Cluster Headache Cured After Taking Isoptin And Deseril. Stopped Deseril And Getting Headache. Any Advice?

Posted on Tue, 29 Jan 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 Answered on

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, I am a 28 year old male who was diagnosed with Cluster Headaches two years ago. To make the cluster attacks stop, i was put on two medications, isoptin 240mg per day and deseril 3mg per day. Once these cluster attacks stopped, i was told to cease taking the Deseril and continue taking the Isoptin to prevent future attacks occurring. Well everything has been fine until last week, where i have had a cluster headache attack everyday for the past 9 days. I am now getting them 3 times a day. I started taking the deseril medication 5 days ago but it has had no effect. I was told the Isoptin medication that i have been taking everyday for the past two years was meant to stop these attacks occurring. Are you able to offer any advice on what i should do as i need these attacks to stop desperately. Thanks for your time. XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (-3 hours later)

Hi,

Thank you for posting your query.

I can understand the discomfort you are facing on account of daily severe headaches.

For headaches to stop, following are the options:

1. Tablet Sumatriptan
2. Inj Sumatriptan (can be given in ER)
3. Oxygen therapy- inhalation of 100% oxygen through a mask (can be done in ER setting)

For prevention of cluster headaches, in addition to Isoptin, following other medications may be used:

1. Steroids- prednisolone tablets
2. Lithium carbonate tablets
3. Divalproex sodium tablets.

Please discuss these treatments with your doctor.

Wishing you good health,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar