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froggy
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froggy needs help
« on: Feb 10th, 2007, 6:16pm » |
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Well, it looks like we're at the "Kudzu" chapter now. I've read and researched as much as I can on Kudzu therapy and am still stumped on a couple of things.
Some people state that they respond well to Kudzu when they take a 750mg dose at night, but then others write in and say that they spread out the doses to 3 or 4 times a day.
What dose should he start at and end up at? And how often should he take it? Any suggestions? He's 50 years old and 6' 1". He's chronic and ready to try this.
We have him, finally, off of all the medicine including a wean down from Innopranxl. So, this will be an optimal time to try the root.
Any words of wisdom will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
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Ob1kanobee
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Re: froggy needs help
« Reply #1 on: Feb 10th, 2007, 7:36pm » |
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I was using the Planetary Kudzu Recovery. It says on the front of the bottle 750mg 60 tablets. Serving size 2 tablets; 30 servings per container. Suggested use is 2 tablets 3 times daily between meals.
I took 2 tablets as soon as I woke up. ( I am not a big breakfast person). If you eat breakfast right away, then wait an hour). 2 tablets again late in the afternoon (before dinner). 2 tablets about an hour before bedtime.
This is what worked for me. I noticed a difference within a week for sure. Don't be afraid to drink water maybe mixed with a little juice for flavor, I prefer natural cranberry/apple WITHOUT sugar added (no Oceanspray). Keep yourself hydrated and your system flushed. Don't worry about rusting your pipes.
Good Luck and keep us posted, I really hope it works.
I don't know about any possible interactions or not, but if you don't see any results within 5 days, I would up the dossage two more pills spaced throughout the day. The bottle is giving the minium to take per day. You could always consult someone knowledgeble in Chinese herbalism as well. Good Luck!
It might also be a good idea to supplement with magnesium and calcium as well if your not already. Just do some research on it as treatment for migraines for proper dosage, or search some of the posts. You must take the two together though. I would start with the Kudzu first, not to many things at once. If your taking a multivitamin, check to see how much magnesium and Calcium it has in it too, so you can tweak the dosage if you need to.
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froggy
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Re: froggy needs help
« Reply #2 on: Feb 10th, 2007, 9:48pm » |
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Thanks for the info. and the reminder on the Magnesium and calcium combo (that definitely is part of the plan).
Do you find you're taking them the at the same exact time of the day?
Also, do you find you get any dizzy spells?
In general, does anyone know anything more about mixing triptans with Kudzu? Through the kudzubuster site I was able to find out about 2 cases that are on file with regards to mixing Kudzu with verapamil and/or a triptan. A girl also wrote in that while on Kudzu, she took imitrex (not knowing about the interaction at the time) and survived.
Thanks
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Ob1kanobee
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Re: froggy needs help
« Reply #3 on: Feb 10th, 2007, 11:01pm » |
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I was not taking them at the exact same time each day. I did however try to take them between meals as apposed to with a meal (that is what the directions said). Personally though, I would advise trying to take them between meals and at the same time spots daily. I think the idea is to keep it in your system.
If you don't get the desired results in a week using this method, then perhaps focus on particular times of the day you may possibly get your headaches. Then go the route of making sure you take the Kudzu about an hour and a half before headache time/times. I just don't know if yours come like clockwork or not. I would still take the six pills a day either way.
I don't recall any dizzy spells but in my case that doesn't mean I had none. If I did, it was from sudden movements
or strenuous activity (like mowing the lawn or washing the car). It did give me gas though. As with anything else, just exercise caution until you know how this will effect you. Just use extra caution when taking a shower especially in case you were to get a dizzy spell, this is where most home accidents take place.
I don't think Verapamil and Kudzu can be used together. Verapamil is a Calcium channel blocker (calcium antagonists). Calcium channel blockers relax artery muscles and dilate coronary arteries and other arteries by blocking the transport of calcium into these structures, thereby lowering blood pressure. Kudzu could interact with Calcium channel blockers as kudzu affects calcium levels in the blood. Possible interactions with triptans and verapamil have not been specifically investigated, and it appears that kudzu may affect some of the same biochemical pathways. (from the CH Book online)
In other words, unless you don't wish to volunteer to be the next human lab rat to see how they mix together, avoid the combination. It could put you in the ER or may even be lethal.
I know when I was taking Kudzu, the tightness in my chest was relieved. This is something I need to discuss with my Doctor.
