Posted by Mike (64.12.102.44) on November 28, 2000 at 05:12:08:
I'm 47 years old and am just getting over my first episode of cluster headaches in 11 years - the first since I quit smoking cigarettes (I was about 25 when I had my first episode). After an abortive attempt at using Celebrex to treat them, my family physician started me on 180mg of the calcium channel blocker Cardizem (Cartia XT) once a day. Based upon my own research (including this site), I was skeptical and would have preferred to try Verapamil. However, by the 9th day on Cardizem I knew that I was over this episode. Perhaps it was just time for them to end (to the best of my recollection my episodes have never lasted more than three weeks or so) but maybe Cardizem should be given the credit. By the way, my worst day was when I had 5 nocturnal headaches then 2 the following day just after starting Cardizem, but slamming 60mg of Prednisone all at once brought immediate relief after which I had no more than one a day while taking 40mg of Prednisone daily. I hope my experiences will be of some interest. I really appreciated finding this Web site. It was a big help to me.