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(Message started by: bstearns on Oct 17th, 2004, 5:50pm)
Title: Capsicum
Post by bstearns on Oct 17th, 2004, 5:50pm
I have suffered from cluster headaches for over 35 years:  Every 12-14 months, lasting 6-7 weeks.  Two attacks at night, usually at around 1:00 am and another at 5 am, and two during the day.  I have tried everything and until recently had found that only oxygen/mask were really effective in relieving a headache already in progress.  I also have used Fioricet, Tylenol, and many other common analgesics over the years and got some relief and lots of rebound.  I have tried Ca-blockers, beta-blockers,  Imitrex, ergot preparations, cafergot...the usual.

Here's the point:  When my clusters started a few weeks ago, I tried "Sinus Buster" (a capsicum spray), having read about it in a small article in the Wall Street Journal some months ago.  I was very skeptical.  I am not trying to sell this stuff.  I have absolutely no financial interest in it whatever.  It works. I spray it in my left nostril as I feel a headache begin. In less than 10 seconds (yes, seconds!), all pain and pressure are gone.  The spray initially stings, but not too badly, and then the headache is gone. The effect lasts for between 6 and 8 hours.  The "pepper spray" is clearly acting as a very effective local nerve block.

If this continues to be effective (and I do fear it will stop working or something), this is effectively the end of my cluster headache problem, hard as it is for me to even believe.
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by Redd715 on Oct 17th, 2004, 6:41pm
Let the games begin.....

Again......... :-/
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by don on Oct 17th, 2004, 6:53pm

Quote:
hard as it is for me to even believe.


You aint alone Pal, you aint alone.
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by Redd715 on Oct 17th, 2004, 7:09pm

on 10/17/04 at 18:53:21, don wrote:
You aint alone Pal, you aint alone.


[smiley=crackup.gif]
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by eddie on Oct 17th, 2004, 7:15pm
how much does it $$$
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by bstearns on Oct 17th, 2004, 7:16pm
Hey, I understand completely your skepticism.  That said, I am not kidding, and this is no game.  For some reason, this stuff works for me.  I'm just sharing my experience and you can clearly take it or leave it.
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by bstearns on Oct 17th, 2004, 7:17pm
To the person who asked how much -- I think it was about $8.
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by eddie on Oct 17th, 2004, 7:19pm
how much $$$
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by bstearns on Oct 17th, 2004, 7:24pm

on 10/17/04 at 19:19:45, eddie wrote:
how much $$$



$8.00
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by eddie on Oct 17th, 2004, 7:30pm
where i have looked for it
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by bstearns on Oct 17th, 2004, 7:34pm

on 10/17/04 at 19:30:00, eddie wrote:
where i have looked for it


I bought it on sinusbuster.com

I also heard that Tom's of Maine (of toothpaste fame) sells it.
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by Filbert on Oct 17th, 2004, 7:35pm
bstearns
           No-one is being deliberately nasty. It's just that we've heard this all before and this doesn't work for the vast majority of people. If it works for you great but you have to be careful to not arrive at the site and post before you've done a little bit of reading.

                        Filbert.
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by eddie on Oct 17th, 2004, 7:37pm
naaaah i will make my own
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by bstearns on Oct 17th, 2004, 7:39pm

on 10/17/04 at 19:35:36, Filbert wrote:
bstearns
           No-one is being deliberately nasty. It's just that we've heard this all before and this doesn't work for the vast majority of people. If it works for you great but you have to be careful to not arrive at the site and post before you've done a little bit of reading.

                        Filbert.

Fair enough.  I had searched this site and found no other references.  I also have done an extensive search of the med lit and this does seem to work for many people.  I hope it works for more.  Believe me, I understand the suffering we all go through, and the false hope that people extend that usually ends in grave disappointment.
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by Filbert on Oct 17th, 2004, 7:52pm
OK now you've got me started. There are many threads that tackle this issue and overwhelmingly the conclusion is that it doesn't work! The trial at the Institute of Neurology in London was abandoned early as the results were terribly disappointing.As I said before it's great that it works for you but.........

                 Filbert.
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by Redd715 on Oct 17th, 2004, 7:56pm

on 10/17/04 at 19:52:06, Filbert wrote:
OK now you've got me started. There are many threads that tackle this issue and overwhelmingly the conclusion is that it doesn't work! The trial at the Institute of Neurology in London was abandoned early as the results were terribly disappointing.As I said before it's great that it works for you but.........

                 Filbert.


Don't let him/her/it get under your skin.  It's the SSDD thing.  First post is "Hey this works..."  Yeah Yeah Blah Blah Blah...

This one isn't even pokeing stick worthy!
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by bstearns on Oct 17th, 2004, 7:58pm

on 10/17/04 at 19:52:06, Filbert wrote:
OK now you've got me started. There are many threads that tackle this issue and overwhelmingly the conclusion is that it doesn't work! The trial at the Institute of Neurology in London was abandoned early as the results were terribly disappointing.As I said before it's great that it works for you but.........

                 Filbert.

I used the search engine on this site and that's what happened...or didn't.  Sorry.  I would have been, and still am, interested in these discussions and threads.  That said, this worked for me.  Beyond that......you can decide to try it or not.
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by bstearns on Oct 17th, 2004, 8:01pm

on 10/17/04 at 19:56:52, Redd715 wrote:
Don't let him/her/it get under your skin.  It's the SSDD thing.  First post is "Hey this works..."  Yeah Yeah Blah Blah Blah...

This one isn't even pokeing stick worthy!


This is absolutely amazing.  You are more concerned about mesage board protocol than results.  I don't give a rats ass if you believe me or not.
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by Redd715 on Oct 17th, 2004, 8:04pm

on 10/17/04 at 20:01:29, bstearns wrote:
This is absolutely amazing.  You are more concerned about mesage board protocol than results.  I don't give a rats ass if you believe me or not.


You are a dimmer bulb than I gave you credit for... [smiley=snore.gif]
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by eddie on Oct 17th, 2004, 8:04pm
why cant i make my own
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by bstearns on Oct 17th, 2004, 8:06pm

on 10/17/04 at 20:04:33, eddie wrote:
why cant i make my own


You probably can make your own.
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by bstearns on Oct 17th, 2004, 8:07pm

on 10/17/04 at 20:04:20, Redd715 wrote:
You are a dimmer bulb than I gave you credit for... [smiley=snore.gif]



Oh, I've upset the queen bee.......
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by eddie on Oct 17th, 2004, 8:14pm
she is right duuuude!!!!!!!!
you are not the sharpest tool in the shed
pooof be gone
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by Redd715 on Oct 17th, 2004, 8:17pm

on 10/17/04 at 20:07:59, bstearns wrote:
Oh, I've upset the queen bee.......


Hardly.... [smiley=crackup.gif] seen your type come and go.  
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by Filbert on Oct 17th, 2004, 8:20pm

on 10/17/04 at 19:56:52, Redd715 wrote:
Don't let him/her/it get under your skin.  It's the SSDD thing.  First post is "Hey this works..."  Yeah Yeah Blah Blah Blah...

This one isn't even pokeing stick worthy!


Sorry Redd I honestly do not understand this post at all! Do you mean me and the under the skin thing and if so why? I'm male by the way-it's indicated by the blue symbol thingy under my name.
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by Redd715 on Oct 17th, 2004, 8:28pm

on 10/17/04 at 20:20:23, Filbert wrote:
Sorry Redd I honestly do not understand this post at all! Do you mean me and the under the skin thing and if so why? I'm male by the way-it's indicated by the blue symbol thingy under my name.



I was speaking about the coward who authored this thread dear.  IT was refering to the fact there is no age, sex or email on IT's profile.  Same MO....hit and run...and get mad when we balk at the idiocy.  LOL
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by bstearns on Oct 17th, 2004, 8:28pm

on 10/17/04 at 20:17:19, Redd715 wrote:
Hardly.... [smiley=crackup.gif] seen your type come and go.  


Boy, are you right.  I'm going.  Clearly, there is something going on here that I do not understand.  I don't want to join your club -- I thought I was sharing potentially worthwhile information.
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by bstearns on Oct 17th, 2004, 8:30pm

on 10/17/04 at 20:28:22, Redd715 wrote:
I was speaking about the coward who authored this thread dear.  IT was refering to the fact there is no age, sex or email on IT's profile.  Same MO....hit and run...and get mad when we balk at the idiocy.  LOL



I'm male.  54 years old.  I don't want to get email -- that's why I used the message board.  Where does this hostility come from?  What is wrong with you?
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by Filbert on Oct 17th, 2004, 8:36pm
First of all sorry Redd got a bit confused-it's very late this side of the Atlantic.
Bstearns I did try to point out nicely that this issue would probably make people angry but you just carried on anyway.

