Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2005 >> Husband's progress after clinic visit
        
(Message started by: Asil on Feb 28^th, 2005, 10:30am)

Title: Husband's progress after clinic visit
Post by Asil on Feb 28^th, 2005, 10:30am

Hi,
Just wanted to share some info that might help someone out there.
He's an episodic cluster guy and his cycle lasted 6 weeks so far. The longest one before was 3 weeks.

We went to the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago on Friday. The doctor was competent, informative, and friendly. He took a lot of time to get to know what my husband experiences so that he could ascertain diagnosis and thoroughly explain the drugs. Said we needed to break this cycle asap. No kidding.

Husband got thorough exam, MRI, blood tests, EKG, the works. Here's what doc prescribed:

- Shot of Depacon 500mg
- Doubled dosage of Topomax (2 tabs in the a.m. and 2 in the p.m.) 100 mg total per day for next 2 weeks and then for 4 more weeks as long as he's headache free
- Bellergal (a barbituate/sedative/scary) 1 tab in a.m., 1 in p.m. for 10 days, then 1 per day for the next 4 days, then stop
- 9mg Melatonin at bedtime
- Oxygen at the onset of headache (getting the tank today)
- Low Tyramine diet (this is more for migraine patients - figure it can't hurt though)
- Relaxation exercises

Results since past 2 days on new meds:
- No attacks
- Tired, zoned out, sleeps a lot
- Has background headache, still has painful tender spot on head that he gets during regular attacks

I'm keeping a close eye on him since he's so doped up, looking for bad reactions, etc.

I know this combination obviously won't "work" for everyone and who knows if it'll work for him, but so far my zombie is experiencing relief or at least a break.

Best of luck to you.

Lisa

Title: Re: Husband's progress after clinic visit
Post by vig on Feb 28^th, 2005, 11:16am

they don't call it Dopeymax for nothing...
keep a dribble cup on hand.

Title: Re: Husband's progress after clinic visit
Post by floridian on Feb 28^th, 2005, 11:18am

on 02/28/05 at 10:30:59, Asil wrote:

Best of luck to you.

Lisa

Best of luck to you and your husband - hope he gets a PF break soon. Keep us posted.

Title: Re: Husband's progress after clinic visit
Post by miapet on Feb 28^th, 2005, 2:37pm

good luck . . .he's lucky to have you . . .hope you're taking care of you too. . . p/f wishes for you both . .

*positive light and energy*
miapet
oh, on the o2, did y'all get a high flow regulator and non-rebreather mask?
*pl&e*
miapet

Title: Re: Husband's progress after clinic visit
Post by PCMCCK on Feb 28^th, 2005, 2:52pm

My best wishes that his headaches are gone once the heavy sedation is stopped.

Title: Re: Husband's progress after clinic visit
Post by E-Double on Feb 28^th, 2005, 4:06pm

Good luck LISA & hubby!!!