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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2005 >> Started the 'zu
        
(Message started by: Rock_Lobster on Jul 12^th, 2005, 12:04pm)

Title: Started the 'zu
Post by Rock_Lobster on Jul 12^th, 2005, 12:04pm

I never go into cycle in mid-summer, thus my CB supply is limited. Caught unprepared.

Kinda-shadowed for a few days, and kinda-woke up in the middle of the night with a kinda-minor headache, but back about 1.5 inches from my traditional CH spot.

So doing the 'zu today. Popped 3x Natures Way. Will take 2 more at 6 hour intervals.

That said, I am not one to experiment when the hammer is falling. In a day or two I will start my normal shotgun treatment... Pred Taper, Topamax, and CB's. Hopefully that is not too long.

Title: Re: Started the 'zu
Post by Racer1_NC on Jul 12^th, 2005, 12:11pm

on 07/12/05 at 12:04:39, Rock_Lobster wrote:

Good luck bro........may the Zu work for you!

B

Title: Re: Started the 'zu
Post by Sandy_C on Jul 12^th, 2005, 12:53pm

Keeping my fingers crossed for you! Hope it works. Keep us posted.

Sandy

Title: Re: Started the 'zu
Post by nani on Jul 12^th, 2005, 12:57pm

on 07/12/05 at 12:04:39, Rock_Lobster wrote:

In a day or two I will start my normal shotgun treatment... Pred Taper, Topamax, and CB's. Hopefully that is not too long.

If all goes well, you may not have to. :D
Keeping my fingers (and everythng else) crossed for ya, bro.

Title: Re: Started the 'zu
Post by Leggs on Jul 12^th, 2005, 6:41pm

HATE those unexpected CHs! If nothing else, I could at least predict my clusters, except this past year. Kudzu is getting me through until I get a nuero appointment.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you too!

Title: Re: Started the 'zu
Post by TxBasslady on Jul 13^th, 2005, 2:47am

Stick with it, Rock....it has worked wonders for me.

Good luck....hope you don't have to hit the triptan's.

Jean

Title: Re: Started the 'zu
Post by Rock_Lobster on Jul 13^th, 2005, 8:41am

Many thx all!

Did 3x around noon, then 1 every 4 hours until bedtime.

No problems last night (wooter!). Shadow is lessened as well.

Did two when I woke up, and planning the 1 every 4 hours. Will up it to 2 if the shadow worsens.

No other effects of note.

Title: Re: Started the 'zu
Post by vig on Jul 13^th, 2005, 9:21am

someone needs to make a Kudzu patch...

Title: Re: Started the 'zu
Post by Peppermint on Jul 13^th, 2005, 10:11am

I've been reading these Kudzu threads and I have to say I've never seen such consistent results out of all the things that people have tried, save the first alternative treatment.

Suzy has had a much longer cycle than normal, albeit, sporadic among days and of varying KIPS.

Sometimes life makes you busy, but when it comes to this stuff, I think you need to fit it into the schedule, though I think the fear of getting hit while doing it (as you said in another thread Jean) stops most people.

Hope everyone stays PF, hang in there WroKK!!
Pep

Title: Re: Started the 'zu
Post by E-Double on Jul 13^th, 2005, 11:45am

Right on dude!! Feel good and PF wishes!

Title: Re: Started the 'zu
Post by ozzy on Jul 13^th, 2005, 1:57pm

BTW Rock dude, for those pesky shadows, like I said in a different thread, give the "Red Bull" a try, it's almost magical...and delicious as well....

Ozzy

Title: Re: Started the 'zu
Post by Rock_Lobster on Jul 13^th, 2005, 5:21pm

Thx all!

I thought you had shitloads of 'zu down your way, vig? Get that hoe out!

Yes Ozzy... I just added Red Bull to the shopping list. Gonna give that a shot.

Title: Re: Started the 'zu
Post by Rock_Lobster on Jul 17^th, 2005, 11:04am

Tried the Red Bull Oz... man... pounded a pair of them... shadows were gone in about 10 minutes. Did it twice more over the next two days... worked like a charm. Thx bro!

