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New Message Board Archives >> 2005 General Board Posts >> PF since Friday!
(Message started by: Frank_W on Mar 8th, 2005, 11:37am)

Title: PF since Friday!
Post by Frank_W on Mar 8th, 2005, 11:37am
The only thing I've been taking, this cycle, is a multi-vitamin and kudzu. I have been pain-free since last Friday, with only a very minor "twinge/hit" on Sunday afternoon. Today, as an experiment, I am going off of the kudzu to see what the results will be. If I get hit, so be it: I'll begin taking the kudzu again. So far, I am tentatively hopeful that I will remain pain-free. If I do, this will be the shortest, most painless cycle I've ever had, in the eight years of waging war on the beastie.

This cycle has been strange, anyway: In years past, I would wake up in the middle of the night with a Kip-8, and from then on, for the next 6-8 weeks, I would be getting hit with Kip-8's and 10's three and four times a day, everyday, until the cycle would abruptly end.

This cycle seemed to ramp up with very mild hits, and even when I got hit last Thursday night at 1:00 a.m., it was really only a Kip-7.

So.... *fastening my seatbelt, crossing fingers, sacrificing a chicken and spraying the blood in quasi-religious symbols all over the kitchen* I guess we'll see what happens.

[smiley=bomb.gif] "tick tick tick tick..."

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by don on Mar 8th, 2005, 11:44am

Quote:
it was really only a Kip-7


LMAO!

Only Clusterheads would use the word only to desribe pain at a level 7.

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Mark C on Mar 8th, 2005, 11:46am
FUKENEH!

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by E-Double on Mar 8th, 2005, 11:48am
Enjoy it Frank!!!

Ditto what Don said.... Too Funny.......I was a dancin' yesterday evening....reached about an 8....Wife comes home asks if I'm ok.......I say No problem while filled with the nastty discharges of a lovely HIT.......

I truly believe that we can handle anything!!

Good luck brother & may it be quick!

E

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Frank_W on Mar 8th, 2005, 11:49am
LOL! Well, it was bad enough that I was turning my head sideways and pressing my eye against the steel support posts in the basement, but it wasn't a headbanger, and it only lasted for a half hour. Like Bob_P's sig line: "If this is as bad as it gets, I can handle it."  ;)

Thanks, E-dub & Mark! :)

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Hirvimaki on Mar 8th, 2005, 11:57am
Yeah, Frank! That is awesome! I've been PF for over a week now just on kudzu.

Happy days!

More PF days to you, buddy!

Hirvimaki-Isi

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Frank_W on Mar 8th, 2005, 12:02pm
Thanks, Hirv. You too, pal. :)

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Kim Y. on Mar 8th, 2005, 12:08pm
[smiley=thumb.gif]

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by LeLimey on Mar 8th, 2005, 12:11pm
I'm so pleased for you! [smiley=hug.gif] Hope it lasts and lasts  :)

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by seasonalboomer on Mar 8th, 2005, 12:15pm
I'm crossing my fingers for you. Please keep us informed on going flat off the kudzu. I'll keep you posted on the tapering method (cutting doses down).
I'm sending a package of kudzu for my Dad (also a sufferer) to keep in the medicine cabinet for his next cycle. He's been in remission for a couple years. Nothing more heartwarming than hanging out, doing the father-son thing and talking about the crazy shit you do when you have a clusterheadache. "Oh yeah, and I remember this one time, it was soooooo bad, that I _______  __________", "Really Dad, did that help?", "Well not really but it's crazy isn't it?"

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Frank_W on Mar 8th, 2005, 12:33pm
LOL, Boomer... I guess that's one father/son bonding experience I'm glad I don't have!

It's much too early to draw any definitive conclusions, but the kudzu experiments and preliminary results are exciting!

Thanks, Kim!

Thank you, LeLimey. I hope it brings you some relief too. Hang in there... [smiley=hug.gif]

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by nani on Mar 8th, 2005, 12:37pm
That's good news Frank! Keep us posted.

It's hard to believe that there are more folks out there who might really benefit from this and haven't tried it yet.

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Frank_W on Mar 8th, 2005, 12:42pm
Will do, Nani.

The thing I like about this therapy is:

1. No doctor's visits.
2. No side effects.
3. So far, more effective than any medication I've tried.
4. Cheap ($20USD/bottle)
5. Readily available at the local health food store
6. No O2 cylinder or imitrex injectors, or any other "funny stuff" lying around, making me feel like an invalid or a victim of this condition.
7. Easy: Two tablets T.I.D.

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by lionsound on Mar 8th, 2005, 12:49pm

on 03/08/05 at 11:37:21, Frank_W wrote:
So.... *fastening my seatbelt, crossing fingers, sacrificing a chicken and spraying the blood in quasi-religious symbols all over the kitchen* I guess we'll see what happens


Works best if you swing that chicken around over your head first. ;;D

(lol....I'm not even sure how I know that.....)

