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Topic: Feverfew (Read 942 times) |
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earnhardtjr_fan
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I read in men's health that a herb called feverfew helps migraine sufferer's with there attacks so I thought what the heck will try it with my CH's. I started a normal cycle of mine last week ( 7-12-06) and bought a bottle of feverfew in liquid form from a local organic store. To my suprise the day after I started taking it, twice a day, my headaches have stopped!! I don't know if it is the herb or my cycle (they can be wierd at times) but my normal triggers (beer and weather change) have not brought on the pain. Has anyone heard of this? Please post here and I will keep everyone informed of my progress.
Lape
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TxBasslady
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Re: Feverfew
« Reply #1 on: Jul 19th, 2006, 2:43am » |
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I've heard of it....just can't seem to recall the responses posted.
Seems like some have had good results...
Someone will come along and do better than I.
Welcome! Always good to see new folks on the board.
Jean
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earnhardtjr_fan
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Re: Feverfew
« Reply #2 on: Jul 20th, 2006, 1:58am » |
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Well, after I posted this last night I had a minor episode. I drank a couple beers - BIG trigger - but the pain was minor. It woke me up but still was way less intense than normal. More just an annoyance. Was back to sleep in about 15 min. I think that the headaches know that I am trying something new and want to let me know they are in charge, but I it was nothing like I normally experiance. Still taking the feverfew twice daily. Am having another beer right now, will see if anything happens tonight.
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earnhardtjr_fan
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Re: Feverfew
« Reply #3 on: Jul 20th, 2006, 2:00am » |
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Jean, thanks for the welcome. Have been monitoring this board for a while and just recently started posting. Hope your pain is much less severe than mine usally is!!!
Chris
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chewy
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Quote:| but my normal triggers (beer and weather change) have not brought on the pain. |
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You started drinking after 1 day PF ?
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BobG
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Re: Feverfew
« Reply #5 on: Jul 20th, 2006, 1:46pm » |
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in the early days of this board Feverfew was discussed and tried by some.
They all got relief from their fungus-in-the-gut disease but still had clusters.
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floridian
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on Jul 20th, 2006, 1:46pm, BobG wrote:in the early days of this board Feverfew was discussed and tried by some.
They all got relief from their fungus-in-the-gut disease but still had clusters. |
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LOL - is that what we are calling migraine now?
Most people that have tried feverfew for clusters have not had much in the way of results, but if it works for you, stick with it (and avoid those cold biyahs for a while).
One problem with feverfew is that the active ingredient is not very stable, and many feverfew products contain little or no active ingredient. But a good, fresh product might help some - keep with what works.
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earnhardtjr_fan
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Re: Feverfew
« Reply #7 on: Jul 21st, 2006, 2:03am » |
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Thank you floridian and BobG for the posts. I am on my 9th day of the feverfew "treatment" and so far one minor episode. I drank two beers last night and no CH. I did feel one coming one today as I was heading for work but it quickly went away with no meds.
The thing that suprises me is usually when my cycle starts I am good for 4-6 weeks easy. The pain and frequency usually intensifies as time goes on but now it seems to all but stopped. I shouldn't say too much because that's when it used to hit the hardest.
As for the treatment I am trying, it is feverfew in liquid form. I put 1 ml in my coffee in the morning and another in a cup of iced tea at night.
I am not saying by any means that I am cured ( I know better) but I have to say that compared to my normal cycle it is far better than things I have tried in the past.
Time will tell...... Will continue to post.
Chris
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Radha
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Re: Feverfew
« Reply #8 on: Jul 22nd, 2006, 11:33pm » |
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how long did it take to start feeling the benefits?
radha
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TheDude
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Re: Feverfew
« Reply #9 on: Jul 24th, 2006, 1:32pm » |
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 First off, understand that CH's are as different as the sufferer themself. There is no exact roadmap to relief that everyone can follow. And, what works this time may not work the next time, but may work the time after. The nature of our beast. So, you try and see.
I have not found Feverfew to work by itself in my case. I have found that Feverfew with Dogroot taken with Gingo Biloba and Magnesium, routienely to maintain their levels, has for me lessened both the number, intensity, and duration of most of my attacks.  You do this until the cycle passes which is indicated by no less than a full week of no headaches.
I also take Quercetin and Claritan to help reduce histamines.
Most of us know you STAY AWAY FROM ALCOHOL during your cycle!!!!
