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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> So how many energy drinks is too much?
        
(Message started by: carolynp on Sep 4^th, 2006, 1:48am)

Title: So how many energy drinks is too much?
Post by carolynp on Sep 4^th, 2006, 1:48am

Jim is a chronic. Lately it's been WAY bad. :-[

He's surpassed Red Bull and literally STUCK with 16 oz Monsters, Rockstars, etc, almost anything that is on sale.

I started counting because the $$ is getting ridiculous. An average day is 2 of the drinks but lately we've been up to 4. 6 was his highest day. SIX freaking energy drinks in a day!! And no, it isn't just to bring the "up". Only as an early abortive for these stupid clusters. :(

So energy drink junkies, how many is too many? Dr said 2 in a day but some days that just isn't reasonable. How bout you?

Title: Re: So how many energy drinks is too much?
Post by sandie99 on Sep 4^th, 2006, 3:52am

Hi Carolyn,

I'm so sorry to hear that the beast is giving Jim a hard time right now... [smiley=hug.gif]

Now to energy drinks. Personally I have needed 2 on the worst day.

I suggest that you carefully read the labels; back here in Finland each can has recommended dose. And my Red Bull (250ml) cans recommend not to drink more than 5 cans/day.

The recommeded amount depends probably on the amount of caffeine; I've seen different warnings on bigger (330ml) cans and my caffeine tablet can informs me not to take more than 3 tabs, which would mean 300mgs of caffeine.

I hope this helps!

Best wishes & PFdays,
Sanna

Title: Re: So how many energy drinks is too much?
Post by BarbaraD on Sep 4^th, 2006, 5:14am

Carolyn,

That's probably too many, BUT when a CH hits, most of us don't care. Anything to STOP the pain of CH.

If they abort the CH, then let him drink them. When the cycle is over he'll get back to normal.

The energy drinks are cheaper than $60 for an imitrex shot.

He might try melatonin at night (6-12mg).

Wishing him PF days ahead.

Hugs BD

Title: Re: So how many energy drinks is too much?
Post by brewcrew on Sep 4^th, 2006, 8:48am

Mind you, this is only from personal experience, but once you start getting heart palpatations, you might want to think about backing off a little.

I've never had more than three big ones in a day. And that seemed like a lot.

Title: Re: So how many energy drinks is too much?
Post by chopmyheadoff on Sep 4^th, 2006, 9:24am

dood, its only caffine - if it helps . . get it down you

Title: Re: So how many energy drinks is too much?
Post by Melissa on Sep 4^th, 2006, 9:29am

Has Jim tried oxygen as an abortive instead of the energy drinks? He could also try taking Taurine supplements for a possible preventative and then drink soda or coffee for the caffeine as an alternative.

Just trying to help...

mel

Title: Re: So how many energy drinks is too much?
Post by paulc on Sep 4^th, 2006, 9:38am

on 09/04/06 at 08:48:07, brewcrew wrote:

The same applies when you see a beautiful woman :P!

Title: Re: So how many energy drinks is too much?
Post by Linda_Howell on Sep 4^th, 2006, 11:20am

Quote:

dood, its only caffine

Please read the label. It's a lot more than just caffeine.

Quote:

The same applies when you see a beautiful woman !

Yeah. THAT was helpful. ::)

Title: Re: So how many energy drinks is too much?
Post by brewcrew on Sep 4^th, 2006, 11:28am

on 09/04/06 at 09:24:53, chopmyheadoff wrote:

dood, its only caffine - if it helps . . get it down you

Dood - It's also taurine, which enhances the effect of caffeine. Too much caffeine (or "turbo-caffeine," if you will) can put you in the hospital.

