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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Any Luck with Advil 200 mg Liqui Gels anyone?
        
(Message started by: JohnMcCloy on Sep 3^rd, 2006, 2:57pm)

Title: Any Luck with Advil 200 mg Liqui Gels anyone?
Post by JohnMcCloy on Sep 3^rd, 2006, 2:57pm

I bought i ginormous bottle today and im gonna pop 4 at a time when the attacks begin.Has anyone had any luck getting These pwerful advils to at least dull the pain?

I have never had any luck with anything like Aleve & Tylenol Etc.

Title: Re: Any Luck with Advil 200 mg Liqui Gels anyone
Post by Sandy_C on Sep 3^rd, 2006, 3:11pm

And you probably won't have success with Advil either, John.

When my cycles first began in 1999, I lived on Extra Strength Excedrin, popping three to four with every hit. Did nothing for the CH but killed my stomach. Went to Advil, Aspirin, Aleve, same thing. The one thing I did learn over the years, that most of the OTC's caused rebound headaches, which made me take another dose, and another dose.

Frankly, in my opinion, none of the OTC "pain" relievers work for CH. As someone said in your other thread, look at the supplements like kudzu, melatonin, etc. You have to take them regularly for a period of time before they get in to your system before they will start working, but many have had good success with them. Also, if you don't want to, or can't take the high powered prescription meds, check in to the alternatives at Clusterbusters. I have and it's helping.

Sandy

Title: Re: Any Luck with Advil 200 mg Liqui Gels anyone?
Post by totka2 on Sep 3^rd, 2006, 3:43pm

OTC painkillers (aspirin, paracetamol, ibuprofen ...) have no effect on the pain from a cluster headache. Personally I had gastric ulcer (aspirin), addiction (metamyzol + aminophenazone + diazepam combo).
Try oxygen.

Title: Re: Any Luck with Advil 200 mg Liqui Gels anyone?
Post by Charlotte on Sep 3^rd, 2006, 3:48pm

John, I've lost track? How do you present, again?

OTC don't work for this. The NSAID that may help is a prescription - Indomethacin, which helps on paroxysmal hemicrania and hemicrania continua, and similar uncategorized headaches, which are "cousins" (to quote E-Dub) to ch. (I think of them as illigitimate half-siblings to ch.) Indomethacin is helping me.

Don't waste $ & your guts & liver on OTC.

Charlotte

Title: Re: Any Luck with Advil 200 mg Liqui Gels anyone?
Post by JohnMcCloy on Sep 3^rd, 2006, 4:49pm

Yeah my last Cluster that just ended 5 mins ago Sliced right through the 5 Advils.I have been taking Melatonin nonstop & Kudzu.No help so far.
I have not slept since Friday Night.I just had friends stop by and see if i wanted to hang out in the City and they rarely come out here but im confied to my couch and the worst part is I cannot sleep.

Im gonna up the Kudzu from 5 to 6 a day and see if it helps.Im popping 3 Melatonins a day at least.

Title: Re: Any Luck with Advil 200 mg Liqui Gels anyone?
Post by Sandy_C on Sep 3^rd, 2006, 5:16pm

John

Have you been keeping any kind of log as to your hits, time day, etc? You really need to do this because timing of the doses of both kudzu and melatonin can make a difference,.

Both kudzu and melaton need to be taken regularly - not just when you get a hit, or three times a day, and taking either "nonstop" won't help you at all. Both will take a couple of weeks, of regular doses to get in your system and start working.

Melatonin is used by most of us to help with nighttime hits. We take anywhere from 9 to 12 mg (not pills - mgs) about 30 minutes before bed. It doesn't seem to help at all to take it during the daytime. It is also important to try to have a regular bedtime/wake up schedule as much as possible. This is not to say that you can't stay up late one night, but melatonin helps to regulate your wake/sleep patterns, and if you want to make a difference in your CH, you've got to try to maintain a regular pattern.

Kudzu - If you read the kudzu thread at the top of this section, the timing of your doses can also be helpful. This where the log comes in. I used Nature's Way, 613 mg tablets. I took 6 of these tablets every day. But, I spaced them out knowing that I could expect to get hit at 2:00 in the afternoon, and several hits in the evening and maybe one at night. So, I spaced the doses - 1 tab in the morning, 2 at lunch, and 3 about 7:00 pm. The kudzu did NOT stop the hits - it's not a miracle drug - what it did was lessen the severity of the hit, and made the hits much shorter in duration.

If you are looking for an OTC miracle drug that will make it all go away - there is no such thing.

Good luck

Sandy

Title: Re: Any Luck with Advil 200 mg Liqui Gels anyone?
Post by brewcrew on Sep 3^rd, 2006, 5:28pm

Ibuprofen will do the same thing to your innards that aspirin does. My father-in-law was gobbling 25 aspirin per day for back pain, and it landed him in the hospital (no, the black stool wasn't from licorice jelly beans - it was blood!).

