Posted by John R (209.240.200.112) on December 26, 1999 at 22:51:48:
In Reply to: An all new high on the Kip scale posted by Carver on December 26, 1999 at 13:09:42:
Never blacked out from a cluster headache. Wished I had a lot of times. I don't think I've ever been above a ten, but I used to use DHE-45 injectibles back 5 years ago or so--before the sublinquals and nasal spray. It works much better than both of those.
If I knew I was going to get a h.a. that night I would inject 1cc into the top of my thigh. Also at onset of headache in the middle of the night. This was during the years that oxygen wasn't working. It would burn a lot and often quite a bit of blood would try to come back out the injection hole--apply direct pressure... But I digress. I used a needle that was at least 1 1/4 inches to make sure it went into the muscle (never did IV).
Later if I did it at bedtime to prevent a headache it still worked, but at onset I had to go up to 2 cc's. About this time my neuro told me she had read that if you mix the DHE with injectible saline 1/2 & 1/2 it doesn't burn as much. That worked so much better.
I can't remember much else about the DHE. Subsequent neuros have shied away from it. I can't remember how often I was allowed to take it or restrictions, interaction, etc.
Sorry to hear about how bad your headaches are.
PFD&N,
John R