There is still no way to stop these devils until they run their course. There's just ways to lessen the the number, durations, and intesity of most of the attacks to survive the cycle.
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rickyshot
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Re: Feverfew
« Reply #10 on: Jul 24th, 2006, 10:08pm » |
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I have had no luck with feverfew, magnesium or any other natural remedies at all. The amount of money these things cost is amazing. If these things are helping any of you and I see they are more power to ya. Why me???????/
What I can't understand is why you drinak at all. If it triggers these things why bring it on. That sounds nutz. This thing is so intense and tortuous I won't even touch alchohol when in cycle and barely out of cycle for fear. This just floors me. It is amazing how people want to indulge in bad habits no matter what the consequences because it is not killing them outright. You got a condition and can't drink simple as that. Shit even if something worked right away to abort the CH I would not partake in a trigger to bring it on. Am I missing something here?
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TheDude
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Re: Feverfew
« Reply #11 on: Jul 24th, 2006, 10:58pm » |
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 Rickyshot. Whoa there cowboy. I don't think you're missing something. It's just your interpretation.  Written messages are absence of vocal reflection so to help another better interpret what is meant. No one’s fault. Just the way it is. 
I’m not currently using or condoning the use of alcohol during a cycle. Nor do I condemn it when one is off cycle. Personally, I like a good beer after work. However, when a cycle hits, I’m on the wagon for the duration. There are some whom continue or start drinking prematurely. I’ve seen this on a good number of posts. Just a head’s up message.
I did start my post with the fact that CH’s are unique to the sufferer. The affects of treatments are unique to the sufferer.  For over 25 years it’s been hit and miss for me. Sometimes with what worked one cycle, has no affect on another. Why can’t CH’s be pinned down by the medical community? Because they are alive. They change. Probably adapt.
I hate them as much as anyone else! When I feel a cycle starting, I’m bummed. But I don’t get pissed about them anymore. That actually works against trying to keep them from busting out of your skull. It’s not easy at times, I know. Sometimes, I know how the thought of a screwdriver through the temple is better than the constant, intense pain. 
I focus on the thankful fact they are not chronic. They will stop and before I know it, the cycle will be over and life will go on and I can have that beer after work.  Will there be another cycle a few years down the road? Maybe, maybe not. I’m sure when you’re out of cycle, you don’t spend all your pain free time wondering when or if the next cycle will strike, right? Neither do I. 
This site lets all Clusterhead’s know they are not alone in their pain. Their circumstances are as unique as there are posts on this site. I haven't read them all, but from what I have read, the most common thread is the pain. If any of the treatments that are helping me make it through the cycle with less duration, amounts, and intensity helps someone else, fantastic. This board is for Medications, Treatments, and Therapies. Thusly, I post.
Take care.
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mr.c
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Re: Feverfew
« Reply #12 on: Jul 25th, 2006, 1:39am » |
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Feverfew has done nothing for me.
Natural remedies, to my knowledge, have done nothing for me. I've been to "natural healers," taken suppliments available through multi-level marketing groups, and minor bio-feedback type things.
The bigget help, other than imitrex and o2, is my wife. She doesn't get CHs but she asks me if there is anything she can do, rubs my back or neck if I'm up to that, or leaves me alone if I need that. She cries with me if I need that (she probably needs that more). 
Michael
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sandie99
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Re: Feverfew
« Reply #13 on: Jul 25th, 2006, 3:59am » |
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After I was diagnosed with CH back in January 2003, I read loads about CH. I do recall reading in many medical books about treatment, which is supposed to work with ch. It combined Feverfew and 2 other things which I cannot recall anymore, because I didn't try it. At the time I did want to, I just coundn't find the stuff anywhere...
Anyways, alcohol is a trigger for me... so when I'm in cycle, I avoid it. I've learned few other triggers as well which give me symptoms (as I call it) soon after and I avoid them when I can.
I do hope that FeverFew works for you. After trying loads of meds, I trust in Red Bull. Like previous posters have mentioned, we're all different, so it's hard to predict what will work. But I'm convinced that everyone will find that something which will! I just hope that neuros would mention in the very first meething that it can take time... Mine sure didn't. And neither did the other neuros and docs I've met since.
PF days to all,
Sanna
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CH happends, Live anyway! PF days to us all!