*happy dancin* for you!!!!


Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Frank_W on Mar 8th, 2005, 12:52pm
ROFL! I'll remember that next time, Lionsound! LOL! [smiley=hug.gif]

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Svenn on Mar 8th, 2005, 12:54pm
Enjoy it Frank!!!
;;D ;;D

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Frank_W on Mar 8th, 2005, 12:57pm
Thank you, Svenn. Every morning, when I awake, the first thing on my mind is, "Hey, I didn't get hit last night!! YES!!!!" and I feel like luckiest man in the world...
[smiley=sayyes.gif]

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Redd715 on Mar 8th, 2005, 2:42pm

on 03/08/05 at 12:49:53, lionsound wrote:
Works best if you swing that chicken around over your head first. ;;D

(lol....I'm not even sure how I know that.....)

*happy dancin* for you!!!!


Is the chicken nekkid too?  If so then I think I know how you know...
;)

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Cathi04 on Mar 8th, 2005, 4:02pm
Frank.....dont forget the garlic around your neck and the TFH!
You KNOW this thrills my sox off!!!!!!

....only a K7.sheesh!!!!
At the risk of repeating myself, you guys are the strongest human beans I know!!!!!!!!!!!

Keep rockin, Frank!!!!!!!!!!!
Cathi.who is smiling all over her face


Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by unsolved1 on Mar 8th, 2005, 4:10pm
Great news Frank! Enjoy your pain free time  :D

Unsolved

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Frank_W on Mar 8th, 2005, 4:11pm
Thank you, Cathi. *BEAMING* Wouldn't it be something if kudzu was found to have the same cycle-ending properties that a prednisone taper did? Maybe that's too much to hope for... Anyway... Thanks again! Thank you, Unsolved. (Hopefully soon to be SOLVED!) :) [smiley=hug.gif]

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by floridian on Mar 8th, 2005, 4:22pm

on 03/08/05 at 16:11:22, Frank_W wrote:
Thank you, Cathi. *BEAMING* Wouldn't it be something if kudzu was found to have the same cycle-ending properties that a prednisone taper did? Maybe that's too much to hope for... Anyway... Thanks again! Thank you, Unsolved. (Hopefully soon to be SOLVED!) :) [smiley=hug.gif]


Not too much to hope for ...  I am hoping that (at very least) kudzu will get episodics through a cycle quickly and with little pain, and that chronics can keep the beast at bay indefinitely with out side effects.  I am also hoping that kudzu doesn't interfere with the alternative treatment (though it might).   Anything above that (like long term remission after a short course of kudzu) will be a nice bonus.  

Keeping my fingers crossed.

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by clarence on Mar 8th, 2005, 4:49pm

on 03/08/05 at 12:42:11, Frank_W wrote:
The thing I like about this therapy is:


My favorite is:


Quote:
1. No doctor's visits.


Wouldn't that be nice...

Congrats Frank.  I am going on 3 weeks now, not completely pain free, but quite nearly.  I admire you man, I am too scared to go off the Kudzu.  Thanks for being the guinea pig...

Casey

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Bob P on Mar 8th, 2005, 4:49pm
Who knows Flo.

I tried the fungus four times last cluster and it didn't even touch my attacks.

I'm now at 3 years and 3 months remission.  That's 6 months past due for my cluster.

Maybe the fungus did work, in a way.

Maybe the zu will too.

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by cootie on Mar 8th, 2005, 4:51pm
Good deal......stuff seems to be worth checking out. If ya get bored bein painless you can have my alien space cold, back pain, migraine for the past week, still broken slow to heal foot pain and body aches.....free......I won't charge ya a dime. Happy for you unhappy for me Pam  ;)

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Frank_W on Mar 8th, 2005, 4:55pm
Aw, Pam... If I could have those things so that you could be pain-free, I would honestly do it. [smiley=hug.gif] Hang in there. Sorry to hear that your foot is being difficult.  :-/

Casey & Bob_P: Good luck and PFDAN's. :)

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Edna on Mar 8th, 2005, 5:52pm
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D


Couldn't be happ-nin to a better person. You deserve the pf time, now keep taking advantage of it!!!!

hugs,
EDNA

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by nani on Mar 8th, 2005, 5:56pm

on 03/08/05 at 16:51:53, cootie wrote:
Good deal......stuff seems to be worth checking out. If ya get bored bein painless you can have my alien space cold, back pain, migraine for the past week, still broken slow to heal foot pain and body aches.....free......I won't charge ya a dime. Happy for you unhappy for me Pam  ;)


Pammie...kudzu has a 70% success rate for migraines. Not too shabby....

