Clusterheadaches.com Message Board (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Kudzu Survey - First Week
(Message started by: floridian on Feb 28th, 2005, 9:06pm)

Title: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by floridian on Feb 28th, 2005, 9:06pm
Some people have recently reported good results using the herb kudzu to prevent cluster headaches (it is a traditional treatment for migraine as well).  

This post is a quick survey for people who have taken Kudzu for atleast a week, or took it for up to a week and then stopped.  Please DO NOT post general discussion in this thread, except when filling out the survey - others threads exist for that (see http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=meds;action=display;num=1107368408).

If you are taking kudzu and it has been less than a week, please wait until you either make it to a week, or decide to stop.  If you have taken kudzu for more than a week, try to answer these questions from your experiences for the first 7 days after you started.

Also, please consider registering for CHATS if you haven't done that already.  This quick survey is not a substitute for the CH data that can be gathered through CHATS.

The easy way to respond to this is to hit the 'quote' option for the post below with the questions - it will copy all the questions into a new post, and you can add your answers.  

Thanks, Jonathan

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by floridian on Feb 28th, 2005, 9:07pm
1) Your Age

2) Your Gender

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?

8) What brand of kudzu do you use?

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  



Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by clarence on Feb 28th, 2005, 10:44pm
1) Your Age - 28

2) Your Gender - Male

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic? - Episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches? - 4

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?

About 2/year, spring and fall.  Until this last cycle they were 4-6 weeks.  This last cycle started 1 August 2004 and has continued to the present, with peaks within the cycle.

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu? - 6 1/2 months

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic? - N/A

8) What brand of kudzu do you use? - Solaray

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?

2 pills the first 24 hours, one in the morning, one in the evening.

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?

There was limited relief from the start.  I was able to sleep through the night.  Daytime hits were dull and muted.  Mostly feeling like shadows.  The relief increased.  There was a minor setback on day 5 when I had a beer, and it triggered some more severe CH's.  I upped the dose to 3 pills a day, and have been experiencing considerable relief.  Today is day 12.

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  
7

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?

5 - but I really think that beer screwed me up.

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).
7

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  

At the beginning I was on Verapamil - 320mgs/day (160 2X).  I have now tapered down to 240 mgs, soon to be 160.  No change since tapering the verap.  I also take a multi-vitamin for men from GNC in the morning, and a B complex vitamin in the evening.

Also, I take 20mgs/day Prozac for depression

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?

Not really.  I have had a couple of headaches that have been bad, but not CH's.  Dual sided headaches, centered in the temples and across forehead.  Aborted with Midrin, which does nothing for my CH.  Wether that is from the  Kudzu, from tapering the Verap, or just other headaches I have I really don't know.  

I have also been very tired.  Again, I don't know if it is from the Kudzu, or if it is because my body is adjusting to the new amount of sleep it is getting.

Edited to say: My BP may have dropped a little bit.  After a few days on Kudzu I began to feel a little light headed and short of breath when I slept at night.  Symptoms similar to when I was on 480 mgs of Verap, and I am sure my BP dropped then.  As I have tapered the Verap, this effect has begun to disappear.

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).

0-1

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  

One thing that raises a question for me is the dosage.  Some people here have posted that they take a blend which is like 750 mgs.  Mine say Kudzu extract, 150mg, 2% daidzin.  On the back of the bottle it lists Kudzu root - 165mg; Kudzu root extract 150mg, of which is guaranteed 2% daidzin.  When asking about the dosage, is it more accurate to ask about the "active" ingredients?  I wonder because I have found significant relief with this mixture, which could be construed as a much smaller dosage than say, the brand taken by nani which is something like 750 mgs.  Is it better to speak of the amount of Kudzu in the mixture rather than the size of the actual pill?

Thanks,
Casey

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by nani on Feb 28th, 2005, 11:10pm

on 02/28/05 at 21:07:20, floridian wrote:
1) Your Age   47

2) Your Gender    F

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?   Chronic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches? 32

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?  4.5 years

8) What brand of kudzu do you use?  Planetary formulas Kudzu Recovery

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?   750 mg/ day (edited to correct mistake - again)

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?  24 hours later

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).   10

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)? 9

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  10

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.   Verapamil, lithium. Neurontin, B Complex 50, magnesium, calcium

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they? none

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).  0

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add?? no


Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by Shiraj on Mar 1st, 2005, 12:14am

on 02/28/05 at 21:07:20, floridian wrote:
1) Your Age

21

2) Your Gender
Male


3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?
Episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?
7


5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?

1 cycle every year during winter. Usually 4-6 weeks.



6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?

Started near the first week into it

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?

8) What brand of kudzu do you use?

Planetary Formulas

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?

2 750 MG tablets

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?

I got clusters at night after the second day of taking the kudzu. Before that they were only coming during the day

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  

8

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?

9.5 (Just some shadows now)

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).

10

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  

9mg of melatonin at night

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?

No side effects noted

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).

