|
||
|
Title: Today I start! Post by 1MajorPain on Feb 8th, 2004, 6:50pm Well, today begins my journey to stamp out the beast with the aid of mushrooms. I am now starting my 5 day detox but it's not from meds for the headache, I don't go see my neuro until Thursday this week as my cycle has just started (Jan. 29 first attack). I am currently taking a muscle relaxer and a pain pill daily for a lower back problem which needs surgery but until I can get a handle on the beast I see no way. Currently I'm only using O2 for treatment which works very well until the beast gets really wound up. A usually cycle, for me, lasts about 4 months give or take a few days and usually starts about the same time every year. I have currently been pain free for 5 years and actually thought I had outgrown them as I always have had them yearly up to that point. So...that said, put your chair in the upright position and please raise your food try and lets see how this goes, if you have any questions please feel free to ask. Major |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by Giovanni on Feb 8th, 2004, 7:14pm Keep us advised on your progress. Wishing you the best of luck in ending this cycle. John |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by ave on Feb 8th, 2004, 7:31pm Good luck those difficult few days. Hope they will proof to be the first 5 days of the rest of your better life! |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by Flounder on Feb 8th, 2004, 7:54pm 1majorpain, Being that you are starting at the beginning of your cycle, I think you have a good chance at knocking it out. However, be prepared for an up and down ride. You may be one of the lucky ones that one dose is all it takes, but it could take four or five, maybe more. The success rate for episodic CH's is very high so I would go into this with a very positive attitude. The beast’s days are numbered. Kick his ass Bro! |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by Pinkfloyd on Feb 9th, 2004, 12:15am Good luck Major. Be careful of the back. A few days of taking it easy could quite possibly make a major difference in how the next several months go and as Ave said, could relieve you of a lifetime of burden, worrying about the next cycle. thanks for the public journal PF |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by Mark C on Feb 9th, 2004, 3:49am Good luck Major, Keep us advised as to how you are doing. Oh boy! Another fungus thread! My experience can be found here (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=meds;action=display;num=1067037622). Good Luck! Mark |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by 1MajorPain on Feb 9th, 2004, 10:58am First day detoxing is going well, I'm stiff and in pain but nothing like what the beast does to me. Last night was a long one for me, 3 CH's (only 1 kip7 thankfully as getting up to dance with the beast is difficult right now) and a tank of O2 and little sleep. Let me say without the kindness and guidence of others here this would not have been possible. Thanks everyone for the support I'm receiving, until now I've never known anybody that truly understood the pain of cluster headaches. I've read all of the success stories others have written here and hopefully this is the start of mine...and yes Flounder, I do intend on kicking the beasts ass! Armed with nothing but the support and caring of others, along with O2 and some of mother natures mushrooms I head into battle to face and defeat the beast! Major |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by 1MajorPain on Feb 12th, 2004, 8:48am Day 4 of detoxing from my pain meds for my back are going pretty well. This morning I have an appointment with my Neuro, I can't wait to see if he's come up with anything new. I have been doing the water thing and I feel like I'm about to float away...lol, but not sure if it's helped or not. One strange thing is over the last few days I've had a few less HA's and the intensity has been less as well, I never remember this happening in the past but it has been over 5 years, it just might be the water. My plan is still to start my mushroom therapy this weekend, either Friday or Saturday depending on a few things I have no control over. Wish me luck! Major |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by Mastifflvr28 on Feb 12th, 2004, 10:09am Best of luck to ya Major! Keep us updated, and let us know what your neuro says. Mast |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by 1MajorPain on Feb 12th, 2004, 6:06pm Well....just as I expected, nothing new from my neuro, actually they had lost my chart as I haven't been in in 5 years. He just asked what we did before and said lets just go with that again (O2 and imitex). He did give me some samples of Frova and told me to try them. I had already gotten the O2 from my supplier a