Posted by Bob P (129.65.46.87) on August 18, 1999 at 11:42:07:
In Reply to: BOARD SURVEY: Drugs of Choice....HELP!(Patients and Medical Professionals please respond) posted by DocA(Barbs Husband) on August 18, 1999 at 01:51:53:
Narcotic & derivatives have never helped (Fiorinal/codiene, darvocette, vicodin).
Efcaf/cafergot for each HA, inhaler is fast but not made anymore, sublingual good, tablets ok. I use 2mg tabs for ecah HA and ignore the not more than 10/wk limit. Have taken up to 30/wk, only sides are cold fingers & toes.
Inderal - beta blocker for maint - no effect
Verapamil for maint - 360 mg/day - limited effect, may reduce frequency & severity of attacks.
Amatrip.. (Elavil) - maint. - 50mg at bed time, so groggy next day couldn't function, reduced to 25mg - ne effect, however a guy I know who had CH started using it nad has had complete relief for over 6 years now.
Indocine - maint. - 150mg/day - no effect
Sansert - maint - only took for a couple of days at end of cluster, Dr wouldn't perscribe for next cluster because of possible side effects.
Prednisone - maint - low daily dose, put on 30 pounds, no effect. If I tried it again I'd try the prednisone taper method.
Lidocaine nasal spray - for each attack - temp. numbs pain in sinus area and allows ercaf time to work - limited success
Exercise - squats at onset of headache - aborted 60+ headaces within 10 minutes
O2 - only used once near end of cluster - didn't give it a good enough trial.
That's the extent of my trials. Hope it helps. Last cluster I used verapamil - 360mg/day, ercaf tablets, lidocaine nasal spray & squats at onset of each headache with pretty good success.
Luv you guys,
Bob P