Prednisolone/Prednisone – Alternatives to Triptans
Question:
Lise, I certainly can’t advise you on what meds to take. But I’m in status myself right now and I do take Fioracet and Vicodin along with my steroids. The best person to ask would be the doc or nurse. There seems to be a lot of people in status right now. Someone suggested it may have something to do with the low pressure from the hurricaines. I don’t have any idea. But it sounds reasonable. I hope you get some releif. Sugar – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All, I’ve been lurking here for a year or so … compared to what some of you folks go through, my HA’s are chump change. However, I did get a nasty migraine last week that lasted for 3 days, flip-flopping from one side of my head to the other, and included weakness, nausea and vomiting. It didn’t respond to Maxalt, or Imitrex, so the Nurse Practitioner at the Neuro’s office prescribed a 6 day regimen of 4 mg. prednisolone, 6 the first day, 5 the second day, and so forth until finally taking one on the last day. So far, it’s worked great, no more migraine! But, I do have a heck of a tension headache. Is it bad to take fioricet when taking a steroid? I have avoided taking anything, even aspirin or ibu, while on this course of medication. Strangely enough, fioricet doesn’t work for migraines, but a couple of tablets will take care of a tension headache. Aspirin and ibu do not work at all for non-migraine headaches, though I do try them first to see if they will help. Exedrin Extra-Strength/Migraine do help, but wreak havoc on my stomach. Any thoughts? Is it not advisable to take fioricet while on prednisolone? Thanks, Lise PS I’m going to make an appt. with the Neuro next week to discuss migraine abortives, seems that Imitrex makes me sicker than the migraine, and Maxalt makes me feel ill as well, though not to the degree that Imitrex does, and it doesn’t always work. What are some alternatives? — Lise Bargardo Serials Cataloger UNH Library Durham, NH (603) 862-1194
– L
Response:
Hi All, I’ve been lurking here for a year or so … compared to what some of you folks go through, my HA’s are chump change. However, I did get a nasty migraine last week that lasted for 3 days, flip-flopping from one side of my head to the other, and included weakness, nausea and vomiting. It didn’t respond to Maxalt, or Imitrex, so the Nurse Practitioner at the Neuro’s office prescribed a 6 day regimen of 4 mg. prednisolone, 6 the first day, 5 the second day, and so forth until finally taking one on the last day. So far, it’s worked great, no more migraine! But, I do have a heck of a tension headache. Is it bad to take fioricet when taking a steroid? I have avoided taking anything, even aspirin or ibu, while on this course of medication. Strangely enough, fioricet doesn’t work for migraines, but a couple of tablets will take care of a tension headache. Aspirin and ibu do not work at all for non-migraine headaches, though I do try them first to see if they will help. Exedrin Extra-Strength/Migraine do help, but wreak havoc on my stomach. Any thoughts? Is it not advisable to take fioricet while on prednisolone? Thanks, Lise PS I’m going to make an appt. with the Neuro next week to discuss migraine abortives, seems that Imitrex makes me sicker than the migraine, and Maxalt makes me feel ill as well, though not to the degree that Imitrex does, and it doesn’t always work. What are some alternatives? — Lise Bargardo Serials Cataloger UNH Library Durham, NH (603) 862-1194
Response:
My docs used the prednisone trick three times on me in the last year and it’s worked every time. My dose ran 60 mg for two days, 40 for two days, and 20 for two days. While this has worked for the really nasty, put me flaton my back for a week HA’s, the doc has warned that this is not a treatment you want to use repeatedly, as it can carry some pretty nasty side effects. All the best!!! 2-Forty Gord – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All, I’ve been lurking here for a year or so … compared to what some of you folks go through, my HA’s are chump change. However, I did get a nasty migraine last week that lasted for 3 days, flip-flopping from one side of my head to the other, and included weakness, nausea and vomiting. It didn’t respond to Maxalt, or Imitrex, so the Nurse Practitioner at the Neuro’s office prescribed a 6 day regimen of 4 mg. prednisolone, 6 the first day, 5 the second day, and so forth until finally taking one on the last day
Response:
Hi Lise, I cannot answer your questions about mixing your drugs with steriods…you should probably give a call to your doctor. I can suggest another abortive though, Migranal NS works well for me. You have to take it early in the migraine or it only takes the edge off. Lynne Lise PS I’m going to make an appt. with the Neuro next week to discuss migraine abortives, seems that Imitrex makes me sicker than the migraine, and Maxalt makes me feel ill as well, though not to the degree that Imitrex does, and it doesn’t always work. What are some alternatives? — Lise Bargardo
Lynne **I don’t suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it.** Delete the junk from my address to email me.