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by BlueMeanie on Mar 8th, 2005, 7:10pm
Hey Jeep,

Am I reading your posts right ? You started a thread on 1 March with only shadows up until Sat when you got 1 hit and have shadowed since. Do you think this may just be a fluke that might not be a cycle starting ? I'm saying this cuz now you're saying you're PF after 8 days. I'm trying to keep up with the Kudzu thing but data is hard to follow if ya know what i mean. One day I will start a cycle and want to give the Kudzu a try if data shows it to be effective. Otherwise my Trex does just fine.

Hope you stay PF and it IS just a fluke.

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by nani on Mar 8th, 2005, 7:16pm

on 03/08/05 at 19:10:47, BlueMeanie wrote:
Hope you stay PF and it IS just a fluke.


No offense, Blue...but I hope it's the kudzu.  :)
On the kudzu thread, seasonalboomer and shiraj are episodics who have found it to pretty much stop their cycle. I strongly encourage you to try in in lieu of the triptans next cycle. IMHO

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by BlueMeanie on Mar 8th, 2005, 7:33pm
Yes Nani i've been reading the Kudzu thread.  Just not totally convinced yet is all. Lucky for me I missed this year's cycle and won't be trying the Kudzu for awhile. I will definately keep an eye out for results as they continue to come in.

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Frank_W on Mar 9th, 2005, 8:25am
Well, it seems I spoke too soon: After being off of the kudzu since Sunday, (I took only one dose on Saturday), I got nailed last night. This is a strange cycle, anyway. Instead of being hit three and four times a day, as is the norm, I've been getting hit only once a day. Last night's festivities kicked off at 12:45 a.m. and lasted for about a half hour.  :-/

Back on the kudzu today....

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by seasonalboomer on Mar 9th, 2005, 9:06am
Okay, I decided to stop tapering after my lunch dose yesterday and stop altogether. And with un-f&*#@ing believable coincidence to Frank, got hit last night about midnight. On the BRIGHTSIDE...it was only a Kip 3 to 4 and lasted for about 45 minutes. I don't usually get little ones, most of them fully blooming into 6-10's --- so, as I say, not too bad. almost exactly like the ones I got the first couple nights on Kudzu.

So i'm going to stick it out for a few days off the kudzu and see if the cycle wraps up completely.

This is not all that disappointing to me. I definitely have results from the Kudzu, and this continued behavior indicates that this stuff is doing something. I'm really trying to test things here to see what the actual effects are -- and since I take nothing else this may give some indication of the potential of Kudzu. We'll see how tonight goes staying off.

My major concern with Kudzu is whether it is blunting the effect, kind of like white noise, leaving you with a hypothalamajingy that's still on the fritz. Which isn't altogether a bad thing, but I so look forward to a cycle's departure that i'm obsessing on this concern.


Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by nani on Mar 9th, 2005, 9:18am
Sorry you guys got hit again, Frank and Scott.  :(
I don't think I'll be brave enough to stop anytime soon. In fact I ordered about a 4 month supply yesterday.
I hear what you're saying about "blunting" , Scott. Personally...I don't care how it works, as long as it does with few or no side effects. After upping my dose Monday, I can say that the last 2 days have been 98% PF.
Scott, please don't forget to update the other thread, OK?
PF wishes!!!!   nani

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Hirvimaki on Mar 9th, 2005, 9:48am
Still PF after almost two weeks on kudzu. With the exception of that strange music-through-the-door shadowy business on Saturday (kind of like a shaodw of a shadow), I have felt GREAT!

I know it is the kudzu since I do not use anything else... Although I do think my little O2 tanks are getting lonely.

Hirvimaki-PF-Isi

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by rickyshot on Mar 9th, 2005, 10:41am
One week on the kudzu for me and PF for both ch and migraines. OH please, please let this be it........

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Frank_W on Mar 9th, 2005, 11:21am
No big deal, Nani. This is exactly what I went off of the kudzu to find out. I'll keep taking it, but I'm also going to play around with the dose. Today, I'll probably only take two doses and see if I can get by with that. If I get hit tonight, I'll take three doses tomorrow. And so forth and so on... PFDAN's to everyone. Congrats, Ricky and Hirv.

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by drap on Mar 9th, 2005, 12:22pm
SILLY QUESTION CAME LATE . WHAT IS KUDZU?  DRAP

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by nani on Mar 9th, 2005, 12:24pm
Look here, drap...
Read the whole thing and pay attention to possible meds interactions.  :)

http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=meds;action=display;num=1107368408

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by drap on Mar 9th, 2005, 12:35pm
HAVE BEEN PF SINCE LAST MAY BUT !!!!!!! DRAP

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Frank_W on Mar 9th, 2005, 12:41pm
No need to YELL IN ALL CAPS, Drap! ;) I hope you remain pain-free. :) Good luck!

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by drap on Mar 9th, 2005, 12:56pm
Thanks for help through the year. Hope you all can get some PF days .  drap

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by high_commander on Mar 9th, 2005, 1:03pm
Glad to hear that it seems to be working for you !

