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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> New Methods of Treatment?????
        
(Message started by: ktb on Oct 20^th, 2006, 7:00pm)

Title: New Methods of Treatment?????
Post by ktb on Oct 20^th, 2006, 7:00pm

Long time reader, first time poster.... ::)

I'm on day 3 of my cycle so I'm reading up on some of these new treatments. I'm curious about the kudzu and melatonin. Do you stop taking imitrex and verapamil when you start the natural stuff? I'm afraid of going cold turkey on these things even tho I've done that for the last 4 cycles (either preggers or breastfeeding). Also, what about Lithium? Do you stay on that or go off?
So far my pain is managed w/O2 but that won't last for much longer.
Thanks for the help!!

Title: Re: New Methods of Treatment?????
Post by chewy on Oct 20^th, 2006, 7:08pm

I dont know about the Kudzu but the melatonin should be fine with RX meds.

I tried brestfeeding during my last cycle. Didn't abort or prevent but it was fun anyway. 8)

Title: Re: New Methods of Treatment?????
Post by nani on Oct 20^th, 2006, 11:28pm

Kudzu and verapamil could cause your blood pressure to drop too low. It's really not advised. Kudzu and Imitrex are not really advised either, but many have used both without any problems. Have you read all the kudzu threads? They're linked in the "What's all the kudzuuu??" thread here on the meds board. Kudzu and melatonin are fine.
I was on lithium when I started kudzu, and was able to taper off the lith pretty quickly. If kudzu is going to work for you, you probably wont need much in the way of other prevents.
pain free wishes, nani

Title: Re: New Methods of Treatment?????
Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on Oct 21^st, 2006, 1:49am

I find that melatonin is a good help. It also helps to mix the melatonin with benadryl. Both are sleep aids, the benadryl has antihistamine in it so when you do get hit, it helps with the runny nose and watery eye.

PF wishes to ya.
BMonee

Title: Re: New Methods of Treatment?????
Post by georgej on Oct 21^st, 2006, 2:21am

If you use an antihistamine with the melatonin, you might also try chlorpheneramine maleate (generic for chlortrimaton). I find that it does the same thing as benedryl, (makes you sleepy) , but it seems to be more sleep-inducing than benedryl, at least for me--and can even kill a very minor shadow (perhaps a Kip 2) .

That being said, I don't think antihistamines do much by themselves as a preventive. Certainly not as an abortive.

I use melatonin myself--9 mg. a night in cycle, 3 mg. a night out of cycle. It seems to reduce the number of nighttime hits that I get. You might consider taking it with a daily magnesium and calcium supplement. The bodies of CH'rs are often deficient in magnesium.

Best wishes,

George