few weeks ago when my CH's started but needed to re-new my script, the imitex script is still in my pocket, no need to tempt myself while doing the mushroom theray (hope this won't come back to bite me). Tomorrow night is my first dose, hopefully I'm still close to the start of my cycle and it'll kick the beast right out, but I'm stocked up and prepared for the fight.......guess only time will tell! Major |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by Tiannia on Feb 12th, 2004, 6:28pm Good luck, I hoep that it works quickly for you. Tiannia |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by 9erfan on Feb 12th, 2004, 7:04pm Hey Major, Good luck with the shrooms this weekend. As far as the water treatment goes....I have been 1 who has been a proponent of the water treatment since I started it. It did not take away my clusters. But it definitely made a difference in the intensity of the headaches. Don't get lazy about it! I drink a gallon of water a day. But sometimes I will get lazy & forget and then the really intense h/a's start creeping in again and I totally have to start downing LARGE quantities of water. Did you already take the Frova that the Dr gave you? I think you need to stay off that stuff too before doing shrooms. Keep us posted. V. |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by Flounder on Feb 12th, 2004, 7:50pm Good deal Major. You're detoxed and ready to go. Sounds like everything is right for another success story here. My bet is you won't ever need that trex script. Make sure you are in a good setting tomorrow. ((((((Good Vibes)))))) out to you! ;;D |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by 1MajorPain on Feb 12th, 2004, 10:11pm Nope 9erfan, haven't taken any of the Frova, just got it as samples. Hope your right about the imitrex Flounder! Major |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by Pinkfloyd on Feb 13th, 2004, 12:13am Good Luck Major!! PF |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by ave on Feb 13th, 2004, 5:34am I'm thinking of you real hardm, here. Us "shroomheads" should stick together, right? Good good good luck! |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by 1MajorPain on Feb 13th, 2004, 6:35pm T-mius 30 and counting! I plan on dosing at 6:00pm my time. I was hoping for a sitter, you know, somebody that could tell funny stories about the way I acted...lol, but that may or may not happen. All my bouts with the demon has been alone so I see no reason why I shouldn't face this the same way. My home is a farm/hunting preserve so I really don't see how I can cause trouble to anything or anybody...I hope..lol. So that said, put your seat in the upright position and please raise your food tray..we are expecting a smooth flight! Major |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by Roxy on Feb 13th, 2004, 6:44pm Good luck, Major.....hope you kick its butt..... :) I'll be pulling for you, and if I can help in any way...let me know. Just stay away from the trex or frova, no matter what. PFDAN, Tracey |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by ave on Feb 14th, 2004, 5:40am Come in Major, we are eagerly awaiting your report. You must have landed already! |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by 1MajorPain on Feb 14th, 2004, 10:10am Yep...I took a trip and never left the farm! I dosed at 6pm and was off to the races by 6:30, I hadn't eaten all day so I guess thats why the speedy take off. My dose was supplied in 1 gram chocolate clusters which had no taste of the mushrooms at all... I might add this seemed to be a Texas size dose as I reached a solid level 2, maybe a touch more. The experiance lasted about 3 hours and was a little draining, but overall not bad if it helps stomp out the beast. If I had anything to do over it might have been to have someone around just to give me a little peace of mind. I actually sleep 7 hours in my own bed!, I've been sleeping on the couch right next to my O2 arsenol for the last 2 weeks. I awoke this morning feeling slightly hungover and took 2000 mg of vitiamin c and went back for a little nap. I awoke again at 8 with a kip 4 HA that was put back to rest with O2 in 10 to 15 minutes. I feel ok now but Im having some shadows. I did monitor my bloodpressure as best as I could ...lol, thoughout the experiance. It was slightly raised due to the "not know" factor as it's been over 30 years since I took any mushrooms. Side note....a CD will not play correctly in a CD burner...lmao, another need for a stewardess when dosing! I'll keep drinking the water X3 and keep you posted. Major |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by ave on Feb 14th, 2004, 11:03am Grand news, Major. Every night's sleep helps you recruit your forces and face the backlash of the beast's rout better and better. Keep us informed. |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by Pinkfloyd on Feb 14th, 2004, 11:37am on 02/14/04 at 10:10:10, 1MajorPain wrote:
