Welcome, Guest. Please Login or Register
Clusterheadaches.com
 
Search box updated Dec 3, 2011... Search ch.com with Google!
  HomeHelpSearchLoginRegisterEvent CalendarBirthday List  
 





Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Send Topic Print
When prednisone stops working... (Read 3318 times)
Kim D
CH.com Junior
**
Offline




Posts: 77
Nashville, TN
Gender: female
When prednisone stops working...
Apr 24th, 2011 at 11:42pm
 
What does that mean? I started getting my headaches 9 days ago, first headache I took 80mg of prednisone and still on 80mg (2 days later) I had another headache. There has only been one day that I haven't had a headache and today (I'm down to 40mg a day) I've had two headaches.

And to think that prednisone used to keep them away, even at 10mg a day.

What does this mean? Why???? Sad
Back to top
  

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1.
kdyer89  
IP Logged
 
Mike NZ
CH.com Hall of Famer
*****
Offline


Oxygen rocks! D3 too!


Posts: 3785
Auckland, New Zealand
Gender: male
Re: When prednisone stops working...
Reply #1 - Apr 25th, 2011 at 12:32am
 
How CHs impact us and what drugs are effective against them can change over time.

Are you using another preventive, like verapamil, lithium or topomax? Normally the prednisione taper is used as a preventive whilst you build up to an effective dose on a longer term preventive.
Back to top
  
 
IP Logged
 
Bob Johnson
CH.com Alumnus
***
Offline


"Only the educated are
free." -Epictetus


Posts: 5965
Kennett Square, PA (USA)
Gender: male
Re: When prednisone stops working...
Reply #2 - Apr 25th, 2011 at 7:08am
 
Report this to your doc. Generally, the response is to start over again but at a higher starting dose, likely 100mg fo you.
Back to top
  

Bob Johnson
 
IP Logged
 
wimsey1
CH.com Alumnus
***
Offline


I Love CH.com!


Posts: 2457
MA
Gender: male
Re: When prednisone stops working...
Reply #3 - Apr 25th, 2011 at 7:42am
 
I had the same experience with prednisone. Sad but true. Not sure how CHs develop a resistance to meds we take but it seems they can. I echo what Bob said above. Talk to your doc and see if you can start over again at a higher rate before you run this Rx out. Good luck and God bless. lance
Back to top
  
 
IP Logged
 
chrisw
CH.com Old Timer
****
Offline




Posts: 315
x0|turnersville|NJ,USA
Gender: female
Re: When prednisone stops working...
Reply #4 - Apr 25th, 2011 at 1:15pm
 
CH is like a snake that can find its way around anything you throw up as an obstacle.  Its slithering around trying to find an opening, and eventually it does.  something that stopped it in its tracks before wont work anymore etc.  Nothing works forever, even if it worked great before! 

I know its depressing Sad
Back to top
  
christine neville weaver  
IP Logged
 
Kim D
CH.com Junior
**
Offline




Posts: 77
Nashville, TN
Gender: female
Re: When prednisone stops working...
Reply #5 - Apr 25th, 2011 at 5:35pm
 
I've tried combos of  verapamil, depakote, lithium, topamax, etc. Nothing worked... My doctor prescribed me prednisone for temporary relief. Oh well. I'm going to try the D3 and Fish oil.
Back to top
  

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1.
kdyer89  
IP Logged
 
Bob Johnson
CH.com Alumnus
***
Offline


"Only the educated are
free." -Epictetus


Posts: 5965
Kennett Square, PA (USA)
Gender: male
Re: When prednisone stops working...
Reply #6 - Apr 26th, 2011 at 8:03am
 
Kim: Please start over again. We don't have sufficient information to respond to your situation.

Read: Please tell us where you live. Follow the next line to a message which explains why knowing your location and history will help us to help you.

Cluster Headache Help and Support › Getting to Know Ya › Newbies, Help us...help you

You can add your location by editing your profile. CP Member --> profile
Back to top
  

Bob Johnson
 
IP Logged
 
Joshl924
CH.com Junior
**
Offline


I Love CH.com!


Posts: 84
Re: When prednisone stops working...
Reply #7 - Apr 30th, 2011 at 3:02pm
 
prednisone wil take a few days to start working (I was told) taper or not... My first taper was a 10 day 100mg... Im now on my second one (a month or so later) and its less. You should have begun it with a preventative like verapmil which is something I didnt do my first time.

that being said... I hate that the only medicine that has really really helped is something very bad for me.
Back to top
  
 
IP Logged
 
Brew
CH.com Sponsor
CH.com Alumnus
***
Offline




Posts: 14163
Re: When prednisone stops working...
Reply #8 - Apr 30th, 2011 at 8:07pm
 
For most CH sufferers, prednisone (at a high enough dosage at the beginning of the taper) starts working within 6-12 hours. That dosage usually depends on your body weight.

When I used to do prednisone tapers, I'd start at 80mg for three days, then taper by 10mg per day. I'd start the verapamil/lithium combo at the same time as the prednisone.
Back to top
  

"I have been asked if I have changed in these past 25 years. No, I am the same. Only more so."  --Ayn Rand
 
IP Logged
 
Joshl924
CH.com Junior
**
Offline


I Love CH.com!


Posts: 84
Re: When prednisone stops working...
Reply #9 - May 1st, 2011 at 3:49pm
 
so......

How long can we really take prednisone for...

I know its way bad for you, but Im sort of at that point where I need to be ok until late July... then I can go off everything for a while

Back to top
  
 
IP Logged
 
Mike NZ
CH.com Hall of Famer
*****
Offline


Oxygen rocks! D3 too!


Posts: 3785
Auckland, New Zealand
Gender: male
Re: When prednisone stops working...
Reply #10 - May 2nd, 2011 at 4:47am
 
Almost four months is a long time to be on steroids. However this is something you need to discuss with your doctor and your pharmacist to balance the side effects with the benefits.
Back to top
  
 
IP Logged
 
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Send Topic Print

DISCLAIMER: All information contained on this web site is for informational purposes only.  It is in no way intended to be used as a replacement for professional medical treatment.   clusterheadaches.com makes no claims as to the scientific/clinical validity of the information on this site OR to that of the information linked to from this site.  All information taken from the internet should be discussed with a medical professional!