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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> suppliments...good and bad
        
(Message started by: iksniprak on Jan 22^nd, 2006, 11:15pm)

Title: suppliments...good and bad
Post by iksniprak on Jan 22^nd, 2006, 11:15pm

I have congestive heart failure, and have been warned against using sumatriptan.
I use it with great results because I don't have CAD (ie. Coronary Artery Disease ie. blockage...). Doctors aren't always right...they warned me not to use it...it was my only salvation from insanity at times...BTW does anyone out there know of a doctor that suffers from CH's?
I'm in Ohio but will travel anywhere for an understanding Doc.
In my research I have found the following:
O2 can be a life saver...but limited to 20 min. 5x/day max. Otherwise you can damage your lungs.
Midrin is helpful during waking hours (when you feel it coming on) but only for the mild ones...and ONLY 5x/day (watch your acetominophen intake...6000 mg in one day can KILL you...midrin has 500mg/capsule). Be aware of percocet and vicoden as they contain the poison acetominophen (tylenol) also. If you need pain meds the best I've found is percoDAN.
This is the oxycodone without the poison tylenol...it has aspirin as the secondary drug.
Do not take any of the erectile dysfunction meds as they DIALATE your blood vessels( sometimes good, but most times BAD...it relaxes them and they are more prone to spasms...the cause of our pain). This also includes the suppliment Arginine which also dialates the blood vessels...but once out of the episisode can take the place of Viagara!
The suppliment Tyrosine (good for the heart) changes into Tyramine in your body, which is a histamine promoter and is bad for CH.
Calcium suppliments are also taboo. (just Google calcium and CH's), this means TUMS and a plethera of othe antacids. (this is the reason calcium channel blockers work for some)
Magneseum (1000+ mg/day) is great for the heart and prevention of CH's.
Melatonin...cheap and effective as a prophlyactic. Also ask your doctor about Trazodone (Trade name Deseryl) as a prophlactic (preventative). It is a serotonin AND dopamine re-uptake inhibitor which has been proven safe for 40+years...works for me!
GABA...similar to neurontin without a prescription...I've also had luck with this.
B comlex and C vitamins, also very important...if the bottle says 1 per day, triple it on the C (3000mg/day...cut back if you get diahrrea) but double it on the B.
Good luck to all.
I hope this post helps someone.
Thanks for listening.

Title: Re: suppliments...good and bad
Post by iksniprak on Jan 22^nd, 2006, 11:16pm

test (my first post...)

Title: Re: suppliments...good and bad
Post by Squanto on Jan 23^rd, 2006, 6:47am

on 01/22/06 at 23:15:38, iksniprak wrote:

O2 can be a life saver...but limited to 20 min. 5x/day max. Otherwise you can damage your lungs.

I don't know where you picked up this bum-poop on O2 - but it's WRONG!

There are thousands of jet aviators who use more O2 than this every day without adverse effects.

Old injun says, "Beware of the man who thinks he knows everything."

Squanto

Title: Re: suppliments...good and bad
Post by Guiseppi on Jan 23^rd, 2006, 11:23am

Interesting what you say about magnesium and B vitamin. My neuro had read some research on that and after my last episode, had me doing a daily supplement of 500mg magnesium, and 500mg vitamin B-2. I had 2 years pain free after 25 years of 2 cycles a year. With the eclectic nature of the beast one never knows if it was just a variation or if the magnesium and B-2 helped. Being the superstitious guy that I am, I'll continue it after my current cycle ends and hope for another 2 year break.

I do agree with the previous post though. I hadn't heard about a limit on the number of times a day one could use oxygen w/out damage. The calcium deal hasn't affected me cuz I eat tums like candy year round and it doesn't seem to affect me in or out of cycle. But as has been mentioned time and time again, the only consistent thing about this beast is its inconsistency!!! Thank you for sharing your experiences, you never know who you may help.

Guiseppi

Title: Re: suppliments...good and bad
Post by sandie99 on Jan 23^rd, 2006, 11:28am

I warmly recommend magnesium. Actually taking just a magnesium tablet stopped ch hits twice! I haven't missed a tablet since. ;)

Title: Re: suppliments...good and bad
Post by floridian on Jan 25^th, 2006, 4:20pm

Thanks for the list. Have you tried CoQ10, carnitine, hawthorn, pycnogenol or antioxidants for the congestive heart?