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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2003 >> Meds not working like they used to
        
(Message started by: ladger on Dec 28^th, 2003, 11:58am)

Title: Meds not working like they used to
Post by ladger on Dec 28^th, 2003, 11:58am

Hi, I have suffered from CH for 17yrs. I am a recovering alcoholic and have only had 1 small bout with the Beast since I quit drinking 2yrs ago. UNTIL NOW. CH's started about two weeks ago and are coming more frequently and sever daily. I have had a dance with devil every 2hrs for the past two days. I have been eating Excedrine Migraine like candy. I know some of you will laugh @ that but it truly did work for me in the past. I also take Norgesic Forte which is a non narcodic musclar skeletal pain releiver that also used to work very well for me. I have taken Imitrex in the past but it made my chest hurt and my doctor took me off of it. Maxalt didn't work at all that I remember. I did try the Benadryl the other night and slept like a baby but it didn't work two nights a in row. I may need to take a beta blocker blocker again. It didn't stop the CH's but it may have helped some. After not having to deal with them for two years I don't really remember what all I have tried and what worked and what didn't. I guess I should be keeping a journal for future reference. My head right now feels like the beast is just sitting there lurking. You know like a predator stalking his prey and patiently waiting for the right moment to attack! Been trying to get in to see my Doctor but the holidays and the Flu bug have the Doctors backed up. Had my cousin who is a OB/GYN call in a script for me. My head is blistered from the hot compresses I have been putting on it and a little sore from tapping on it with my knuckles. By the waay what is the difference between "episodic" and "chronic"? I have been having "Chronic Episodes" I think. My oldest Brother also has CH's and he said if I will just go to ER and get a shot of Morphinee it will break the cycle. He says it works for him has it ever worked for any of you? Any advice on dealing with the devil will be much appreciated. Glad there is a support group for this too!

Title: Re: Meds not working like they used to
Post by BlueMeanie on Dec 28^th, 2003, 12:38pm

Ladger,

Sorry to hear the Beast is back. Most of the meds you are describing don't do jack for clusters. You need to read all the info to the left. Sounds like there are alot of stuff you haven't tried.

Imitrex, Amerge & O2 are popular abortive meds. I highly recommed since it's the start of your cycle to start working on getting the O2. Print the page on what you need and take to the doc.

Lots of preventives that may help. Everyone is different when it comes to CH.

You are Episodic. Chronics never get a break from the nightmare we live with.

Title: Re: Meds not working like they used to
Post by Prense on Dec 28^th, 2003, 2:35pm

CH + ER rarely turns out favorable...

Even the heavier narcs do not affect the beast...

You may have better success with calcium channel blockers (verapamil) than with the beta blockers. O2 is the safest abortive you can try. Other than that, there are several other triptans you can try other than imitrex.

Chris

Title: Re: Meds not working like they used to
Post by Jimmy_B on Dec 28^th, 2003, 3:03pm

I'm sorry...but I've never had a shot of anything, completely break a cycle. (Narcotic or otherwise). Try to stop the Excedrin & muscle relaxers...It's not at all effective.

I like you, cannot take triptans (imitrex, amerge, maxalt), due to the Cardiac Symptoms. First try some oxygen. Get to a competent neurologist. You can try Verapamil as a prevent & if you really need a Pain-killer ask for a pure immediate-release Narcotic (no tylenol mixed in). Some examples are Oxy IR, Percolone, etc...& take about an hour before you think the Beast is gonna hit. Just be careful with them...especially because of your alcohol problem. Be up front with your Doc, about your past & try the O2 first...only use Narcs as an absolutely last resort.

This site is full of info...begin reading.

Jimmy

Title: Re: Meds not working like they used to
Post by TxBasslady on Dec 28^th, 2003, 4:58pm

Welcome to the board, Ladger

I have to agree with the other posts. Very few find relief with narcotic drugs.

It is also possible that whatever you used in the past will not work this time. Read the links to the left, and read the posts, and you will find a wealth of info that may help you.

Stay with us here.......and let us know how things are going for you.

Jean

Title: Re: Meds not working like they used to
Post by Nimbus on Dec 28^th, 2003, 10:16pm

Sorry to have to say this but welcome aboard!

I used muscle relaxers in the past and lots of narco. The only good thing with the muscle relaxers it was that it allowed me to sleep. Nothing that a valium can't do. As for narco they weren't working at all. I took morphine once and it did not break the cycle.

Now I use mostly O2 with Imitrex. If you can't stand Imitrex then there's a trick I use to do: I sit and put my feet in hot water while applying a bag full of ice on my neck, the head down.

It's a nurse that gave me that trick and it worked numerous time. It do not take the beast away but ease the pain a bit.

I know it's hard but have faith : the best med is the time that pass.

Title: Re: Meds not working like they used to
Post by ave on Dec 29^th, 2003, 5:26am

If you go to the OUCH site (link to the left) you can dig up a lot of home remedies under cluster resources.

What you need is a good neuro that knows his/her stuff.
Oxycontin is easier to get into than out of.
Paionkillers do now work for you short of knocking you out for a while.

Check the resources at this site - the oxygen info particularly. If you have a doctor friend who can get you a script, go for that (the way the link tells you).

Title: Re: Meds not working like they used to
Post by mmaya613 on Dec 29^th, 2003, 11:18am

I think you should try prednisone. ::)

Good Luck!

Mario

Title: Re: Meds not working like they used to
Post by HannahFroukje on Dec 29^th, 2003, 12:34pm

I would read up on prednisone first before I'd try it. Prednisone will help most CH-heads but there are reports that it messes up the cycle and you can get chronical on it, when you're episodical. Prednisone surpresses all reactions of your body. So the problem is still there and "growing" , but for the time being you don't feel it. Often after a while, it will get back at ya' and your only option then is to increase the dose of prednisone. I would think twice ....

Doctors seem to be very keen on prednisone here (Holland), that's only very logical, if someone has a complaint you just shove in some prednisone which covers up all reactions, and bingo problem solved. But don't ask this same doctor what to do if the problem comes back even worse.