Posted by Todd (12.86.212.43) on January 14, 2002 at 07:34:17:
First off, I'm really glad that my poor Wife found this site for me...She's been going nuts! Looks like I have good company with matching stories to boot. I'm 36 years old and have been recently diagnosed with the Clusters. These things kick my ass! Now that I look back, I've probably been suffering from them for about 20 years on and off. For all these years, I've been under the impression they were sinus related headaches, and would go to the Doctor requesting antibiotics...HA! This recent bout is the absolute worst I've ever had with them coming on more frequently and stronger every time. Ever see a 6'6", 300lb "Manly-Man" cry like a baby? That would be me. I've got a few questions for anyone out there that may know more than me (which is probably everyone). 1)I've had these for about (2) weeks now and they seem to be occuring on a more frequent basis (started out with one every other day and now I'm getting them as much as 4 times a day anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours per bout) Is this typical? 2)Typically, how long will this last...weeks, months, years? 3)I know that Alcohol and Caffeine can trigger them, but what about Smoking? TREATMENT: The Doc gave me trials of the following 100mg Imatrex tabs, Axert (almotriptan malate tabs), 10mg Maxzlt-mlt(rizatriptan benzoate dissolving tabs).
QUESTIONS: 4)The dissolving Maxalt tabs seem worthless, so I end up combining them with the Axert of Imatrex. No side effects yet, but is this dangerous? 5)I've also been exceding the reccomended dosage for all meds, again no side affects, but is this this also dangerous? 6)The Axert and Imatrex seem to work ok but besides these drugs, are there any others that semm to be more efficient?
MY OWN TREATMENT: Due to the fact that I have used up all of these trial meds and am awaiting a precription, I had the wife pick up a bottle of Excedrin Migraine tabs as well as a bottle of Iburprofen. Over the course of the last (3) bouts, I pop (2) Excedrin and 800mg of Ibuprofen. I do this at the first sign of onset and to my surprise, the bout goes away within 10-15 minutes. I'm hoping this will work in the future and is not just a circumstance thing. I really look forward to hearing answers to some of these questions and I hope there's romm in this club for one more!
Sincerely,
Todd Morse