Many wishes for continued sucess !

Danielle

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Frank_W on Mar 9th, 2005, 3:04pm
Thanks, Danielle. :) I'm just so pleased that this cycle isn't bustin' my chops. PFDAN's to you!

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by sandie99 on Mar 10th, 2005, 2:40am
That's wonderful! :)

More PFdays to come,
Sandie

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Frank_W on Mar 10th, 2005, 8:15am
Thanks. Yesterday, I took two doses: One in the morning, and one just prior to bedtime. I was pain-free yesterday and didn't get hit last night, either. *genuflecting before the kudzu gods...*  :)

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Kim Y. on Mar 10th, 2005, 10:34am
Sounds like it covers up the symptoms and it doesn't take it away.  If you can't get off of it without them coming right back and the reason its less attack is the fact that some of the med is still in your system.  

Don't get me wrong PF sounds great but It sounds like your going to be on Kudzu all the time or through your cycle to keep it that way.  Keep a good level in your body to keep the pain under control.

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Margi on Mar 10th, 2005, 10:44am

on 03/10/05 at 10:34:29, Kim Y. wrote:
Don't get me wrong PF sounds great but It sounds like your going to be on Kudzu all the time or through your cycle to keep it that way.  


um...so what, Kim?  Isn't it better to take something that will let you have a pain-free cycle, than to worry about have to "be on" kudzu for an extended period?  Maybe I'm interpreting your post wrong but the results are proving that Kudzu has become the most encouraging preventative we've seen yet.  So who cares if sufferers have to continue taking it for the duration of their cycle, if there are so few side effects?  
I'm not trying to be combative, please don't think that.  I'm just saying that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.


Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Hirvimaki on Mar 10th, 2005, 10:53am

on 03/10/05 at 10:34:29, Kim Y. wrote:
Sounds like it covers up the symptoms and it doesn't take it away.  If you can't get off of it without them coming right back and the reason its less attack is the fact that some of the med is still in your system.  

Don't get me wrong PF sounds great but It sounds like your going to be on Kudzu all the time or through your cycle to keep it that way.  Keep a good level in your body to keep the pain under control.

I'd rather take kudzu than any of the other crap I've tried.

Hirvimaki-Isi

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Frank_W on Mar 10th, 2005, 10:54am
Agree, Margi. I'd rather take kudzu than to take Verapamil which fucks up my fine motor coordination and kills my already horrible short-term memory, or having to shoot Imitrex, which sends me into tachycardia, gives me murderous shadows for hours on end, and stretches my cycle out to nearly double what it normally is. With kudzu, I am 95% pain-free, which is more than verapamil or depakote EVER did for me, and without all of the dodgy side effects, and the hits that I DO get last no longer than 30 minutes, and have never gone above a Kip-7. If I had to take this stuff everyday for the rest of my life to be pain-free, I would do so. I'm going to take it throughout the month of March, at the minimum possible dosage, and then go off of it again to see if I am out of cycle. So far, I am ecstatic!  :)

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by floridian on Mar 10th, 2005, 10:56am

on 03/10/05 at 10:34:29, Kim Y. wrote:
Sounds like it covers up the symptoms and it doesn't take it away.  If you can't get off of it without them coming right back and the reason its less attack is the fact that some of the med is still in your system.  

Don't get me wrong PF sounds great but It sounds like your going to be on Kudzu all the time or through your cycle to keep it that way.  Keep a good level in your body to keep the pain under control.


Kudzu may ultimately turn out to be the herbal equivalent of verapamil (though it may work in a somewhat different manner).  It may help some people that don't respond to verapamil.  It may be necessary to continue as long as a person is in cycle -  not sure, but the preliminary reports suggest that.

Sometimes pain is just a symptom of a deeper problem, and turning off the pain is like turning up the radio so you don't hear the car engine clunking.  But CH pain is so overwhelming that it does need to be treated.  And we don't know how well other established meds really deal with the underlying problems that lead to clusters.

The abortives are probably more in the category of 'just turning off the pain' - oxygen and triptans bring relief, but the next hit is still in the pipeline.

I would like to see a study to determine how well the preventives change (improve) the underlying problems ... do they reduce apnea, which is very common in clusters, and can cause problems on its own?  Do preventives restore circadian cycles?  Do they normalize choline and serotonin levels?  Are autonomic nervous system problems reduced with preventives?   How does kudzu compare to other preventives on dealing with these underlying problems?

Good questions. Need more research.



Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Kim Y. on Mar 10th, 2005, 11:00am
I was only trying to let you know to stay on it.  It works by a build up in your system.  It is a PF  med not a cure is all I ment by that.  I am wanting to try it myself.  I was just making a theory of what it does in the body by seeing what happens to you when you get off it.  