0

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  


Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by ozzy on Mar 1st, 2005, 9:12am
1) Your Age 31

2) Your Gender M

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic? Chronic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches? 16

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long? N/A

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu? N/A

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic? 2 Years

8) What brand of kudzu do you use? Nature's Plus - Each capsule: 150 mg. / 1.5% Daizen, 0.95% Daidzen

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu? 300 mg

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur? First night some twinges on the Trigeminal Nerve, from then on, got hit only a couple of times, mostly due to external circumstances

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  
9

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?
7

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).
9

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  
Men's Multivitamin, Melatonin 3mg

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  
No noticeable side effects

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).  0

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add?? Again, like Casey said, we should all note the percentage of Daizin and Daidzin to make some sense of how much. Also as a follow up question......What is your current dose?  Mine is 900 mg a day 2 caplets with each meal



Ozzy

edited to add:   Kudzu did not work as an abortive on three occasions when 300 mg where taken at once. Waited approx an hour each time. At the end of the hour, i used a combination of cold water head submersion and then O2

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by Major on Mar 4th, 2005, 10:46am
Hi - I'm a supporter - filling this out for my husband.

1) Your Age 39

2) Your Gender  M

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic? Episodic so far

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches? <1 - First cycle started June/04

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long? n/a

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu? 8 1/2 months

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?

8) What brand of kudzu do you use? Nature's Way Nature's Way, 613mg/1mg daidzin

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?  1 cap 3x/day (note that the label said to take 2caps 3x/day.  Dosage was increased on day 5)

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?   Yes - on day 7 (two days after increased dosage)

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).   10

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)? 7

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain). 10

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.   Multivitamin.  Haven't used trex since starting kudzu.

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?   Occassional episodes of lightheadedness.

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).  3

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  

There has been a definate change in his ha pattern since starting this.  He normally gets evening hits, and these have continued, but the major difference is that they are now "tolerable" - hasn't had to use 02 to abort, but has been able to ride them out.  Still bad, but nowhere in comparison to what they were.  They are less painful, and quite short in duration (now only about 5 minutes max).  Also, he has had some shadows during the day lately which haven't happened in a long while - appears to be another change related to the kudzu.  

We are trying to source another brand with more daidzin as he is a big guy.  

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by seasonalboomer on Mar 4th, 2005, 11:25am
1) Your Age
42
2) Your Gender
Male
3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?
Episodic
4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?
>13 years
5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?
2 cycles usually per year – 2-5 weeks per cycle
6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?
1and 1/2 weeks
7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?
N/A
8) What brand of kudzu do you use?
Nature’s Way
9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?
2-613mg capsules three times per day
10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?
Yes, the first night (after two doses)
11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  
10
12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?
7
13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).
7
14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.   I took a couple Tylenols the first night before bed. Also stopped drinking any alcohol and stopped any vigorous exercise for a few days upon starting the Kudzu. Once HA’s stopped I picked back up on ALL activity to previous levels.

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  
No side effects.
16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).  
0
16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  
I’ve been updating on the Kudzu string as to the experience I had. Again, I have some uncertainty as to whether it was the Kudzu or an abnormal cycle. I’m going with the Kudzu for now and will try it again when I get my next cycle, starting day 1 with the Kudzu as soon I get the first shadow.  
I don’t believe it totally wipes out a cycle. I’m of the opinion that it is muting it. The only question that remains for me for days 8-14 is that the cycle eventually goes away completely as it normally would and that it is not holding it back to rear its head when I stop taking the Kudzu -- ultimately extending the length of the cycle.



Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by TxBasslady on Mar 6th, 2005, 11:33pm

on 02/28/05 at 21:07:20, floridian wrote:
1) Your Age   58

2) Your Gender   Female

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?   Episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?  3 1/2

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?   Had a cycle in August, cycle was stopped by using Prednisone.  Headaches returned after 6 months.  Broke another cycle w/Pred. Guess I need to say I cannot determine a specific cycle

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?  Started Kudzu after 2nd Pred taper. Had gone 42 days total PF after Pred.  CH returned on day 43. Started Kudzu on Day 45.

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?

8) What brand of kudzu do you use?  Nature's Way, with 1mg. Daidzin

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu? took 1  3x's a day

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?   Went 2 days PF, hit w/Kip 10 on day 3. I only get hit at night.  No change in CH pattern.

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  10

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?  5

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).   10

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.    Multi Vitamin, Magnesium, Melatonin, B Complex 50, B-12, CoQ10, B 12.

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?   none

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).   NA

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??


Seems that all the hits I do have, are Kip 10's.  I can go a couple days w/no hit.   Will get hit around day 3. Then I get 2 or 3 days PF, then I get hit again.  I am not certain I was taking the correct dosage.  Have increased the dosage tonight, to what is on the bottle.  2  3x's a day.  Will take the last 2 of the dosage before bed.

BTW, on the Melatonin, I take 6mg along w/3mg TR Melatonin.

Jean

Modified to add that I take Frova for my CH.  This has worked well for me.  Have taken nothing for my CH since the Kudzu.

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by godsjoy777 on Mar 7th, 2005, 2:21pm

on 02/28/05 at 21:07:20, floridian wrote:
1) Your Age51

2) Your Gender Female

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic? Episodic.....but it has been 6 months now and not looking like it is stopping nytime soon... >:(

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?15 or 16

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long? one cycle....Almost exactly 10 months after the last Cluster Headache of the last cycle....Used to be 2 1/2 to 3 months....went up to 5 months last year when I got on Verapamil....off Verap...now on Zonegran as preventative of choice....and now in uncharted territory....month #6.

