So I'm currently on the Verapamil as well as tapering off the prednisone at 5mg intervals every 3rd day. Just a question though, while in full swing I was still have my 2 episodes a day on the prednisone and Verapamil ? Did it do anything ? I am wondering if I can wean off prednisone a bit quicker ? I'm starting to dislike the side effects from it. I am a 29yo male in really good shape, no other health concerns, good blood pressure. Ok here's the other thing I'm about 4 weeks into my cycle an di have managed to go 2-3 days without an attack still followed by a 4AM hit on the 3rd day, now I'm down from my usually 2 a day but does anybody else have the same down cycle ? In the past I know the maximum I have had my cycle fopr has been about 5 weeks, then PF for 2 years. Any comments on both would be greatly suggested. O2 has been my saviour !

I took preds and verapamil my last cycle.  like you i was painfree for 1 or 2 days on preds then hits back to normal.  Got a shot in my butt of preds after that - nothing( meaning didn't touch the HA).  then started on the verapamil ( 660 mg)  and within a week hits dropped off.  No hits after 2 weeks .   Still shadowed at my usual times   4 or 5 pm and then 9 pm   , probably had a couple kip 3's  if that-  but no problem as compared to before the verapamil.   Red bull and coffee could kill them.

I started at 480 mg of verapamil then neuro added another dose of 180.   Not sure if it extended my cycle , but this past cycle was about 12-13 weeks -  ( past cycles were killed with preds alone in 2 weeks).  Also I had 4 year breaks in between cycles

At any rate- I'll do it all over again when next cycle comes - preds, verapamil, triptans , O2( I'll get a valve with a higher flow rate this time though)  

How many mg of verap are you on and how long have you been on it?

Kelly

Prednison produces awful side effects. Ask your doc for faster tapering and to increase Verapamil (if your blood pressure stands).

BTW greetings from the old country

PF,

Steve

Sorry for not updating sooner, tapering off prednisone 5mg faster per day almost done, tried melatonin the other night at 12mg before bed, slept like a baby all the way through, got hit hard last night and this morning. Refilled my O2 today, O2 seems to be taking a bit longer to abort I thin due to my cheap mask, couldnt find a rebreather type, but it still works. Anyways enough of me being selfish, im sure there are others suffering worse thann me !!

I dont understand Is there anyone who wakes up with them? and they last all day then in a week u have another thats been my cycle?
Your eye hurts like a b@tch and If u lay your head on the pillow it hurts and u feel like on one side of your head is being crushed and u can fell the vessel in your head pulsating?

hi, i am new to these headaches, this is my second week, everynight when i fall asleep, the damn thing wakes me. i tried the rock star energy drink as soon as i felt it coming on. it worked. it stopped the pain almost instantly.

Hi Kelly,
I know you are tapering off the pred faster, but don't do that in the future without your doc telling you to. Pred has some bad effects on your body, and tapering off too fast can cause problems. It sucks taking it, as we all know, but it helps kick the hits while your preventative kicks in.

Have you tried an energy drink, like Red Bull, or Rock Star? They have taurine and caffeine in them, the caffeine helps, the taurine makes the caffeine work much better. It will kill shadows and maybe a hit, or take the edge off, if you chug one down.

You need to find a doc who knows about CH. Preferably a neuro. Don't increase or decrease your meds without your doc telling you to, the meds we take can be dangerous, and it's important to work with your doc.

Bob Johnson has some good links for material to print out to take to your doc, and the OUCH website has some great info too.

Check your PM's.