Okay...so my husband's been taking Maxalt since his first cycle last year; and this is only his 2nd cycle so I don't know if it even applies; but for the past 4 days his heart has been racing on & off & being very irregular. The doctor took him off of Maxalt to see if that's the cause...which sucks because now he has not even a little relief (the Max at least would sometimes bring it down a little; it was hit or miss though).

My question is has anyone else had this happen to them & what did you do about it? We're working on the oxygen route right now. Thanks so much!

Izzy wrote on Oct 17^th, 2008 at 7:48pm:

Okay...so my husband's been taking Maxalt since his first cycle last year; and this is only his 2nd cycle so I don't know if it even applies; but for the past 4 days his heart has been racing on & off & being very irregular. The doctor took him off of Maxalt to see if that's the cause...which sucks because now he has not even a little relief (the Max at least would sometimes bring it down a little; it was hit or miss though). My question is has anyone else had this happen to them & what did you do about it? We're working on the oxygen route right now. Thanks so much!

Well, I can't use triptans because I have small vessel disease of the brain, along with complicated/basiliar artery migraine.This means if I take them, it's liable to make me keel over. Stroke, Coma, death, etc.

So, my abort will be oxygen... when I can get it (Medicaid is being a pain.) Right now, I'd suggest you try the Water X3 while you wait for the oxygen.

A lot of people use vigorous excercise as an abort, or to help draw blood away from the head. You could try ice packs, too. Some other people might have other ideas for you...

You may also consider trying Kilowatt3's formula and see if that helps him any...

Good Luck and PF wishes~
Mystina


Edited to add: Here's a list of things people say may help from OUCH.
START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE I tried the phenergan thing, it didn't work for me, just made my tongue numb.

Pixie-elf wrote on Oct 18^th, 2008 at 2:27am:

[quote author=1D2E2E2D540 link=1224287305/0#0 date=1224287305] Right now, I'd suggest you try the Water X3 while you wait for the oxygen. A lot of people use vigorous excercise as an abort, or to help draw blood away from the head. You could try ice packs, too. Some other people might have other ideas for you...You may also consider trying Kilowatt3's formula and see if that helps him any...Edited to add: Here's a list of things people say may help from OUCH. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE I tried the phenergan thing, it didn't work for me, just made my tongue numb.

Thanks Mystina!

Will try the Wx3 method; I suspect he is probably dehydrated at any rate; more water can't hurt. :)

We tried the exercise abort & it make him puke; so that's a no go.

Icepacks are part of the routine now, he finds some relief in them. The other day he tried an ice bath & that really helped to kill it faster than normal; not really an abort but it was a shorter episode.

We are in the process of getting Kilowatt's stuff to try out the formula; just ordered it a few days ago though. Will let you know how it goes.

Yah I've been reading the OUCH site stuff & came across that like 20 minutes ago; I will go through it & see. Thanks again!

Should the doc order him off this class of meds, have this printed out and ask for a trial. Number of us have had excellent response with the advantages of pill dosing and a lower per dose cost.
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Headache 2001 Sep;41(8):813-6  

Olanzapine as an Abortive Agent for Cluster Headache.

Rozen TD.

Department of Neurology, Jefferson Headache Center/Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate olanzapine as a cluster headache abortive agent in an open-label trial. BACKGROUND: Cluster headache is the most painful headache syndrome known. There are very few recognized abortive therapies for cluster headache and fewer for patients who have contraindications to vasoconstrictive drugs. METHODS: Olanzapine was given as an abortive agent to five patients with cluster headache in an open-label trial. The initial olanzapine dose was 5 mg, and the dose was increased to 10 mg if there was no pain relief. The dosage was decreased to 2.5 mg if the 5-mg dose was effective but caused adverse effects. To be included in the study, each patient had to treat at least two attacks with either an effective dose or the highest tolerated dose. RESULTS: Five patients completed the investigation (four men, one woman; four with chronic cluster, one with episodic cluster). Olanzapine reduced cluster pain by at least 80% in four of five patients, and two patients became headache-free after taking the drug. Olanzapine typically alleviated pain within 20 minutes after oral dosing and treatment response was consistent across multiple treated attacks. The only adverse event was sleepiness. CONCLUSIONS: Olanzapine appears to be a good abortive agent for cluster headache. It alleviates pain quickly and has a consistent response across multiple treated attacks. It appears to work in both episodic and chronic cluster headache.



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Olanzapine has a brand name of "Zyprexa" and is a antipsychotic. Don't be put off by this primary usage. Several of the drugs used to treat CH are cross over applications, that is, drugs approved by the FDA for one purpose which are found to be effective with unrelated conditions--BJ.

THANKS! I will show this to the doc in the morning. Antpees don't worry me...not with my background. It's worth checking out. Thanks again!