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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Anti-depressants
        
(Message started by: FramCire on Jan 30^th, 2006, 10:46am)

Title: Anti-depressants
Post by FramCire on Jan 30^th, 2006, 10:46am

Any have any good luck with anti-depressants while in cycle.

I usually take Wellbutrin but both of my cycles started shortly after starting Wellbutrin so my Dr doesn't want me on it unitil the cycle goes away.

Any suggestions. My Dr said that the research will be done, but I thought i might be able to give my doc a few recommendations.

Title: Re: Anti-depressants
Post by Dave_Emond on Jan 30^th, 2006, 11:08am

I've been on Xanax for 17 years, but not for CH, for anxiety disorder.
However, once I'm out of the cities and living in a small peaceful place, I only need enough to cover the addiction this drug causes.
But ... while trying to learn to cope with CH attacks, I found I could control myself and actions better using a couple Xanax.
Now I'm addicted to it for 2 reasons! Not good. I've tried all the others, Welbutrin, Paxcil, Zoloft, etc ... trying to find one that wasn't addictive, but none of them worked and my doc said I was stuck with the Xanax.
If one doesn't absolutely need anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medications ... don't start. They will not take away any pain at all from a CH attack.
Just my thoughts, take care,
Dave

Title: Re: Anti-depressants
Post by Bob_Johnson on Jan 30^th, 2006, 11:22am

Antidepressants don't have a good track record to treat cluster. If you want specifics, to to: http://www.headachedrugs.com and put the term or a specific med name in the search box.

Title: Re: Anti-depressants
Post by Svenn on Jan 30^th, 2006, 11:29am

on 01/30/06 at 11:22:01, Bob_Johnson wrote:

Antidepressants don't have a good track record to treat cluster. If you want specifics, to to: http://www.headachedrugs.com and put the term or a specific med name in the search box.

Thanks Bob

I would go so far as say that antidepressive is way out of line in the matter of treating cluster

Svenn

Title: Re: Anti-depressants
Post by Karla on Jan 30^th, 2006, 11:38am

I have only seen one study done on an antidepressent that showed promise in treating ch and that is elavil or its generic is called amitriptalyne(sp?). There have been more than 10 people that I am aware of that have had luck with this particular antidepressant. However, the rest have had no studies done and people that have tried them have come to this site saying they failed to help them with ch. I think they are a waste of time for ch personally.

I have taken several antidepressants over the years to fight depression. Elavil, celexa, effexor, wellbutrin, cymbalta, and a couple others where there name fails me now. They did nothing for my chronic ch.

I don't understand why your dr wont let you take an antidepressent while in cycle? That makes no sense. I think I would be looking for a neurologist that specializes in ha.

I would recomend getting oxygen as an abortive. See info on link to left <==. Then as a preventative try verapamil(calan). I tried up to 960mg. Some people need high doses to stop the ch. Don't let your dr give you to small a dosage or stop short of trying it at a higher dose. Then there is lithium 900mg. Sometimes these 2 meds will fail to work for you seperately but will work when taken together so give that a try. Topamax upto 900mg. Predisone is good for short term use.

Good luck finding something that works.

Title: Re: Anti-depressants
Post by FramCire on Jan 30^th, 2006, 3:06pm

OK. I guess I should have worded this differently.

I am not looking for an anti-depressant to treat CH, but to treat depression. My drs took me off of Wellbutrin because the cycles both started shortly after starting up on Wellbutrin. They don't think that is the reason why, but they would rather not take the risk that it somehow is a trigger for a cycle or for worse HAs..

I have done OK without the anti-depressant until Friday when I almost lost it. I had my kids around so they kept me grounded enough to get under control but the need to get back on my anti-dressant came back to light. So, I am looking for one that people take that people have had good luck with during cycles.

I am on Verapomil and melatonin right now. I should be getting Mygranol in the mail any day. I have an O2 tank, Maxalt (until the mygranol comes in), and Ultracet (just to take the edge off but I havent't taken in over a month) that I use when needed (O2 mostly).

I do have a HA specialist who has treated a few CH patients and is schooled on CH very well. I will be contacting him but I have found this board to be a very good resource as well.

