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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> The Red Bull Effect
        
(Message started by: Abaris on Jul 12^th, 2004, 3:13pm)

Title: The Red Bull Effect
Post by Abaris on Jul 12^th, 2004, 3:13pm

Hello. I am new here... but not to Cluster Headaches. I have been suffering from them for about three years now, and on a pretty regular basis. During this ordeal I have been forced to try just about anything to relieve the pain. One thing that I have found is that if I drink a Red Bull Energy Drink at the onset of a CH it can eliminate it or greatly reduce the pain level and lenth of the attack. I know that caffein is said to be a no-no, but this really does work for me. I faithfully keep a case of the pricey stuff in the fridge. I have a high tollerance for caffein and have no problem drinking one and going back to sleep. However, if you are sensitive to caffein, this may not be the coarse to take.

Some of my other observations on CH involve alcohol. As one who enjoys a beverage I find the fact that this triggers a CH partiularily annoying. If I know that I am in a full blown Cluster Period I abstain. But if I am not sure if a headache will develop I will usually have half a beer and see what happens. If I get a CH I do the Red Bull and wait for it to pass. Once it is gone I can then drink without spawning another CH... even after I have gone to sleep.

Also, I was recently on the Adkins diet for a couple of months. During that time I had absolutely no CH attacks whatsoever. Now that I am off the diet they have returned.

Title: Re: The Red Bull Effect
Post by thomas on Jul 12^th, 2004, 3:35pm

Welcome aboard, thanks for the input, look around. Sorry to hear that the beast is back.

Title: Re: The Red Bull Effect
Post by don on Jul 12^th, 2004, 4:17pm

Quote:

I know that caffein is said to be a no-no

It is a no no for Meeeegrains but actually very helpful with clusters.

Title: Re: The Red Bull Effect
Post by floridian on Jul 12^th, 2004, 4:17pm

Quote:

I know that caffein is said to be a no-no, but this really does work for me.

In the short run, caffeine does seem to help. In the long run, high caffeine consumption might make clusters worse.

Youre the second or third person to suggest Red Bull helps with clusters here in the last month. Other things that may help include the cold, the sugar, and the taurine and B-vitamins. Taurine does block glutamate/nmda receptors, although I don't know how much taurine is in a can of RB.

Title: Re: The Red Bull Effect
Post by Abaris on Jul 12^th, 2004, 4:29pm

Thanks for the comments and info. I have been using the diet Red Bull... so the sugar isn't it. I have been balancing the caffeine off by not drinking coffee in the am. I have been utillizing this approach for about 8 months now and it has a pretty impressive success ratio for me. But this is only me I am talking about. For all I know it could be a placebo effect and I am only thinking it is helping. I am a freak after all.

Title: Re: The Red Bull Effect
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Jul 12^th, 2004, 5:03pm

If I'm having a fairly intense shadow that seems to be escalating, strong coffee or a shot of espresso seems to really help - will often ward off a full-blown HA.

Of course, I only use this remedy during the daytime hours. Otherwise I'd be cleaning the house at 2 AM. *smile*

Kris

Title: Re: The Red Bull Effect
Post by thomas on Jul 12^th, 2004, 5:04pm

Coffee helps me a lot with shadows.

Title: Re: The Red Bull Effect
Post by BlueMeanie on Jul 12^th, 2004, 6:33pm

on 07/12/04 at 17:04:00, thomas wrote:

Coffee helps me a lot with shadows.

ditto

Title: Re: The Red Bull Effect
Post by justin on Jul 23^rd, 2004, 2:44pm

drinking my coffee now :)

Title: Re: The Red Bull Effect
Post by kimh on Jul 23^rd, 2004, 5:20pm

Red Bull is truly one of the most digusting vile tasting crap i've ever had the misfortune to ingest.

If it helps, cheers and happy trails. When in cycle, my coffee pot works overtime. Hot strong coffee at the slightest twinge of shadows has helped me tons of times. Matter of fact of all the meds over the years i'd be most upset if the coffee were eliminated from my cluster scenario. It's an ingrained dance maneuver in the habitual ritual :)

Title: Re: The Red Bull Effect
Post by LadyLuv on Jul 23^rd, 2004, 5:55pm

Glad to hear about the bull - I will most certainly give it a try the next time I have a CL. But the Atkins thing is just another way of proving that some things work for some and not for others.... I've been suffering with Cluster Headaches for over 25 years.. I started the Low Carb Diet (Atkins) in September of last year. My CL's were in remission until the end of November. I had very little relief during November.. I got a little break in Dec. - and from January 15 - March 1, I missed almost three weeks of work (because the great insurance I have, limits the amount of Imitrex it will purchase me per month). I had several more episodes and ER runs during the Month of March, until the Doctor put me on Verapamil. Since that time I have had 5 headaches, each peaking only once during each episode and I have continued to do Atkins during this entire period (going from 211lbs to 162lbs).. So lets' not start knocking the Low Carb...

Peace & Blessings
And may we each be CL free... :P ;;D