Posted by Brad S (209.192.83.95) on August 11, 1999 at 10:16:23:
In Reply to: Aventyl for clusster headaches posted by Ron on August 10, 1999 at 15:25:15:
Ron,
I can relate to your situation. My first CH hit last January and I suffered through the worst attacks before my doc gave me any decent abortives. He tried all of the pill forms of triptan derivatives (zomig, imitrex, etc.) first. These med trials took over a month and I felt like I was going to die any day from the pain. He gave me a script for demerol to use if the other meds didn't work. He also told me that I could take up to 800mg ibuprofen in an 8 hour period (all at once if needed). Please don't try this without your doc's blessing. Of these choices, I found that the large dosage of ibuprofen (in the form of Advil liqui-gel) was the most effect treatment for an attack. It usually lowered the intensity by 1 or 2 points on the Kip scale and would start to work in about 20 minutes. The demerol made the attacks worse since it took away my ability to stand and the pain intesified anytime I sat or layed down. The triptan pill forms did nothing for me. I know now that the best 2 candidates for abortive meds were missing; oxygen and imitrex injection. I didn't get access to these until after verapamil had reduced the attack incidence and severity.
Never tryed Aventyl. Hope it works for you. If it doesn't, I recommend you discuss with your doc one or more of the many other preventives that are mentioned on this sight or in the links. Verapamil appears to be a favorite. It helped me.
Bouts last various times for different people. You and I have no history on which to base or expectations of bout duration. Another source of frustration! Hope you're episodic and the bout will end any day.
The moral of this story is: If you want relief, use whatever means necessary to convince your doc that you need good abortive meds while you find a preventive that works! Imitrex injection and oxygen are usually the top choices. Be persistent!
Best of Luck
Brad S