Response:
Just thought I should share something my doctor has been discussing with me. She is considering Vasculitis as a possible cause for my headaches/migraines. I do not know exactly what it is yet, but she did suggest that we would try a medrol dose pack (prednisone/steroid) if my current treatment doesn’t give us good results. She said that if the prednisone works than it’s time to see a rheumatologist to work out a long term treatment plan. If prednisone has worked for you you might want to look into seeing a rheumatologist. Good luck, Lynne My docs used the prednisone trick three times on me in the last year and it’s worked every time. My dose ran 60 mg for two days, 40 for two days, and 20 for two days. While this has worked for the really nasty, put me flaton my back for a week HA’s, the doc has warned that this is not a treatment you want to use repeatedly, as it can carry some pretty nasty side effects. All the best!!! 2-Forty Gord
Lynne **I don’t suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it.** Delete the junk from my address to email me.
Response:
Just thought I should share something my doctor has been discussing with me. She is considering Vasculitis as a possible cause for my
headaches/migraines. I do not know exactly what it is yet, but she did suggest that we would try a medrol dose pack (prednisone/steroid) if my current treatment doesn’t give us good results. She said that if the prednisone works than it’s time to see a rheumatologist to work out a long term treatment plan. If prednisone has worked for you you might want to look into seeing a rheumatologist.
I don’t know about this. My last neuro told me Prednisone will relieve ANY type of headache and is not useful diagnostically, and as we all know is quite dangerous.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just thought I should share something my doctor has been discussing with me. She is considering Vasculitis as a possible cause for my headaches/migraines. I do not know exactly what it is yet, but she did suggest that we would try a medrol dose pack (prednisone/steroid) if my current treatment doesn’t give us good results. She said that if the prednisone works than it’s time to see a rheumatologist to work out a long term treatment plan. If prednisone has worked for you you might want to look into seeing a rheumatologist. I don’t know about this. My last neuro told me Prednisone will relieve ANY type of headache and is not useful diagnostically, and as we all know is quite dangerous.
Prednisone, if used properly isn’t dangerous (unless there are other conditions). But it has, if used for an extened period, some nasty side effects: Moon face (swelling), increased appetite, insomnia..and some others. Prednisone and steroids are a;sp used to treat Lupus, a connective tissue disease, it can be systemic (SLE, sytemic Lupus Eryth…(sp?)) , or DLE (discoid Lupus eryth(sp?) ). Systemic involves organs and joints, discoid involves the skin only (i.e., only topical). So seeing a Rheumy for prednisoe usage generally means some sort of joint problem. Being recommend to a rheumy just because you are on prednisone is very silly! Prednisone can be dangerous if not tapered properly, so should only be done under a doctors care. It’s a very effective drug. I don’t know about the Vasculitis or what that is. But I’d get a definition from the doc, what are you diagnosing me with? And what does that mean. "VAS" says to me, blood vessels but I’m not a doctor. ASK and ask why a rheumy would be the next step! Hubby takes prednisone (a short course of it) to abort cluster headahes, and there’s not mention of a Rheumy involved. I’m not trying to scare you at all, and don’t go looking up stuff. Ask your doctor, before you get worried. :-). When we are uninformed or don’t understand is when we get scared. Stay ontop of if and stay informed 
. Love and hugs and pain free days and nights! — Mary f.~~~ | / /, / |,4- / ‘-~~_ /_ ( ; ) ( ( ) ) (My cats in heat, what’s new with you?)
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just thought I should share something my doctor has been discussing with me. She is considering Vasculitis as a possible cause for my headaches/migraines. I do not know exactly what it is yet, but she did suggest that we would try a medrol dose pack (prednisone/steroid) if my current treatment doesn’t give us good results. She said that if the prednisone works than it’s time to see a rheumatologist to work out a long term treatment plan. If prednisone has worked for you you might want to look into seeing a rheumatologist. I don’t know about this. My last neuro told me Prednisone will relieve ANY type of headache and is not useful diagnostically, and as we all know is quite dangerous.
Sorry, Mr.Dan, As a long time intractable migraine sufferer I have to disagree with this! Many neuros and pain doctors use steroids for HA. I have just come off of 5 days of Decadron for a status HA and can assure you that when I am in status, steroids are the ONLY thing that works. Why do we all "know" that prednisone dangerous? I "know" a lot about chemistry and drugs and I don’t "know" this. ANY drug can be dangerous if it is not used responsibly. For some people (a lot of them severe HA sufferers) the use of steroids in selected situations is a lot less dangerous than the effects of a nontreatable headache! Sugar — L
