Posted by John McEnroe (216.77.218.160) on June 04, 2001 at 17:05:36:
I wanted to post a message for something taht did work for me although for some unexplained reason, I relapsed.Prior to going to my current nuerologist, my previous one had me on 120 mg of verapimil per day as a preventative. My new nuerologist decided since I was considered chronic and had a bad case, he was going to put me as a case study. This case study was for topomax which to my understanding, an anti-seizure medication that the drug company thru Dr. Wheeler believed would work on Clusters. My first step by Dr. Wheeler was to increase my verapimil to 240 mg per day, and he prescribed oxygen for the attacks and darvocet for the pain. After two weeks, he introduced me to Topomax (I believe 5 mg per day) After contant headaches for years, my cycle broke. I went 5 months without a headache and it was immediate (2 days after topomax) I decided that after 5 months to wean off the verapimil, it did not work before topomax and I felt it was not doing anything then. Dr. Wheeler agreed and after 3 weeks, I weaned off of it. Two weeks after I weaned off, I had my first cluster and it has stayed with me since. We increased the topomax, we tried to duplicate my intake of the prescriptions before I went off verapimil but I have not experienced any relief. Topomax was wonderful though I relapsed. I hope it could be something for some of you (it is quick and safe). iF ANYONE WANTS A COPY OF MY CASE STUDY BROCHURE THAT WAS USED BY THE DOCTOR, LET ME KNOW AND i WILL TRY TO GET IT TO YOU. I hope that I have helped.
- best regards, John