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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> dull pain
        
(Message started by: kristinjo on Jul 21^st, 2006, 8:36pm)

Title: dull pain
Post by kristinjo on Jul 21^st, 2006, 8:36pm

Hi! My wife wrote the other day on the MRI results I had. You guys have a great site not that I really like being part of your club but I guess you have to belong to something! I have had three bad ones in the last two weeks, not complaining after reading some of your stories. I am on Verapamil... have not had a bad one since then but still have a dull pain over my left eye, not bad, you always feel like your in a fog. Is that the shadow you talk about? Thank you

Title: Re: dull pain
Post by LeLimey on Jul 21^st, 2006, 8:41pm

Hi Kristinjo, that sounds pretty much like a "shadow" to me. What dose of verap are you on? Upping it is always a possibility that you can discuss with your doctor. Alot of us find red bull or strong coffee very effective at fighting shadows too.
Looking forward to hearing more back from you
Helen

Title: Re: dull pain
Post by Derrick on Jul 21^st, 2006, 8:42pm

I know exactly the fog you are talking about. for me its a small part of the shadow. the primary shadow for me is a dull headache w/ some small spasms on the left temple....it basically feels like a really bad one could come at anytime, but it doesnt, which gets me anxious and causes me to stay up later than normal....we all know what happens when we finally fall asleep....please take a look at my post entitled "Awesome Neurologist in Raleigh, NC"

-Derrick

Title: Re: dull pain
Post by kristinjo on Jul 21^st, 2006, 8:56pm

The doctor put me on 80mg tabs...we are still waiting for the doctor to call with our neuro appt. Still not sure why the MRI says I am losing brain tissue volume in my cerebellum. My wife, Kristin, bought me a few cans of red bull today, but I tried the Sobe energy drink and it tastes a lot better than red bull...still has the taurine in it. Derrik, I understand what you are talking about when you talk about falling asleep. I laughed, cried when I read about the guy who hates to fall asleep because it is like when freddy Kruger comes from your dreams. The Verapamil has been controlling the headaches but I hate to be on them forever. But yet don't want to find out my "cycle". Pain free is good. I will check out the post, too.

Thanks,
Buck (the new clusterhead)

Title: Re: dull pain
Post by LeLimey on Jul 21^st, 2006, 9:03pm

Hiya Buck,
Am I reading you right in that your on 80mg a day or 80 mg at a time? Either way that is exceedingly low and not generally considered too effective for CH.
The mean dose is around 480mg.
Obviously some people go lower and some significantly higher than that. It's very important you have a ECG before each increase but I would most certainly suggest you go back to your doctor and discuss that with him.
generic versions of red bull work just as well (and usually taste equally as disgusting!) Go with the cheaper stuff... most of us do!

Title: Re: dull pain
Post by kristinjo on Jul 21^st, 2006, 9:13pm

Hi, LeLimey!

It's 80mg tabs, four times a day. It has been working well so far.

Title: Re: dull pain
Post by LeLimey on Jul 21^st, 2006, 9:23pm

320mg in total then? Okay then my suggestion would be to speak to your doc, get an ECG and maybe go a little higher, one or two more tabs would take you to between 400mg and 480mg and I would be inclined to think that would see you right.
You do know about avoiding grapefruit or grapefruit juice while on verap don't you? It can intensify the effects which can be dangerous. Pardon me if you do know but I have a tendency to over explain rather than under do it as I know so many people read and never post. I want what I say to be applicable to many where possible! :)
In the meantime, red bull or generic equivalents containing caffeine and taurine are well worth a try. There's a lot of anecdotal evidence here from alot of us who have gained relief from it IF chugged fast and as soon as you can get it down your neck!

Title: Re: dull pain
Post by kristinjo on Jul 21^st, 2006, 9:57pm

Yup, 320mg. It seems to be controlling the pain. The fog never seems to go away though. Thanks for the info on avoiding the acids...it seems to me someone told us that. On another posting, the question was asked if it was alright to mix Verapamil with Taurine. Have you heard if there are any side effects to this?

Title: Re: dull pain
Post by FRANKYT1963 on Jul 21^st, 2006, 10:35pm

I AM ON VERAPIMIL AND I DRINK 2 RED BULLS A DAY. THEY ARE ALLRIGHT TO TAKE TOGETHER, I'VE HAD NO SIDE AFFECTS. :D :D

Title: Re: dull pain
Post by kristinjo on Jul 21^st, 2006, 10:51pm

Thanks, Frank.

The red bulls seem to lift the fog I'm in. So I guess I'll keep drinking them.