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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> What is it with the Energy Drinks?
        
(Message started by: rannpas on Feb 13^th, 2008, 10:53pm)

Title: What is it with the Energy Drinks?
Post by rannpas on Feb 13^th, 2008, 10:53pm

OK, I have been trying to figure out what it is about the Energy Drinks, and why it is references as much as it seems.

Someone indicated they thought / believe it is because of some chemical amplifying the caffeine.

If it is the caffeine, why not suck on coffee beans?

So, can someone shed some light on this?
And if it is a helpful, is there anything to look for that would make one better than another.

Tx

Title: Re: What is it with the Energy Drinks?
Post by brewcrew on Feb 13^th, 2008, 10:58pm

Taurine + caffeine = relief

Title: Re: What is it with the Energy Drinks?
Post by thebbz on Feb 13^th, 2008, 11:59pm

Caffeine is a vaso-constrictor.=relief

thebb

Title: Re: What is it with the Energy Drinks?
Post by tommyD on Feb 14^th, 2008, 7:42am

Here's some information on what is in energy drinks:

http://tommydfungus.googlepages.com/taurinepage1

Title: Re: What is it with the Energy Drinks?
Post by sandie99 on Feb 14^th, 2008, 12:07pm

Like Brew mentioned, it's caffeine & taurine combination, which helps.

You can check out taurine tablets and caffeine tablets as well. :)

Sanna

Title: Re: What is it with the Energy Drinks?
Post by brewcrew on Feb 14^th, 2008, 6:21pm

The one advantage an energy drink has over tablets is that it's already in solution. No need for anything to dissolve, thus they work quicker.

Title: Re: What is it with the Energy Drinks?
Post by Mr. Happy on Feb 14^th, 2008, 7:52pm

Seems to be a matter of convenience and no matter the cost.
Jonathan had it scoped out a while ago -

Red Bull typically costs $1.50 to $2.50 per can, and contains 1000 mg taurine. A taurine supplement is available from Vitacost.com that costs approximately 7 cents per 1000 mg. Adding a B-vitamin supplement and your own sugar and caffeine (iced Coffee) brings the price of a somewhat comparable home brew to perhaps 25 cents. (http://www.med-owl.com/clusterheadaches/tiki-index.php?page=Red+BullRed)

It's a fad....like the Beatles.
RJ

Title: Re: What is it with the Energy Drinks?
Post by brewcrew on Feb 14^th, 2008, 8:39pm

on 02/14/08 at 19:52:53, Mr. Happy wrote:

Red Thunder can be purchased at Aldi for about 80 cents a can. And, in my humble opinion, it tastes better than Red Bull. Roughly the same mix of active ingredients.

Title: Re: What is it with the Energy Drinks?
Post by rannpas on Feb 16^th, 2008, 10:24pm

OK, TAURINE!!!

So, I had a Red Bull last night... And I thought it help, but I was on the O2.
Today I had a Scouting event and had to fight the beast, so picked up a couple of the nasty tasting RBs and I may be a believer. I definitely cannot say it stopped the CHs but it definitely helped - especially when dealing with about 180 kids. I actually did the day with the Red Bull and coffee.

My wife even commented that it appeared to help.

I will continue to try it but I am interested in knowing what the recommended process is. I read that Taurine + Caffiene is the reasoning, but:
What is the mins/maxs for them?
Is there more response the more consumed?
Should I keep taking the Taurine drink and coffee until the CH is dropping?

I have never had these Energy Drinks before, but in checking the cans I see that there really is a major difference in the quantity of Taurine in the different brands. Here from what I have seen so far, Red Bull is and I think it is Red Rain lead with 1000/250ml.

How much coffee should I have with it? what about coffee beans?

As you can see I am sort of excited - I have not had anything so simple give me some level of relief, and I am hoping I can simply work out the best combination to stagger the beast?

I hope that this pans out and gives me something beside the O2 and Imitrix, or the wall.

Is it safe to take Taurine with the Imitrex?
Is there a period to wait?

The major trigger for me is the weather and we are suppose to have some big changes in the next couple of days and hope to be able to evaluate how much this helps over the next while.

P.S. So far the Red Bull has not aborted the CH but does appear to suppress it to the point where I can be 'functional'. Right now the beast is starting to lay into me, and I'm going for my O2.

Thanks