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Alternatives to triptans (Read 2660 times)
Goretex101
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Alternatives to triptans
Jun 27th, 2017 at 5:18pm
 
Hello all !!
I have been watching this forum for info over the last few years due to my cluster headaches issues. I want to thank each and every one of you.. Some useful info to say the least.

I have cluster headaches unlike the amount i have seen others have. I get 1-2 bad ones that last about 7 hours each. They could strike at any time.

Up to this point i usually pound Ibuprofen or excedrin  which dont work, Sometimes taking oxycodone to finally pull down  some of the excruciating pain.. Usually kip7 -10 everytime.

I went a headache specialist recently ., Im getting oxygen and she wrote me Sumatriptan sumavel dose pro. I couldnt get approved and they wanted 1100 for 6 shots.. Cant afford that.. so they gave me the nasal version.

Issue is it has a high reaction rate with other meds im on, And honestly i dont like the overall risk of the medication . Any drug that could cause coma or death no mater how low the risk is not something i want to take. Plus the side effects look to rough for me to want to take it without hospital supervision

Is there any other abortive medication pain killers that will help ??Im on prednisone to break the cycle which will help but i will still get a few headaches in between. What can i ask for that may help besides triptans ?

Any help would be great.
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shooky
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Re: Alternatives to triptans
Reply #1 - Jun 27th, 2017 at 7:45pm
 
Hi Goretex101,

High-flow O2 is highly effective and over 75% of CHers respond to it
Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to Login or Register

You can also try strong coffee and energy drink (should be drank in one sip) that many times abort attacks if you drink them early enough.

Either hot or cold compress (every one respond differently), on the affected area or back of you head may help.

Another option is to have a shot (Lidocaine+steroids) to the occipital nerve in the back of the head. Relatively harmless and works for many.

Good luck!
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jon019
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Re: Alternatives to triptans
Reply #2 - Jun 27th, 2017 at 9:04pm
 
What shooky said ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^!!!!!!!!
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The LARGE print giveth....and the small print taketh away.    Tom Waits
 
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Goretex101
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Re: Alternatives to triptans
Reply #3 - Jun 27th, 2017 at 9:31pm
 
Hey guys
Thanks for the info. The last 3 headaches I had within the last week have killed me and made me scared for the next one.

Already got red bull in the fridge ready to go. As far as ice packs I think they help but the pain is so bad I can't even touch my face to put them on.

My headache Doctor also wrote me Meloxicam , I told her last time all it did was give me upset stomach but that didn't stop her from advising me to take it.

I'm also thinking.. If I get a bad headache .. Go to the emergency room and then administer the nasal spray, So if something happens at least I'll be there already ??


"Pain makes us make bad decisions. Fear of pain is almost as big of a motivator "
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jon019
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Re: Alternatives to triptans
Reply #4 - Jun 27th, 2017 at 10:04pm
 
No...............no........................NO!

...and in case my opinion is unclear: NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

99.99% of clusterheads who have ever been to an ER will tell you....weren't no damn good.
They don't know what ch is.....they don't know how to treat it....they will futz around for a couple
of hours until the hit resolves... BY ITSELF....consider themselves damn good....and the next
clusterhead who comes in will suffer (I've SEEN it!)..........don't do it!

Instead:

Oxygen...Oxygen...Oxygen..............see the link to the left

Energy drinks (caffeine PLUS taurine)...Red Bull is weak in BOTH... get another brand with at least 100 mg caffeine and 1000 mg taurine...........colder the better...drink FAST!

Verapamil....maybe......works for LOTS...did for me.................480 mg/dy is sweet spot for many

Vitamin D3 regimen...simple...cheap....minimal side effects....lots of success for this family...NOTHING TO LOSE....

Best

Jon
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The LARGE print giveth....and the small print taketh away.    Tom Waits
 
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Goretex101
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Re: Alternatives to triptans
Reply #5 - Jun 27th, 2017 at 10:13pm
 
JON I agree fully. Been to the hospital so many times and the best I ever got was Morphine that would knock me out.. Then when I woke up the headache was still there.

Only reason I said ER was because I was scared of the side effects of Sumatriptan. Figured if I had a bad experience they would help..or not lol

What other energy drink would you recommend..Oxygen should be approved within a few days.. As for right now all I have is Methylprednsone to bust up the cluster. It usual lay helps but bring them down but not fully stop.

Thanks for all the info, The Verapamil is the same reason I can't take sumavel or the nasal spray. I take Mirtazxapine for anxiety and run the risk of serotonin syndrome or the ill effects.

I wish I could just take a Tylenol 3 or fioricet and it would help but everything I have tried before tells me nothing will work

I have high hopes for this oxygen !!! Hoping it's a game changer
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jon019
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Re: Alternatives to triptans
Reply #6 - Jun 28th, 2017 at 12:02am
 
Goretex.....

I rag on Red Bull...it's expensive (advertising)...but was the first and therefore deserves respect.

My preferreds include: Monster (most choices)...NOS (best flavor)...and my fav...Wired (which has the highest caffeine/taurine content.) Best used COLD COLD COLD...drank FAST FAST FAST...and only (in my case) half a can needed).

I go to outlet grocery stores....1 16 oz can at $1 or less....divided by two...'tis a deal mon ami.......

Best

Jon

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The LARGE print giveth....and the small print taketh away.    Tom Waits
 
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Mike NZ
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Oxygen rocks! D3 too!


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Re: Alternatives to triptans
Reply #7 - Jun 28th, 2017 at 1:05am
 
Goretex101 wrote on Jun 27th, 2017 at 10:13pm:
Only reason I said ER was because I was scared of the side effects of Sumatriptan. Figured if I had a bad experience they would help..or not lol


Imagine looking at a list of side effects for a car or a plane? You need to take into account how often the side effects can happen.

As others have said, ER is probably about the worst place to be if you're having a CH.

I'd strongly suggest you have a good read of the oxygen page - Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to Login or Register and do practice using it before you get a real CH to abort. It is so much easier figuring it all out when your head is working normally.

Oxygen can be amazing as a game changer when aborting CHs.
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