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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2005 >> Kudzu + Melatonin = Night Shadow (vs Kip 8 or 9)
        
(Message started by: Bobby_Easland on May 16^th, 2005, 8:37am)

Title: Kudzu + Melatonin = Night Shadow (vs Kip 8 or 9)
Post by Bobby_Easland on May 16^th, 2005, 8:37am

Quick summary: Cluster HA going on 6 years. Prednisone taper over 6 weeks traditionally breaks a cycle. Not effective this cycle. Desperately looking for alternatives...found this site. Have appointment with physician this morning for script meds but had to do something about the interim.

Kudzu (Nature's Way, 2 caps x 3 daily)
Melatonin (9mg 30 minuts before bed)
Welders O2 tank on standby

At first I was supremely skeptical of a root being effective at controlling the demon. Cluster HA sufferers know what I'm talking about. I reasoned that there is no way on God's green Earth a supplement sold for $8 per bottle would be able to do anything for the pain. However, I'm starting to rethink that position.

After reading the feedback from the Kudzu threads I immediately went out to the local health food store and purchased a bottle ($8.59, 50 caps, 613 mg each, Nature's Way brand). Since it was still early in the morning I started the maximum dose + 50%. In the world of nutrition and bodybuilding this is called front loading.

So, I was planning on front loading the supplement for a few days to build the necessary therapeutic levels. Through the day I consumed 3 caps each of 3 doses (9 total caps). In addition, I dosed 9 mg melatonin at bedtime. I slept last night until my normal bewitching hour and awoke like normal. However, it was different. It was more like a day shadow instead of the Kip 8 or 9 I usually have. I was encouraged enough to simply use some ice to abort...15 minutes later I was back in bed without losing a wink (versus normal anyway).

I just wanted to share my experience with Kudzu even after such a short duration (24 hours). Given last night I feel confident that although it may not provide complete preventive protection it will surely decrease the intensity and duration of the night attacks.

I am simply floored. I got a whole 5 hours of sleep last night and I feel fantastic this morning! I know given the recent 2 weeks where Prednisone has failed (and am just now peaking in my cycle) that last night should have been another Kip 9. This little root called Kudzu is a God send...

Bobby

Title: Re: Kudzu + Melatonin = Night Shadow (vs Kip 8 or
Post by nani on May 16^th, 2005, 8:40am

That's great, Bobby :) ...now, something we kudzu testers have learned is to stay consistent with your dose timing. Missing doses can result in full hits.

Title: Re: Kudzu + Melatonin = Night Shadow (vs Kip 8 or
Post by LeLimey on May 16^th, 2005, 8:40am

Hey Bobby I'm so pleased for you! I'm sitting her with a great stupid grin on my face! (Everyone else.. shuddup!)
Make sure you let your doctor know you are taking the kudzu as he needs to obviously keep a track of your meds but I'm absolutely delighted its working so well for you. Anything that helps people get PF time is okay in my book!
Take care and I hope you get alot more PFDANS!
Regards
Helen

Title: Re: Kudzu + Melatonin = Night Shadow (vs Kip 8 or
Post by Bob P on May 16^th, 2005, 9:34am

Are you sure it's not the melatonin?

One study showed cluster relief for 50% of the subjects.

Kudzu didn't work for me. I tried it for a couple of weeks. I started taking 9mg mel before bedtime and the night attcks pretty much stopped. I get 5-6 hours of sleep before I wake with the start of an attack. 2-5 minutes of O2 knocks it out.

Title: Re: Kudzu + Melatonin = Night Shadow (vs Kip 8 or
Post by Bobby_Easland on May 16^th, 2005, 12:23pm

on 05/16/05 at 09:34:44, Bob P wrote:

At this point I can't be certain that the dramatic decrease in the attack character and duraction is attributable to the melatonin or the Kudzu. However, about an hour or so after the second front loading dose of Kudzu I felt "normal". Usually I suffer from night attacks only and the day is spent with a "tight" feeling just shy of a shadow. Almost like at any given moment it will transition to a shadow and onto a full blown episode. Some days it will transition to a day attack but 75% of the time it's just the "tight" feeling.

So, after the second front load dose I suddenly noticed that I felt "normal" again. Given this subjective observation I am inclined to give as more credit to the Kudzu.

The only side effects noticed were some muscle twitches about 30 or 45 minutes after dosing the melatonin. It felt almost as if my legs were going to start cramping. However, this can probably be attributed to the fact that I've mega dosed my Prednisone for the past few days and my electrolytes are imbalanced. My physician prescribed dexemethasone (4mg tablets) today which are suppose to be about 25X as strong as Prednisone in action yet not nearly as salt retentive.

As a side note, she also gave me my first samples of Imitrex injects. My shitty insurance won't cover that much Imitrex and beyond what amounts to a weeks worth will cost me $120 per 2 doses. WTF?? I am absolutely taken back by how expensive it is! As an alternative, the tablets are much, much more affordable (@ ~$50 per script) and has more mg content. Has anyone tried to extract the active material from the tablets and convert them into subQ injectables?

As an example, my physican said she would write me a 100mg per day X 14 day script which amounts to 1400 of theoretical starting material. If properly extracted and assuming a 98% efficiency it could mean 686 doses of 2 mg each or 228 doses at the full 6 mg.

Has anyone tried a subQ conversion from oral tabs?

Bobby

Title: Re: Kudzu + Melatonin = Night Shadow (vs Kip 8 or
Post by nani on May 16^th, 2005, 12:43pm

Bobby, it may not be safe to use triptans (like Imitrex) with kudzu. A few testers have done so with no ill effects, but since kudzu and triptans both affect the 5ht receptors in the brain, it's not recommended.Hopefully, the kudzu and melatonin will keep you from needing any, but be cautious. One tester reports that taking Imitrex within 4 hours of kudzu rendered the trex ineffective.