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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Acupunture ??
        
(Message started by: rannpas on Feb 13^th, 2008, 12:15am)

Title: Acupunture ??
Post by rannpas on Feb 13^th, 2008, 12:15am

My Neurologist told me last week that there was nothing else she could do for me and recommended I try some alternative treatments and suggested Acupuncture.

I am totting my Oxygen around, and can only take so much Imitrix, and it seems that they are not helping as much as they used to.

So, does anyone have info or advice on Acupuncture?

It has been a number of years since I was last online with CH message board.

Perry
Tx

Title: Re: Acupunture ??
Post by E-Double on Feb 13^th, 2008, 12:33am

You have not mentioned and preventative medications just abortive treatments.
What has your doctor tried with you?

as far as accupuncture goes; to my knowledge it has been deemed pretty worthless as a treatment here.

Whatever it takes.

good luck and pf wishes

Title: Re: Acupunture ??
Post by Annette on Feb 13^th, 2008, 2:38am

I am a doctor with a post grad diploma in acupuncture. My husband has CH and I can tell you I wouldnt waste my time and his time giving him acupuncture.

You are most welcome to try and good luck if it works.

A couple of people came here briefly claiming great success with acupuncture. However, when I questioned them closely how it worked and invited the practitioners to come to the board to share their success stories, the people never came back.

If you do try, please be kind and let us know how it works.

Take care and painfree wishes to you.

PS: There are tons of meds and even alternative meds that have proven to work better for CH from anticonvulsants to antipsychotics .. , from melatonin to magnesium to even RC seeds or shrooms. Have you tried them all ?

Title: Re: Acupunture ??
Post by chewy on Feb 13^th, 2008, 7:02am

Useless for CH.

Title: Re: Acupunture ??
Post by BarbaraD on Feb 13^th, 2008, 7:06am

Caused hits in me -- every time...

Title: Re: Acupunture ??
Post by rannpas on Feb 13^th, 2008, 8:31am

Thanks guys - I had tried it long long ago, but briefly and found it did not help. But I have been trying the meds for so long and it seems that after a while it is almost as if my body becomes used to them and it does little.

Right now I am on Oxygen and Imitrex injections. But not only is the imitrix darn expensive at 100$ for 2 vials, it seems not to be working as effective.

I have been on different blockers, preventatives, and tried a variety of abortive meds. We moved about a year ago and changed pharmacist. So I go a printout of my medication history and there were 4 pages of different meds I have been on and tried over I think the last 6 -10 years. And most where for the CH or Migraines. So far a combination of O2, Imitrix, and the wall.

Along with the CH, I have Horner Syndrom, which I am told is common with CH suffers. But over the last number of years I have been having more difficulty with my whole side when I have a CH. That is one of the reasons I went back to the neuro.

Anyway, I am down to my last o2 canister and need to go get more.

Again, thanks for the info, and I will look around and see what I find here with the Acupuncture - and let you know if I do try and what the results are.

:-/

Title: Re: Acupunture ??
Post by Ray on Feb 13^th, 2008, 8:35am

Hello:

I went about a dozen times for treatments. Although it was relaxing, it didn't do a darned thing for my CH.

Perhaps it is time to find a new Neurologist who is a headache specialist?

I am coming off of a 3 month break where I only had occasional CH, by receiving a DHE infusion, perhaps that is something to speak with the doctor about.

With best wishes,

Ray

Title: Re: Acupunture ??
Post by ronan76 on Feb 13^th, 2008, 10:07am

Hi,
I am just out of an episode.. and i can tell you that i will most definitely be using acupuncture sessions on a regular basis for the future. IMO and case, stress has contributed to CH .. that is what i truly believe after analysing the events leading to my only two attacks....
I also believe that contrary to some reports in this website that i have the ability to change certain aspects of my life so that the beast will not return.. or at least i have the power to extend the length of time its stays away.

I used to go to a Doctor/physio/osteopath/chinese medicine - (yes he was very qualified..) Using a combination of manipulation and acupuncture he fixed my back for me.. I had 2 prolapsed discs and thought i would need surgery, i must have visited 5 different chiropath(ethics) - but they didn't fix it...

anyway he is a highly respected doctor in ireland... he raved about acupuncture..saying that there was so little we knew about it.. but its powers of healing were incredible.. and i believe him... everything that has come from it has been good..

I dont know for sure if it will help keep CH away but i do think it will help.. whether its extending the periods between attacks or keeping it away completely..

acupuncure helps the body and heal itself.. and therefore am confident it can only be good... I will certainly be giving it a go !