                      Filbert.
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by Redd715 on Oct 17th, 2004, 8:56pm

on 10/17/04 at 20:30:59, bstearns wrote:
 Where does this hostility come from?  What is wrong with you?


It comes from people like you who try to push quackery down the throats of people who would love nothing more than to never have to pop another pill, stick themselves with another needle, or rely on having a huge tank of O2 by the bed and pray it's never empty when needed.  Don't you think if the answer was this simple that every Neuro would know about it?  We as sufferers aren't in such large numbers that we are keeping the phamecutical companies in business, so thats not even an excuse.  Whats wrong with me?  I have a dysfuctional hypothalamus you dolt!  Now as Eddie said....


POOF!!!!
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by bstearns on Oct 17th, 2004, 9:02pm

on 10/17/04 at 20:56:32, Redd715 wrote:
It comes from people like you who try to push quackery down the throats of people who would love nothing more than to never have to pop another pill, stick themselves with another needle, or rely on having a huge tank of O2 by the bed and pray it's never empty when needed.  Don't you think if the answer was this simple that every Neuro would know about it?  We as sufferers aren't in such large numbers that we are keeping the phamecutical companies in business, so thats not even an excuse.  Whats wrong with me?  I have a dysfuctional hypothalamus you dolt!  Now as Eddie said....


POOF!!!!



I've been living that way for thirty-five years,  Needles, O2 bottles in the office, at home, in the car, thousands of pills.  I know.  You don't have a monopoly on suffering and neither do I.  I understand also this sounds like quackery, but it is not.  To my utter amazement, it worked.  Sue me.
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by eddie on Oct 17th, 2004, 9:04pm
whats your email  [smiley=huh.gif]
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by Filbert on Oct 17th, 2004, 9:08pm
It worked for you and well done-but it just doesn't for MOST people-do you get that?

         Filbert.
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by don on Oct 17th, 2004, 9:30pm

Quote:
you can clearly take it or leave it.


Clearly.
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by floridian on Oct 18th, 2004, 1:41pm

on 10/17/04 at 19:58:43, bstearns wrote:
I used the search engine on this site and that's what happened...or didn't.  Sorry.   ...



Yeah, the search engine for this site rarely works for me - it usually times out, or returns zero results even when I know exactly what I am looking for.  One 'gotcha' of the search engine is that the default setting is to look only for the last week.  But even if that is set for a suitably large number of days, it is prone to lock up.

Put this into Google site:www.clusterheadaches.com (cayenne OR capsicum OR "sinus buster") and you will get a better look into the filing cabinet - 84 posts listed (I think there are more).  Adding pepper as an OR word brings it close to 200.

Or click on this link shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/6fp4x
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by Superpain on Oct 18th, 2004, 2:33pm
If you can't spell "capsaicin" maybe "snake oil" would be a better term... ::)
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by bstearns on Oct 18th, 2004, 5:54pm

on 10/18/04 at 13:41:53, floridian wrote:
Yeah, the search engine for this site rarely works for me - it usually times out, or returns zero results even when I know exactly what I am looking for.  One 'gotcha' of the search engine is that the default setting is to look only for the last week.  But even if that is set for a suitably large number of days, it is prone to lock up.

Put this into Google site:www.clusterheadaches.com (cayenne OR capsicum OR "sinus buster") and you will get a better look into the filing cabinet - 84 posts listed (I think there are more).  Adding pepper as an OR word brings it close to 200.

Or click on this link shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/6fp4x



Thanks for the help with the search:  I read a lot of related posts.  Wow.  Did I apparently walk into a hornet's nest.  I had no idea how controversial  this topic has been.  No idea.  I guess some people find that it works, most do not, and many feel that people who claim it works are just out to promote a product.  

So far, only two weeks into a cycle, the spray seems to abort a headache.  I don't know if it will continue to work.  I doubt I'll be the lucky.

One things for sure, I didn't raise the topic to upset CH suffers or mislead anyone.