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu? Not until around 22 weeks

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?N/A

8) What brand of kudzu do you use? I started on the Soloray and now on the Nature's Way

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu? 300mgs 2X day

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?no

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  7

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  Zonegran 250mgs, magnesium melate, multi vitamin, synthetic thyroid, zocor, sometimes Excedrine...O2....oh....and meletonin 3mgs per night...stopped the Maxalt

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they? Tightness of chest around heart...but I was having that when I was taking all the Maxalt as well...

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant). 2

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add?? Wish it was working for me like others on this board... [smiley=huh.gif] 


Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by Frank_W on Mar 8th, 2005, 8:29am
1) Your Age:

35

2) Your Gender:

Male

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?

Episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?

Eight

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?

Typically, my cycle has hit every autumn. The autumn before last, the cycle skipped and I got hit in February with a cycle. Once again, this February, I am being hit with a cycle, after an absence of a cycle this past autumn.

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?

Two weeks, I guess. I bought kudzu the morning after having a Kip-6, last Monday.

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?

N/A

8) What brand of kudzu do you use?

Planetary Formulas 750mg tablets, two tablets 3 times per day. (although I have experimented with the dosage: Some days, taking only two doses, and other days, taking as many as four.)

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?

1 pill=750mg. Two pills, three times per day.

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?

I first noticed a major difference after 48 hours.

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).

10

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?

10. In fact, I have been completely pain-free for the past four days.

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).

10.

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  

GNC's Mega Men multi-vitamins.

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?

Some light acne, and increased frequency of bowel activity.

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).

1

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by PaulL on Mar 9th, 2005, 12:42pm

on 02/28/05 at 21:07:20, floridian wrote:
1) Your Age

2) Your Gender:  Male

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?:  Episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?:  > 40 years

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?  Every other year; usually in winter; 2 months

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?  My last episode was over by about a month when kudzu showed up on the message boards, but I was still getting heavy shadows every other day.

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?

8) What brand of kudzu do you use?  Planetary Formulas Kudzu Recovery

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu? two 750 mg tablets at bedtime

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?  Yes, felt "ice picks" for a short period and no shadows the next day

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  10

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)? 6-7

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain). 6-7

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  Pravachol, atenalol, enteric aspirin, multivitamin

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they? Upset stomach

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant). 3

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  I took kudzu out of curiosity to see if it had any effect.  It's a bit hard to tell if it did anything for me since I am just dealing with the tail end of an episode and what I experienced could easily be the cycle ending naturally.  Didn't feel like it though.  The "ice picks", which other people have reported, were definintely a new experience, unpleasant, short lived, but not painful.

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by Sandy_C on Mar 9th, 2005, 5:50pm
]1) Your Age  58

2) Your Gender    F

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?  Episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?
4-1/2 yrs

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?  Varies - first in July 1999 - 4 mos.
None in 2000,  March 2001 - 3 wks, none 2003,  Sept 2004 - 2 wks, February 2005 - am in 4th week.

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?  1st week

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?

8) What brand of kudzu do you use?  Nature's Way
613 mg capsules

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu? 2 capsules 3 times per day as
directed on bottle

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?  Within 24 hours - CH pain level decreased, duration decreased markedly.

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  10

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)? only a 2, unfortunately

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain). 10

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  Multi vitamin, B Complex 100,
Calcium.  Was taking Imitrex but stopped when started on
Kudzu.

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  Used to have CH only 1 or 2 times/day, in evenings only.  On Kudzu, started getting CH at all different times during the day and at night - not just shadows, real hits, although manageable with water and ice.  Also had other headaches - across forehead, on opposite side, etc.  Very tired because was losing sleep because of HAs.

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant). 10  - could NOT continue to have
CH while at work.

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??    Noticeable improvement in duration and pain levels but definite increase in number of hits per day.  Started Kudzu on 2/24 - stopped Kudzu on 3/4.  CH hits are back to my normal one or two in the evening.  None during the day or at night.  It just wasn't working for me.


[b][/b]

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by dougchunyo on Mar 9th, 2005, 11:05pm
1) Your Age - 43

2) Your Gender - Male

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic? - Episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches? - 38

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long? - Generally 1 per year early summer, but I have had cycles at various times normally a cycle lasts 6-8 weeks.

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?  - 2

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic? - n/a

8) What brand of kudzu do you use? - Nature's way 613mg.

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu? - 4 Capsules

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur? - Yes, day 2

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).   - 7

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)? - 7

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain). - 8

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.   - multi-vitamin, b-12

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  - No

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).  - n/a

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  
Right about now in my cycle I should be getting a CH Kip 8-10 at least every other night.  I had one this week.  Since I normally get hit at night, I adjusted the Kudzu to 1 in the AM, 2 around noon and 3 before bed.  I have had only a couple of Kip 4's other than the one bad one this week.  Seems promising, but if history repeats, this will be ineffective for my next cycle.