Please I meant no offense :-[

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by floridian on Mar 10th, 2005, 11:02am
[quote author=Kim Y. link=board=general;num=1110299841;start=50#51 date=03/10/05 at 11:00:33]I was only trying to let you know to stay on it.  It works by a build up in your system.  It is a PF  med not a cure is all I ment by that.  I am wanting to try it myself.  I was just making a theory of what it does in the body by seeing what happens to you when you get off it.  

Please I meant no offense :-[/quote]

No offense taken.  We need to discuss this from all angles, and I understand your questions (and wish I had better answers to them).  

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Frank_W on Mar 10th, 2005, 11:03am
Oh, no offense taken, Kim! No worries. :)

But that's why I went off of it, to experiment and see if kudzu possibly had the same effect as a prednisone taper. Apparently it doesn't, so like Verapamil, I will have to remain on it throughout the course of the cycle, and I have no problem with that. :)

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Kim Y. on Mar 10th, 2005, 11:05am
Just looking at it all around that is the Medical professional in me.  Your information has been helpful every where I look.  I am just a sceptic because nothing ever seems to work.  I am looking on line to order some and try.  Trust me to be back to myself I would be ever greatful...

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by vig on Mar 10th, 2005, 11:09am

Margi wrote...
"Kudzu has become the most encouraging preventative we've seen yet.  "
How about: one of the most....? ;;D

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by seasonalboomer on Mar 10th, 2005, 11:32am
Kim,

I think you're talking to the choir of skeptics.... I also only like to take things for as long as I need to, so I'm wanting to see what it is like to go off it, during the period that my episode would normally have started wrapping up.

I can state that based on my own experience and from what I've seen in the threads so far, this Kudzu is having some effect, and for the most part that effect appears to be positive. We've yet to see anyone say, you guys are full of it. We've yet to see anyone say that taking this caused me greater levels of pain than before I took it. We've yet to see anyone say the side effects have caused them to lose their job, their wife, or a limb in some type of heavy equipment. We've yet to see anyone say that their insurance status is in question due to the $11.89 they paid for their kudzu. We've yet to see anyone try to run off the kudzu testers as flim-flam artists from the site.

The only thing we've seen is that it has not been universally effective, but what is pretty consistent is that this substance is causing some type of change in people's cycles. And that those who seem to be seeing less positive results are some chronics and  those that have multiple industrial strength medications operating in their system (similar to the clusterbuster experiences). Even that is not totally consistent however.

That being said, my "skeptical" antennae are getting massaged  appropriately. How bout' yours?  

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Margi on Mar 10th, 2005, 12:07pm
Nope, no offense taken at all Kim - it was I who misinterpreted your words.  My apologies.  

I do honestly think this is the most encouraging preventative we've seen yet (sorry, Vig - just by a nose though, ok? ;)).

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Kim Y. on Mar 10th, 2005, 12:34pm
Well I took the leep and bought a bottle online today so here we go.  Crossing my fingers.
Not sure what to do with the Verap.  Do I wait and talk to my Dr. on the 30th before I try???  So she can't give the advise on stopping the Verap. and trying this.  Do I take her some information on Kudzu?

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Hirvimaki on Mar 10th, 2005, 12:41pm

on 03/10/05 at 12:34:55, Kim Y. wrote:
Well I took the leep and bought a bottle online today so here we go.  Crossing my fingers.
Not sure what to do with the Verap.  Do I wait and talk to my Dr. on the 30th before I try???  So she can't give the advise on stopping the Verap. and trying this.  Do I take her some information on Kudzu?

Just MHO (and perhaps has a lot to do with the relationship I have with my doctor), but I'd take in info on kudzu. Floridian has done a wonderful job of getting together information on it. Use it! Having your doctor on your side when you are trying something is a great way to go.

Hirvimaki-Isi

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Frank_W on Mar 10th, 2005, 12:41pm
Well... She's probably not going to care much about the kudzu and encourage you to stay on the verapamil. The risk is that both the kudzu and the verapamil lower blood pressure, so you might try tapering off of the verapamil, or else spacing your dosages out so that you aren't taking the two at the same time of day. I'm sure Floridian can shed more light on this for you. Good luck and PFDAN's.

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Tiannia on Mar 10th, 2005, 12:44pm
OK I have to make it a point to get some. My hits have ramped up to the point that i am having a hard time of it.  2-3 a day at work and 3 at night.  I knew that this was coming but I was still just hoping that I would stay below 4 a day.  :-/  So I will find a place the sells it and get some.  I have to try something. The trex is not as effecttive as it was my last ramp up.  And I refuse to take a full shot because it makes be sick.  I take so much other medication for my back and such I really dont even want to think about getting on something else, but at least it is herbal.  All of the other herbal submiliments that I have tried over the past 2 years have not done shit, so it cat hurt.

