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Topic: Episodic/Preventative Meds (Read 414 times) |
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LasVegas
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Episodic CH since 11 yrs old, now 39.
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Episodic/Preventative Meds
« on: Nov 1st, 2003, 11:36pm » |
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For those of you who are episodic, please reply. I'm curious to find out do you...
1. Take preventative meds all year
2. Start preventative meds when cycle starts
If you take them all year long, are you really episodic or chronic? If chronic, understood for year round medication. If episodic, why? What do you take and what dosages?
If you start them when the cycle starts, what do you take that gets into your system fast enough? Prednisone is only safe for short term, 7 to 14 days, then taper. Verapamil takes several weeks. Anything else recommended that reduces severity and frequency of daily CH's and ultimately break cycle? If so, what med, what dosage, how long till it takes effect?
Preparing for next cycle with knowledge from you.
Thanks,
Gregg in Las Vegas
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Wishing all a Pain Free 2008!
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Prense
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Re: Episodic/Preventative Meds
« Reply #1 on: Nov 2nd, 2003, 12:08am » |
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Gregg,
I cannot answer your questions specifically as I am chronic, but I can pass on info. This topic has come up several times on this board, and what it really boils down to is choice. I know that some episodic sufferers take a low dosage of verapamil all year round. That makes it quicker to build up to an effective level when you need it. Then, there are episodic sufferers who get signs that an attack is coming, and will start the meds at that point. The things to be considered would be cost, safety of the med with long-term usage, do your cycles hit suddenly, etc. In short, there is no simple answer to your decision. Just be educated and be ready to compromise something.
Chris
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Yos
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Re: Episodic/Preventative Meds
« Reply #2 on: Nov 2nd, 2003, 9:51am » |
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I've been using Depakote as a preventative, and I generally start when I feel the cycle starting. I usually have a week or so warning with shadows and slight twinges - although this last cycle it was 0-60 in 1 day flat.
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Pinkfloyd
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Re: Episodic/Preventative Meds
« Reply #3 on: Nov 2nd, 2003, 1:02pm » |
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I take my preventive meds three times a year.
Prevents shadows
Prevents cycles
Prevents insurance company fights
Prevents pharmacies from building west winds in your name
Prevents medical tax deductions
Prevents family stress and strife
Prevents high water bills
Prevents high gas bills heating water
Prevents suicide
Prevents surgery
Prevents scaring the neighbors,family
Prevents beer sale decline
Prevents drywall repairs to walls
Prevents AVN
Prevents liver destruction
Prevents getting to know your 02 distributor on a first name basis.
Prevents missing your childs/grandchilds little league game
Prevents lengthening cycles with prescription drugs
Prevents poking holes in your body with sharp metal objects.
Increases birth control discussions
Increases wardrobe costs for going out
Increases mapquest visits for travel plans
Increases use of ice for drinks rather than packs
Increases movie theatre expense
Increases purchases of Pinkfloyd cds.
PF
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LasVegas
New Board Veteran
Episodic CH since 11 yrs old, now 39.
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Re: Episodic/Preventative Meds
« Reply #4 on: Nov 3rd, 2003, 9:08am » |
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Good replies, thank you all. I think it really does make a difference whether or not, pain symptoms occur as a warning. For me, I don't get symptoms, I forst awake with a KIP 10 as my first attack of the cycle. Shadows only occur between attacks and don't really go away. There is always at least a KIP 2 or 3 present, when in a cycle. My cycle broke and have started weaning off the Pred and Verap and should be off the Pred Wednesday and off the Verap in about two weeks, after tapering. I guess i'll just stock up on preventatives along with Imitrex and o2. Thanks again.
Gregg in Las Vegas
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jflynn
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Re: Episodic/Preventative Meds
« Reply #5 on: Nov 3rd, 2003, 9:26am » |
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Have just started Melatonin (see my post Melatonin Personal Trial) but it only took 3 nights to work and it's now 100% effective for me as a preventative. Certianly worth a look.
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thomas
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Re: Episodic/Preventative Meds
« Reply #6 on: Nov 3rd, 2003, 2:52pm » |
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I used to take sansert, no longer available. I take preventives only during cylce. I hate taking meds. I've been on melatonin and an ssri with calcium and magnesium supplemets for 2 weeks - have been pain free for one week.
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5-string
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Re: Episodic/Preventative Meds
« Reply #7 on: Nov 3rd, 2003, 10:46pm » |
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Hey Gregg,
I'm eposodic and this year was my first cycle with meds.
Veripamil pulled me out of cycle, I quit taking it after about 3 weeks without an attack. Three weeks later(the day hurracane Isabel hit here in Baltimore) I got slamed. I went back on it the next day and now I'm fine. I'm afraid to risk it again and I hav'nt tried Pink Floyds method yet. I'm planning on it though.
Like you, I have no warning that a cycle is coming on so there is no preperation for me. Nothing all year then a full blown kip10 with about a 5 minute warning. suuuuucks when you're 450 miles from home visiting mom and dad,just sitting down to dinner...
Shadows only occur during and after my cycle as well.
My neuro suggested I stay on a low dose while out of cycle,but I feel like that's flirtin'with the devil right now.
I hope I was of some help to you.
...Mark..
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Prense
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Re: Episodic/Preventative Meds
« Reply #8 on: Nov 3rd, 2003, 11:42pm » |
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on Nov 3rd, 2003, 10:46pm, 5-string wrote:| My neuro suggested I stay on a low dose while out of cycle,but I feel like that's flirtin'with the devil right now. |
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Whys is that? Are you saying that a preventative med will induce attacks or what?
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