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by rickyshot on Mar 10th, 2005, 7:59am
) Your Age 50

2) Your Gender f

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic? episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches? 20 years

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long? usually 2 cycles lasting up to 8 weeks each

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu? was not in cycle when started , started it for migraines as well which occur more often in me

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?
na
8) What brand of kudzu do you use? natures way

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu? 2 capsule 613 mg each

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur? got no headaches and only one shadow

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).   quite certain was on a migraine bender for two weeks when starting

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)? 8

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain). quite certain (am hoping)

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.   maxalt, verapamil, vit b complex, vit b2, homeopathic for ha, baby aspirin, IV meds and steroids when needed during cycle (have tried everything else)

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  none

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).  na

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  
week two here and will taper off at the end of the month. When next attacks occur will start again. Is this coincidence , I don't know but really PF


« Last Edit: Feb 28th, 2005, 9:07pm by floridian »  IP Logged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by Dave_Emond on Mar 10th, 2005, 11:45am
1) Your Age 44

2) Your Gender M

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic? Chronic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches? 9

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long? (NA)

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu? (NA)

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic? 5 Years

8) What brand of kudzu do you use? Natures Way (613 mg) (w/ 1mg Daidzin)

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?
3678 mg’s (2 pills – 3 X daily)

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?
Within 2 days there was a decrease in shadows, no effect on Cluster attacks.
11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  
5
12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?
2
13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).
1
14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  
(None for CH)
Amour Thyroid, Ketoconazole, Amitriptyline, Testosterone, Xanax and B Complex 100


15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  
Dizziness

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).  
3
16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??
Other health issues and experimentation with medications before, during and ongoing may make my comments on Kudzu not very reliable.  :-/
The “decrease in shadows” may actually be better described as a “masking of the shadows.” I still feel something going on during times that I attribute to shadows or low level CH attacks. Instead of pain, I feel dizzy, lightheaded and confusion. This was scary at first, as it felt like minor stokes, but over time, I’m getting more used to these feelings and prefer them over the shadows. I have literally slept more hours in the last week than I have in the last 3 ½ months totaled! Is Kudzu the reason? I can’t be sure on that yet due to the other health medication experimentations. But, if I’m getting sleep for any reason, I’m not going to stop what I’m doing!
I saw in another post a suggestion that Kudzu was the “Ultimate Placebo.” I personally do not believe there is any possibility of any type of placebo having any effect on CH sufferers whatsoever. If a placebo is said to work on CH, I contest that the trial patient never in fact suffered from CH. Kudzu is not a placebo, it, as many other meds or alternatives, will probably help some people, but not everyone. I plan to continue use long enough to determine if it does in fact prove to be helpful or not.


Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by Hirvimaki on Mar 12th, 2005, 12:56pm
1) Your Age

34

2) Your Gender

Male

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?

Episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?

Approximately nine.

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?

Two cycles per year. Usually at the change of winter to spring and summer to fall. Two to three months.

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?

About 6.

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?

n/a

8) What brand of kudzu do you use?

Sunflower Market KUDZU.

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?

2 ml (666 mg/ml Herb Wieght Equivalence).

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?

Yes. I typcially get hit Wednesday or Thursday and then again Satruday or Sunday, after taking Kudzu on a Friday (in the afternoon), I was not hit the following Saturday or Sunday. I did, however, experience a very strange shadow, kind of a shadow of a shadow on Sunday.

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  

10

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?

8

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).

10

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  

I use O2 as an abortive. That is all.

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  

None.

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).  

n/a

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??

Thank you!! Oh, and THANK YOU!

Hirvimaki-Isi

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by Boyce on Mar 13th, 2005, 2:56pm

on 02/28/05 at 21:07:20, floridian wrote:
1) Your Age 35
2) Your Gender  Male
3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?  Episodic
4) How many years have you had cluster headaches? 15+
5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?   Cycle comes every 2-3 anywhere from 4-12 weeks cycles duration
6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu? 8 weeks
7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic? n/a
8) What brand of kudzu do you use?  Solaray Extract 150mg
9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?
2 x 300mg (morning, and evening)
now taking 4x 150mg (morning, noon, evening, bed)
10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur? Immediately, no more 9am hits
11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  10, I used to get a 9AM hit, every day, haven't had one since I started Kudzu
12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)? 8

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain). 10

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  
prevent = o2
2 aspirin 3x a day (usually with the Kudzu)
9mg melatonin at bedtime
25mg benadryl at bedtime
done 3 different prednisone tapers 60mg, 60mg, 50 mg, 50mg, 40mg, 40mg, etc.....
15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  Dizziness, tiredness when I took 300mg at a time....
16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).
3
16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  
I have more shadows on Kudzu than on Relpax, but have only had to abort a real full-blown HA with o2 one time in the week that I've traded Replax for Kudzu....


Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by toolong on Mar 13th, 2005, 2:57pm
1. Age 55 2.Male 3.Chronic 4.14 years Chronic,23 years Episodic 5.N/A 6.N/A 7.14 Years 8.Solray Extract 150 mg. 9.150 mg.X2 10.Yes,24/30 hours 11.9 12.8 13.8 14.Nadolol,Melatonin,Voltaren,Zetia,Vasotec,Fish Oil,Norvasc,Flo-Max,Nexium,asprin.15.No 16.N/A 17.Still having hits but not as frequent,still experimenting with dosage and time taken.David

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by jokrs2 on Mar 14th, 2005, 2:30am
1. 48
2. Male
3. Chronic
4. About 30 years
5. n/a
6. n/a
7. 20 Years
8. Planetary Formula Kudzu Recovery
9. 750mg pill 2 times the first day
10. Yes.   After the 2nd pill
11. 10
12. 6-7
13. 10
14. Just went through my 5th day of Morphine withdrawal and doing fine. Multivitamin with B complex and Chromium. Melatonin 6mg at night for sleep aid. Zanax 1mg for Restless Leg Syndrome when necessary.
15. No
16. n/a  Pleasant fragrance in the sinus senses.

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by Roxy on Mar 14th, 2005, 12:25pm
1) Your Age  47

2) Your Gender  F

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?  Chronic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?  4 years

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?  N/A

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?  N/A

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?  4 years

8) What brand of kudzu do you use?  Natures Way

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?  3678 mg’s (2 pills – 3 X daily)
 
10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?  No

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).   10

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?  0

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  10

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  Verapamil, lithium, magnesium, multiple vitamin, lipitor

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  No

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).   0

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??   No

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by LeLimey on Mar 15th, 2005, 6:13am
1) Your Age: 39

2) Your Gender: Female

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?: Episodic. (First cycle)

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?: First cycle

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long? :Can't answer, First cycle, 27 weeks so far

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?: 26 weeks

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?: NA

8) What brand of kudzu do you use?: Nature's Way
9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?: 6 x 613mg Tablets

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?: Within between 24 and 48 hours. Hard to pinpoint.

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain). : 8 

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?: 7

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain): 10

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc : oh bloody hell! Verapamil 480mg, Magnesium,  B Complex, Kudzu 3678mg,  Ferrous Gluconate 1800mg per day, Calcichew D3 forte 6 tablets a day, Calciferol 6 tablets per day  

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they? Dizzyness when taking tablets two at a time which ceased when I split the dose over a longer period, tiredness? not sure of that is the kudzu.

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant). It was about a 7 while dizzy.

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  I would recommend that if anyone else feels dizzy taking them to take the tabs one at a time an hour or more apart. It worked for me.

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by sandie99 on Mar 15th, 2005, 12:56pm
1) Your Age  25

2) Your Gender   female

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?  chronic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches? since 2001

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic? since 2003

8) What brand of kudzu do you use? Kudzu strong

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu? 2 tablets

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur? HAs became milder

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  7, my verpamil went up to 600mg also

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)? around 7

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  

verpamil 600mg/day, magnesium, multi-vita, calcium tablets

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they? nope

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  nope

Sandie




Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by hzzz on Mar 15th, 2005, 9:28pm
1) Your Age

40

2) Your Gender

Male

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?

Episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?

12

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what
time of year, and how long?

1, usually fall for 1 1/2 months.  This year it came 3 weeks ago

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?

2 1/2

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?

8) What brand of kudzu do you use?

Nature's way

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?

2 pills, three times a day

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?

One attack on the 5th day of taking them and that is all in the first week.  Some shadows, increasing in intensity as the week has gone on.

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  

10

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?

8

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).

10

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.

Imitrex when I got attacks, Melatonin before bed 

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?

not yet

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  

Worked great for the first 4-5 days and then one attack.  I feel like I'm on the verge of more attacks, but haven't gotten any since day 5.   Still very much worth taking.  


[/quote]

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by Damon on Mar 20th, 2005, 2:56am
1) Your Age
32
2) Your Gender
Male
3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?
Chronic
4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?
5
5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?
N/A
6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?
N/A
7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?
4 1/2 years
8) What brand of kudzu do you use?
Planetary Formulas
9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?
4 Tablets
10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?
No Change
11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).
9
12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?
0
13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).
9
14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  Verapamil, Depakote, Lithium, Trex Injections, O2, Multivitamins
15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?
Not from the Kudzu
16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).
N/A
16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  Didn't seem to help me, hope it helps others

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by Tiannia on Mar 23rd, 2005, 11:54am
ok here it goes....

1) Your Age 33

2) Your Gender Female

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic? Chronic, I guess. 21 months no remission. Longest was 9 Days in a row.

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches? 21 months

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long? n/a

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu? n/a

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic? 21 months

8) What brand of kudzu do you use? Natures Way Kudzu Root 613 mg tablets

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu? one 613 mg tab 2 times a day

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur? Yes after 4 days, but after I uped the dose to one 613 tab 4 times a day on day 2. At the recomendation of another Clusterhead.    

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).   10

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)? 5- still playing with the dose, so find what is most effective.  Still getting at least one really bad HA at night.  Usually end up taking a trex shot still, but only 1 a day for the most part.

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain). 10

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  
Trex shots (take 1/3 to 1/2 shot when needed)
Melatonin - 6mg at night
Biaxin (for upper respitory infection - 1 week treatement off it now)
Mucinex DM (for upper respitory infection - 1 week treatement off it now)
Lortab - 5 mg 4 times a day - as needed for Back
Soma - 350 mg 2 times a day - as needed for back

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  If I take 2 tabs at the same time I got light headed.  I doubled up a dose when I forgot to take it and did not like that side effect.

