Posted by KJ on April 19, 1999 at 12:26:45:
I have been suffering from cluster headaches since 1990. For nine years, my headaches were controlled by a ten day blast of Prednisone and continuous Verapimal. Last summer, for some reason, my headaches began disrespecting all medications. After two ten day blasts of Prednisone and no indication of an end to my cycle, my neurologist tried Lithium, Lidocaine, Depakote, and Amitrityline, all with no results. Of course during the entire time, I was on Imitrex to abort. After approximately 9 weeks in the same cycle and the failure of Imitrex to maintain its vitality, my doctor "called in the big guns" as he put it. I was placed in the hospital for 6 days and put on a medication called D.H.E. Basically, the patient simply sits there and gets this medication intravenously for 6 straight days. What a nightmare, but, as you all know, I was willing to try anything. It worked. Thank God because I don't know what I would have done if it hadn't.
Has anyone had such an immunity to meds after having the meds work before and if so, what happened during the next episode? My headaches are due back in July.