"Do what you can and let God take care of the rest. Leave your heart wide open and always wish for the best" (Sanna Hillu)
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TheDude
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Re: Feverfew
« Reply #14 on: Jul 25th, 2006, 12:37pm » |
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I agree totally with mr.c in that my wife is the greatest resource I have to help me through my cycles. Yes, you want to be alone, in some dark place, waiting for the beast to subside. But having someone there is much appreciated. She's been with me for 27 years, 25 of them with CH's.
And Sanna, tell me more about Red Bull. I've seen it referenced on a number of posts, but I do not know what the story is on it. Drop me an email if you'd prefer.
TheDude
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rickyshot
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Re: Feverfew
« Reply #15 on: Jul 25th, 2006, 3:23pm » |
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Red bull is a big dose of caffeine mixed with Taurine which enhances the caffeine. Taken with meds it helps some people.
I stand by my comments though. Just the fact I never know when I will have an episode made me give up most drinking. I hear you on a nice beer. But If one is allergic to a substance they will avoid it. If alcohol triggers this hell and it does for many of us my logical conclusion is to give it up too.  Hell if I though hopping on one foot while drinking drano could get rid of this, I would do it.
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earnhardtjr_fan
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Re: Feverfew
« Reply #16 on: Jul 26th, 2006, 2:52am » |
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Sorry all for not being around the last few days to look at your posts, but thanks for all the replies.
A quick update on the feverfew.... Have still been taking it twice a day for the past two and a half weeks. Still since I started (the day after) I have not had a CH. As said in earlier posts I had a couple of "episodes" where I though one was coming on but they never totally appeared. Other than that there is not much more to report on the headache side, I am glad to say.
In response to other posts about alcohol, i do realize that having a drink is a big trigger for a lot of us, and I am no exception. If I have even half a beer while in cycle I get hit hard. A lot of times I say screw it and end up paying dearly.
But I have tried drinking beer while trying the feverfew and I still have not had a CH. It may not mean a whole lot though. I started taking the feverfew one day after a CH, when I thought a cycle was starting. I may not be in cycle. Sometimes a get one CH out of the blue and not have another for 2 months or more and then go into a 4-6 week cycle.
I started this post to document my experiance using a new treatment that I have not tried before. Hoping that maybe it will work for someone else. Also to hear others views on the subject.
Thanks again to all for your posts and keep them coming!!!
Chris
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TheDude
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Re: Feverfew
« Reply #17 on: Jul 26th, 2006, 10:48am » |
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Welcome back, Chris.
Hope you have continued success with your CH's.
I'm going on week 4 of my current cycle. Since being on my regiment of Feverfew (w/ dogroot), Gingko Biloba, Quercetin, Natural Calm, and Cayenne I have experienced more tolerable attacks then I have in the past 25 years of my known CH history. Do I need to be taking all of these? Is feverfew helping? I have no idea but I’m not about to rock the boat to find out. I’m just thankful that my worse this cycle are about the same as my best in past cycles.
Like you, I am not professing that what’s working for me is the best. Just that it appears to be helping me. Hopefully it’s something some other sufferer hasn’t tried, does, and it gives them some relief. Like Red Bull. Never tried it, but will this weekend.
Good Luck,
The Dude
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rickyshot
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Re: Feverfew
« Reply #18 on: Jul 26th, 2006, 10:59am » |
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There is a good thread on this page called REd Bull really helped me with lots of info. Check it out.
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earnhardtjr_fan
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Re: Feverfew
« Reply #19 on: Jul 27th, 2006, 2:08am » |
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Hello again all. Well last night about 3 hours after my post I had a CH. It was minor compared to my normal cycle, but a classic none the less. About a kip 4. I can tell now that I am in cycle for sure. The good news for me is that it should have been a kip 8-10 being that I had two beers before bed. For all you out there that are wondering, I am drinking while in cycle. Just to see if the treatment is helping while I live my normal lifestyle or not. I am convinced that if I did not drink last night I would not have have a CH (I could be wrong). Also tonight at work I had a minor episode, about a kip 1. Two aleve took care of it in about 20 min.
Dude, thanks for your post. I am taking a supplement called feverfew complex that I found in a health store. Reading the label it has quite a few ingredients, such as feverfew leaf, oat seed, passion flower, peppermint oil, ginger root, and lemon balm. There are others also. If you would like more info let me know.
I am glad to hear your attacks are getting less intense. Will post tomorrow if a CH comes tonight.
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