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).  2

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  
The gal that I bought the Kudzu from said that there is a way for it to be more effective, if you can find it.  She said to take the tablets regularly as a preventative, but if you have the drops, then at the onset of a headache and put 4 drops under your tongue and let it absorb sublingualy (sorry if spelled wrong) that it will act as a abortive. I have not found the drops, but it might be something that people look into.


Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by sundancer on Mar 23rd, 2005, 9:19pm
1) Your Age
    46
2) Your Gender
     Female
3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?
      Episodic
4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?
       31
5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?
        one per year in July, 8 weeks
6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?
    3 weeks
7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?

8) What brand of kudzu do you use?
    Solaray
9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?
     one in the a.m., one in the p.m.
10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?
       5 days
11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  
      10
12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?
         8
13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).
          8
14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  
     neurontin, disalcid, magnesium, vit e, calcium,
      coQ10, melatonin, prevacid, allegra, astelin,
       fish oil, multi vitamin
15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?
        no
16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).
        0
16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  
        Still keeping the O2 handy, just in case!

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by beasley on Mar 25th, 2005, 11:20am
1) Your Age
   43
2) Your Gender
Male
3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?
Chronic
4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?
  5
5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?
   NA
6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?
    NA
7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?
   5      
8) What brand of kudzu do you use?
    Natures Way Kudzu Root
9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?
   2 613 mg tablets 3x day
10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?
  No
11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  
 10
12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?
    0
13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).
    10
14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  
Verapamil 240mg 2x Day
Lithuim
15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  
No
16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).  
   0
17) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by MarnyandMichael on Mar 29th, 2005, 11:17pm
Am filling this our for my fiance who is a chronic sufferer...

2) Your Gender-41

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic? Chronic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches? 17 years

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long? N/A

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu? N/A

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?  2 years

8) What brand of kudzu do you use? Nature's Way

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?  3 doses of 613 mg

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?  Yes - about 2 full days after starting

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  10

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?  6 - Back to episodic...maybe twice a week compared to every day for weeks on end

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).   9

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  Imitrex, Melatonin. Tylenol Extra Strength

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  No side effects

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  



Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by Bob P on Apr 3rd, 2005, 4:14pm

on 02/28/05 at 21:07:20, floridian wrote:
1) Your Age - 54

2) Your Gender - Male

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic? - Episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches? - 34

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long? - 1 cycle / 3 years; any time; 6 to 15 weeks

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu? - 2 weeks

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?

8) What brand of kudzu do you use? - Solaray

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu? - 3 tabs / day; kudzu root-165mg/tab; kudzu extract-150mg/tab; 2%daidzin

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur? Yes; 1st day

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  8

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?7

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  0

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  Multi-vitamin; B-complex; 250mg magnesium; 1/2 asprin; amitriptyline; verapamil; cafergot; O2

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  Fart city!

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).  0

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  Not sure if this is just a strange (mild) cycle or the kudzu is working.  Too chicken to give up feeling ok to test if kudzu is working by stopping taking it.


Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by Kim Y. on Apr 5th, 2005, 10:30am
Well here it goes.  I am not sure, I started out taking to much to fast so then decreased to 1 twice a day then 2 at night since that is when I get hit.  The last two days I am taking two each time.  At my usual hours I get hit with a kip 3-4 lasting 15-30 min. but no O2 or Imitrex needed.  If it stays this way or improves I can deal with it.  

Will keep you all posted.
Kim :)

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by Kim Y. on Apr 6th, 2005, 12:01am
1) Your Age 29

2) Your Gender F

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic? Episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches? 1

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long? April to Aug 04, Nov.-now

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu? 4 1/2 months

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic? NA

8) What brand of kudzu do you use? Kudzu recovery

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu? 2200

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur? Less small shadows more kip 3-4 till tonight at a kip 8

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain). 8  

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)? 7

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain). 10

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.   Imitrex, melatonin and Kudzu

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  Lightheaded at first but had also tried Indocine at the same time.

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).9  

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??I just think I need to give it more time.  

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by LadyLuv on Apr 6th, 2005, 5:26pm
Your Age  57

2) Your Gender  Female

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?  Chronic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches? 31

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic? approximately  10 years

8) What brand of kudzu do you use?  Nature's Way

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu? 300mg 3xper day

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?   I have notice a change - I've been taking Kudzu for approximately 2 weeks and during that time I have shadows several times but not peak since the first three days of starting the kudzu regiment.

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).   9

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?  7.5

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).   9

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  Verapermil (spelling ?)

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  I have become very gassie...

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).  5

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  I just came off a month regiment of prenisone  (I was in the hospital with pneumonia), so I'm not sure if that has anything to do with my lack headaches or not.


Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by Lizzie2 on Apr 21st, 2005, 5:46pm
1) Your Age

24

2) Your Gender

Female

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?

Chronic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?

1 yr, 5 mos

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?

N/A

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?

N/A


7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?

1 yr, 5 mos

8) What brand of kudzu do you use?

Nature's Way Kudzu Root 613mg per capsule

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?

one capsule the first day, then two the next day

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?

Yes...by the 4th day

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  

8

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?

5

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).

