I am going back to my headache doctor tomorrow for a 1 month follow-up.  I think he will be happy that since after about a week of adding 240 mg of verapamil to 12 mg melatonin (which he said to take) and 3-4 benadryl (which is a tip I learned here), the 4 nightime hits first shifted to morning with 2 on waking up and now I have had 4 painfree nights and mornings.  I am still getting twinges in my head during the day but no major shadowing.  My cycle started out worse than ever and was kicking my butt from day one with 1-2:30 am wake up call and then 4 HAs.  Anyway, I'm not even sure which of the things I am taking is doing the trick, maybe it is the combination but I only take the verapamil at night (I tried taking it in the day and could not handle it but taking it at night I find I don't have any side effects.)
Anyway, thank you guys for all the tips.  My doctor told me to wait 2 full weeks past the point of have ANY head pain (twinges, shadows, etc.) to stop taking the verapamil--my cycles are 3 1/2 mos long so I guess I have a ways to go.  Hope this lasts.

Oh...my headache doc told me I could go up higher on the verap but I haven't had to.  I think the combo of the 3 things is helping.

I've had similar results with the melatonin and verapamil combo.  3 pf weeks with only a couple of nights interrupted.  Considering this is my most gruesome cycle I've ever withstood, a great light it is at the end of the tunnel.  I think there might be something to the verap/melatonin mix.

Jared,

That is so great that you are having such good results with that combination.  I was so depressed when my cycle started out b/c I couldn't believe the frequency of HAs which was definitely going to increase--I know what you mean by light at the end of the tunnel.  It is such a relief for now to have this painfree time--keep waiting for the HAs to break through but as of now this really seems to be doing the trick.  Hope you continue with the good results!

That is fantastic news for both of you  [smiley=shore.gif]  Nothing like some good news to lift the mood!!   Keeping my fingers crossed for you both that your cycles are finally coming to an end.  Woohoo!

Thanks Kate!  Can't complain--had a HA break through when I woke up today but went away fast with O2.  So guess they're not gone completely but I'll take the sleep.  Hope your cycle goes away soon--what a relief it will be for all of us to finally be out of cycle with the beast hopefully gone away for a LONG time!

AWSOME NEWS!!!!

That's the same rule of thumb I use, pain free for 2 weeks, then I start backing off my prevent....keeping 02 close at hand! Great news, sounds like you're winding down! :)

Joe

Thanks Joe--yeah my doc kept reiterating that today to wait a full 2 weeks of no head pain/twinges, hope I'm winding down, usually go 3 1/2 months but sure feels like things are getting a lot better.

Thanks Mikstudie!  Feeling good right now, thankful for sleep!

Amen!!!  I will 2nd that, except for my dog:P  But what can you do, right?