I will let you know when I get some.  Goddess I am so tired....  And I can feel the pressure building behind my eye right now.  :'(

Frank, I am so happy for you hun.  I really hope that you are able to stay 95%+ PF through the rest of your cycle.   [smiley=hug.gif]

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Frank_W on Mar 10th, 2005, 1:01pm
Thank you, Tia. I'm so sorry that you're having such a rough time of it, right now.  :'( Stay strong and hang in there, my friend. I dearly hope the kudzu works as well for you as it has worked for myself and others. [smiley=hug.gif]

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by rickyshot on Mar 10th, 2005, 1:36pm
Hmmmm Topamax (Dopamax) which nearly made me jump out of a window, Verapmimal dizzy and sick spells, siebellium gain weight , sleepy, hungry lethargic , trips with fast heart beats, shadows, rebounds , steroids need I say more? with no fuckin results from ha or KUDZU with  no side effects for me and some visable results. A no brainer for me. I would be very interested in any info or studies Floridian can come up with. If there are any future side effects with Kudzu I would be willing to accept them as I did with all the other chemical shit I have poured into my desparate body.

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Leesa on Mar 10th, 2005, 2:28pm
FANFUKKENTASTIC Frank. Hope this keeps up babe.  :-*
PF wishes, Leesa

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by floridian on Mar 10th, 2005, 2:50pm

on 03/10/05 at 13:36:05, rickyshot wrote:
I would be very interested in any info or studies Floridian can come up with. If there are any future side effects with Kudzu I would be willing to accept them as I did with all the other chemical shit I have poured into my desparate body.


I'm assuming you read the article at med-owl, and all the threads on this board?  Those identify the known side effects, some hypothetical side effects (but not the unknown side effects, if there are any).

The article is due for an update soon, maybe over the weekend.
http://www.med-owl.com/clusterheadaches/tiki-index.php?page=Kudzu

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Frank_W on Mar 10th, 2005, 2:54pm

on 03/10/05 at 14:28:38, Leesa wrote:
FANFUKKENTASTIC Frank. Hope this keeps up babe.  :-*
PF wishes, Leesa


Thank you! You and me both!  8) :)

Floridian, if there are unknown side effects with kudzu, it would difficult to document them, wouldn't it?  ;;D

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by floridian on Mar 10th, 2005, 3:07pm
Yeah, I was inspired by this poetry:

The Unknown
As we know,
There are known knowns.
There are things we know we know.
We also know
There are known unknowns.
That is to say
We know there are some things
We do not know.
But there are also unknown unknowns,
The ones we don't know
We don't know.

—D. Rumsfeld, Feb. 12, 2002,

Good to be clear about things.  I tried to cover the knowns and the known unknowns, but cant be held responsible for the unknown unknowns.

Other poems by Donald: http://slate.msn.com/id/2081042/

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Frank_W on Mar 10th, 2005, 3:11pm
[smiley=laugh.gif] Play it again, duh-duh-duh-Donnie!!  8) [smiley=laugh.gif]

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Edna on Mar 11th, 2005, 2:47pm
Frank and others, still makes ME feel great knowing you guys are having success.

AND, I just got a mental picture that has me in laughter here.....

I did read somewhere about kudzu helping alleviate the urge to drink for alcoholics huh???      Well, can you imagine.............it proves to be helpful to EVERY Clusterhead......OMG.......

   NO DRINKING?????????       NOBODY would believe THAT.....LMAO


wishing continued pf times for you all,

hugs,
EDNA


Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by PrettyH8Machine on Mar 11th, 2005, 2:56pm
Congrats bro! I'm glad the Kudzu worked for ya.

peace,
Carl

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Frank_W on Mar 11th, 2005, 3:06pm
LOL, Edna!

Thanks, Carl. It's not 100% just yet... And in fact, the hit I had last night was pretty painful. Another funny thing: When I got hit, it seems to have interrupted my brain while it was still on "spin cycle." When I awoke, it's like my thoughts were all jumbled together, like they couldn't get out of the way of each other fast enough... As if someone had a book of very disturbing black and white images, and they were fanning the pages in front of my mind's eye at a thousand miles an hour...

Cluster headaches = Power surges?

Maybe I'm just insane.....

[smiley=huh.gif] :-X

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Hirvimaki on Mar 12th, 2005, 9:04am

on 03/11/05 at 15:06:36, Frank_W wrote:
Maybe I'm just insane.....

All the people I really like and respect are.

Hirvimaki-Isi

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by floridian on Mar 12th, 2005, 2:19pm

on 03/11/05 at 15:06:36, Frank_W wrote:
When I got hit, it seems to have interrupted my brain while it was still on "spin cycle." When I awoke, it's like my thoughts were all jumbled together, like they couldn't get out of the way of each other fast enough... As if someone had a book of very disturbing black and white images, and they were fanning the pages in front of my mind's eye at a thousand miles an hour...