10

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  

daily: One a day women's multivitamin, verapamil, nexium, concerta, klonopin, and i was taking levaquin
prn: O2 for cluster; amerge and ultracet on occasion for daily migraine

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  

Yup....massive hemorrhagic nosebleed that required surgery

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).  

10

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  

After being in the hospital and having the surgery to stop the bleeding, several docs, nurses, and pharmacists were trying to gather info about why I would have bled like that.  They felt it was related to the vasodilator properties of Kudzu.  Perhaps this wouldn't have happened if I hadn't already been on verapamil (was only taking 240 mg a day at the time though...very low dose)...but I couldn't say.

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by Marc on Apr 25th, 2005, 6:40pm
1) Your Age - 51 Yrs

2) Your Gender - Male

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic? - Chronic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches? - 8 years

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long? - N/A

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?  N/A

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic? - 8 Years

8) What brand of kudzu do you use? - Solaray

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu? - (3) x 150mg

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?  - No

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).    - 10

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?  - 0

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  - 10

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.   - 540mg Verapamil, 750mg Magnesium, Amerge as required

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  - No

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).   - 0

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??   I ramped up to (15) capsules with no result of any kind.
-  No benefit, no side effects, no imapct of any kind.


Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by dwaters118 on Apr 29th, 2005, 9:40pm

on 02/28/05 at 21:07:20, floridian wrote:
1) Your Age   37

2) Your Gender   37

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?   Episodic (please God -- I just started having CH in March)

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?   This is my first cycle

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?   see #4

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?   5 weeks

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?   NA (I hope)

8) What brand of kudzu do you use?   First purchase was: NATURES HERBS POWER HERBS KUDZU POWER, but now I have NATURE'S WAY Kudzu Root Extract.

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?   2 tablets/ 3 times a day - 2mg daidzin/dose

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?   yes -- about 36 housr after first dose, HAs began getting milder and feeling muffled, like noise through a pillow

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).    10

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?   10

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).   8

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.    Verapamil, Topamax, Imitrex, multi-vitamin, Prilosec (acid reflux)

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?   mild tingling in feet (I think that is from change in Topamax dose though)

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).   1

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  


Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by wetdogtwo on May 25th, 2005, 10:44am
1) Your Age 36

2) Your Gender M

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic? E

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches? 15

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long? 1 cycle per 18 months or so, spring and fall, 4-6 weeks.

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu? 1

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic? n/a

8) What brand of kudzu do you use? Nature's Herbs Kudzu-Power

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu? 3x550 mg capsules (each contains 100 mg kudzu root extract concentrated for a minimum of 1 mg Daidzin)

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur? Yes, by second day.

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).   10

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)? 7

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain). 8

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  None now.  But did psilocybin treatment a few days prior, as well as melatonin and pepper spray.  Stopped all treatments when kudzu proved to be effective.  Did one Imitrex shot last week.  

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  When I get a headache, I get a little sleepy.

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).  2

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add?  So far has not stopped the cycle, but no huge flare-ups.  I have been able to sleep through the night finally.  I still get shadows.  A couple alcoholic drinks have induced extremely manageable 4k headaches.  Gone is the dread of the monster.

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by lochwren on Jul 3rd, 2005, 12:40am
1st time poster; long time sufferer.  I've waited two weeks to see the results of taking Kudzu.  Extract follows:
 Cyclic CH's.  Springtime, this year going on 3 months.
4 to 6 a day; K7 thru K9s in the evening and waking up at 2am.  3, 4, or 5s during the day.  Use Imitrex, but at $20/tab, use it sparingly.  1/2 tabs whenever possible; make nasal spray to extend the prescription.  2 weeks ago today took first of the Kudzu capsules.  !!!!  Within one hour it was just a shadow, then a 'shadow of a shadow', if that makes any sense.  It has been going on like that for a solid two weeks now and I am overwhelmed with joy.  K2 is the worst I've been hit since I started, no 2am wakeups, no pacing, no yelling,   no pain.  Below is info for survey:
1) Your Age
   57
2) Your Gender
   Male
3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?
   Episodic
4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?
   18+
5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?
   1 cycle/yr; spring; 2 - 3 months
6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?
    10
7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?
     n/a
8) What brand of kudzu do you use?
     Solaray
9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?
     2 caps in am; 2 caps in pm
10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?
     Yes; 1 hour
11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  
     10
12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?
       9
13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).
      10
14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  
      Imitrex
15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  
      None
16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).  
     n/a
16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  

     Seems to be as effective as 'trex, but acts as a preventive rather than a abortive.

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by Leggs on Jul 7th, 2005, 8:12pm
1) Your Age - 42

2) Your Gender - F

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic? - Episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?
19

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?

2 per year
February
July
2 weeks at the most true clusters, then shadows

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu? 2nd day

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?
N/A
8) What brand of kudzu do you use?
Solaray
9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?
150mg root extract/165
1 at bedtime, one in the morning

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?
Withing 30 minutes

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).
10-I actually had a tingling feeling in my head instead of pain 

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?
10

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).
10

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.
Day before went cold turkey from excedring & advil
multivitamin
flaxseed oil
glucosamine-chondroitin
garlic oil
grapeseed extract
calcium
spirulena soy protein shake in morning 

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?