OTC meds aren't gonna cut it for CH. Don't do that to your stomach if you're not getting any benefit from it. You can end up with some SERIOUS internal bleeding.

Talk to a neurologist about a sound preventative treatment, i.e., verapamil, lithium, methysergide, etc.

Good Luck!

Bill

Title: Re: Any Luck with Advil 200 mg Liqui Gels anyone?
Post by starlight on Sep 3^rd, 2006, 9:04pm

John,
I saw that you have tried melatonin but weren't having success and that you are getting hit frequently at night.
I get hit 6 times a night on average. This is just a theory but I think those who get hit that frequently may need to take over 18 mg melatonin at night. I sure have had to go higher than that this cycle. 18 mg would not have touched it past the first week.
I went higher than that and also increased the dosages evey couple of days. During week four I stopped increasing and stayed at the same dose cause I found I was peaking and things stop working so well including O2. But for the first four or five weeks of cycle I bought myself MANY painfree nights and other nights that were not bad at all--but I had to go up higher than 18mg. I noticed no ill effects whatsoever except drowsiness when I first started taking melatonin. I would do it again in a heartbeat cause the first 4 or 5 weeks I was in fine shape and the melatonin bought it for me--but I did need to go up higher than 18 mg.
After about week 5 the melatonin seemed to lose its effect--not sure why but it sure bought me some pain free time.
Anyway I hope this helps. It worked for me. I had to go up higher--that's just how it was. Maybe it would help you. 9 mg may not be enough. Good luck, Starlight

Title: Re: Any Luck with Advil 200 mg Liqui Gels anyone?
Post by starlight on Sep 3^rd, 2006, 9:13pm

Oh and what Sandy said was super important--you gotta take it at same time and go to bed at basically same time. Don't know why but that is super important. Also you may have to tinker around with exactly how long before bedtime to take it--like try half an hour before bedtime.
Sleep hygiene it is called. The beast loves it when we go to sleep a little late--even a half hour late--he loves that. Don't know why but it gives him the chance to rear his ugly head again. Also as much as you may not feel like it--on days when you can get up at same time rather than sleep in later (and again believe me this is easier said than done when getting HAs)--this does not affect the melatonin effectiveness--rather the beast hates it when we get up at the same time of day. It weakens him.

Title: Re: Any Luck with Advil 200 mg Liqui Gels anyone?
Post by Tattoo on Sep 4^th, 2006, 6:50am

I dont know about everyone else but the Beast hits me harder on the weekends .I got to thinking that since my job has alot of heavy lifting and such and I didnt do alot of tiring work on my days off So by the time sunday comes around Im pretty much relaxed and my beast hates relaxing . Now I try to work my butt off and stay with my "normal sleep" habits even on my days off. For me 12mg of melatonin and hard work lets me sleep most of the time . As far as any OTC pain drugs all they do for me is screw up my gut .

Title: Re: Any Luck with Advil 200 mg Liqui Gels anyone?
Post by Charlotte on Sep 4^th, 2006, 9:58am

John, I'm concerned that you are in so much pain that you are not thinking of your future health.

More is not always better. Sometimes it is important to use something else. Finding the right thing for you takes a lot of work, and you need to be careful.

I'm just asking you to look beyond this cycle of pain, to your future, and think of preserving what health you have.

Please.

Charlotte

Title: Re: Any Luck with Advil 200 mg Liqui Gels anyone?
Post by Karla on Sep 4^th, 2006, 8:37pm

I take 800mg of alieve, ibuprofin, motrin, etc and they do nothing absolutly nothing for my ch. They help for other ailments but are a waste of time for ch!!

Title: Re: Any Luck with Advil 200 mg Liqui Gels anyone?
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Sep 4^th, 2006, 8:43pm

on 09/04/06 at 20:37:51, Karla wrote:

I take 800mg of alieve, ibuprofin, motrin, etc and they do nothing absolutly nothing for my ch. They help for other ailments but are a waste of time for ch!!

Oh god, your poor liver! OTC painkillers are pointless for clusters, not even worth the money.

Title: Re: Any Luck with Advil 200 mg Liqui Gels anyone?
Post by brewcrew on Sep 4^th, 2006, 8:51pm

on 09/04/06 at 20:43:28, BigCoffinHunter wrote:

Oh god, your poor liver! OTC painkillers are pointless for clusters, not even worth the money.

Um, she said that it helped for other ailments (which it does - ibuprofen is GREAT for occasional back pain, for example). And if you do this infrequently enough, it will be of no consequence to the liver.

Title: Re: Any Luck with Advil 200 mg Liqui Gels anyone?
Post by E-Double on Sep 5^th, 2006, 5:30am

Dude..........

I just checked your profile...

I live on LI, grew up in Queens and am close enough that if you need help to just give a holla!!!

There are some very knowledgable docs in our area and if you really need to get a firm grip on this cycle as it seems you do then you should look into it.,

I go to NECH in stamford CT....a 30 min. drive from Manhattan. Call them!!!!!!!!