Thanks for the update Major. Everything sounds like you're on course. It's always a good idea to have someone around. You better check your toaster....maybe thats where you inserted the cd. ;-) It's probably ready for the butter. Don't let the next 24-48 hours discourage you IF you have some cluster activity. It would only be "Flash's Pendulum" swinging back past center a little bit. PF |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by miapet on Feb 14th, 2004, 3:33pm good luck in your fight! Could someone please advise me of the mushrooms? (here or email kcstayman@hotmail.com) or tell me where to look here (i'll continue looking). we are currently in cycle that seems to never end . . .and after 20 years, it's one of the hardest, nothing we usually do seems to be touching this one. any new ideas would be a blessing. miapet |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by 9erfan on Feb 14th, 2004, 3:53pm miapet, look here www.clusterbusters.com Major, keep us posted! V. |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by miapet on Feb 14th, 2004, 4:28pm thanks V . . .i will look there . . .and am adding everything to our rep to try . . .another question: does capsaicin (cayenne pepper) interfere with all bp meds? due to pharmacy (years ago) we now have hypertension to deal with. mia |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by Flounder on Feb 14th, 2004, 5:18pm Glad to hear you landed safely Major. An empty stomach will most definitely speed up the takeoff. Some people are more sensitive to the effects than others, that's why I always suggest starting off with 1gm and seeing how it goes. There have been others that have done 3 or even 5 gms and only reach a level 2. Like PF said, don't get discouraged if you shadow and get some small hits, that’s pretty common. Glad to hear you got some sleep. Take care and thanks for the update! |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by firebrix on Feb 14th, 2004, 5:41pm Good luck Major!! Mopar and I wish you all the best. fungi are our friends firebrix |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by 1MajorPain on Feb 14th, 2004, 10:09pm Things here are about as expected, it's been a long day with plenty of heavy shadows. Everything so far has been put to rest with about 10 minutes of O2. I'm sure it's going to be a long night but I'm buckled up and prepared for the ride. Thanks for all the support I've received, it truly does make it easier! Major |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by Pinkfloyd on Feb 16th, 2004, 2:01am on 02/14/04 at 22:09:01, 1MajorPain wrote:
Next time buckle yourself up a little closer to your keyboard so we can get an update once in a while!!! Hope all is going well. PF |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by 1MajorPain on Feb 16th, 2004, 10:38am Sorry for my delay.....I've been feeling better! The first night I only had 1 HA after expecting a long night. Yesterday started with a clear head, then as the day progressed it was more shadows and a few K3-4's...nothing bad. Last night I had a few HA's early, mostly everytime I got to REM sleep but was easily put away with 5 to 10 minutes of O2. Yesterday my back was hurting so bad from being off my normal pain meds that getting up , walking and trying to sit was almost impossible, today is a little better. I think things are progressing exactly on schedule, the next few days will tell the tale. Overall I am pleased and hope that maybe I've put the beast to rest...time will tell. Major |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by Pinkfloyd on Feb 16th, 2004, 12:13pm Thanks for the update Major. Sounds promising so far. :) Don't worry too much about the updates. We're just a antsy bunch and always want to know if there's anything we can do to help the process along. I'd probably suggest that taking care of your back is more important than keeping us updated unless you have specific questions or concerns we can help with. Any added disruption of the neurological system, such as back pain might slow things down a bit. The fewer pain receptors at work, the better. The pain can also cause increased muscle activity and tension that will radiate up the spine into the neck/shoulders and again, make things more difficult IMHO. take care of yourself best of luck PF |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by 1MajorPain on Feb 16th, 2004, 12:56pm PF Just wondering if it would be ok to get back on my back pain meds for a day or so?, if needed I plan on dosing again Friday night. My O2 use has dropped dramatically, so it must be working or the O2 is becoming more effective. PF 12 hours now! Major |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by