Steroids should never be used as the sole treatment or for long peiods. Any doc who does so is decades out of touch.

Print the PDF file, below.

The first line approach: steriod, 80-100mg/day, tapering off 10mg/day about every 2nd day; at the same time, starting a long term preventive (the PDF article) which reduces/prevents attacks for the long haul; and using an abortive for any attacks which sneak thru.

If you don't have a skilled doc, we urge finding a headache specialist, if at all possib.
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LOCATING HEADACHE SPECIALIST

1. Yellow Pages phone book: look for "Headache Clinics" in the M.D. section and look under "neurologist" where some docs will list speciality areas of practice.

2.  Call your hospital/medical center. They often have an office to assist in finding a physician. You may have to ask for the social worker/patient advocate.

3. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or ; On-line screen to find a physician.

4. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or Look for "Physician Finder" search box. They will send a list of M.D.s for your state.I suggest using this source for several reasons: first, we have read several messages from people who, even seeing neurologists, are unhappy with the quality of care and ATTITUDES they have encountered; second, the clinical director of the Jefferson (Philadelphia) Headache Clinic said, in late 1999, that upwards of 40%+ of U.S. doctors have poor training in treating headache and/or hold attitudes about headache ("hysterical female disorder") which block them from sympathetic and effective work with the patient; third, it's necessary to find a doctor who has experience, skill, and a set of attitudes which give hope of success. This is the best method I know of to find such a physician.

5. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or NEW certification program for "Headache Medicine" by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties, an independent, non-profit, professional medical organization.
        Since this is a new program, the initial listing is limited and so it should be checked each time you have an interest in locating a headache doctor.
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I've never seen a post linking the two, but as I've learned with the beast, anything is possible! Steroids are a VERY popular transition med, and for a very small minority, even a way to abort the cycles. My guess would be it's coincidence and not causation, but strictly a guess!

Joe