Title: Re: Anti-depressants
Post by nani on Jan 30^th, 2006, 3:52pm

I'm not 100% sure that Wellbutrin didn't at least contribute to your HAs. I started it before Christmas to help quit smoking and, after several beautiful almost completely PF months, got my ass kicked with CHs all day Christmas day. When discussing this with others, both CH sufferers and migraine sufferers, the consensus was that in all their cases, HA activity improved once they were off the Wellbutrin. Mine did, too. JMHO pf wishes, nani

Title: Re: Anti-depressants
Post by Dave_Emond on Jan 30^th, 2006, 4:47pm

Okay, understand now ...
Sounds like you do suffer from a chemical imbalance (something that is genetic and runs very strong in my immediate family. Lost a brother to suicide from depression last year... 1 year this Feb 1st). This sort of thing sucks, I'd truly rather take all the physical pain of CH and everything else than deal with something that we can't control that affects our minds. Yeah ... I said it. Those who suffer from CH and anxiety disorder/depression will find it hard to believe one who suffers from CH might, if they had the chance, choose to rid the anquish of the "no rhyme or reason" to the mental aspects of anxiety/depression over CH. To me, no matter what physical pain I may have to deal with, I know it is just that ... physical. But, when it comes to mental aspects ... with no contol ... and little understanding, I'd choose complete mental control over physical pain.
Very few may understand that.
Fram: Try something else than Wellbutrin, there are many choices. Doc's used to treat us like we were fools, and it was hard not to believe them, we didn't understand either. Now ... it's almost a fad! Countless commercials of sad bubbles getting happy because they took their med ... makes me sick!
Xanax works for me, but addictive. Paxil CR claimed to be non-addictive, but it is. Zoloft might be worth a try, it's calm, no major side effects and most important, it's not addictive. Only you will know in the long run which one is right for you, it may take much searching, but you will probably find the right med. Sorry you have to go through this on top of CH, sometimes it seems 90% or more of CH sufferers have more than one disorder. (Should be explored further).
Watch out for yourself, many docs these days push what the "pretty little sales rep" tells them and showers them with gifts. Years ago, it was almost impossible to get help in this area, now docs will prescribe these meds like candy! But ... they rarely know $hit ... you have to take control and find what works for you.
Wishing you good hunting and something that will help you in this extremely misunderstood region.
Ever need to talk, PM me and let me know and we will.
Stay strong and God Bless,
Dave
(PS: NancyC is also a good contact in this area, she's a wonderful nurse and very caring as well as understanding. I miss talking to her, are you there Nancy? Talk to us please :-*)

Title: Re: Anti-depressants
Post by Karla on Jan 30^th, 2006, 5:05pm

As I mentioned earlier I have tried celexa, effexor, wellbutrin, cymbalta, etc. I have had no problems with them aggrivating my head. However, I have been on a prevenative for the last 4 years that has worked wonders in preventing any ch from getting through. So who knows what the antidepressents would be doing to me without the preventative. You need something so I would pick one recomended by your dr and start taking it. I was feeling suicidal daily and was very down and needed something asap before my but got kicked. I made my dr listen to me. I got a referal to a shrink who perscribes my meds. Be sure your open and honest with yourself and your dr as to weather you need this medicine or not. Good luck.

Title: Re: Anti-depressants
Post by Dave_Emond on Jan 30^th, 2006, 5:35pm

on 01/30/06 at 17:05:05, Karla wrote:

As I mentioned earlier I have tried celexa, effexor, wellbutrin, cymbalta, etc. I have had no problems with them aggrivating my head. However, I have been on a prevenative for the last 4 years that has worked wonders in preventing any ch from getting through. So who knows what the antidepressents would be doing to me without the preventative. You need something so I would pick one recomended by your dr and start taking it. I was feeling suicidal daily and was very down and needed something asap before my but got kicked. I made my dr listen to me. I got a referal to a shrink who perscribes my meds. Be sure your open and honest with yourself and your dr as to weather you need this medicine or not. Good luck.

Very good points Karla!
Dave