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VickiG	Mar-07-01, 11:33 AM (CMT)
"Rebound from cafergot"
I have a question about my mother this time. She, like I, has a constant migraine that has been there since she was a child. She and I both realize that she is getting rebound from her cafergot suppositories. Unfortunately, her neurologist, who I happen to know from experience isn't the most responsible doctor, doesn't seem to believe in rebound and told her that as long as she doesn't take more than a full suppository a day, she's fine. She's taking almost that much every single day and knows that she is taking way more than is healthy for her. The problem is that she's a teacher and can't miss the amount of school she'd have to miss if she went off the cafergot right now, so she is just taking more and more of the stuff and waiting until summer. That means she really can't get sufficient relief from her headaches because she's just rebounding constantly. This morning I got an email from my father, telling me that my mom is really concerned that this much cafergot could cause a stroke, but she doesn't think she can get off it right now because of school. My dad asked me to do some research and find out how great the risk of that is and what the warning signs would be if that's about to happen. Does anyone have any input here? Can too much cafergot cause a stroke? Any suggestions on how she can get off the cafergot, perhaps before summer without missing all that school? Are there drugs that she can take to help her get off it? I imagine that if she were to ask her doctor for those drugs, he'd give them to her because he is, in my opinion, too free with the medicine (he gave me several without monitoring them properly, sending me to the ER a couple times, which I why I left him). I'd appreciate any advice anyone has.
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Cafergot, Christa, Mar-07-01, (1) RE: Cafergot, Norma, Mar-07-01, (2) RE: Rebound from cafergot, ejvill, Mar-07-01, (3) RE: Rebound from cafergot, gvanbeek, Mar-07-01, (4) RE: Rebound from cafergot, VickiG, Mar-07-01, (5) RE: Rebound from cafergot, karncy, Mar-10-01, (6) RE: Rebound from cafergot, tmensink, Mar-11-01, (7) RE: Rebound from cafergot, maza-gu-su, Mar-12-01, (8)

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Christa	Mar-07-01, 12:26 PM (CMT)
1. "Cafergot"
LAST EDITED ON Mar-07-01 AT 12:58 PM (CMT) Vicki: I just read something about this exact subject. I will go hunting around to see if I can find the article again, but this is the info I remember. I think it was from the Drs. Files page at www.pain.com. And they answered a question about daily use of Cafergot. They said that it is not for daily use and can be dangerous if used that way. I don't want to alarm you any more than you already are. Your Mom's situation needs to be looked at. The problem with cafergot, from what I have read is it works on all of the blood vessels in the body including the heart. It impairs circulation, and can even cause gangrene if used too often. And from my experience rebound from Cafergot is very real and very common. I could not use it for very long because my migs were to frequent and my Dr. got concerned because it gave me horrible chest pains. My current Dr refuses to prescribe it at all because he has had too many patients have bad reactions. The most common being chest pains. My mother also used cafergot, and it was the only medication that worked for her. She had to use it frequently but never every day. Good luck, and if I find that article I will post a link.
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	Norma	Mar-07-01, 03:13 PM (CMT)
	2. "RE: Cafergot"
	I used caffergot tablets 15 years ago, and quit them because I was told absolutely no more than 3 days a week was safe, and I had daily headaches. They are a strong vasoconstictor, which could be dangerous if overused. I should think she would want to discontinue it under supervision, or at least check her blood pressure several times a day while doing it. If the work is a concern, then maybe she could schedule the withdrawal for spring break, and monitor her blood pressure in the mean time. Don't have any good answers for what to replace it with--I use Maxalt 3 days a week, and live with it the rest of the time. There just isn't much of anything for daily use. That's why I work 2 days a week, I'm just not dependable enough for a full time job. How old is your mom? I didn't think they used caffergot past a certain age anymore because of the risks. I wish her luck--sounds like a good workup is in order. Norma
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ejvill	Mar-07-01, 03:39 PM (CMT)
3. "RE: Rebound from cafergot"
http://www.lifeplushealthcenter.com/cafergot.htm
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	gvanbeek	Mar-07-01, 03:51 PM (CMT)
	4. "RE: Rebound from cafergot"
	I too was prescribed this med some time ago, I didn't take it every day but eventually ended up with "ergotamine sickness" so had to be taken off it. I was told that it should only be used as an abortive, definately not to be taken every day because of the rebound effect that it has. I can understand your mothers' concerns re headaches and teaching but, for her own good, perhaps it is time she sought the opinion of another neurologist. To keep on going as she is now can only lead to bigger problems, with perhaps a long recovery time, which will mean that she won't be able to teach anyway. regards gvanbeek.
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	VickiG	Mar-07-01, 06:43 PM (CMT)
	5. "RE: Rebound from cafergot"
	LAST EDITED ON Mar-07-01 AT 06:46 PM (CMT) Thank you for that link, ejvill! That was really useful. Gvanbeek, I agree that she really needs to try a new neurologist, especially since I had such a bad experience with this one, but she has pretty much given up on trying to find help for her headaches. She's almost 52 and says that it's not worth the emotional strain of never finding a cure. She'll push herself to finish the school year (she can only teach part-time because of her migraines), even if it's with a decreased quality of life. But I think she needs something.
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karncy	Mar-10-01, 10:53 AM (CMT)
6. "RE: Rebound from cafergot"
I have taken Cafergot supp for years and have been hospitalized yrs ago for taking them daily- yes I would Pop them in and go back to my desk at work, got to abusing them so I could take a beer and not have hangover in the morning too. Now I never even take more than 2 a week. I have been told by pharm NEVER to take more than 2 a week now, back then noone warned me you could get terrible rebound and you can get vascular disease if overused. And never take within 24 hrs of imitrex if that works for you too. It really works for me if I dont overuse and want it to stay that way. I would seek professional advice to cut back if possble God Bless!
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	tmensink	Mar-11-01, 12:01 PM (CMT)
	7. "RE: Rebound from cafergot"
	Sorry I don't have much info on the daily use of cafergots but I suffered terrible chest pains anytime I tried using them. However in my opinion your mom could really hurt herself by just giving up and taking what ever this doc of hers has to offer. I to did the same thing for many years, and I am not kidding almost died because he was not up on what I could use daily and what I could not, he also did not believe in rebound headaches. So please urge your mom to try a new doc, I know it is very frustrating but at 52 you don't want to put your life on a limb. When not if she finds a good doc he could give her her life back and it will all be worth it. All to often when we are suffering it is easier to take what a doctors says to be the best advice than it is to keep looking for someone to really help, and I know when you are suffering the last thing you want to do is go from doc to doc searching for help, but you have to. Bye Roxy.
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maza-gu-su	Mar-12-01, 02:36 AM (CMT)
8. "RE: Rebound from cafergot"
Hi Vicki! I pulled some stuff from the old drafts - I will e-mail you with Cafergot info... I really DO hope your poor mom finds relief without being bound to it! I found LITTLE on the actual withdrawal time/symptoms, but I DID include what I found.... Let us know how your mom does! Maza-Gu-Su
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