I'm up to 300mg/day Topamax with 120 Verapamil. The daily migraines are gone, and the evening/overnight/morning constant cluster pain is gone. I have been getting a few hits that are about 20-30 minutes 2-3 times a day, but they are very mild, and very distinct, as I can actually feel them now, since all the other extraneous pains are finally gone. I'm talking to the doc again today, one last time, about taking his advice of going the final distance and kicking the Beast's butt with 400mg of Topamax and finally getting this done. I figure, based on past experience (no guarantee of future performance), a good 3-4 weeks of that, and I should be out of the woods. I'm happy that I actually had a night last night with no pain, other than a single hit that was very mild, and was able to sleep on my right side for once without my head exploding. There is hope, it seems. Thanks, all.

Great news, Mike! I, too, had a full night's sleep without a single hit. Something to celebrate, to be sure. It makes facing the morning shootout a little easier. I also understand the relief that comes from "only feeling CH" pain, as bad as that is, without compounding attacks. Keep up the good work, and God bless. lance

That's great news Mike, you've had a tough go round this cycle. Good luck with whichever direction you take.

Joe

UPDATE: Doc called back, and we're sticking with 300mg (doesn't want to push it too hard). I'm going to clear the field and cut out the red bull (been hitting it a little too much). Make sure I only use what I absolutely need, since this was such a long hard cycle, I've been really reliant on my fall-back stuff, like sumavel, red-bull, cambia, etc. So, I'm going to stick with the 300mg, use my 15mg of (what's it called again, to help me sleep at night, my brain is foggy????), and just aspirin for regular headaches if I get any. Also going to cut out any excess caffeine, and keep the excercise going to keep the oxygen intake high.

use my 15mg of (what's it called again, to help me sleep at night, my brain is foggy????),

Melatonin? ;)

Joe

Yes, Joe. Melatonin. thanks. I really am foggy. It's insane, I have simple words on the end of my tongue all the time, and they just won't come out. End of month 3 of this cycle. Seems it won't end. Plus, you have to consider it will take 7-8 weeks to taper from the Topamax!!!