IF YOU WANT TO BE ON THE SAFE SIDE, start checking your blood preasure a few times daily. Try and check it before you start the Kudzu or the very first chance you get so you will be able to see if you have anything to be concerned about. I don't know how accurate those machines are at the drugstore or Wollyworld, but I have used them. Maybe you have a portable home machine?
You don't plan on using Kudzu along with Imitrex do you? I wouldn't. First, I'm pretty sure it is not 100% safe and second you would get skewed results.
The Kudzu is a viable option for some people with the exception of ones with extremely low blood preasure, those on Verapamil or Imitrex ect. It is either gonna work completely or make the CH more manageable or not work at all. It made mine more manageable and made my episode shorter and less severe. Everyone is different.
Your asking all the right questions though... Good Luck
keep us posted.
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| « Last Edit: Feb 10th, 2007, 11:08pm by Ob1kanobee » |
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froggy
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Re: froggy needs help
« Reply #4 on: Feb 10th, 2007, 11:34pm » |
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Thanks for writing all of that down. I will be able to use it as a reference.
Also, thanks for putting so much thought into my problem. My husband is the Clusterhead and for the past 15 years straight (he's a chronic) I have researched and exhausted every new option we come upon. Kudzu is the next thing we're trying.
I will not let him mix Imitrex with the Kudzu. He doesn't have heart problems or blood pressure problems so that's probably a plus. Thanks for the concern.
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Brew
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Re: froggy needs help
« Reply #5 on: Feb 11th, 2007, 10:54am » |
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on Feb 10th, 2007, 11:34pm, froggy wrote:| I will not let him mix Imitrex with the Kudzu. He doesn't have heart problems or blood pressure problems so that's probably a plus. |
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Does he have any input into this decision?
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froggy
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Re: froggy needs help
« Reply #6 on: Feb 11th, 2007, 11:06am » |
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What is your point?
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Brew
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Re: froggy needs help
« Reply #7 on: Feb 11th, 2007, 11:32am » |
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Perhaps you just phrased it a little awkwardly.
Maybe what you meant to say was that the two of you decided not to mix kudzu and imitrex?
I'm hoping that your husband has some say in how his condition is treated.
That's my point.
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froggy
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Re: froggy needs help
« Reply #8 on: Feb 11th, 2007, 11:36am » |
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What are you a fuckin' English teacher who wants to hold my husband's hand?
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| « Last Edit: Feb 11th, 2007, 11:37am by froggy » |
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Brew
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Re: froggy needs help
« Reply #9 on: Feb 11th, 2007, 11:38am » |
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on Feb 11th, 2007, 11:36am, froggy wrote:| What are you a fuckin' English teacher who wants to hold my husband's hand? |
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No. Guess again.
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BB
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Re: froggy needs help
« Reply #10 on: Feb 11th, 2007, 5:13pm » |
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Froggy,
Dont be upset by what Brewcrew said, he is genuinely concerned and just wanting to help. He didnt mean to pick on you at all. We are fiercely protective of our family here and sometimes can get a tad paranoid  .
I am sure your husband being an adult will exert his autonomy and it was just the way you phrased the sentence. I am a supporter too for my husband and worse yet also am a GP so I have been guilty myself of sometimes talking as if I "control" his every move.
Not all, but many CHers are 6' giants and extremely stubborn ( Here is another common trait ?  ) so in reality no supporter has the ability to get them to do anything they dont want to do, or stop them from doing anything they want to do
Peace to all .
Hugs and painfree wishes.
Annette
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andrewjb
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Re: froggy needs help
« Reply #11 on: Feb 11th, 2007, 6:11pm » |
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 , best of luck to the 6.1er, 50year old. and froggy, peace- youve got the tougest job, i hope you both have fantastic results with "kudzu". please stay in contact, there is so very much knowlege, here - to share. andrew.
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froggy
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Re: froggy needs help
« Reply #12 on: Feb 11th, 2007, 8:18pm » |
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Let's not forget an only child as well - ugh.
Annette, I really appreciate your kind words and do feel you and I do share a similar path but the remark was made out of context and he knows it. I mean, why say anything at all? You obviously were intelligent to know how I meant it
My life is consumed with getting him through this everyday, the B. S. I (along with everyone else) can do without.
Andrew, thanks for the support as well.
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Re: froggy needs help
« Reply #13 on: Feb 11th, 2007, 8:33pm » |
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on Feb 11th, 2007, 8:18pm, froggy wrote:
My life is consumed with getting him through this everyday |
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That sentence sums it up for us supporters nicely Froggy! Totally consumed, in fact !
