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New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Prednisone and return of the beast
(Message started by: Nitro on Nov 16th, 2004, 10:55pm)

Title: Prednisone and return of the beast
Post by Nitro on Nov 16th, 2004, 10:55pm
I'm not really new here, but rarely post.  Anyway, I've had CH for about 15 years now.  In the past 4 years my cycle has been July-September.  I take Verap and Trex and that usually gets me through the cycle. This year was no different.  September came and the beast seemed to take his normal time off.  Well, two weeks ago I got Strep-throat.  My doc gave me Amoxicillan, which I have always took.  Seems like now I'm allergic to it and I broke out in hives.  So the doc gives me a shot of Cortizone and Prednisone tablets to take care of the rash.  The same night I took the Prednisone I get slammed with a K9.  Broke out the Trex and it took about twice as long to work.(about 25 min)

I think I really pissed the beast off.  I've been hit 3 times a day with K7-9 since.  So I break out the Verap and Trex and I guess here we go again.  But this time the beast acts different.  No shadows, no warning just bang.  I'm just wondering if the Prednisone could have brought on another cycle?  It was only a 7 day pack and I only took 1 days worth.  Anyone think there is a connection, or did the beast just decide it was time to throw me for a loop?  For now I'll just take the Verap and keep the Trex cocked, locked, and ready to rock.  I just think this is weird that a single dose of Prednisone could bring on another cycle.  

Wishing everyone PFDN.

Title: Re: Prednisone and return of the beast
Post by marcelonyc on Nov 16th, 2004, 11:10pm
My last episode the CH got to be pretty intense so my neuro prescribed Prednozone @ 60mg for 1 week to "shock" the system.  It worked while I was on it, but then a day or so later I got hit with more CH.  It was then that the dc prescribed more Prednozone for 2-3 weeks at 60 mg p/day. Again it stopped the pain while on the treatment, but as soon as it wore off, i was pummeled by the most vicious CH. It was the first time I experienced wanting to destroy something. So I took to slamming the door to my bedroom so hard that it broke the molding off parts of my wall.  Not to mention that Prednozone itself has so many nasty sideeffects. I now will not take Prednozone, but never say never...

Title: Re: Prednisone and return of the beast
Post by Bob_Johnson on Nov 17th, 2004, 7:32am
The starting dose for Pred. ranges from 10mg to 100mg--and you can't predict what dose will be effective. Like so many treatments for clusters, having to do several trials to find what is effective for you is all too common.

BUT, while Pred. will abort a cycle rapidly, clusters will return after you get off. Your doc should be starting you on another preventive med, e.g., Verap., at the same time you start the Pred. (It takes several days to weeks Verap becomes effective and you may have to make dosage adjustments, in any case. The Pred. gives you time to make these adjustments.)

Title: Re: Prednisone and return of the beast
Post by Svenn on Nov 17th, 2004, 7:35am
Verapamil Retard 120mgX5-7/daily during cycle      
Oxygene alone at 10ltm for at least 15 minutes on  a nonbreathermask or combined with imitrex-shots does miracles.The shots should start working in 6-9minutes.a few seconds after that you are almost painfree      
Prednisolone in high doze for 10 days 80mg      
then over a 3 weeks periode step down like 60-40-30-20-10-5mg every 3dh day
Tapering down the verap im on full dozage 7 days after my last hit,then over the next 5 weeks im down to 1/daily.
after 1 week on Verap retard 120mgX1 and still no hits i can quit that to


The very best from Svenn



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