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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2003 >> Zostriz - capsaicin = RELIEF !!!
        
(Message started by: BobZ on Sep 20^th, 2003, 11:23am)

Title: Zostriz - capsaicin = RELIEF !!!
Post by BobZ on Sep 20^th, 2003, 11:23am

This may or may not work for you. Some cycles it works for me and some it doesn't. What I'm talking about is a topical ointment containing capsaicin. It's sold under the brand name of Zostrix and other brands. The cost is about $12 for a large tube. It is used for arthritis and shingles which are very painful. What it does is block the pain by preventing the release of substance P to the brain.

Here is the story. I have been cluster free for about 6 years now. Just when I thought they were gone for good … The monsters just came back last week. I have tried all the standard drugs with very limited success. 10 years ago I read about some trial in Norway using capsaicin for Cluster headaches. They had two trials going. One where you applied a small amount in the tip of your nostril and one rubbing a small amount on the temple. That would be on the side of the headache. This stuff burns like crazy when applied so the nose route was definitely out for me. The temple rubs seemed totally ridiculous. How could some ointment put a dent in these monsters? My wife talked me into trying it. I used it three times a day. By the third day I was going to forget about this and figured it was a waste. That night I woke up with the usual start of the headache. I jumped out of bed preparing for the torture. The pain was there but sort of not completely coming through. Everything else was going on as usual for me. The tearing, droopy eyelid, hot flashes, nausea. I thought could this be working? Each night the pain was less and in a week it was mostly all gone. For the other symptoms it was business as usual. The only time I would get a dull pain was if it was a #10 on the scale headache. I figured that because all the other symptoms were more intense. The Zostrix worked for me throughout the cycle and the next few cycles. Then the next cycle I was a cocky as ever knowing I had the Zostrix. I had beaten these things. Well this time it didn't work or the next cycle or the next. I switched to oxygen which works for me as well as the average person here. About 79% of the time.

This cycle I am trying the Zostrix again it's working. It is worth a shot for everyone here. It's harmless, inexpensive and can work. Get the HP version if you try it. If it works it may take up to one week. Do a goggle newsgroup search for Zostriz or capsaicin and cluster headaches and you will see I am not the only one who it has worked for. Good Luck! Email me at vze4f9s2@verizon.net if you have any questions.

Title: Re: Zostriz - capsaicin = RELIEF !!!
Post by floridian on Sep 20^th, 2003, 11:33am

Capsaicin (cayenne) and/or ginger capsules might also be of use - I have taken these before, I think they had some benefit. Very high doses for long term use might cause negative effects like kidney damage and nerve loss. Even though the capsules have more punch to them, the burning is usually less severe and less prolonged than the cream. Sometimes my stomach knows about the cayenne, but sometimes it has no apparent burning.

Title: Re: Zostriz - capsaicin = RELIEF !!!
Post by vig on Sep 22^nd, 2003, 5:14pm

I once got a lot of pepper oil in my eye during an attack.
There was NO BURNING. It soothed instantly.
I could feel it moving around to the back of my eye and down the nerve. The pain stopped in minutes.

capsaicin is my friend.