Cluster headaches = Power surges?


Sounds like the description for another alternative treatment, one that also affects the 5-ht2 receptors. Or the movie Pi ... got any stock predictions??  :)

I remember something like that when I was a kid taking antihistamines,  woke up to get a drink of water, turned on the bathroom light, and things got weird for a few seconds.  How long did it last, Frank?



Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Frank_W on Mar 12th, 2005, 5:48pm

on 03/12/05 at 14:19:03, floridian wrote:
Sounds like the description for another alternative treatment, one that also affects the 5-ht2 receptors. Or the movie Pi ... got any stock predictions??  :)


Uh... Pork bellies opening at 2.25? LOL!


Quote:
I remember something like that when I was a kid taking antihistamines,  woke up to get a drink of water, turned on the bathroom light, and things got weird for a few seconds.  How long did it last, Frank?


I don't know... About 3-5 minutes, I guess. The hit wasn't strong enough to bring me WIDE AWAKE, but enough to rouse me from bed, so I suspect I was treading the hynopompic state... And yeah, it reminded me of the movie, "Pi," or more accurately, the music video on the DVD, "Pi=R2."

Strange stuff... :)

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Jonny on Mar 12th, 2005, 6:14pm
22 ;;D

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by jimbo on Mar 13th, 2005, 2:58pm
Frank,

I'm glad this might be working for you! This is pretty interesting stuff, keep us posted. It would probably be something that I would try.

Good old Mother Nature comes through again!

seeya,

Jimbo

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Frank_W on Mar 13th, 2005, 5:46pm
Thanks, Jimbo. The best way to take it seems to be taking the first dose as soon as I awaken, the second dose in the mid-afternoon (around 3:30), and the last dose, just prior to going to sleep.

I tried taking the doses earlier in the evening and ended up getting hit in the middle of the night. I tried taking only two doses and got hit hard with lots of mini-hits in between. I tried going off of it completely, and got hit hard again. Two tablets, 750mg each, three times a day: This is what seems to do the trick for me, so I'm sticking with it. Thanks again. PFDAN's to you!

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Jonny on Mar 13th, 2005, 6:23pm
23 ;;D

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Frank_W on Mar 13th, 2005, 6:44pm
Jonny, you don't have anything better to do than to count my posts in a thread that pertains to cluster headaches, and a treatment that is proving effective for a number of people? Are people not paying enough attention to you, or something?

Why don't you go start one of your oh-so-useful threads about the bath house, or something?


WTF-EVER...

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Jonny on Mar 13th, 2005, 8:16pm
24 ;;D

FYI.....Ive been PF for 24 days.....if you think thats an attack on you you need serious help

Grow up Frank....the world does not revolve around you.....Shit head ;;D

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Frank_W on Mar 13th, 2005, 8:28pm
That's nice. Run along and play now. Adults are having a conversation.

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Redd715 on Mar 13th, 2005, 8:36pm
I read the first one Frank.....

Now both of you play nice or I'll be getting these babys out!

http://www.incrediblysexyfashions.com/images/082236345.jpg

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by purpleydog on Mar 13th, 2005, 10:05pm

on 03/13/05 at 20:16:45, Jonny wrote:
24 ;;D

FYI.....Ive been PF for 24 days.....if you think thats an attack on you you need serious help

Grow up Frank....the world does not revolve around you.....Shit head ;;D



Congratulations dude! That's fucking great!!  :)

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by clarence on Mar 13th, 2005, 11:55pm

on 03/10/05 at 12:44:54, Tiannia wrote:
OK I have to make it a point to get some.



on 03/10/05 at 12:44:54, Tiannia wrote:
I will let you know when I get some.  


Update?  ;;D

Just kidding.

I'm glad things are going well for ya Frank.  And you too Jonny!  
The Kudzu is helping me out quite a bit too.  Mostly only shadows periodically, with a couple of low grade hits here and there.  Much better than BK (before kudzu).  

I did tempt the beast last night with 3 beers.  Stupid?  Maybe.  But they were good!  Today I had a bit more intensity to the shadows, with a couple of low spikes.  Not too bad though.  Actually, now that I think about it, I had a worse hit yesterday before the beers...strange.  It was about a k-4 that hit at the Clinique counter while my wife was getting crap for her eyes.  Not bad, but worse than most AK (after kudzu).

May the Kudzu keep you pain free this day and forevermore!

Casey

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Kevin_M on Mar 14th, 2005, 12:54am

on 03/13/05 at 22:05:02, purpleydog wrote:
Congratulations dude! That's fucking great!!  :)


Hoo yeah.  That is some bad@ass news.  Changing history dude.   8)  

Thanks for the post.

damn shy, conservative sort.   ;;D

You and Don, born in a closet or something with your restrained verbiage.  