After 35 years of CH, I would try almost anything...and basically have.  The only dependable approach in the past has been O2.
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by E-Double on Oct 18th, 2004, 6:00pm
if it works for ya great! keep it up :)
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by thomas on Oct 18th, 2004, 6:15pm

on 10/18/04 at 18:00:53, E-Double wrote:
if it works for ya great! keep it up :)

DITTO! Oh BTW welcome aboard.
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by Jonny on Oct 18th, 2004, 6:32pm
HEY!!!...NO FAIR  >:(

You welcomed him before I got to poke him with a stick.....LMMFAO ;;D

If that crap works for you...Great!...stick around.

BTW...Im the King of this joint and never forget that or ill sic Redd on you again ;;D

..........................................jonny
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by bstearns on Oct 18th, 2004, 6:44pm

on 10/18/04 at 18:32:59, Jonny wrote:
HEY!!!...NO FAIR  >:(

You welcomed him before I got to poke him with a stick.....LMMFAO ;;D

If that crap works for you...Great!...stick around.

BTW...Im the King of this joint and never forget that or ill sic Redd on you again ;;D

..........................................jonny



Anything but that.  Please no Redd.
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by Jonny on Oct 18th, 2004, 6:50pm
LMAO....Dude  :D

Edit, to add.

If you hang around long enough you will see just how much of a family this is, and how we protect our own....Redd was just watching out for the family (I think she gets that from me  ;) )

I hear the convention next year is in Dallas....wait till you meet the family, man.....theres nothing in this world like it (Well, maybe sex....LOL ;;D )
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by Redd715 on Oct 18th, 2004, 8:14pm

on 10/18/04 at 18:44:52, bstearns wrote:
Anything but that.  Please no Redd.


Awwwww and here I thought I had made a new friend! ;;D  As Jonny said I was just looking out for the family.  These folks kept me sane when all unholy hell broke loose in my head this spring, and I found my way here.  

Sorry for commin down hard on ya.  But we've had quacks with MD's come in here wanting to cut us up in the name of a cure.
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by Jonny on Oct 18th, 2004, 8:22pm
And what the hell are you doing poking your sharp stick without letting me in on the fun, Redd?

Your on my shit list, damn it  ;)
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by Redd715 on Oct 18th, 2004, 8:25pm
Ya snooze ya loose Bro!  Where the f*ck is my picture? [smiley=laugh.gif] :P :-*

edit :  DD's got the stick....I run them over before they can see who's driving..... [smiley=laugh.gif]
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by eddie on Oct 18th, 2004, 8:53pm
i got to poke a stick, was i wrong?








Naaaaah!!! he was messing with Redd
i know she had the stick too
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by bstearns on Oct 18th, 2004, 9:23pm

on 10/18/04 at 20:14:40, Redd715 wrote:
Awwwww and here I thought I had made a new friend! ;;D  As Jonny said I was just looking out for the family.  These folks kept me sane when all unholy hell broke loose in my head this spring, and I found my way here.  

Sorry for commin down hard on ya.  But we've had quacks with MD's come in here wanting to cut us up in the name of a cure.



I understand, now.  No hard feelings.   I'm no MD -- just a long time suffer.  I really do wish there was more awareness among docs about CH and a more organized research effort.  But like you said, there aren't enough of us to make a drug company rich, so not much money for research.  We'll just get the droppings from  migraine research -- and it ain't the same!
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by don on Oct 18th, 2004, 9:32pm

Quote:
(I think she gets that from me   )


That along with that damn rash that wont go away.  8)
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by Redd715 on Oct 18th, 2004, 10:23pm

on 10/18/04 at 21:32:51, don wrote:
That along with that damn rash that wont go away.  8)


If you only knew Don!!!! ::) ;;D
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by bstearns on Oct 20th, 2004, 11:50am
Well you guys were right.  So much for optimism.  The capsicum spray seemed to have a positive effect for the first two weeks, but the monster just laughs at it now.  You get above a K4, and you might as well spray it on a burrito.  Sorry if I was over- encouraging and any of you wasted $8.  Hey, I meant well.  Damn!  Back to O2 and another month of hell.
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by Giovanni on Oct 20th, 2004, 12:03pm

Quote:
You get above a K4, and you might as well spray it on a burrito


For better results, spray it on some mushrooms! ;;D

www.clusterbusters.com

John
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by Charlie on Oct 20th, 2004, 4:01pm
Welcome aboard and look around. Amongst all the silliness is some good information.  

