Has anyone ever been prescribed prednisone to knock out a cycle?

My last cycle was 1.5 years ago and now I am starting again.  The doctor just put me on Prednisone.

I take Verapamil 180 (maximum dosage) and when I get a headache I use MAXALT to halt it.  That ususally works in about 20 minutes.

Thanks!  I'll read the threads you suggested.  I have never been prescribed Prednisone before.  Sorry about the misinformation... I actually take 180 mg of Verapamil 3x a day (one dose in the am and two before bed) so a total of 540 mg. and my doctor says that is the maximum he wants me to take.

I have never really tried any other treatments because Verapmil has been effective so far in helping to give me pretty big gaps between cycles. for the past 6 years I have had only 3 cycles...now starting the 4th cycle since 2006.  Before 2006 I had many more cycles while I tried to get the doasage of Verapamil right.

The Prednisone I am on now is 40mg/day for a week.

Pred should knock out attacks within a couple of days. IF it doesn't, that a sign that starting over at a high dose is indicated. Effective starting dose ranges from 40 to 100mg.

Just your learning, print out the PDF file, below. It's a good tool to use to discuss options with the doc.

I am on a prednisone taper right now plus a low dose of Verapamil to titrate up over the weeks. I've taken it before for regular migraine cycles and it's been effective. It's not doing much for this cluster headache stuff though.

I'm coming to the end of my 60 mg Pred taper with 480 mg Verapamil ER.

I'm usually PF after a day or two, but when the Pred runs out, I'm either right bcak to where I was or the Verap has kicked in and holds the beast a bay for a while.

Jamie,
I started the thread.  I have been taking Verapamil ER (180mg 3X/day) for about 10 years.  I have been a cluster sufferer for about 16 years.  I am now 44.  My cycles were much worse/frequent before I was able to get on a good dosage of Verapamil in 2006.  I was up to three a day and the doc wanted to try to see if I could taper off a bit and as soon as I did I started with a cycle.

Verapamil is a vaso-diolator used primarily for controlling high blood pressure.  I have never had high blood pressure (usually mine is low) and so I was hesitant at first to try it.  My doctor told me about 10 years ago that it was being used with lots of success to treat cluster headaches.  I went right on it and played around with dosages until I got one that worked to keep me pain free for longer periods of time.  I have had time where 2 years have gone by without a cycle.  It doesn't keep them away for good for most people, but I do believe that for me, being on it has decreased the intensity, length and frequency of my cycles.

I hope things are going well and that you are able to discuss it with your doctor.

60-80 mg to start for me of pred. I can't imagine 30 mg doing much good. Doesn't ever kill a cycle for me, just buys some PF days. Being chronic they start over when the taper is down to about 30mg.

Nasty stuff. Shuts down your body's natural steroid production. Can compromise immune system. Must be tapered when discontinuing to give your body's natural steroid production a chance to restart. I realize this is basic info for most, but worth repeating.

I found a conversion calculator - Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or - and 28 mgs of methylprednisolone is equal to 35 mgs of prednisone - not really high enough to break a cycle, I'm going to ask for a higher taper next time -

Hello again.  I was on prednisone and taper for about 3 weeks... back in January.  The cycle got knocked out and I have been pain free up until 4 days ago when I started with one mild headache each day. By "mild" I  mean "not nearly as severe as what I am used to."    Although my cluster cycles usually start out weaker and intensify and then get weaker again toward the end of the cycle. I'm taking Maxalt to halt the headaches. 
I'm trying to decide if I should call the doctor.  I will need to call him to get more Maxalt soon.  But I don't want to go back on prednisone again.  Although I will go on it if I can get relief...especially if the clusters get stronger.  I'm just worried now that I'm starting to get cycles more frequently after I had been having such success.  My last cycle before this past January was in May 2010.

I also realized that both this cycle and the one back in January started right after I had a cold with lots of nasal congestion.  I don't take decongestants as I think they trigger clusters for me.  I did take Zicam.  Not sure if there is a link between clusters and zinc.

Should I just go back on the Prednisone if this cycle doesn't quit soon and he wants to put me on it again????   

I discussed oxygen with my doctor today and just finished my first SUCCESSFUL O2 abort...it took 11 minutes for full abort... 20 minute treatment (6L) started treatment at the first signs of attack. 

Going to keep at this and increase my vitamin D3 again, based on the fact that my blood tests were normal when I was on 6000 IU.  Hope to avoid going on Prednisone.