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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Kudzu
        
(Message started by: midwestbeth on Oct 11^th, 2007, 5:17pm)

Title: Kudzu
Post by midwestbeth on Oct 11^th, 2007, 5:17pm

I started a Kudzu thread Help in Support by mistake........my bad.

Kudzu Update

I've been taking Kudzu along with Calcium, magnesium and zinc supplement for about 2 1/2 weeks now. I also drink 3-4 energy drinks a day. I'm chronic and have been getting hit hard lately..............that is up until 4 days ago :)

So far I have had only one since Monday, a kip 7 that woke me up night before last. No daytime hits so far ;;D

I feel like I have my life back again!!! Getting hit while driving and in public is never fun. It was getting to the point that I would leave the house only if absolutely necessary..............the cubbards were getting pretty bare and the teens were getting grumpy.

Fridge and pantry are now restocked and I've even gone out a couple times with friends for a few drinks.
Life is good again!!!

Now if I can survive this homecoming weekend...........

pf wishes to all,
Beth

Title: Re: Kudzu
Post by Guiseppi on Oct 11^th, 2007, 6:18pm

Dang we love a success story, so glad you found a "silver bullet." Here's hoping you get one of those ridiculously long remissions!!! ;;D

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Kudzu
Post by artonio7 on Oct 11^th, 2007, 6:23pm

Beth,

That makes me smile.... I will pray that it only gets better for you.

with warm regards,
Tony

Title: Re: Kudzu
Post by phil_h on Oct 11^th, 2007, 8:01pm

What great news....... I pray your pf period extends forever....... Stay with what works , as long as it works.... Enjoy homecoming............ phil h

Title: Re: Kudzu
Post by ski2k on Oct 11^th, 2007, 11:36pm

Awesome news, Beth!!! Great to hear you're getting the relief you need!!!

Here's to hoping it lasts forever!
[smiley=me&mb.gif]
Adam

Title: Re: Kudzu
Post by nani on Oct 12^th, 2007, 12:48am

Sounds promising, Beth. :) Continued pf wishes to you...
hugs, nani

Title: Re: Kudzu
Post by Ree on Oct 12^th, 2007, 8:48pm

Did you stop everything else... Dave is at the point where nothing is stopping them. Frova, Imatrex, Zomig O2 and I also need to know, where do you get Kudzu? and how much do you take. He hasnt had a cycle for 2 years......(I know lucky guy because hes not chronic...he's not feeling lucky) People only started using Kudzu since Daves last cycle so we don't know much about it. Put it this way when he doesn't have CH he won't even talk about it so I lurk and post here supporting others while he is keeping the beast away.
He drives tractor trailer for a living and has to work... hasn't been sleeping at all. Thanks in advance... we need something new to try...

love to you and pain free nights as well...
Ree

Title: Re: Kudzu
Post by Ctech on Oct 13^th, 2007, 3:10am

That is great! I hope you get to enjoy many more cold drinks (I am having one as we speak ;))

-Chris

Title: Re: Kudzu
Post by Ctech on Oct 13^th, 2007, 3:18am

Ree,

My dad has been driving a rig for over 30 years and I know how tuff it can be (without Ch) so my heart goes out to him...

Hope the beast goes away real soon.

-Chris

Title: Re: Kudzu
Post by sandie99 on Oct 13^th, 2007, 8:46am

Beth, that's just wonderful! :) Fantastic!

PF wishes,
Sanna

Title: Re: Kudzu
Post by nani on Oct 13^th, 2007, 12:39pm

on 10/12/07 at 20:48:00, Ree wrote:

People only started using Kudzu since Daves last cycle so we don't know much about it. Ree

Here, Ree... it's a place to start reading:

http://www.kudzubusters.com/KudzuFAQs.doc

Title: Re: Kudzu
Post by midwestbeth on Oct 14^th, 2007, 12:50pm

Ree...

I have stopped all triptans. I have been taking 1000mg of Kudzu, it's Vitamin World Brand. I got it on clearance buy one get one free and 50% off. I also take 9 mg of Melatonin at night. Any health food store of vitamin store should carry Kudzu. I've never found it at Walgreens or Walmart.

In the past 5 days I've had 3 ch. All of them have been at night and they have been the bad ones :-[. Still pf during the day which is good, but not sleeping well yet.

I have 02, but I need a refill. 02 works sometimes and sometimes it just delays the inevitable.

I'm going to continue trying the Kudzu, as I've given up on all Rx meds and I'm out of trex etc....

pf wishes to all,
Beth

Title: Re: Kudzu
Post by nani on Oct 14^th, 2007, 1:05pm

on 10/14/07 at 12:50:40, midwestbeth wrote:

All of them have been at night and they have been the bad ones :-[. Still pf during the day which is good, but not sleeping well yet.

You may want to consider taking another one about an hour before bed, Beth. The thing with kudzu is that it's most effective taken an hour or two before your most active hours. We think it blocks the pain receptors.

