I have to start of by saying that I have never ever tried any medication. I fear the side effects and for the last 4 rounds I have had I just suffered through. every 5 years for 3 months. I peak at about 8 a day (lasting 20 mins to 1 1/2 hours) a day. I do that for about 2 weeks and start the downward slope.
I don't know if it was because I am older. They were harsher or I just couldn't do it anymore but I couldn't just suffer through them this time. I was starting to get depressed. Feeling helpless and thinking I just couldn't take it anymore. So they started with steroids (i did get a referral to a neurologist, he can get me in around xmas). Anyways so 60 mg a day for 10 days then the taper starts. The headaches were much better from day one. They still came but much weaker. After 10 days they completely stopped. I started my taper concerned that they would return but they didn't. Until 24 hours after stopping the steroids. I was down to 1-3 a day by this point. And they started the Verapamil. Low dose of 120mg. Once a day. Also, I got some oxygen tanks (that was harder than I would have expected) I am almost positive I can find heroin easier than oxygen but let me tell you. It was worth it. Best thing I have ever tried for these terrible headaches. So 2 weeks in with the verapmil and I schedule another appointment because I am thinking we need to up the dose There was absolutely no relief. I make the appointment and a few days later I am in. Only by now. They headaches are so weak that I just lay down for a few minutes and they go away. So we didn't end up upping the dosage but decided to wait it out. Now three weeks in and I can feel the pain on the side of my head. No eye pain or jaw pain (which I get pretty bad) and they are so mild that I don't even notice them half the time. So officially 5 days headache free. I am going to take the verapimil for the next two months and then taper off. Fingers crossed that they don't return but I can say I will never try and "suffer" through these again.
