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Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Getting to Know Ya >> Need Help ... First Cycle in 2 Yrs. NOthing Works http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1219455804 Message started by RollTide87 on Aug 22nd, 2008 at 9:43pm |
Title: Need Help ... First Cycle in 2 Yrs. NOthing Works Post by RollTide87 on Aug 22nd, 2008 at 9:43pm
I posted on here a couple of years ago and was doing quite well til this past spring and then wham. I have been having clusters pretty regularly since May. Sometimes 4 and 5 times a day. The neuro ... a new hotshot and world expert thinks I may be going chronic has had me on Prednisone, Verapamil, and Topomax. Now just Prednisone and Verapamil. The last few days I'm down to one or two a day. I've had CH since 1985 (starting at 19 yrs old). So now I'm 43. For the last 15 years I've been having them every other year and in the winter. Cycles usually last 4 months. Now this year ... the summer. Bummer. I'm ready to try something different. Help? And Roll Tide!
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Title: Re: Need Help ... First Cycle in 2 Yrs. NOthing Works Post by blawrence on Aug 22nd, 2008 at 10:11pm
I'm so sorry your here and I hope you feel better soon but I don't hear you saying anything about Oxygen? Do you have it? I'm not a CH myself my hubby is but his O2 is the first thing he grabs? I've read that Red Bull helps in a pinch.
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Title: Re: Need Help ... First Cycle in 2 Yrs. NOthing Works Post by Guiseppi on Aug 22nd, 2008 at 10:14pm
If those are the only meds you're using we can provide LOTS of help!
First, get oxygen. A high flow regulator, at least 15 LPM flow, a Non Re Breather mask, start huffing it at the first sign of an attack. I can abort in less then 10 minutes that way. Have you tried slamming energy drinks at the beginning of an attack? Monster, Rock Star, any containing the combo of caffeine and taurine. Many can abort or substantially reduce a hit that way. Have you tried imitrex injectables or nasal sprays? A little pricey but when all else fails it'll stop an attack for me. (The injectable, I haven't tried the nasal spray but have read success stories by many who have) If the verapamil and topomax aren't working any more, give lithium a try as a preventative medication. I take 1200 mg a day while on cycle, blocks 80% of my attacks. Takes about 10-14 days to get up and running in my system, I use a prednisone taper during that time to hold the beast at bay. Lots of reading for you to do to get caught up on what's working these days. Hope we can catch you a break! Guiseppi edited again...yeah...still can't spell |
Title: Re: Need Help ... First Cycle in 2 Yrs. NOthing Works Post by CH Keith on Aug 23rd, 2008 at 8:52am
Our cycles sound similar except I'm a summer cycler every two years. When I used the verapamil it took a couple weeks to kick in, but when I stopped taking it, they came right back a week or two after.
I tried the energy drink suggestion and was surprised, not only that it worked, but how quickly. I didn't get a hold of the O2 until the end of this cycle, but I have to think that it's worth a try. Best of luck to you. |
Title: Re: Need Help ... First Cycle in 2 Yrs. NOthing Works Post by thebbz on Aug 26th, 2008 at 1:40pm
Try some readng here, believe it or not it works.
clusterbusters.com all the best thebb |
Title: Re: Need Help ... First Cycle in 2 Yrs. NOthing Works Post by Batch on Aug 26th, 2008 at 11:26pm
Have you tried oxygen therapy at 15 liters/minute?
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