.  I think i had the wrong mask,but it was also hard because I had to be home and I had to start it asap.

Key statement: you don't have a doc who "knows". Try and find one who does.....
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LOCATING HEADACHE SPECIALIST

1. Search the OUCH site (button on left) for a list of recommended M.D.s.

2. Yellow Pages phone book: look for "Headache Clinics" in the M.D. section and look under "neurologist" where some docs will list speciality areas of practice.

3.  Call your hospital/medical center. They often have an office to assist in finding a physician. You may have to ask for the social worker/patient advocate.

4. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or ; On-line screen to find a physician.

5. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or Look for "Physician Finder" search box. They will send a list of M.D.s for your state.I suggest using this source for several reasons: first, we have read several messages from people who, even seeing neurologists, are unhappy with the quality of care and ATTITUDES they have encountered; second, the clinical director of the Jefferson (Philadelphia) Headache Clinic said, in late 1999, that upwards of 40%+ of U.S. doctors have poor training in treating headache and/or hold attitudes about headache ("hysterical female disorder") which block them from sympathetic and effective work with the patient; third, it's necessary to find a doctor who has experience, skill, and a set of attitudes which give hope of success. This is the best method I know of to find such a physician.

6. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or NEW certification program for "Headache Medicine" by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties, an independent, non-profit, professional medical organization.
        Since this is a new program, the initial listing is limited and so it should be checked each time you have an interest in locating a headache doctor.
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See the PDF file, below.