Hi!  ;)

A past poster returns  :D

I signed up here some time ago, and since then, (yesterday!) I have finally seen a Neurologist who has at last confirmed what I and my GP had already felt - I've got CH. It was an ironic experience because the specialist I saw yesterday, didn't remember me, but I sure remembered him! He was the same doctor I saw about 6/7 years ago, who back then discharged me telling me I was 'just going to have to learn to deal with a headache'.

What a difference a few years makes, eh?  ::) I have described my symptoms time and time again since I was 16 to a whole host of doctors, and have been told theres nothing wrong with me by pretty much all of them until my GP last year. At last I'm glad I have got a definitive diagnosis by a specialist as it means I can stop being prescribed medications that are for other conditions!

The doctor I saw yesterday has prescribed me two medications - Verapamil and Maxalt mlt (I think - I haven't been able to get my prescription yet as the hospital pharmacy was closed and the doctor's writing is appaling!  :-?).

I have a question though - at the moment I'm currently taking antidepressants (citralopram), and I'm just concerned with how the CH medication might interact. The specialist said there won't be any problem, but... I'm a real worrier (hence the citralopram!  :D)

Hello, Welcome back. Talk to your doctor about 02 if you have not already. It helps alot of Cluster headache suffers.



                              Challening, More assertive.. Coach Bill

Here I sit, a stranger,  across the waters, with an IQ of 32 and you would believe me about meds when you won't believe your doctor???

Just think about that......

Well, considering its taken qualified doctors years or misdignosis and many prescriptions for all sorts of medications that never did any good, then,definitely, I would  take the views of fellow CH sufferers into consideration!  ;) 8-)

Bob Johnson wrote on Feb 14^th, 2009 at 4:31pm:

Here I sit, a stranger,  across the waters, with an IQ of 32 and you would believe me about meds when you won't believe your doctor??? Just think about that......

Ouch!

Kinder gentler Potter

Bob?  Have I told you lately that I love you?   LMAO


Gemma, I understand what you're saying also.  
Quote:

then discharged me telling me I was 'just going to have to learn to deal with a headache'.

He was an ass.


Quote:

with an IQ of 32

   Bob's I.Q. is about  6 times what he said.

Hi Gemma It is the role of your specialist to put your mind at ease with regard to the interactions of different medications.

The pharmacy will also have people on staff that will be able to aleviate your concerns. Ask all the questions you need to feel safe and ensure peace of mind.

One more thing, Bob is right up there with the best,a good man and a good soul. :)

Nice to hear you have found direction to put up the fight. I wish you well To PFD Walk in Peace  Iddy  

Gemma, the issue is that the SSRI (cit.) will relieve symptoms that comes with excessive worry, rumination, but it won't change the habit pattern of that kind of thinking.

We do have patterns of thinking and they can be changed,even if it does take patient work. Broadly defined as cognitive therapies, these are the best researched forms of therapy to have come along in my working lifetime and the outcome studies are very good: it's possible to weaken, even eliminate anxiety/obsessive thought, etc.

If you are interested, take a look at this little essay and further explore the link at the end.

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

I don't know how or if antidepressants interact with CH meds but I have not had such good experiences with antidepressants.  I have tried them twice and they seem to cause me to go into cycle.  My last cycle, when I saw my Dr. did not want to perscribe antidepressants because I was currently taking verapamil, high doses of pred and using trex.  This may be because of the two times I tried antidepressants they (maybe) induced/augmented my cycle.  I had inquired about Lithium and he said he did not want to perscribe that with me being on the other meds.  

-P.

I have taken anti-depressants twice and started into cycle quickly afterwards.  HOWEVER, it was the same time of year, so it is hard to say they triggered the cycle vs the change in weather.

You should talk to your doctor about O2 now that you have a diagnosis.

Maxalt MLT worked well enough for me for a while but not as effective as O2.

Good luck and when you have drug interaction questions, ALWAYS ask (your doctor and) a pharmacist, they should have the knowledge and resources to double check your doctor.

Gemma,

You can ask the dispensing pharmacist for reassurance.
In the UK its there job to double check what the doctors prescribe and mine is very good at spotting if something has slipped through.

Maxalt Melt is an oral dispersible form of rizatriptian its pretty good but can take over 30 minutes to act so its worth asking about O2 as well. OUCH UK has details on asking for and arranging this through the NHS.

I am so pleased you finally got the right diaognosis, hope the new drugs help.

I honestly think there is something about being a woman in the UK that makes CH the last thing GP's and some consultants think about.
::)

Katie's right - the "melt in your mouth" version of Maxalt was designed for convenience. For when you need it NOW and you don't have a glass of water to take a pill. Rizatriptan is absorbed in the gut, and still takes about 25-30 minutes to get into your system and get going. That's why I always hit the O2 bottle as soon as I've taken one.

as mentioned go back to your gp and ask about oxygen.

if you go to OUCH UK's main website there is a download for a partially completed HOOF (Home Oxygen Order Form) just print that off and take to gp, it already has the necessary info and boxes ticked for you

if you have any more questions or problems with getting o2  then give the OUCH UK helpline a call the no is 01646 651 979

it is "manned" by sufferers and supporters, and can give you a lot of advice on meds and support on how to cope with CH

all the best
Sandra xx

I agree with the others go to your GP and try and obtain Oxygen.

I have used Maxalt mlt before and found it only helped a little, but oxygen stops them completely and that is all i take even though i am prescribed imigran injectables i have never taken them as the 02 works please try and find out it may be the best thing youve ever done!!!

PFD to ALL