please can someone tell me why energy drinks seem to work?
megan

Combination of caffeine and taurine. Good vasoconstrictor.

Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor and taurine is a calcium channel antagonist (just like verapamil).

Since they are fizzy, this will probably help with the absorbtion. And the sugar probably also helps as an energy boost since a CH can take a bit out of you.

I prefer Monster Khaos.  Any drink with Caffeine and Taurine will do, though.

I hate how all energy drinks taste but anything with 2000mg + of taurine and a load of caffeine will help.

They usually take me around five minutes to help.

I'm still not really sure what they taste of as I've only ever had them when my head is making me concentrate on the pain rather than the taste plus drinking it as fast as I can really doesn't leave any time to savour it.

I usually pound them when my face starts hurting if I don't have lidocane or oxygen so I can still taste them somewhat.
I also remember what redbull tastes like from a bad day at summer camp a few years ago.

I really like the taste of Monster Energy Rehab Orangeaid, much better tasting for me than the others and it is non carbonated so easier to get down...

I prefer 5hr Energy because they are small shots I can get down in a swallow or two by pouring them into the back of my mouth so I don't have to taste much.  I can also carry one in my pocket so I have one with me when out and about.

Jerry

If you don't mind taste (and during an attack, who cares about TASTE?) I've found these. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

They taste like bleach smells, but there's no sugar and nothing in it that is "bad" for you. I have hypoglycemia, so sugar from Mountain Dew and energy drinks was really doing nothing but making me tired and screwing up my insides. And sodas and energy drinks are bad for your teeth. That fake sugar stuff probably ain't good for you either.  ;D

darkwalker wrote on Feb 24^th, 2013 at 1:21pm:

They taste like bleach smells

Well that just sounds unpleasant.

Quote:

And sodas and energy drinks are bad for your teeth.

No disrespect intended, but that's about the furthest thing from my mind when trying to abort.

Brew wrote on Feb 24^th, 2013 at 9:43pm:

Quote: And sodas and energy drinks are bad for your teeth. No disrespect intended, but that's about the furthest thing from my mind when trying to abort.

Really? It's a huge concern of mine. That's why I always add some of that fluoride that dentists make children swish around to my energy drinks. After all, every pamphlet I've ever read at my dental office says the way to a healthy body and mind is through a healthy mouth!

slpierce1988 wrote on Feb 25^th, 2013 at 8:33pm:

Really? It's a huge concern of mine. That's why I always add some of that fluoride that dentists make children swish around to my energy drinks. After all, every pamphlet I've ever read at my dental office says the way to a healthy body and mind is through a healthy mouth!

Please tell me you're merely jerking my chain.

I had good luck with 5 Hour Energy drink. I found that Costco has Kirkland Energy drinks at a much lower price. It's made by the same company that makes 5 Hour Energy. Also you can get it in bulk, 48 2oz bottles. I use only 1 oz each attack and it usually works in about 6 minutes. Nasty taste but a rince with water and the taste is gone.


Quote:

I always add some of that fluoride

You've got to be kidding! That would not be good at all.

Brew wrote on Feb 25^th, 2013 at 9:28pm:

slpierce1988 wrote on Feb 25th, 2013 at 8:33pm: Really? It's a huge concern of mine. That's why I always add some of that fluoride that dentists make children swish around to my energy drinks. After all, every pamphlet I've ever read at my dental office says the way to a healthy body and mind is through a healthy mouth! Please tell me you're merely jerking my chain.

I'm merely jerking your chain.

Most of the time I can tell.

Little is known about what causes CH or what Taurine actually does, but it's known to affect the hypothalamus which plays a part in CH + it changes how certain minerals (sodium, magnesium, calcium) move in and out of body cells. It is also beneficial for other neural conditions.

I recall a post a while back about dissolving strips with caffeine/taurine available at ? GNC. Anyone know more about that?

I just recovered from the worst attack of my life last night and I suspect the energy drink contributed to the problem.  I've suffered from ECH for over 20 years and I am on Verapamil, which is a calcium channel blocker(CCBs), to mitigate and control the attacks.  I now have read in a number of web sites (Mayo Clinic and Web MD) among them that caffeine reduces or nullifies the effect of CCBs.  When I felt the headache coming on last night, I drank some "Rock Star" and the attack came on full force.  Nothing worked after that.  Did my Imitrex inhaler and it didn't even slow it down.  Since there is no clinical study of Energy Drinks, it is entirely possible that they either A) do nothing for you or B) exacerbate the problem.  The science suggests that it is B, from what I have found.  If you are feeling better after drinking them, it is also possible that it is something else entirely that is giving you the relief.  With no systematic, clinical study, there is no way to know.  I know that I will be much more careful implementing some of these home remedies I hear of on this site and others as a result of last night.  I never want a headache like that again...

Quote:

With no systematic, clinical study, there is no way to know.  I know that I will be much more careful implementing some of these home remedies I hear of on this site and others as a result of last night.  I never want a headache like that again...

...and yet, my experience and the experience of many, many others on this site is quite the opposite. When I chug a double Monster at the first sign of a full on hit, and then huff the high flow O2, not only is the abort faster, it works to prevent the next hit from coming. Your mileage may vary.

And it's always good to be cautious with OTC remedies. They are meds even if not regulated by the FDC. blessings. lance