And have been symptom free for the last 48hrs... so I would have to say that the 'zu was killer.

Nice week... two more warheads added to the arsenal.

Title: Re: Started the 'zu
Post by Leggs on Jul 17^th, 2005, 11:00pm

Make sure you stay consistent, I was doing great for two weeks, then got cocky over having found a "cure" and sloughed off about the doses, just making sure I got it two times. The more consistent I am, the better it works.

Also, when I had an out of the ordinary day, stress, eating crappy, sleep deprivation, etc, I added an extra midday dose, and it seemed to do the trick.

Good luck with the "zu"!!! I swear, I just get mezmorized driving by the kudzu groves in central Georgia, thinking how they really have helped so many here with hopeless situations. It's pitiful it's just the wrong thing, it's not derived by a mega-pharmaceutical company in a lab, the Creator made the BEST fix for many of us, but there's no money in it, so why would any company who could easily mass produce it bother???? :-/

Title: Re: Started the 'zu
Post by ozzy on Jul 18^th, 2005, 10:24am

Who needs pharmaceuticals with all the prescription and insurance hassles when all I have to do is go to the supermarket and get some kudzu (prevent) and some Red Bull (abortive).....

We need more people to try both, so I can go buy some shares on Red Bull... ;;D

Ozzy

Title: Re: Started the 'zu
Post by nani on Jul 18^th, 2005, 3:59pm

It totally wrokks that the 'zu is working for you, bro!!!
Consistency, consistency, consistency....
I just can't say that enough.

Title: Re: Started the 'zu
Post by Leggs on Jul 19^th, 2005, 10:52pm

I just bought a can of red bull today, in case I am a dumba$#$ and forget to take my morning of evening kudzu.

I was glad to read in Tom's post, Nani, that it's (kudzu) not really for a CURE for us episodics, but the cycle is bearable. The first couple days WERE pain free, but now that I have been on it a while, there are shadow days, some worse then others. I just have to be consistent!!!!! ;;D

Title: Re: Started the 'zu
Post by clusterhead99 on Jul 20^th, 2005, 10:57am

I too started on kudzu last week (taking six pills a day at regular intervals). the first couple of days were negligible effect but the last 4 days have been pain-free until last night i had a very mild one (i tried tapering down to 4 a day). episodic here but if the kudzu is working i wonder when i would get off to see if the cycle is over....anyone figure that out yet?

Title: Re: Started the 'zu
Post by seasonalboomer on Jul 20^th, 2005, 11:01am

on 07/20/05 at 10:57:52, clusterhead99 wrote:

My own experience was that I rushed it a little bit, even though I kind of sensed the beast had not yet been slain. So, as Cat Stevens said, "Take your time and think a lot, think of everything you've got, for you will still be here tomorrow, but your clusterheadache may not" (well, maybe he didn't include that last line) You'll know when it feels right to go off but, no, you don't have to take it forever.

Title: Re: Started the 'zu
Post by nani on Jul 20^th, 2005, 11:03am

I'm glad it's helping you! Most episodics tried tapering off too soon and quickly realized they needed to get back on. Are you experiencing "phantom" activity? Like a CH with no pain. It seemed that as long as there was activity, the cycle was still going. I would guess that waiting for a week or so after all activity has ceased might be a good time to try and taper. I'm chronic, so I'm only stating what I've read. Good luck, keep us posted and PF wishes, nani

Title: Re: Started the 'zu
Post by clusterhead99 on Jul 20^th, 2005, 5:36pm

very interesting...this phantom concept. feels like there should be a HA with some pressure and weird sensations but no pain comes.....
i agree...i'm back on now...maybe i'll try in a week to taper off again....will keep you guys posted...thanks for the info

Title: Re: Started the 'zu
Post by Rock_Lobster on Jul 21^st, 2005, 11:48am

Indeed CH99... I too sensed this 'phantom' thingy this time around... the pressure at my spot when the 'zu was working.

But as of now, I am off the 'zu and PF. Not due until Dec/Jan... so lets hope it stays that way.

