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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Kudzu update
        
(Message started by: jdd on Apr 19^th, 2006, 2:13pm)

Title: Kudzu update
Post by jdd on Apr 19^th, 2006, 2:13pm

Hi all,

I was wondering how those that have had success with kudzu were doing. Is it still effective? What are your long term experiences? And to those who are episodic, did you know that your cycle was over, and how did you wean off the kudzu?

My experience has been pretty good. I'm about 5 weeks into my cycle right now. I would say that the first 3 weeks or so, the zu worked great. I didn't really feel like I was in cycle. But since then, I have had some hits. A lot less frequent than I otherwise would mind you, but hits nevertheless. I increased my dosage which has helped. I would say that I had two kip 8's (or 9) this cycle so far (the rest were more like kip 4 or 5). Normally I would use the imitrex spray to abort the attacks, but there were concerns on this board about using the two together, so I decided to hold off. I'm not sure if I can do so the next time.

Anyway, the kudzu has been pretty effective for me overall. How about the others?

Thanks.

Title: Re: Kudzu update
Post by frisbee on May 25^th, 2006, 10:19pm

I'm having some weirdness that I'm not sure is related to kudzu. A couple weeks ago a 10 week cycle ended. Four PF days after a few days of single minor hits. This is how my cycles have always ended. Then a new cycle starts in again. That has never happened before. I always get at least a year between cycles.

Anyone else have anything similar?

Cheers,
Kirt

Title: Re: Kudzu update
Post by nani on May 27^th, 2006, 9:25am

I'm glad to see the kudzu is still helping, jdd. It's not unusual to have to increase the dosage as time goes on. I was chronic when I was using kudzu, and after an attempt at tapering off of it, it became ineffective for me. (Most everything does, eventually....except clusterbusters, so far) It's possible that using Imitrex too soon (within a couple of hours) after taking kudzu will make the trex ineffective. A few people have gone ahead and used it with no ill effects, though. I can't speak for episodics, so hopefully one will answer about how to get off and when, and whether they experienced what you are, Kirt.