You may have read on my other thread that my husband's cycle seems to be ending and that he has had now 5 days painfree. Only now that I realised how much MY life was spent running around his condition.
All of the sudden I dont have to double check his medication, dont have to keep looking at the clock and reminding him to take them ( he would tend to forget to take the medications as his memory was shot during the cycle), dont have to listen to the moaning sounds that may come out of the bedroom anytime, dont have to make sure that we dont run out of ice or clean face washers, dont have to keep checking the coffee jar to see if its full, dont have to check that we have at least one Red Bull in the fridge ready, dont have to wake up several times in the night .... that I realised how much time I spent fighting the beast alongside him!
Now its like this dark dark dark heavy cloud finally starts to lift from my chest, and I can start breathing normally again ...
Just want to send you a great big hug and an encouraging word, hang in there sister, it will get better and if he is episodic, it will end, soon !
Love ya,
Annette
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froggy
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Re: froggy needs help
« Reply #14 on: Feb 11th, 2007, 10:07pm » |
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I'm kind of speechless right now. You're really the first person I've talked to that actually knows what I go through on a day to day basis. Friends and family seem concerned but they really don't know.
You described it acurately. It's a constant worry. And the funny thing is I think that I worry more than he does.
Right now we're embarking onto the Kudzu train. And my biggest concern is there may be a contradiction between Imitrex and Kudzu. He pretty much wants to take the Imitrex while on the kudzu. I just want to find as much evidence as possible so I know he'll be safe.
Thanks
P. S. I did read your thread on Daniel, fingers are crossed.
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| « Last Edit: Feb 11th, 2007, 10:09pm by froggy » |
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Re: froggy needs help
« Reply #15 on: Feb 11th, 2007, 10:21pm » |
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There is a famous saying here that only a CHer knows what it means to have CH, and only a CHer would fully understand the pain of another sufferer. Along the same vein, I would say that only a supporter knows what its like to be living with a CHer and only a supporter would fully understand the pain of another supporter. As you said, friends and families try to understand, but unless they live under same roof, they wont be able to appreciate what it is really like.
I agree with you, I also worry about his condition a lot more than he does.
Unfortunately we never tried kudzu as its not available in Australia, so I cant help you with it. There are many here such as Nani who are very experienced with it though and I am sure they will come along to help you with the information you need.
I can understand why your husband would like to use Imitrex with Kudzu though. When they get hit, they dont care about anything at all, only care about how they will be able to stop the beast in its track! While in CH pain, a persons brain is not really able to think straight or of longterm problem, so its very important that us supporters are around to help.
I will pray for both of you that his attacks will ease off then stop soon. In the mean time, hang in there. We understand what its like!
Hugs
Annette
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froggy
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Re: froggy needs help
« Reply #16 on: Feb 11th, 2007, 10:40pm » |
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Prayers back at you. I'll be checking on Daniel's progress through your posts.
Take care,
Froggy
P. S. I have read most of (as many as I could find anyways) Nani's posts on the subject. I think I've followed her journey on Kudzu most of last year. She's the inspiration to try the Kudzu - thanks for the tip.
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| « Last Edit: Feb 11th, 2007, 10:46pm by froggy » |
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nani
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Re: froggy needs help
« Reply #17 on: Feb 11th, 2007, 11:19pm » |
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I hope your hubby gets quick and effective relief with the kudzu, froggy. Sorry I didn't see this until now. Here's an FAQ on kudzu, I hope it proves to be somewhat helpful with your questions.
http://www.kudzubusters.com/KudzuFAQs.doc
It's not really recommended that kudzu and Imitrex be used together, but that's the great thing about kudzu... if it's going to work, it often eliminates the need for an abortive altogether. Most testers who continued to have attacks noted that their duration and intensity were significantly lessened. Maybe O2, Red Bull, or even just heat or ice should do the trick. Be sure to keep us posted, K?
hugs, nani
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froggy
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Re: froggy needs help
« Reply #18 on: Feb 12th, 2007, 11:32am » |
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Nani,
Thanks for your response.
I've been trying to get info. from the links on the kudzubuster site with no luck. The only thing I'm able to read is the results from the survey. You're link to the FAQ worked perfectly.
I ordered the kudzu last night from vitacost.com.
Tony will be taking magnesium and calcium as well with the kudzu. I'll update with results and will take the survey.
I'm sure glad it's working for you.
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| « Last Edit: Feb 12th, 2007, 11:37am by froggy » |
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