Yours truly,

Other Dood ;;D

Title: Re: So how many energy drinks is too much?
Post by kcopelin on Sep 4^th, 2006, 12:30pm

Uhhh, okay...my cans of Rockstar say not to drink more than two servings at a sitting. The can is two servings. Not sure how to define sittings as that's not something I do very often. I tend to drink one mid-morning and one mid-afternoon. Tried the taurine tablets-doesn't have the same kick-and my stomach is no longer enjoying alot of strong coffee. But that is just me.
Note to self...watch out for heart palipations and beautiful women....
kathy

Title: Re: So how many energy drinks is too much?
Post by Nick8977 on Sep 4^th, 2006, 2:49pm

I usually drink one in the morning 1st thing (did that before CH) and when I start to get hit I down another. Most I have ever had in a day was 5 and Im pretty sure that was pushing it.
Just bought 500mg tabs of Taurine Yesterday so hopefully they will do the trick (way cheaper than redbull like $8.00 for 5o pills at GNC)
NICK

Title: Re: So how many energy drinks is too much?
Post by thebbz on Sep 4^th, 2006, 6:55pm

Palpitations = heart hiccups.
Too much is too much. When your getting rebounds from it, maybe too much? [smiley=twocents.gif]
jb

Title: Re: So how many energy drinks is too much?
Post by Jobette on Sep 5^th, 2006, 10:33pm

Carolyn, please don't be so concerned about the red bulls, because as you will find out, most things that they give for these Monster Headaches is more harnmful than the bulls. :-X And anyway what is money when Jim is a chronic clusterhead. I would gladly pay anything to be rid of this condition called "Cluster Headaches". Give him a break. :-/ Here's wish Jim painfree days!!!

Title: Re: So how many energy drinks is too much?
Post by Katherinecm on Sep 6^th, 2006, 12:17am

Hey, you live in Council Bluffs... Des Moines here. :D

I don't know if you have Aldi's grocery chain there or in Omaha or not, but you can get a 4-pack of a generic called Red Thunder for $1.99 + deposit there. I buy them by the case, and they work just as well for a lot cheaper. If he's going through that many, it might be worth a look online to see where the closest Aldi's is and make a trip for it.

I wouldn't worry about taking too much, physically. Caffeine and taurine combined make him feel a LOT better than he would without them, and the b-vitamins and other ingredients may help a lot too. Even the sugar, if he's they type to get an attack when his blood sugar is low. Think of this like medication, not a drink. Go for the generic, but don't try to limit them. This will be a huge support for him, it will prevent him from using other meds that aren't always as effective, cause more rebounds, and are very expensive. Many of us overuse things like triptans (imitrex, etc). No one has studied the long-term safety of daily use, but the theory is that they damage your heart valves, blood vessels, liver, kidneys, and are possibly addictive. I'm not sure this matters if they work- if they keep your psyche healthy, that's the most important thing in my book.

Many of the other drugs are pretty dangerous too. To minimize those risks it's better to take the less dangerous things, like red bull, cold/heat (whichever works best for him), and O2 as often as they're effective. It's cheaper and probably healthier in the long run. Also, if he's the type that has long-lasting hits and takes oral meds, I find they work much faster and better if I swallow them with an energy drink.

As far as taking too much, he'll probably find his limits on his own. Too much causes jitters, nausea, and possibly diarrhea (fructose overload), at least in my case.

I really can't overemphasize how much of a support it will be to him to keep him well-stocked with this stuff. Going through such severe pain is really hard, and anything that consistently helps without danger is good. I think of mine as medicine, and I get really upset if my family drinks them all and I go to the fridge with a raging hit and find I don't have any. It feels like they are purposely hurting me by taking away oneof the few things that makes me feel better. We have a rule now that if anyone helps themselves, they better be sure I have at least 6 left.

Title: Re: So how many energy drinks is too much?
Post by kcakebread on Sep 10^th, 2006, 3:51pm

The end of this article explains how to use alternate sources of the key Red Bull ingredients to lower the cost of use as a cluster headache abortive.

http://www.med-owl.com/clusterheadaches/tiki-print.php?page=Taurine

kfc