jminmilwaukee on Feb 16th, 2004, 2:02pm Major, You are well on your way to a PF existance! I woulda chimed in earlier but have been away for a bit sooooo GOOD LUCK! Thanks again for going public on this and keeping us up to date, It means more than you may know. jmin |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by Flounder on Feb 16th, 2004, 2:34pm Hey Major, Glad to hear you're doing OK. I would say go ahead and take the pain meds for your back if you need them. I don't see them interfering with this treatment in the same way as Triptans would. I think the stress of back pain may cause more problems than taking the meds. If you end up having to dose again you could stop the day before you dose. I may be wrong here, what do you think PF or others. I'm curious as to how your back felt while you were feeling the effects of the shrooms and after. I hope things continue to improve and thanks for the update! |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by 1MajorPain on Feb 16th, 2004, 3:23pm Well Flounder, the pain from my back was quite strange while dosing, I think it had more of the time space thing...you know, where a few minutes seems like a hour or so. I did feel the pain but looking back on it was probably only a twinge or a jolt of pain which at the time seemed to be much longer in duration than it actually was. As for the meds, with the amount of water I'm drinking daily (over a gallon per day) I would think it would flush the meds away much faster than normal. With the high intake of water I'm drinking I know it's very important that I take vitamins and drink a quart of gatoraide on a regular basis or I feel my body developing cramps. Still PF..with shadows but no O2 today so far! Major |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by Pinkfloyd on Feb 16th, 2004, 6:46pm on 02/16/04 at 15:23:56, 1MajorPain wrote:
Good news Major. Thanks for the update. Personally, I'd stay away from the opiods if at all possible. Flounder is right about the resulting increased back pain possibly causing more head problems, but... I think only you can make the call on this as to how you're feeling and how your body seems to be reacting. If you can take it easy and make it through without them, I'd suggest that. I know though that just "taking it easy" does not make back pain disappear. If you can't sleep especially, you may need some help. With the good, promising results so far, you may only be a few days away from breaking the cycle and being able to go back to your pain meds for your back. If you go back to them too soon, you may jeopardize the outcome, or at least slow it down some. Opiods will block some of the action. I doubt if drinking 12 gallons of water a day will wash any opiods out of the receptors in the brain. Just my thoughts. You're living inside of the best indicator of what to do...your body. If you go with the pain meds, I'd still give it 3 days min. before dosing again. If you need a couple days break from the back pain and the clusters aren't ramping up.....take a break. We don't recommend torture on the clusterbuster FAQ. good luck!! PF (welcome back Jmin!!!) |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by 1MajorPain on Feb 17th, 2004, 12:22pm Well...I went 34 hours PF, 2 nights sleep! but I've had 1 HA this morning and taking O2 for it, only a K3-4 so far but it's been lingering around. Back pain is still an issue but I'm not taking anything for it, maybe the way I slept last night has caused the irritation, since I've only started sleeping in my bed again. (seems my back likes sleeping on the couch) I'll keep you all posted as to my progress. Major |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by Pinkfloyd on Feb 18th, 2004, 1:08am Hope the rest of the day went ok for you Major. When was the last time you complained about sleeping so long that it bothered your back? ;) Hope those good days evolve into good months! take care, PF |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by 1MajorPain on Feb 18th, 2004, 4:31pm Well Pink, the shadowing lasted about 3-4 hours non-stop but since then I've been pain free ....again another night of sleep. Can't tell you just how good that feels after 2 weeks of no real sleep. My progress continues to be very good, even better than I expected. I was planning on dosing again Friday night but have decided to take a wait and see approach. I'll keep you posted. Major |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by Pinkfloyd on Feb 18th, 2004, 6:53pm Great news Major. It's wise to see how things progress before deciding when and if, to redose. I hope you're back is holding out. Just remember, once your head allows you to begin doing all the things you want to get done and caught up upon, don't forget to take it easy on your back. Please keep track of your daily results so you