Treating alzheimer's demetia AND potentially stalling out headaches?   Sounds tempting. 
Jim Lux

I've never heard of this!  Sounds cool!
Does anyone have any literature or study links?

Hey Jim,

Just wanted to say a little about my experiences with Namenda.  I had already tried all of the main meds for my CCH, and many others as well before it was suggested I try Namenda (memantine is the generic).  The only med that was left to try was methysergide maleate, and my neuro didn't want to have a young person dependent on it for long periods of time having to take month breaks to avoid fibrosis.

As far as Bob's lack of finding articles, memantine has none that I know of for cluster, but there are a few out there for migraine.  I know that it has been used for migraine for years, and was told that there was a level of success using it as a preventative for cluster.  I am lucky - it works for my migraine AND chronic clusters. 

Here are a couple of articles I found on memantine for migraine:



My clusters are significantly less intense since I have been on memantine, but it did take me a month or so to get to a dosage that works - 15mg for me right now.  I also have fewer attacks.  I use as a preventative med, as I stated above - the first that has worked for me. Hope this helps!  I agree with Bob - try those main-line meds known for helping first! 

Val

Thanks, all.   Since I get both, it seemed like a reasonable suggestion to make to my Neurologist as a preventative.  (Who knows?  It might help a bit with the CRS syndrome, being an alzheimers drug and all....).  I stopped topirimate earlier this week so that I could go to work with a clear(er) head, thinking-wise.  Still on Verapamil -- It may have reduced the number of hits during this cycle and it is now serving double-duty as my blood pressure medication.  Prednisone a few weeks ago was pure hell.  I'm nervous about lithium.  I haven't tried methysergide.  .  Abortives (oxygen and sumitriptan) are working well.  Bob, I'm curious about olanzapine -- I'll look into that. 

Unbelievably, my GP (via an email to me) tried to switch my sumitriptan prescription back to pills, "since I was probably getting close to the end of my cycle."  He was concerned that the retail cost to the insurance company ($1800) was too much.  I threatened to fire him if he made any moves in that direction, especially since I can/do use the shots for migraines. 

Jim

Just give you my personal experience with lithium. At 1200 mg a day while on cycle it blocks 60-70% of my hits. The only side effects for me have been slight lethargy, easily remedied with a cup or two of coffee, and you pee a lot the first few weeks. Some on the board who have used it developed hand tremors, I did not.

Requires several blood draws the first time you go on it to determine doseage as it's not your body size but how your body processes it that determines dosing. Been a silver bullet for me for many years. If the other prevents fail you it's worth a try.

Joe

I have been on Namenda now for 6 months. I have not had a cluster headache at all this Spring or Summer. First time in 25 years. I am taking 10mg twice a day. I would recommend asking your Neurologist about it. 

Yeah baby......that what I'm talking about.

Woohoo!  Something new to ask the neuro about!   

It's in a class of drugs that's a little scary, with company such as ketamine and ibogaine... but certainly worth looking into.

Thank you!

Laurie