Damn kids. I didn't get a shot as using a cattle prod either.  That's what I get for not checking in more often.

Glad to have ya.

(By the way, for fun, type in Capsicum at ebay. Some fun related auctions there)

Charlie
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by bstearns on Oct 20th, 2004, 5:38pm

on 10/20/04 at 16:01:44, Charlie wrote:
Welcome aboard and look around. Amongst all the silliness is some good information.  

Damn kids. I didn't get a shot as using a cattle prod either.  That's what I get for not checking in more often.

Glad to have ya.

(By the way, for fun, type in Capsicum at ebay. Some fun related auctions there)

Charlie



So, you think I have any chance of auctioning off 4 partially used containers of nose spray?  Could have been worse -- it's a good thing somebody didn't convince me that I might get relief by shoving a gold ingot up my ass.....

So, now I get to feel stupid AND I have a headache.
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by Giovanni on Oct 20th, 2004, 6:07pm
bstearns, one individual was actually making his own nasal pepper spray and claiming good results.  My thought are whatever helps ya, I happy for you.

John
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by Big Dan on Oct 21st, 2004, 1:52pm
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v36/BigDanCCG/Smileys/sign66.gif


Capsicum spray?....

... can I just grow hot peppers in my back yard and shove 'em up my schnoz during an attack too?....

And hey.. bonus side effect: No longer be bothered by yours, or others foul gas problems.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v36/BigDanCCG/Smileys/jumping39.gif




-Big Dan
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by Big Dan on Oct 21st, 2004, 1:54pm
Interesting side note:


You have to have a license to purchace pure capsicum.






-Big Dan
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by vig on Oct 22nd, 2004, 9:12am
I've been trying to abstain...

Anyway, I broke open a jalapeno,
smeared it on my palm (just a tiny bit), when the attack got going and my eye was tearing, a little rub...
within seconds, instead of a burn, a warm fuzzy feeling and I could feel the oil moving around my eye and actually soothing the crazed nerves.  Within minutes the pain was gone.

I'm not making this up.  I've done it a few times.
Be careful
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by cwp2002 on Oct 22nd, 2004, 9:31am
Use some pepper spray, You can get it at outdoors stores, sporting goods etcetera,  Also known as bear repellent.

I think the name is fitting.  
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by LeLimey on Oct 22nd, 2004, 11:09am
VIg, do you actually rub your eyeball or the eyelid?
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by vig on Oct 22nd, 2004, 11:27am
actually, the first time it was an accident.
I had been cooking and forgot to wash my hands.
Hours later when the attack came, and the teary eye came and I was rubbing it (my EYE) with my palm,...
At first I thought I had really, REALLY screwed myself.
But then within seconds, I noticed it WASN'T burning, it was actually a nice warm fuzzy feeling... I could feel the oil moving to cover the eye and even working its way back around to the socket.  It was kind of fascinating.

So anyway as people write about the nasal spray, I figure it really has to be administered to the eye not the nose.  But I know that's not generally safe too.

I've done this a few times since, and it only works with a really wet teary headaCHe.  It probably dilutes the oil to a sufficient degree to make it safe and help it move around properly.  And just a LITTLE bit of the oil on my palm.  I broke open a Jalapeno and just dabbed it on my palm at the base of the thumb.

Be careful, but I'm curious if it would work for anyone.
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by LeLimey on Oct 22nd, 2004, 12:03pm
Having once rubbed my nose when pickling chillies I'm cautious to say the least.. that was a severe burning sensation ( I often wish I'd rubbed a chilli on the inside of my ex's underwear but that's another story!!!) My left eye weeps when I'm in a high pain peak so it would be worth a try then I suppose. I have just got my imigran ingections today and I have o2 coming tomorrow so I'll see how I get on with them. Thanks for the tip though and I'm glad something at least helps you  :)
Title: Re: Capsicum
Post by bstearns on Oct 22nd, 2004, 12:54pm
vig:  I'd be really careful here with your eye.  I used the spray for the first 2 weeks of my CH series, and it worked pretty well up to the time headaches got above K4.  After that, it's pretty useless.  However, the post nasal drip did cause a minor mouth ulcer in the roof of my mouth. so, this stuff is pretty irritating.  I'd be really careful getting it in your eye.  Just my advice.


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