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New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2005 >> Depakote?
(Message started by: SangReal on Mar 2nd, 2005, 4:57pm)

Title: Depakote?
Post by SangReal on Mar 2nd, 2005, 4:57pm
Has anybody had any relief from Depakote?  My doc says that if steroids don't make the CHs go away, she's going to put me on Depakote.  This doesn't seem to be a standard treatment, though.  I mean, I haven't heard any of you mention it.  So I was wondering if she maybe has migraines and CHs confused, or if she really knows what she's talking about.  Can anybody shed a little light?

Mary

P.S. I know I need a neurologist, not a regular doctor.  But she says just give her a chance and she can help me.  Anyone?

Title: Re: Depakote?
Post by E-Double on Mar 2nd, 2005, 5:05pm
If you want her to help you read this and KNOW IT!!! then give it to her and make sure she does too!!!

http://www.brightok.net/~mnjday/chtherapy.pdf


Depakote was the first prevent. I tried....nothing.....
There are some that have decent results......

If this is something you are going to try it should be started while you are on the prednisone so that it is given a chance to reach a therapeutic windo while the steroids are knocking back a few.

Good luck and READ!!!!!!

Eric

Title: Re: Depakote?
Post by Langa on Mar 2nd, 2005, 10:19pm
I was on Depakote last cycle....500 mg. a day.  Though my clusters never went past a level 5 or so, I shadowed 24/7 and had constant nausea.  I'll never use it again.

Definitely read that link Eric posted for you and everything else you can get your hands on here.

Welcome by the way.

Langa

Title: Re: Depakote?
Post by PCMCCK on Mar 2nd, 2005, 11:21pm
You are right about needing a neurologist.  If your doc really wants to help you, she should refer you to one and then she will have someone to consult with if she is going to handle your treatment.  If she won't give you a referral, no matter how nice she may be, I'd go elsewhere-I'm sure that she wouldn't hesitate to refer you to an oncologist if you had cancer, so why doesn't she want to send you to a neurologist for a neuological problem-ego perhaps?  Good luck!

Title: Re: Depakote?
Post by Frank_W on Mar 3rd, 2005, 9:57am
My neurologist put me on Depakote (and oral imitrex for "cluster migraines.)  >:(

That stuff was HORRIBLE. For the first three days and nights, I was pain-free, and thought, "YEAH!!! THIS STUFF IS GREAT!!" On the fourth night, I got hit THREE times, and each hit lasted 90 minutes, and each one of them were the WORST cluster headaches I've EVER experienced.

My opinion of depakote: I'd rather be pistol-whipped to a bloody mess than to take that crap.

(one of these days, I'll stop being so reserved and begin telling people how I really feel!)  ;;D

Title: Re: Depakote?
Post by vig on Mar 3rd, 2005, 10:02am
In MY opinion, this is commonly prescribed, but has a very low success rate.
from what I've seen.
Do we have any actual success statistics?

Title: Re: Depakote?
Post by miapet on Mar 3rd, 2005, 10:26am
Depakote for clusters is another time for off-label perscription writing.  I know, this happens a lot . .. but, I'm not sold on the idea of a drug that works on the frontal lobe to be of any help for CH, which appears to be related to the hypothalmus, which isn't in the frontal lobe. . . .

*positive light and energy*
miapet

Title: Re: Depakote?
Post by unsolved1 on Mar 3rd, 2005, 10:27am
I've tried Depakote before for CH. It didn't help me.

Unsolved

Title: Re: Depakote?
Post by nani on Mar 3rd, 2005, 11:35am

on 03/03/05 at 10:02:26, vig wrote:
In MY opinion, this is commonly prescribed, but has a very low success rate.
from what I've seen.
Do we have any actual success statistics?


In the medication survey over there
<--------------------------

Title: Re: Depakote?
Post by vig on Mar 3rd, 2005, 11:54am
Depakote (preventative)
Haven't tried Depakote          2784   77%  
Aborts every cycle                      18     0%  
Definately works every cycle      14     0%  
Seems to work every cycle         45     1%  
Works some cycles, not others 186     5%  
Did NOT work                            529   14%  

Get relief from Depakote
Haven't tried                           2925    81%  
Within 1-2 days                           11     0%  
Within 3-4 days                           17     0%  
Within the first week                   49     1%  
Took more than a week             138     3%  
Tried, but didn't work                 436   12%  

pretty impressive statistics...



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