Pubgirl and I have been PM'ing back and forth on this subject, that we both feel needs to be emphasized.
When a newbie comes in here, we welcome them in (as we should) and most of the time start on the pushing of drugs for preventatives. We also push the oxygen, imitrex, and red bull treatments for abortives.
This is all good, but Pubgirl and I don't think we give ENOUGH information (and YES, I am VERY guilty of this). We talk of (say) verapamil, but we normally do not point out the possible down side to the preventatives: Possibly lengthening the cycle; more severe hits; and some doctors think it is even possible to go chronic from the overuse, or long time use of preventatives. (I am not sure I agree with the last one, but I know some doctors do feel it is possible)
We also do not spend enough time explaining the choice to go preventative free, and how to deal with clusters using just abortives.
Many of us go on without any preventatives, at all, for various reasons. My personal reason is that none of them were making a substantial difference, anymore, so why put all those drugs into my system? Everyone who does go preventative free, has their own reasons, and that is fine. But, each of us that choose to do so, do so with the knowledge to make that descision.
Now, I am not saying anything bad about verapamil, as it got me through many years, pain free, and I don't regret taking it. Did it make me chronic? Who knows. We will never know the answer to that question. All I know, is that when I needed to be pain free, for my family and work, I was able to go that route. Would I go back on it, if it started working again? Probably. Even with all the possible side effects, I would most likely choose to go that route.
BUT, it would be MY choice, WITH full information and knowledge of the risks.
All I am saying (and Wendy, too) is to give the full story about possible down sides to taking the drugs, beyond what is written on the product information sheet. With all the info, from us that have experience and years with dealing with it, they can then make up their OWN mind as to what route to go.
And none of us can condemn them for making an informed decision. They just need the information, in order to make that choice!
Anyhow, it is something to thing about.
Comments or ideas?
(Like I have to ask for them from this group! LOL!)
Chuck (and indirectly Pubgirl)