Title: Re: Started the 'zu
Post by clusterhead99 on Jul 21^st, 2005, 2:19pm

that's great news....i'm looking forward to finishing this cycle so i can have some nice cold ones again :P

Title: Re: Started the 'zu
Post by Rock_Lobster on Jul 22^nd, 2005, 12:49pm

Fuck. Went off it waaay to soon. No shadows then BANG... fucking hit right now. Only a mild one, but it still blows

Back on the 'zu and gulped down a handful of Pred. Will see how tomorrow looks before I see if this becomes a Pred taper.

Title: Re: Started the 'zu
Post by seasonalboomer on Jul 22^nd, 2005, 12:58pm

Been thinking a cycle was coming in and sure enough, got hit last night. Not too bad of a hit but a hit nonetheless, clarified whether I was really coming into cycle or not for me. So, i'm also back on the Zu as of this morn. O2 coming this afternoon.

Have to admit the sick curiousity of wondering whether a cycle was real or not had me go over to neighbors for beers last night. Knew there was a good chance it would happen. Man, these things are kind of sicko when you do goofy stuff like that. My twisted logic was that if I get the cycle roaring I can then "get'er done".

So, off the beer, on the zu and a good boy from here out.

Scott

Title: Re: Started the 'zu
Post by Rock_Lobster on Jul 22^nd, 2005, 6:46pm

Know what you mean Scott.
I have about a half dozen going-away events in the next 10 days for my move to IL... will be doing plenty of alcohol at those, so I am doing more than tempting in.

Oh well, going heavy on the 'zu and have the multi-drug shotgun cycle abort ready to roll here.

Hope we both kick this cycle.

Heading to a party now... take care.

Paul

Title: Re: Started the 'zu
Post by floridian on Jul 22^nd, 2005, 9:17pm

on 07/22/05 at 12:58:12, seasonalboomer wrote:

My twisted logic was that if I get the cycle roaring I can then "get'er done".

Scott

I take a Churchillian approach - take action at the first signs the beast is trying to get a toe-hold, and don't stop the battle until it is clearly won.

... We shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight them in the air, we shall fight them on the beaches, we shall fight them on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and streets, we shall fight them in the hills. We will never surrender. ..."

Title: Re: Started the 'zu
Post by Leggs on Jul 22^nd, 2005, 9:57pm

Weird seasonal boomer, but that is kind of what I did a few Saturdays ago. I knew I was due for the thing, and the shadows were lingering. I had been taking excedrin and advil for months for the back and neck pain from the car wreck I was in. I went cold turkey on the OTC mess, and it was as though I KNEW that would have to do something with the time of the year it was, but I kind of felt "in control" like I caused it, and then started the kudzu. Geeze, thank heaven it worked.

Man, I can't remember the last time I had a beer :P. I used to really like Guiness Stout. I guess next time I "plan" to kick off a cycle, maybe I will just go ahead and have a bear for good measure. At least I could go screaming into it with a smile on my face instead of the teeth clenched look of impending dread. :o

Title: Re: Started the 'zu
Post by madaline on Jul 23^rd, 2005, 5:57am

Since kudzu has calcium channel blocking effects, can it be taken WITH Verapamil. I take 600 mg. of TR Verapamil every night. It helps with the day attacks, but I still cannot get thru the night. I have other abortives that I use, including O2 which brings me down to a 3-4 on Kip's scale, but wonder if I can try the Kudzu with the Verap. Any input? Thanks. Madaline

Title: Re: Started the 'zu
Post by nani on Jul 23^rd, 2005, 12:28pm

I took both and had no difficulty. However, I have high BP. Very low BP and heart rate are the concerns with taking both.

Title: Re: Started the 'zu
Post by Racer1_NC on Jul 23^rd, 2005, 1:13pm

on 07/23/05 at 12:28:23, nani wrote:

I took both and had no difficulty. However, I have high BP. Very low BP and heart rate are the concerns with taking both.

My blood pressure isn't bothered by the verap, nor did the Kudzu have any effect on it when I tried it. YMMV

B