I have been doing a bit of research today about drugs and found some pain clinics in the usa that use a method where by they prescribe a slower acting preventative that takes a few weeks to get into in the system and a fast acting preventive (like a steriod) for a couple of weeks to give some relief while the first drug kicks in.

I was dismayed because 7 weeks ago I was perscribed a 2 week tapered dose of steriods, some triptans and nothing else. That is why I got into a really bad state!

Since ending up in hosiptal and seeing a on call neuro I am now on a course or Topimax, but anyone reading my posts knows I have been in hell the last few days.

When I read this stuff this morning I had a eureka moment, had a hunt through my medicne cupboard and found a few packets of the steriods left over from last time.

I rang the emergency out of hours dr for his opinion (I'm seeing my own doc on Monday for a follow up from the hosiptal but wanted to get started on the steriods soner rater than later) and he said it was safe to take the meds together if I wanted so I have done it. I took 60mg this morning and will do tmrw too.

I don't want to jinx things and no idea just how fast acting these things are but I have felt great today. Not even needed the o2! Total PF day which is unknown for me recently! (Alhough I am about to go to bed and...you know ha ha...)

I am not a doctor and I am doing a bit of Do-it-yourself medicine here and I may get shouted at by my  doc (who is new to me by the way, first apt on Monday) but I am trying to make infromed decisions.

The steriod is called something liked perisoidone (total stab in the dark at the spelling, sorry lol).

Has anyone ever taken it like this while waiting for other preventatuves to start working, particularly Topimax?

Promise I won't copy cat, just curious as to what other docs have done and how well it's worked for you

Jo (from the UK) xx

Go ahead!!!  COPYCAT!!!  It is one of the reasons for this site: Pass on treatments that worked, so others can "copycat" the treatment!

Prednesone is a VERY common treatment for the beginning preventative.  What your Doctor missed, was to start you on a second preventative, at the same time.  You have it exactly right: Prednesone works VERY soon after starting, and others take a week or more to get effective.  The Prednesone works to get you PF, but is very dangerous to take for a long time.  BUT, it holds the beast at bay while your second preventative treatment builds up to effective levels.

It works the same magic for dopymax topomax, verapamil, lithium, or whatever you find works for you!

Good luck!

Chuck

I'm delighted that I've had a PF 24h from my DIY medicine.
I'm cross that the doctor missed something so important to my health and well being though.

Ah well kip 0 happy days :)

Happy to hear that! What have you used Joe?

PREVENTATIVE
Day 5 of Topimax (Tapering UP) (Not yet effective)
Day 2 of Prednesone (Tapering Down)
ABORTIVE
Batch has helped me manipulate my 02 bottle so I now get 30 l per min and I have injection triptans for a last resort. When I need them I take the vials apart and splitthe dose into halfs or thirds.
If I get a day time attack I chug a pint of caffine/taurine drink before I get on the O2.

I have been trying to get my hands  on one of those eye masks that you keep in the fridge but no shop in the land sells them. Will try good old ebay later.

So Prednisone did the trick? Btw, how is O2 and trex working for you, I mean how fast and what would you say about their % effectiveness? They abort all attacks or only some.

Honey, I do not want to jinx it. Even tho I am episodic, I have been having 10+ attacks in 24 hours... but although I have been PF for 24 hours it's only a short amount of time in the real world lol...

Keep your toes crossed, eh?

Trex works every time but if I took if for every attack I'd soon be dead. Trex doesn't keep away rebound or phantom headaches tho. It's not a cure all but it's good to abort KIP 9/10s very quickly.

02 used to work within 15 mins back in the day but is not as effective, that is why Batch has been talking to via email and showing me how  to do the dr frankenstien stuff with my bottles to get stupendous flow rates. I just haven't had the chance to use it yet to report back (happy to say!)