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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Caffeine users...
        
(Message started by: jjslugdog on Apr 25^th, 2008, 7:04am)

Title: Caffeine users...
Post by jjslugdog on Apr 25^th, 2008, 7:04am

I've found caffeine to sometimes abort or lessen the entrance of the beast. I make 8 oz. of expresso and slug it back. I've seen post here about various energy drinks, which I've never tried. Anyway, I was wondering about the caffeine content of stuff this morning and found this page. Pretty informative, although I didn't look to check out the sources.

http://www.energyfiend.com/the-caffeine-database/

Title: Re: Caffeine users...
Post by George_J on Apr 25^th, 2008, 9:29am

Hi slugdog, and welcome.

I've used coffee (pots at a time) for a lot of years to slow down the thing's progress. It works, too, if you catch in time. Sometimes.

Re: The energy drinks--some people have better luck with them than I do. I find that I can kill a shadow by horsing one down, but not a full-blown hit. Valuable, nevertheless.

My understanding is that the taurine in energy drinks augments the effect of the caffeine. Whether or not that's true, it's easier for me to pound a Red Bull than a hot cup of coffee--and the faster you get it in, the better off you are. ;) So they're certainly worth a shot.

Some energy drinks taste just plain nasty, so if that's a big deal, you might want to shop around a little. Personally, I'd drink a quart of 30 weight if it would kill a CH. After the first couple of times I killed a shadow with a Red Bull, I found that I liked the taste a lot better than I did at first. ;)

Good luck...and it's a pleasure to meet you.

Best,

George

Title: Re: Caffeine users...
Post by seasonalboomer on Apr 25^th, 2008, 9:34am

on 04/25/08 at 09:29:15, George_J wrote:

After the first couple of times I killed a shadow with a Red Bull, I found that I liked the taste a lot better than I did at first. ;)

I hear ya George. I've had good luck with Red Bull this go round as it has dispensed with those CH-precursor symptoms a few times. And I'm starting to think that it is practically "effervescent" and fruity.

;)

Title: Re: Caffeine users...
Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on Apr 25^th, 2008, 10:23am

Thats a good little piece of info you flung at us. Thanks.

Caffeine is my friend

Title: Re: Caffeine users...
Post by brewcrew on Apr 25^th, 2008, 10:26am

NOS is, in my opinion, the best tasting of the energy drinks out there. It tastes like passionfruit. They also have two new flavors - fruit punch and grape. Has all of the good stuff we need to knock the beast back a couple of notches. Also contains ginseng, which some here have said can be counterproductive to our purposes, although I've never personally noticed that to be the case.

Title: Re: Caffeine users...
Post by Rira82 on Apr 25^th, 2008, 11:30am

I find taking about 3 Excedrin Migraine stops the beast in its tracks.

Energy drinks don't work for me. The effects of Coffee, Espresso, and Caffeinated soda have lessened over the years. Excedrin Migraine works the best though.

Title: Re: Caffeine users...
Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on Apr 25^th, 2008, 11:49am

on 04/25/08 at 11:30:06, Rira82 wrote:

I find taking about 3 Excedrin Migraine stops the beast in its tracks.

You sure are lucky.........

Title: Re: Caffeine users...
Post by mezza on Apr 25^th, 2008, 3:54pm

What BMonee said about the excedrin-

sometimes 2 excedrin can help with a shadow for me ( a light shadow) and couple strong black coffees but stopping/aborting a hit when its ramping up- doesnt' help me! wow you sure are lucky!!

Title: Re: Caffeine users...
Post by Rira82 on Apr 25^th, 2008, 4:19pm

well i am sorta lucky. i have to take 3 Excedrin every time i start having a shadow, so that may be like 4 times a day. which does make me kinda jittery. because of that, i try to avoid any other type of caffeine so i don't get always get the caffeine shakes. it's only a quickie fix until the next one hits, but at least i am able to make it home from work or make it through class with the help of the Excedrin.

Title: Re: Caffeine users...
Post by thebbz on Apr 25^th, 2008, 4:22pm

Caffeine Rocks!!
thebb
Java Java Java Java Java 8)

Title: Re: Caffeine users...
Post by DragonSlayer on Apr 25^th, 2008, 5:29pm

on 04/25/08 at 16:19:58, Rira82 wrote:

Excedrin ES Migraine has 65mg caffeine. If you take two tabs that would be about the same caffeine as a strong cup of coffee or two.
Excedrin ES Migraine also has 250mg each of Acetaminophen and Aspirin which have little effect on CH although some report relief from a shadow.
Again I use strong coffee or an energy drink with good results.
Over use of Acetaminophen and Aspirin may cause tinnitus (annoying ringing in your ears), stomach problems, rebound HAs along with other unpleasant side effects.

WARNING on Excedrin Migrain label:

do not take more than 2 tablets in 24 hours,
unless directed by a doctor

Overdose Warning from another product (exact same ingredients):

Do not use more than directed, ~...not more than 8 tablets in 24 hours.

Even though this is available OTC

Please heed the warnings!!

You don't have to ask how I know this!!!
OK I'll give U 3 guesses and the first two don't count.

Title: Re: Caffeine users...
Post by jon019 on Apr 25^th, 2008, 9:10pm

on 04/25/08 at 10:26:59, brewcrew wrote:

I'm with brew, NOS actually tastes GOOD! Seems to be a little thicker too.

The others are awful but not awful enough NOT to use. My current fav is "Wired 344". Has 344 mg caffeine AND 3000 mg taurine per 16 oz. I brought a can in to show my then neuro (concerns about interaction with taurine and verapamil). She said it wasn't enough to worry her.

BTW, she has moved to Vancouver, WA. If you're in that area, I HIGHLY recommend her. (Elena Robinson, MD).

Regards,

Jon