can take a look at it from time to time to decide about redosing. You don't really want to have one stray attack to get you to think you're still not making progress. I know how that instant of pain can cause a bit of anxiety. It's better to look at the big picture. good luck PF |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by 1MajorPain on Feb 19th, 2004, 9:55am yesteray went well, but last evening I started again with heavy shadows. After going to bed I woke with a K4 which after 20 minutes of O2 went away, I hour later 1 woke up again...same thing, then I slept thru the night but still have some shadowing going on...still on the wait and see approach. Still buckled up and ready to do what is neccessary to rid myself from this beast. Major |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by Flounder on Feb 19th, 2004, 11:24pm Thanks for the update Major. I would definitely dose tomorrow if you continue to get anything more than shadows. You don't want them to get back in the door. |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by 1MajorPain on Feb 20th, 2004, 10:12am Well Flounder, I've been relatively pain free again since the other night. Light shadows are the most I've had, I think I'll wait and see how today goes before making any decision. Major |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by 1MajorPain on Feb 21st, 2004, 9:52am PF since Thursday night, only a light shadow that went away before I could get to the O2...things are looking very good...still waiting to see if I'm gonna get any ramping up before I dose....still med free on all fronts. Major |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by Pinkfloyd on Feb 21st, 2004, 11:00am on 02/21/04 at 09:52:10, 1MajorPain wrote:
Well, that's great news ;;D Is the extra sleep helping or hurting the back? Have a great weekend Major. Thanks for keeping us up to date. PF |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by Flounder on Feb 21st, 2004, 1:27pm Excellent!!!!!! I'm happy for ya Bro. ;;D |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by 1MajorPain on Feb 23rd, 2004, 6:49pm Damn...I'm not really sure what to say at this point...but being PF rules! All I've had lately is some light shadows when I wake up...usually after sleeping to long, thought I'd not get to say that until about June...lol. I'm not sure I have it totally under control yet, but far better than it's ever been in close to 30 years...who would have thought...mushrooms! I think one of the things that helped me was the fact that I de-toxed for 5 days prior to dosing and had not used any form of triptans this cycle, I know it's easy to reach for the trex, but I remember 20 years or so before they even had trex...so not as hard for me I guess. Add to that the fact I was able to catch it so early in my cycle and I had a stock pile of O2 was also a big help I think. Thanks for all the help and guidance...you guys are truly the best!!!! Just Major now |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by 1MajorPain on Feb 25th, 2004, 5:57pm I hate for this post to be boring, but I'm still PF with only slight shadows when I wake up in the morning, definetly something I can handle. I have started back on my pain meds for my back as 1 ruptured disc and two herniated disc's with nerve impingements is a little more pain than I wish to deal with...but nothing compared to the pain of the beast! If I need to dose again I will de-tox for five days as I did before, this just means five days of total couch time. I remember in the past I swore I would try anything to rid myself of these headaches...and I meant anything. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thoght that mushrooms were the answer and that I would even consider trying them...here's for an open mind! Major (without the pain) |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by Pinkfloyd on Feb 25th, 2004, 6:47pm Nothing boring about a successful report of someone's pain disappearing. It's reports like this that are all we need to keep working on this. I know for a fact that a post like this puts a wide ;;D on a lot of faces. Now take care of your back!! PF |
||
|
Title: Re: Today I start! Post by 1MajorPain on Mar 1st, 2004, 11:51am Another boring but positive report! Still basically pain free...I've had a few shadows here and there mostly just K-1's...something I certainly can live with. I can't express how lucky I've been to find this site and this form of treatment just at the right time to find the relief I have found....I truly have a hard time putting this into words! All I can tell everyone is to keep an open mind about whatever form of treatment you might choose. Hopefully better days are ahead! Painfree Major |
||
|
Clusterheadaches.com Message Board » Powered by YaBB 1 Gold - SP 1.3.1! YaBB © 2000-2003. All Rights Reserved. |