Posted by Rachel M (209.180.138.145) on February 20, 2001 at 23:46:11:
In Reply to: Husband starting suffering again posted by Penny on February 20, 2001 at 19:01:51:
I've been taking 300mg of lithium 3x aday plus 80mg
of Verapamil 3x aday plus a two week shock treatment of
Prednisone to break the cycles and it worked! I took the
lithium and Verapamil for a week, didn't work to good
but it did seem to shorten them and they weren't as bad.
The Prednisone made my muscles ache all over for two days
but the headaches were gone in two days. They can
only keep you on Pred for about two weeks but the
theory is that it'll break the cycle and let the Lithium
and Verapamil take over. I also take Cafergot as soon as
I feel one coming on, but I haven't had to do that
for a while (knock on wood). Both Lithium and Verapamil
are supposed to make your blood pressure drop. I have
low blood pressure so it makes me a little dizzy and
I'm always cold but that prefferable to the pain.
Lithium they check a few times to make sure that you're
not getting more than your body can handle. It builds
up in your system and can hurt other organs, but my doctor
reccommended lots of water, cranberry juice and
fruits and vegetables to keep my system as cleansed
as possible. He also said not to do any extreme
activity that would dehydrate me. Said both the increased
Lithium and Verapamil would dehydrate severely. Good luck,
Wish I could be of more help.