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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Charles Darwood on March 9, 2010, at 1:31:05
I experienced a hypertensive crisis last Tuesday and found myself in the throes of the most insanely painful headache of my life. My systolic blood-pressure was--according to my cheap home monitor--over 200.
I got a ride to the hospital, where the ER doctors administered 10mg oxycodone, refused to give me nifedipine, (my BP had dropped during the three hours I had to wait to 140) suggested I take acetaminophen for pain, and discharged me.
However, I *still* have a constant throbbing headache (although not nearly as bad as the suicide-inducing pain I experienced on Tuesday). I got some hydrocodone, which, at 30mg/day, barely helps. I haven't taken any parnate since, because I don't know whether it would help or hurt.
Should I be worried about a serious neurological problem? And, should I resume taking my medication (60mg/day)?
Posted by Phillipa on March 9, 2010, at 12:01:11
In reply to Parnate Headache, posted by Charles Darwood on March 9, 2010, at 1:31:05
That's serious I'm hoping you are in close contact with your parnate doc I think he's the one to answer a serious question like this. Please make sure you are. Phillipa
Posted by bulldog2 on March 9, 2010, at 14:35:27
In reply to Parnate Headache, posted by Charles Darwood on March 9, 2010, at 1:31:05
> I experienced a hypertensive crisis last Tuesday and found myself in the throes of the most insanely painful headache of my life. My systolic blood-pressure was--according to my cheap home monitor--over 200.
>
> I got a ride to the hospital, where the ER doctors administered 10mg oxycodone, refused to give me nifedipine, (my BP had dropped during the three hours I had to wait to 140) suggested I take acetaminophen for pain, and discharged me.
>
> However, I *still* have a constant throbbing headache (although not nearly as bad as the suicide-inducing pain I experienced on Tuesday). I got some hydrocodone, which, at 30mg/day, barely helps. I haven't taken any parnate since, because I don't know whether it would help or hurt.
>
> Should I be worried about a serious neurological problem? And, should I resume taking my medication (60mg/day)?
>
>
>
>I would talk to my p-doc about the experience. I would also monitor my blood pressure to see if it is still high. I had a headache like that years ago from lifting weights. Somehow I got my breathing wrong or reversed. It felt like I got punched in the head and had a concussion. I stopped lifting but it took weeks for the pain to go away. I believe I had a concussion. So your headache may hang in there for awhile.
I would take the parnate again until the doc gives you the go ahead.
If your going to continue with parnate make sure you have one of the meds onhand for a HC. Good luck that you never have another one.
Posted by Justherself54 on March 9, 2010, at 16:55:34
In reply to Re: Parnate Headache, posted by bulldog2 on March 9, 2010, at 14:35:27
If you can get hold of your pdoc right away, I'd hold off taking any more until he/she gives the go-ahead. As Bulldog said, keep close tabs on your BP and get to the ER asap if it spikes again. You can have serious neurological problems if this continues untreated and misdiagnosed.
Posted by Phillipa on March 9, 2010, at 20:19:02
In reply to Re: Parnate Headache, posted by Justherself54 on March 9, 2010, at 16:55:34
Did you reach your doctor? How are you doing? Phillipa
Posted by Charles Darwood on March 10, 2010, at 2:19:53
In reply to Re: Parnate Headache, posted by Phillipa on March 9, 2010, at 20:19:02
I talked to a doctor. He suggested I go through the medication wash-out for two weeks, and if there's still no diminution of pain to get a CT-scan. I would have already done this, but I have to pay for the scan out-of-pocket. My blood pressure averages about 135/85. (I'm 28, male, average weight).
By the way, is hydrocodone contraindicated with parnate? Doctor says no (lacks serotonergic effect, won't cause crisis) but it appears frequently on MAOI no-fly lists. My request for either morphine or buprenorphine was denied (doctor looked at me like I asked for Desoxn and Fentanyl popsicles).
One more question: I take lithium 600mg/day as well. Would this have any effect whatever on the head pain?
Thanks!
Posted by JayBTV2 on March 10, 2010, at 7:48:03
In reply to Re: Parnate Headache, posted by Charles Darwood on March 10, 2010, at 2:19:53
You should be OK w/ hydrocodone and Parnate. I was taking an occasional percocet with Parnate for about a month and searched the archives here. Couldn't find one indicating percocet or vicodin(hydrocodone) caused any issues. Most people said they used them together and they don't interact.
There are a few pain meds that do though.
I take lithium as well and I doubt that's causing the headache.
Some people take the TCA NORTRIPTYLINE with Parnate. That med is also used for migraines and tension headaches. So if you find the headache becomes just an occational side effect of the Parnate (in the event you continue on it) perhaps adding a small dose of notryp would help both the depression and the headache. (For Notryp reviews: http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=18013&name=PAMELOR )
Hope you get better. I'm on Parnate and it took a while but I finally feel like it's working well for me. Started in December w/ 10mg up to 60mg now. The last week or two I've really noticed it.
-Jay
Posted by emmanuel98 on March 10, 2010, at 19:28:05
In reply to Re: Parnate Headache, posted by Charles Darwood on March 10, 2010, at 2:19:53
Hydrocondone, as I understand it, is fine with parnate. Tramadol is not fine, nor is demerol
This is the end of the thread.
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