Posted by Scott L. on November 09, 1998 at 22:49:47:
Over time, my cycles have come closer together, to the point where I am now a chronic CH sufferer. Until recently, I have found medicinal combo's (Sansert, lithium and verapamil, etc) that worked to keep them away. When things got real bad, a burst of Prednisone would do the trick. However, over the last few weeks I have experienced total breakthrough. The headaches have been coming about 5 a day and stop for nothing but Imitrex unless I catch them very, very early and use O2. I try to use no more than one Imitrex in the day and one when I wake up with a banger at night. I realize this is greater than the recommeded Imitrex usage, but can you really expect someone in that kind of pain not to use something they know works. Although, at least twice the Imitrex injection failed and it often takes about 20 minutes to work now. My doctor has given me some help, such as Furinol tablets and Lidocane nose drops, but when a big one hits, its back to rocking, moaning, and cursing. The doctor I am now seeing is named Lawrence Robbins and is a big-daddy in the headache business. He has a website and seems like a nice guty who, although he doesn't know the pain, respects it. Tomorrow, I go in for an injection of steroids in the base of my skull near the occipital nerve. If successful, this may give me weeks of freedom. If not, I will likely receive intravenious DHE, which may also provide extended releif. My heart goes out to all the CH sufferers, not just for the acute pain and agony, but also for the lost time, strained relationships, and negative spin it puts on the world. Luckily, my 14 month-old son is a cute and wonderful playmate who reminds me there is much to enjoy. Incidently. Robbin's boo "Headache Help" has some good data on clusters. Perhaps you can find the same at his website. Search on Robbins and Headache. For anyone suffereing right now, remember we all know the pain and we all wish you didn't have to go through it.