Posted by Phil (205.188.198.152) on February 06, 2000 at 11:27:03:
In Reply to: talking to Phil posted by stephen on February 06, 2000 at 11:04:37:
Dear Stephen-
There are many variables to cluster headaches.
Alcohol is an absolute NO NO. Alcohol is so
predictable that Doctor Sacks states that he
used it as a diagnostic tool. For some
chocolate and humidity. For others MSG. Some
of these are often thought of as migraine
triggers yet they effect some of us as well.
Yet for others there seems to be no clear
trigger.
Imitrex is said to cause rebounds although I'm
not up on the latest info. Are you using
analgesics? Rebound guaranteed. I'm pretty
sure someone here said that morphine causes
the release of histamine and that will cause
clusters although you stated it was only used
while you were in the hospital.
I was chronic for over a year. That was when
I was still being diagnosed with migraines. I
was prescribed Inderal which was totally useless.
I was also prescribed Esgic which was the only
relief I had ever known. Soon though I was
having 6 to 8 headaches per day and taking
16 Esgic per day plus Excedrin on top of that.
Endless rebound and headaches so frequent that
I didn't know where one stopped and the next
started.
Your in your fourth month of headaches. That
sounds about typical for a cycle. Mine average
1 to 3 months. Have you thought about or
asked for Prednisone, DHE-45? Ask Drummer or
Barb about Topamax. I believe it's a new
drug. It's used as a preventative.
Don't give up Stephen!! This message board and
all of us. That's why were here.
PFD-Phil