Hey guys,
I am definitely into the downward slope of this cycle. I am already "long overdue" or past due for my remission period.
I was having about 4 hits a day..........randomly....
I just finished a 6-day prednisone pack
and a three week prescription of topomax (100mg daily)
i adjusted my verapamil from 360mg to 480mg
with my docs approval
and instead of taking 240mg in the morning and 240mg at nite (like he prescribed)
I take a 120 mg pill 4 times a day
one at 7am, 12 noon, 7pm, and 12 midnight

and now i'm down to ONE cluster......which only comes after I fall ASLEEP >:( about an hour after i've drifted off.

so guys.....those of you who specialize in eliminating those nocturnal post-slumber hits, chime in man.... :-X

1 beer...... no, just kidding.  Have you tried or read about melatonin?
lotsa users on here.  I have tried it in past, and only once over the recommended dosage.  The time i went over the recommended dosage i took 2 benedryl also.  I was a total zombie the next day.  You can pick up melatonin OTC.  It is a pretty good sleep aid.  Somebody else can chime in on the science behind it. i heard about it before i found this website.  good luck

Melatonin was going to be my first suggestion.

240 mg twice a day (verap) was going to be my second.  I dont know if it would help but that is what I would do.

I'm not sure what else to suggest.  Sorry.

thinkin about the Melatonin

I think the dose is around 9mg plus or minus.

Would someone who knows better please chime in so if our friend tries it, he has the right dose.

FramCire wrote on Aug 31^st, 2009 at 8:13pm:

Melatonin was going to be my first suggestion. 240 mg twice a day (verap) was going to be my second.  I dont know if it would help but that is what I would do. I'm not sure what else to suggest.  Sorry.

240 mg twice a day is what I was on before.....before the changes took place to my cycle....
i'm guessing altering my dosage, is responsible for the change....seems like the 240 mg twice a day wasnt as effective :-/

Lawrence wrote on Aug 31^st, 2009 at 10:15pm:

FramCire wrote on Aug 31st, 2009 at 8:13pm: Melatonin was going to be my first suggestion. 240 mg twice a day (verap) was going to be my second.  I dont know if it would help but that is what I would do. I'm not sure what else to suggest.  Sorry. 240 mg twice a day is what I was on before.....before the changes took place to my cycle.... i'm guessing altering my dosage, is responsible for the change....seems like the 240 mg twice a day wasnt as effective :-/

I'm sorry, you had said you changed from 360 to 480.  I thought it would be worth trying 480 as 2x240, didnt realize you tried it already.

I'd go with melatonin.

FramCire wrote on Aug 31^st, 2009 at 10:53pm:

Lawrence wrote on Aug 31st, 2009 at 10:15pm: FramCire wrote on Aug 31st, 2009 at 8:13pm: Melatonin was going to be my first suggestion. 240 mg twice a day (verap) was going to be my second.  I dont know if it would help but that is what I would do. I'm not sure what else to suggest.  Sorry. 240 mg twice a day is what I was on before.....before the changes took place to my cycle.... i'm guessing altering my dosage, is responsible for the change....seems like the 240 mg twice a day wasnt as effective :-/ I'm sorry, you had said you changed from 360 to 480.  I thought it would be worth trying 480 as 2x240, didnt realize you tried it already. I'd go with melatonin.

I don't have hits when I sleep DUE to Melatonin.

It  REALLY makes things a lot easier.  9mg is the reccomended dose for us, but some people go higher, or lower.

In the end, you're out $5 if it doesn't work for you. If it does, it'll either cut down your night hits, or you won't have them at all.

I'd say that's a pretty good deal. ;)

PFDAN
Mystina

Pixie-elf wrote on Sep 1^st, 2009 at 12:07pm:

FramCire wrote on Aug 31st, 2009 at 10:53pm: Lawrence wrote on Aug 31st, 2009 at 10:15pm: FramCire wrote on Aug 31st, 2009 at 8:13pm: Melatonin was going to be my first suggestion. 240 mg twice a day (verap) was going to be my second.  I dont know if it would help but that is what I would do. I'm not sure what else to suggest.  Sorry. 240 mg twice a day is what I was on before.....before the changes took place to my cycle.... i'm guessing altering my dosage, is responsible for the change....seems like the 240 mg twice a day wasnt as effective :-/ I'm sorry, you had said you changed from 360 to 480.  I thought it would be worth trying 480 as 2x240, didnt realize you tried it already. I'd go with melatonin. I don't have hits when I sleep DUE to Melatonin. It  REALLY makes things a lot easier.  9mg is the reccomended dose for us, but some people go higher, or lower. In the end, you're out $5 if it doesn't work for you. If it does, it'll either cut down your night hits, or you won't have them at all. I'd say that's a pretty good deal. ;) PFDAN Mystina

I got the Melatonin. Startin it 2nite.  ;)

Pixie-elf wrote on Sep 1^st, 2009 at 12:07pm:

FramCire wrote on Aug 31st, 2009 at 10:53pm: Lawrence wrote on Aug 31st, 2009 at 10:15pm: FramCire wrote on Aug 31st, 2009 at 8:13pm: Melatonin was going to be my first suggestion. 240 mg twice a day (verap) was going to be my second.  I dont know if it would help but that is what I would do. I'm not sure what else to suggest.  Sorry. 240 mg twice a day is what I was on before.....before the changes took place to my cycle.... i'm guessing altering my dosage, is responsible for the change....seems like the 240 mg twice a day wasnt as effective :-/ I'm sorry, you had said you changed from 360 to 480.  I thought it would be worth trying 480 as 2x240, didnt realize you tried it already. I'd go with melatonin. I don't have hits when I sleep DUE to Melatonin. It  REALLY makes things a lot easier.  9mg is the reccomended dose for us, but some people go higher, or lower. In the end, you're out $5 if it doesn't work for you. If it does, it'll either cut down your night hits, or you won't have them at all. I'd say that's a pretty good deal. ;) PFDAN Mystina

Hey guys....i'm currently on sick leave from work because of these HA's..............
when i finally get back to work or when my cycle ends should I continue to take the Melatonin?

Hey guys...cycle changing again......i feel the pain of the cluster now in the side of my neck (clusterside)...and if i rub it for awhile, it goes away........and only when I awake from sleep....
.......hopefully...this means its approaching the home stretch....

did an experiment earlier;........purposely took a nap....woke up again in a couple of hours with the pain in the side of the neck again. I immediately jumped on the O2.
Once on the O2....the pain traveled from my neck to behind my right eye. :o Then after maybe 5 minutes it completely subsided. Its all cluster-related....

Zyrtec allergy medication gets me through the night with no hits, it's over the counter too if you don't have or can't find the melatonin.

Edit:
Sorry forgot to leave the generic name for it  :-[  Cetirizine = generic for Zyrtec