My 2 cents..
Kent Brockman

Title: Re: Acupunture ??
Post by totka2 on Feb 13^th, 2008, 2:30pm

Tried it. IMHO ~~snake~~ hedgehog oil.

Title: Re: Acupunture ??
Post by monty on Feb 13^th, 2008, 3:03pm

The largest, best controlled study of acupuncture on migraine did find it helps, although 'sham' and real acupuncture are both equally good. Probably something related to poking holes in the skin and a general effect on the body, not so much related to meridians.

This study (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18209515) found that when it worked for migraine, there was a reduction in sympathetic nerve activity. Since there are so many reports that acupuncture doesn't clearly help with clusters, you might want to look at other ways of reducing sympathetic nerve activity (taurine, meditation, etc).

Title: Re: Acupunture ??
Post by Stinger on Feb 13^th, 2008, 3:14pm

I tried accupuncture in Korea in 1998 and I thought it did help my clusters, however, looking back on it, I was very near the end of my cycle anyway. Go figure.

Title: Re: Acupunture ??
Post by Guiseppi on Feb 13^th, 2008, 4:59pm

It's one of the most frustrating aspects of this condition for me. You're never positive if it was the medication change, the life style change, or the beast was just ready to morph again! Certainly keeps a person guessing!

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Acupunture ??
Post by thebbz on Feb 13^th, 2008, 10:32pm

Here's some alternatives that may help and not just bleed your wallet.
clusterbusters.com

My 2 cents..
Kent Brockman
Is that the same Kent Brockman as seen on the Simpsons?

oh well
thebb

Title: Re: Acupunture ??
Post by Kirk on Feb 14^th, 2008, 12:40am

Acupuncture is a complete waste of time. Atleast where it concerns CH. IMHO

[smiley=smokin.gif]

Title: Re: Acupunture ??
Post by wink on Feb 16^th, 2008, 2:56am

Acupuncture had no effect on my clusters.

While we're on the topic of alternative medicines, what's the board's collective wisdom on chiropracture? I met my wife's cousin's fiancee's brother recently and he practices chiropracy. He insisted that I see a chiropracture, and I heard him out since a) I don't know how to weasel out of conversations like that, and b) he is almost a kinda relative. Anyways...I haven't followed up on anything, but I figured I'd ask you guys: is chiropracture and good for clusters?

Title: Re: Acupunture ??
Post by Rolomatic on Feb 16^th, 2008, 3:29am

I just took a shot of DHE so I have had my poke for the night with a 1” needle in my thigh. Dam my leg hurts!

Title: Re: Acupunture ??
Post by Kirk on Feb 16^th, 2008, 9:34pm

Chiropractic never did a thing for my CH [smiley=twocents.gif] YMMV

[smiley=smokin.gif]

Title: Re: Acupunture ??
Post by AussieBrian on Feb 16^th, 2008, 10:57pm

My auntie found that she could no longer afford to both smoke and gamble so got accupunture to get rid of the dreaded tobacco.

Within a week she was back puffing like a chimbley but it was months before any of us twigged that she'd been nowhere near a horse race nor a lottery since. Not even Bingo.

Title: Re: Acupunture ??
Post by Annette on Feb 16^th, 2008, 11:18pm

on 02/16/08 at 22:57:56, AussieBrian wrote:

Within a week she was back puffing like a chimbley but it was months before any of us twigged that she'd been nowhere near a horse race nor a lottery since. Not even Bingo.

Indeed, I will bet that all the money she normally spent on gambling went into acupuncture instead.

But then look at it this way, if you pay good money for something that may or may not work, isnt that taking a gamble by nature ? :P

Title: Re: Acupunture ??
Post by AussieBrian on Feb 16^th, 2008, 11:42pm

on 02/16/08 at 23:18:48, Annette wrote:

...isnt that taking a gamble by nature ?

And it's not true that at us Aussies would bet on two flies on a wall.

Bet on one of 'em, though.

Title: Re: Acupunture ??
Post by Annette on Feb 17^th, 2008, 12:28am

on 02/16/08 at 23:42:53, AussieBrian wrote:

And it's not true that at us Aussies would bet on two flies on a wall.

Bet on one of 'em, though.

Oh yes, you have to bet on the bigger one ! 8)

Title: Re: Acupunture ??
Post by AussieBrian on Feb 17^th, 2008, 2:00am

on 02/17/08 at 00:28:58, Annette wrote:

Oh yes, you have to bet on the bigger one !

I admit that my current abode, the Shelter for Homeless, Itinerant Tipplers (S.H.I.T.) is lacking a few of the basic amenities but I was still able to receive an important message from my book-maker who, as we speak, is on holiday on the Cote' de Azure.

He's giving evens on the smaller fly because it has a bruised wing and will go faster to get to the accupuncturist sooner.

