Posted by Mike on October 08, 1998 at 15:49:12:
I have been getting cluster headaches for about 15 years. I usually move into a pattern every 2 years and they last 2-4 weeks. Tretament has been to administer steroids to break the pattern and use of injectable Imitrex until the pattern is over. This has worked fine the last 2 episodes. The latest pattern began in mid-August. My doctor prescribed steroids as usual, but adfter 2 weeks the headaches were still continuing. I also used Imitrex which has been 100% successful in stopping individual headaches within 15 minutes of onset. I have been getting headaches daily at approx. 1:00 am. and have been using injectable Imitrex almost daily. I recently went to refill the prescription and was informed that the insurance company was limiting reimbursment to 6 doses a month. I panicked and then did some research. Apparently the regular use of Imitrex can cause rebound headaches and continue the cylce. could this be why the steroids haven't worked? Is the nasal version of Imitrex as successful as the injectable? ANyone have any ideas or aware of another potential therapy to interrupt the pattern.