Posted by Kathy (208.229.20.4) on September 30, 1999 at 08:19:57:
Help/Advice/Experiences wanted!
My friend, Cindy is 33 yrs old - has had CH off an on since about 19. In spring of '98, she went 72 straight days of intense pain - went through NUMEROUS medications, the only thing that even eased the pain was Imitrex shots. She missed work for most of that time, staying isolated in a dark room, very little sleep.
Well, they (CH) are back - almost a month now. We live in Tennesse and last week flew to NY City to see a doctor there (who we saw on TV - had done some procedure on nerve endings). He said that procedure wasn't for her, instead confirming that she was in the midst of a Chronic Cluster Headache, he prescribed:
Maxalt, Nortriptyline, Verapamil, Naproxen Sodium, Oxygen - plus another drug that can be used instead of Maxalt with trialed combinations of the "as needed" drugs I've listed. He said should these not work after "several weeks" you can come back for a couple day stay in the hospital and we will do an I.V. -- DHE that will break your headache. But nothing is guaranteed.
I have very little experience with drugs/medications, etc. so I'm looking for advice...
DHE the I.V. -- a good bet??
nerve endings -- her pain always starts and shoots up around the spine on the upper right side, going up her neck on the right side. There's a Dr. nearby that heads a pain clinic that kills nerve endings (primarily in whip-lash patients) - would this be worth-while to check into?
I am gaining knowledge on CH everyday; I feel for you who have to suffer with these and hope someday the medical world can find a "Cure". Thank you for allowing me to ramble on. Kathy