I still say that any hope is better than no hope at all and, while it does no harm, no-one gets hurt. Fair dinkum, I'd put red-back spiders under my tongue if I thought it was part of the cure.

Now, there's an idea.

All alternatives must always be considered and if accupunture works for just one (witness Ronan76) then it's another shot in the locker. Another weapon in the armoury.

The strangest part of the whole thing is that I'm defending accupuncture against a qualified accupuncturist.

Gotta talk to my book-maker about this.

Title: Re: Acupunture ??
Post by Annette on Feb 17^th, 2008, 5:25am

Gosh Brian, you just gave me a brainstorm.

Maybe I should change my practice on acupuncture. Instead of telling patients not to waste their time and money on something that wont work, I will encourage them and give them some hope.

It seems there are plenty of people out there who like to gamble, even if the hope ... I mean ... the odds are really low.

Then maybe I will be able to holiday in Cote D'Azure before long.

Should go away and think about this seriously. 8)

Title: Re: Acupunture ??
Post by seasonalboomer on Feb 17^th, 2008, 7:15am

on 02/17/08 at 02:00:47, AussieBrian wrote:

All alternatives must always be considered and if accupunture works for just one (witness Ronan76) then it's another shot in the locker. Another weapon in the armoury.

I read that post twice and I don't think he actually says it worked for him, but instead that he thinks it is helping him with his stress issues, which he HOPES will help him when his next cycle comes around.

Scott

Title: Re: Acupunture ??
Post by AussieBrian on Feb 17^th, 2008, 8:24am

on 02/17/08 at 07:15:56, seasonalboomer wrote:

Fair comment, Scott, and I stand corrected.

I also stand on me digs that anything helps us can't be all bad. If that includes accupuncture, stress management or strangling cats at midnight, I'm all in favour while it works and does no harm.

I really think the stress factor can be worse than the curse.

Title: Re: Acupunture ??
Post by Kevin_M on Feb 17^th, 2008, 8:24am

on 02/13/08 at 08:31:36, rannpas wrote:

the imitrix ... seems not to be working as effective.

But over the last number of years I have been having more difficulty with my whole side when I have a CH. That is one of the reasons I went back to the neuro.

Some neuros are more inclined as a headache specialist than others, sounds like you've tried a lot though.

Since this has a more wide ranging affect to your whole side in the last few years, and Imitrex less effective, an MRI would be an idea.

The affected droopy eye with Horner syndrome you mentioned, in conjuction with Imitrex less effective and difficulty with your whole side brings me thoughts of perhaps mild stroke symptoms that you might think to inquire about checking out.

Quote:

Horner syndrome

Causes

Sympathetic nerve fiber injuries can result from a stroke in the brainstem, injury to the carotid artery, a tumor in the upper lobe of the lung, and cluster headaches.

Exams and Tests

A careful neurological exam is necessary to establish the diagnosis and to find the cause by determining which, if any, other parts of the nervous system are affected. Tests may include:

MRI of the head
Carotid ultrasound
Chest x-ray
CT scan of the chest
Blood tests
Angiogram
Eye drop tests

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000708.htm

Title: Re: Acupunture ??
Post by jace77 on Feb 17^th, 2008, 8:54pm

we tried it and did nothing for CH, but felt relaxed for a few hours.
As a side note, check with you health insurance for coverage, ours covers 100% to in network providers and since there wasn't one within 200 miles, they let us choose one and covered it as in network (united health care)

Title: Re: Acupunture ??
Post by playmesomeblues on Feb 18^th, 2008, 1:20pm

I have tried accupuncture for a number of conditions. It helped significantly with some, but not with clusters. It can help me with a specific headache, but how's one to get in that quickly? :) But it has been no help to me at all in eliminating the cluster cycle.

Title: Re: Acupunture ??
Post by wildhaus on Feb 22^nd, 2008, 3:01am

I did acupuncture…. about 1.5 years ago…..
It did not do any thing to my CH… my Dr’s did recommend it
but never said it would do any thing to abort
or it would be a “magic” cure…..
Next to O2 and triptan, as well as Preventives
the Acupuncture was a help (for me) to reduce
the anxiety the high tension and stress I was having
at the start of my “Tango” with CH

I just didn’t like my Body Pierced With
Acupuncture Needles

I despise NEEDLES! so I gave it up!

Michael

Title: Re: Acupunture ??
Post by sandie99 on Feb 22^nd, 2008, 7:32am

I'm scared of needles, so acupuncture is a no no for me, no question about it... It would had to be the 100 percent working wonder in ch treatment to get me anywhere near needles other than forced!

Sanna