Posted by Joe Seebach (63.126.121.2) on April 23, 2001 at 02:13:01:
Hello,
Spent most of the day today on your board...
Congratulations to all of you for maintaining your
sanity, one day (or one CH) at a time. I know how hard
it can be... I have come very close to the edge
several times in the last couple of weeks.
I am a 40 year old male.
I experienced my first CH in Feb. 01. Started once a
week, then progressed slowly to daily by early April,
steadily increasing in intensity and duration along the
way.
For the last week I have been getting 3-4 a day. Finally
got to a doctor 10 days ago and he introduced me to
Imitrex. Thank god. At least now I know the pain will
only last 1 hour instead of 3-4. I am taking a 50 mg.
tablet at the onset of the CH.
Thanks to your board and all the great people who
contribute, I am beginning to understand what I am up
against here. My heart goes out to all of you. At
least I know I am not alone.
I have a few questions and would appreciate any help.
1) I don't know if I am episodic or chronic... I have
been in the current cycle for 2 1/2 months. How do you
know when a cycle is ending?
2) I need to get started on a preventative program...
From what I read it seems like either Prednisone or
Verapamil is the right place to start. Any comments
on either? Which has fewer side effects?
3) I need to improve my abortive program...
I love my Imitrex, but 1 hour is a long time to wait...
Any suggestions? Don't really want to do the needle...
Thinking about nasal Imitrex and Oxygen as next steps?
THX, JoeS