Posted by Rick on October 10, 1998 at 23:53:59:
I declare them gone til the next time (if any)
Thanks to everyone here, especially Jackie who
helped me remember prednisone again.
Here's how it went:
Started getting "that feeling" in mid-July, made apt
with my neurologist immediately. He gave me
perscriptions for verapamil, depokate, sansert, and
imitrex. Started on the verapamil (180 mg pd). Things
went well for 5 weeks, then.....
Started needing the imitrex shots about Labor day,
about one every other day. Oxygen worked great
for most headaches. Tried the imitrex nasal spray; it
worked the first time, not the second time, then.....
Things started getting bad. Needed a shot almost
every day. Oxygen only worked when they woke me
up at night. Based on this site, I told my neuro that
I upped my verapamil to 360 mg. He yelled at me
saying that he wanted me on the depokate if they
hadn't gone away in one week. I started the
depokate. then.......
Things went far south. Needed 3-4 shots per day.
Oxygen almost never worked. My blood was about
10% imitrex. I was a mess. This went on for about a
week. Then Jackie suggested that I try a prednisone
taper. I had used it about 12 years ago and it
worked, but the second time, about 10 years ago, it
didn't work.
I started the prednisone and was down to one shot
per day. After 5 days, no more shots. Went off the
prednisone after 10 days, and only had my small
"coming down" headaches. Its been about a week,
and I haven't had any at all.
Lessons learned:
Next time I will wait till they build up to where I need
the shots. I will then go on the prednisone right away
and supplement with oxygen and imitrex only when
needed. After 10 days, if they come back, I'll go
back on the prednisone again. Jackie said that this
is what she does as she can time her cycles out
pretty well. At any rate, I have my stash of shots
ready.
Sincere thanks to everone on this site. This is my
first cyber-cluster cycle. It sure makes things easier
to know that other people know what you're going
through. I'll check back from time to time, but I hope
to see all of you gone. Unfortunately, there will
probably be others to take your place.
Take care.
Rick