Posted by Sonya Banna on September 05, 1998 at 02:01:18:
In Reply to: Next Step posted by Rick on September 04, 1998 at 22:01:00:
Dapokote does work, but it takes a couple of
weeks to work. NO.... this didn't keep your
clusters from happening... it did shorten your
cycle. Average cycle can be a 8 week to 12 week
ordeal. Two years ago, it went for 4 months.
Okay, this is what my neuro said. Next year, he
will try Dapokote first. Since I would have to
stop Verapamil and suffer anyway, the best thing
he could do for me is to UP MY VERAPAMIL. I think
you can take up to 4 - 180 mg tablets. BUT check
with your doctor because of the side affects of
low blood pressure and such, I am maxed out on
only half of the normal dosage. I take one at
night and one in the morning. And I too, usually
use my Oxygen tank. OH YEAH... BIG STUFF. I was
give 60 mg of Steriods for 6 days, then 50 mg
for 5 days and 40 mg for 4 days. This seems to
give my system the boost to throw these over.
It works pretty well so far. We tried this two
years ago too. It bought me some time ... and any
relief is sweet relief. I also try doing this.
I take my Verapamil ... then I go on my Oxygen tank
and even stay on my O2 tank for an entire 3 hour
attack. This way, no more meds. But sometimes,
I break down, take an Imitrex pill of only 25 mg
and then stay on my Oxygen tank for 20 minutes
while the pill is becoming affective. For about
8 hours ... I stay cluster free. Then my neuro
would SLOWLY bump up my Verapamil. I don't know
what I will do next either. He gave me DHE Spray
I think called also MITIGAN SPRAY. Good luck
and let us know what you do and how it works.
I will be watching so that I may have another
plan. Maybe next year, start with Depokote.
That's what my neuro will do. But... you will
need weekly blood tests. I did great on only
1,000 mg of Depokote. But, lost hair three months
later from it. But... it grew back.
SONYA http://members.abilnet.com/bbanna/