A couple of shy boys I guess   ::)

I bet Martha now thinks it's "a good thing" cause her planned barbeque show with you's was nixed by the producers for violation of probation and they are now fired.  

The "good things" sometimes get relegated out of the crowded programing agendas.   "Cheers" is becoming a distant memory.  And those reality shows are sooo real.  But a prime time "General Hospital" might be just the ticket maybe, the "Wool Socks Outlet" could get the opportunity for more ad time then.  

not a ratings box household.



Kevin M







 





Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by don on Mar 14th, 2005, 4:56pm

Quote:
.Ive been PF for 24 days


Glad to hear your sinuses cleared up.

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by guesst on Mar 14th, 2005, 5:10pm

on 03/13/05 at 20:16:45, Jonny wrote:
24 ;;D

FYI.....Ive been PF for 24 days.....

[smiley=headbanger.gif]

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by medic1852 on Mar 14th, 2005, 5:20pm
Frank I have been working the past few days and I am glad to read that your PF. That is great I am very happy for you. Now you and Jonny play nice, or we can do like my pops used to do....Make you both put on the Boxing Gloves... [smiley=bigguns.gif]
Later Rodger!

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by guesst on Mar 14th, 2005, 5:24pm

on 03/14/05 at 17:20:37, medic1852 wrote:
Make you both put on the Boxing Gloves... [smiley=bigguns.gif]
Later Rodger!

Hmmmmmmm trained killer vs. self-taught killer, could sell a lot of tickets, can I be the celebrity referee?  J/K.  ;;D

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by medic1852 on Mar 14th, 2005, 5:27pm

on 03/14/05 at 17:24:06, guesst wrote:
Hmmmmmmm trained killer vs. self-taught killer, could sell a lot of tickets, can I be the celebrity referee?  J/K.  ;;D

Back yard Smokers are the best! It was how my pops settled disputes and I had a Battalion Comander that believed it was good healthy recreation as well as a good way to settle disputes! Could make some money on Pay per veiw also Thomas.
Later Rodger [smiley=bigguns.gif]

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by don on Mar 14th, 2005, 5:29pm

Quote:
Now both of you play nice or I'll be getting these babys out!


If you are threatening to break those out cause someone is not playing nice I'll start a board fight the likes this site has never seen before!  ;;D

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by clarence on Mar 14th, 2005, 5:32pm

on 03/14/05 at 17:29:36, don wrote:
If you are threatening to break those out cause someone is not playing nice I'll start a board fight the likes this site has never seen before!  ;;D


I was thinking the same thing...

Casey

btw - I'm following you...or am I?

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by guesst on Mar 14th, 2005, 5:41pm
So, are you using the kudzoo also, jonny, I am impressed with Frank, nani, and clarence's findings!

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by Redd715 on Mar 14th, 2005, 5:56pm

on 03/14/05 at 17:29:36, don wrote:
If you are threatening to break those out cause someone is not playing nice I'll start a board fight the likes this site has never seen before!  ;;D


Now now Don.  You can go to the bathhouse and get the Dom there to break out his size 13 1/2's.  I don't think the heel of a meer size 6 would be any punnishment for you at all. ;;D  Besides I'm sure they have better assesories than I do down there.

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by don on Mar 14th, 2005, 6:39pm

Quote:
Why don't you go start one of your oh-so-useful threads about the bath house, or something?



Quote:
You can go to the bathhouse and get the Dom there to break out his size 13 1/2's.


Happy now Frank? Look what you did. You instigated Redd.

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by nani on Mar 14th, 2005, 6:53pm

on 03/14/05 at 17:20:37, medic1852 wrote:
Now you and Jonny play nice, or we can do like my pops used to do....Make you both put on the Boxing Gloves... [smiley=bigguns.gif]


...Or worse...I'll make you do what you'd have to do at my house:
Hug and kiss and say I'm sorry and I love you.

I am absolutely thrilled for both of you!!! Enjoy!!!!  :)

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by medic1852 on Mar 14th, 2005, 7:34pm

on 03/14/05 at 18:53:13, nani wrote:
...Or worse...I'll make you do what you'd have to do at my house:
Hug and kiss and say I'm sorry and I love you.


Pops used to use that one too...I prefer the boxing gloves! [smiley=bigguns.gif]

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by don on Mar 14th, 2005, 7:36pm
I'd prefer to be beaten senseless with wet ropes than use the Dr. Phil approach.

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by nani on Mar 14th, 2005, 7:41pm
Dr Phil!?!    LOL  
That's the point, fellas. It's based on pure humiliation. Boys would much rather duke it out. I like forcing them to be "sensitive". They HATE it...and think twice before they do it again.  ;;D

Title: Re: PF since Friday!
Post by don on Mar 14th, 2005, 7:55pm
If I want to be humiliated I will ask Redd to walk on my back with those boots.



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