Seriously, if you are in crisis mode send me a PM and I'll make things happen for ya.

Eric

Title: Re: Any Luck with Advil 200 mg Liqui Gels anyone?
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Sep 5^th, 2006, 8:22am

on 09/04/06 at 20:51:55, brewcrew wrote:

Must have misread that as taking that much every day, my bad.

Title: Re: Any Luck with Advil 200 mg Liqui Gels anyone?
Post by brewcrew on Sep 5^th, 2006, 10:12am

on 09/05/06 at 08:22:01, BigCoffinHunter wrote:

Must have misread that as taking that much every day, my bad.

Or worse yet, multiple times each day! Then you would be spot on.

Not Karla, though. She knows what she's doing.

Title: Re: Any Luck with Advil 200 mg Liqui Gels anyone?
Post by rhino on Sep 19^th, 2006, 9:57pm

Changing the subject a little,, has anybody tryed NAPROXEN or Propanolol HCL,, I was prescribed these
two by a new doctor today.
I went to this Doc. just to get a prescription of Prednisone and the guy ask me what I was doing with it,,, so I told him Cluster Headaches.
He says no problem I can get rid of those for you,, here take this.
When he said he could get rid of my CH, I wanted to fall to the floor and kiss his feet.
After collecting myself I thought I would check you guys on the CH web site and see if anybody had any experiance with these two drugs.
Thanks for your help [smiley=cowboy.gif]

Title: Re: Any Luck with Advil 200 mg Liqui Gels anyone?
Post by jon019 on Sep 19^th, 2006, 11:21pm

on 09/19/06 at 21:57:50, rhino wrote:

Hi Rhino,

Have tried both. Did not help me. Does not mean you should not try.

The next part, OMG!. NO ONE should ever make a comment like that. Arrogant and irresponsible. There are over 10,000 here and thousands of others to prove it. If it works, great, if it doesn't, what next? Where does he get this knowledge from? Incredible!

The best Doc I've ever had for this condition (a recognized headache expert) said we have no answers for this, we'll just keep trying with you until we find what works.

I totally understand your reaction. We all would like to believe it true. It just aint necessasarily so.

I'm sorry to be negative. I DO NOT mean to discourage you, but this kind of crap just PISSES me off.

Best wishes in your quest,

Jon

Title: Re: Any Luck with Advil 200 mg Liqui Gels anyone?
Post by rhino on Sep 20^th, 2006, 8:08pm

Hello Jon

Thanks for getting back to me,, I thought I had taken about every drug known to help these things,, then
this Doc drops these two on me.

I will try them, I am at a point where the only thing working for me is Prednisone & Zomig. I am 5 months into this cycle, with no end in site. I have put on 17 lbs.
and have turned myself into a fat man with headaches.

Sorry about complaining,, I feel like shit. Thanks for your help [smiley=cowboy.gif]

Title: Re: Any Luck with Advil 200 mg Liqui Gels anyone?
Post by mynm156 on Sep 21^st, 2006, 9:18pm

Sorry but No. I wish but never have I had any luck with OTC meds.

Title: Re: Any Luck with Advil 200 mg Liqui Gels anyone?
Post by wam on Sep 30^th, 2006, 8:53pm

Nope.You would have better luck popping some m&m's than any otc drug.They have no effect and the devil justs laughs at you.

Title: Re: Any Luck with Advil 200 mg Liqui Gels anyone?
Post by unsolved1 on Sep 30^th, 2006, 9:00pm

Yeah, M&M's taste better 8)

UNsolved ;)

Title: Re: Any Luck with Advil 200 mg Liqui Gels anyone?
Post by Charlotte on Oct 1^st, 2006, 3:14pm

In February, I had a straight 8 every 2 hours, and propanolol knocked them down to 6. This only lasted about 4 - 6 weeks, and I eventually stopped the Inderal (propanolol). I was very grateful and could really tell and it made a big difference to me at the point where I used it.

I now am using several meds and have irregular spacing of my hits, although most are approximately still 2 hours apart, when not back to back.

If you were goig to use an NSAID, I would suggest Indomethacin firstm at 50 mg 3 times a day.

Let us know how the combo works. Every round is different and it might work this round.

Good luck, John, Jon, & Rhino, and anyone else whom I forgot.

Charlotte

Title: Re: Any Luck with Advil 200 mg Liqui Gels anyone?
Post by Carl_D on Oct 1^st, 2006, 6:35pm

Using Advil, Tylenol or anything over the counter is like trying to put a band-aid on a shotgun wound.

In fact, Vicodin, Percoset... even Stadol NS has no real effect on the pain. The Stadol a few years ago doped me up enough to drool, but the pain shot right through it.

Pain meds / relievers are useless against CH. The only real weapons seem to be Triptans (Imitrex, Zomig, Relpax) and o2 to abort, and Verapamil, Lithium or Prednisone (nasty stuff) to prevent.

Hope you get some relief soon. Check out some of the links to th left if you haven't already under "medical info, oxygen info" .

Peace,
Carl