Posted by gary g on January 29, 1999 at 17:52:29:
In Reply to: Cough drops ?? lets try a test posted by Christopher C. on January 29, 1999 at 17:09:20:
sorry Chris, we DON'T "all know that antihistamine makes these worse"
in fact - benadryl (generic: diphenhydramine) is extremely effective for me in 2 ways:
1. I have been able to block several clusters all together by "loading" on diph., at the very first sign of an impending cluster cycle prescursor - absolute maximum label dose - (I have a feeling that the reason this works is fairly subtle - not straightforward link to histamine suppression
2. When in a cycle, I keep track of the attack schedule, and when I have a fair chance at a sleep period, I take 3 or 4, 15 minutes before getting into bed - it helps somewhat in getting past the 90 minute REM sleep attack trigger point.
re: Vicks cough drops
look carefully at this - be sure you're not confusing variables
I have been "addicted" to menthol eucalyptus cough drops (like Halls) since I quit smoking 6 years ago....
menthol (see your Vicks label) is an anhydrous alcohol.....
now, I'm not sure exactly what is behind the well-known problem of beverage alcohol as a violent attack trigger, or if it is unique to ethanol - BUT I switch from the menthol drops to peppermint hard candy during clusters - - why take the chance ?
re: congestion problem during the attacks -
try a pocket "snorter" using pseudoephedrine - and in this case I think Vicks IS the brand I get
for the pain in the gums, teeth, etc - get the anesthetic gel they use for teething, denture pain etc - read the label - the onbly difference between all the brands is the form (gel, liquid) and the % of anesthetic (usually benzocaine)
get the gel, put it on yoiur fingertip & dab it heavily on the gum in the section where the teeth hurt - it helps
try not to swallow too much - it numbs the throat & a very unpleasant choking sensation results
suggestion to all:
read ingredients lists on ALL medicines, scrip or OTC, go to library & check the PDR (there is one for scrip meds, and one for OTC) and read ALL that fineprint til you KNOW it
after all - ultimately these bastards are OUR problem, not the Doc's !!!!!!!!!