Posted by Jerry Gramling (207.172.212.222) on July 22, 1999 at 14:30:42:
Has anybody ever gotten relief from Butal Compound?
It is a combo of aspirin and butabital (a barbiturate).
I have been a cluster sufferer for 18 years, but suffered in relative silence (I never sought medical attention). I first went to a doctor after I finally got insurance at the age of 31. He diagnosed me with sinus problems and prescribed me Claritin-D. Of course that didn't help. The next cycle I had, I went to an emergency care facility (Patient First). I had been researching my problems on the net and was surprised to find that there was a condition that matched my every symptom - cluster headaches. The doctor I spoke with was actually very informed about clusters and prescribed me the Butal Compound. I am new to the prescription drug thing. I never use over the counter pain killers. Regular everyday headaches/hangovers are nothing but a minor nuisance compared to clusters and certainly nothing to medicate over. Is that why it worked for me? I have never seen any mention of this drug in anybody's posts. The only mention on the net says it is used to treat migraine. I don't have migraines. I went back to this same MD and lied to him, telling him my cycle was still going on to get a refill. He gave it to me and I put it in the medicine cabinet for next time. That was 8 months ago. I began having clusters last week. I get a second annual cycle sometimes. I went to get my meds from the cabinet and found an empty bottle. My wife had been taking them to relieve her monthly headaches. I've had two cluster free nights in the last week and they aren't as severe as the ones during my main cycle, so I haven't tried to get more Butal. My wife even had the nerve to ask me to sleep on the couch so I wouldn't disturb her sleep! I neglected to mention the effect of the Butal. It is an abortive. When I get a cluster, it wakes me up (if I'm not already up). I take a pill and 8-12 minutes later the cluster goes away and does not come back. I feel a warmth spread over the right side of my head and the pain drains away. I only hope it continues to work for me.