Title: Re: Kudzu
Post by midwestbeth on Oct 15^th, 2007, 1:52pm

Nani,

The brand of Kudzu I'm taking says 2 tablets a day (1000 mg). I've been taking 1 in the morning along with the calcium, magnesiun and zinc and two at night before bed along with Melatonin (9mg).

I was up last night twice because of ch :'(. I'm still not getting hit during the day. Should I increase my dose?

I stayed home today from work because of exhaustion. Only the second time this year I've done that..........yes the last time was because of ch too.

It's been about three weeks since I started Kudzu. How much longer should I try this before giving up and trying something else?

So sick of this and exhausted
Beth

Title: Re: Kudzu
Post by sandie99 on Oct 15^th, 2007, 3:06pm

Lots of PF vibes & prayers are coming your way, Beth. [smiley=hug.gif]

PF days & nights,
Sanna

Title: Re: Kudzu
Post by nani on Oct 16^th, 2007, 2:42pm

on 10/15/07 at 13:52:50, midwestbeth wrote:

Should I increase my dose?

How much longer should I try this before giving up and trying something else?

If it were me, I'd increase the dose (in fact I was taking 4500 mgs a day). Did you get hit during the day before? If so, then keep the AM dose the same and add another at night. If not...try all of it at night.

Also, experiment with the timing of the night dose. Maybe a little earlier? Or later? About 2 hours before you expect a hit is probably the most effective. I think you could go up to 12mgs of melatonin, too.

It often takes some time to get the timing and dose just right. I'd say that any improvement is some proof it's working. If it isn't helping at all, or things get worse... that's another story.

pf wishes and hugs, nani

Title: Re: Kudzu
Post by midwestbeth on Oct 17^th, 2007, 5:22pm

Thanks for the dosage info Nani. I'll be increasing my dose to 3000 mg at night and see what happens.

I did get hit Tues night kip 10+. Felt like I was hit upside the face with a baseball bat and looked like I was punched in the eye............

Now on to some good news. Started to get hit last night at 9:30, got up and slammed a cold bottle of water, ch aborted. 12:30 am, same thing, slammed a cold bottle of water and another ch aborted. I tried the water instead of an energy drink because the energy drink did not help at all the night before. I guess my message is, keep on changing it up and trying different things, you never know...................... and whatever you do, keep on fighting the beast with whatever you got.

Thanks everyone for the support.

Beth

Title: Re: Kudzu
Post by MvT on Oct 27^th, 2007, 8:53pm

for me I just have bawls or sobe before the kudzu and some after works well

glad your feeling better

Title: Re: Kudzu
Post by midwestbeth on Oct 29^th, 2007, 3:30pm

Just a little update on the Kudzu.

Still getting hit hard at least once or twice every 24-36 hours. Not giving up on the Kudzu yet. It could just be the high cycle I'm in right now. If I wasn't taking the Kudzu, maybe it would be worse. I'm not taking any chances.

Beth

Title: Re: Kudzu
Post by nani on Oct 29^th, 2007, 10:48pm

on 10/29/07 at 15:30:41, midwestbeth wrote:

Dr Sewell just presented his kudzu info at the Clusterbuster Conference last weekend. His data suggests that increased relief follows increased dosages. He also confirmed that timing is critical. Perhaps you can look at another brand, or maybe a liquid extract (be careful, though, some extracts are alcohol based)? He also confirmed that since supplements aren't regulated, the actual amount of kudzu could vary very widely by brand.
I hope things get better, Beth.
hugs, nani

Title: Re: Kudzu
Post by Ree on Nov 2^nd, 2007, 9:13pm

Two days ago our Kudzu arrived... My hubby is asleep beside me here on the couch. He got hit a little earlier and aborted with a nasal spray... The kudzu is definately changing things...they aren't lasting and arent as tough. I am shocked...most meds take weeks to get in your system... Ree

Title: Re: Kudzu
Post by Sympatico on Nov 3^rd, 2007, 12:02pm

I've started my Kudzu routine 3 days ago since the beast mistaken me on the regular pattern she took the last years and like it used to do the attack are less stronger since then...

I think this is a great product but you need to start it before the cycle starts to completly feel the effect! I've tried to mistaken the Beast back in August by starting it a week sooner then usual... No signs of the Beast, no symptoms... Stopped it at the date i stopped last year a month later the Beast is here with a vengeance...

The good thing about the Kudzu is that since i've started it i can feel the that the Beast is there but without getting the full blast K10 attack, it stays at around K1-2 for the whole day instead.

Good to luck to each of you with the Kudzu and a lots of PF days!!!

Title: Re: Kudzu
Post by Ree on Nov 3^rd, 2007, 11:56pm

Thanks for helping with this new weapon against the Beast... I tell you. He is at least getting some (occasional) sleep. He took about 2100 mgs today and will probably up the dose tomorrow... I have been telling him to take it before the CH attacks... he forgot to take it today and we were away from the house started to get hit but was able to quickly abort the attack with imatrex pill... (yay)

I will be glad when one of us comes up with the cure for this horrendous condition and we can look back and laugh... or cry...
Thanks again you guys are the bomb...

ree