Gasey the first few days, but odorless  (Lucky for my family)

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).
0

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  

The morning/middle of the night after taking, I had a terrible headache, and the next day, I had one of the top three kip 10 screaming drooling headaches I have ever had, but I STILL took the kudzu, I wanted to stick it out a week.  I added a dose that morning when I woke up at 3am, and then did the twice a day since.  I don't think that had anything to do with kudzu, I think it was rebounding from going cold turkey on excedrin and advil. If I had not stuck it out through that hard time and said "This $hit is not working," I wouldn't be experiencing this pain free week.  This is the first pain free July I have had in years.  

Give it a try, but stick it out the week if there's no immediate result!

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by vig on Jul 8th, 2005, 9:19am

on 07/07/05 at 20:12:09, Leggs wrote:
16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).
10

I'm sort of hoping you didn't mean that...

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by JohnWF on Jul 11th, 2005, 9:53pm

on 02/28/05 at 21:07:20, floridian wrote:
1) Your Age  48

2) Your Gender:  Male

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?  Episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?  28

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long? 1, anytime, 6 months

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?  2 weeks

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic? N/A

8) What brand of kudzu do you use? Planetary Formulas

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?  1500 mg 3 times each day

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur? Yes, within 2 hours.

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  8

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?  7

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  10

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  Currently, Ergotomine, Cafergot, 9 mg. Melatonin, Multi B Vit., B-12 and B-2 Supplements, 1000 mg. Vit. C, 250 mg. Magnesium, and one regular aspirin each day.

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they? Sometimes, a bit of an upset stomach-- depending on how time conscious I am taking pills.

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).  1

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  I started taking the Ergotomine after the Kudzu was not giving me the relief I needed.  At about the 4 week point.  I continue to take the Kudzu because I think it offers some help; but I am not as sure as I was earlier in my cycle.  It could be that the Kudzu, for me, worked better when my cycle was not as intense as it is now.  Possibly, as the cycle winds down, I can rely on just the Kudzu-- as I did in the beginning.

I appreciate this support group-- thank you!


Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by K-MAN on Jul 15th, 2005, 11:58pm
1) Your Age
36

2) Your Gender
Male

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?
Episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?
20 years

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?
2 cycles/year, 6 weeks each

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?
started kudzu 2nd week

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?

8) What brand of kudzu do you use?
Bought dried kudzu root from a Chinese acupuncturist

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?
It comes in 1-inch squares of dried root.  Boiled 6 squares at a time, made tea and drank it.  According to the oriental doctor, one pound of dried root should last 12 days.

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?
Noticed an improvement on the 2nd day.

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  
10

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?
9

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).
10

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  
Taking 1000mg of L-Glutamine and 500mg of L-Tyrosine twice a day.

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  
I feel a little lightheaded for a few minutes, but nothing really to speak of.  If I don't eat something when I take it, my stomach will be upset.  Otherwise, no problem.

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).  
1

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  
This treatment is a godsend!  It's cheap ($8/pound for dried root), it's easy, and it's plentiful in Texas.  I've been taking the kudzu for 4 weeks now, and this is the easiest cluster cycle I've ever had.  I get hit with an occasional attack, but the severity has been a 3-4 rather than the mind-blowing 9 or 10.  Three weeks into my cycle, and I'm usually getting hit 3 times a day.  This time I've had only six minor attacks in a whole month.  Not ideal, but VERY manageable.

I've noticed that I'm less prone to have the attacks when I take the amino acids L-Glutamine and L-Tyrosine right before bedtime.  I read about these amino acids in a phytotherapy book.  Also, I've discovered after 20 years of clusters that boosting my blood sugar very rapidly seems to minimize an attack when I get one.  5 tablespoons of honey and 2 Cokes put a major dent in it, if not shut it down completely.  

Good luck with the kudzu.  I'm a believer.


Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by Linda416 on Jul 24th, 2005, 10:02pm
1) Your Age - 38

2) Your Gender - Female

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?  Episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?  25

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?  Normally once a year during the spring for 6-8 wks.  The last 3 years Fall for 6-8wks and this year summer so far 7 wks

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu? 5wks

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?

8) What brand of kudzu do you use? Nature's Way

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?  6 - 613mg tabs  2 in the morning, 2 in the afternoon, 2 at night

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?

Yes, the same day I started taking it.

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  

10

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?

8

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).

10

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  

02

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  

None

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).  

0

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  

Since I've been taking Kudzu my day hits have stopped completely, I get a feeling like a hit is coming once in a while, but it doesn't come.  I still get night hits, but they are between a KIP 2-6 and much more managable than they used to be.

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by ckelly181 on Aug 7th, 2005, 8:15am
1) Your Age 42

2) Your Gender Female

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic? Episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches? 26

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long? Usually get a cycle every 1.5 - 2 years. Spring or late summer/early fall. Cycles last about 2 months.

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu? Right away at first sign of new cycle.

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?

8) What brand of kudzu do you use? Nature's Way Kudzu Root

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu? Took 2 613 mg. pills and had heavy shadows the first night. Now I take 3 pills a day - each with a meal. Am considering adding a 4th right before bed.

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur? It seemed to have an effect the second day - I only took 2 pills the first day and had heavy shadows that night, but no break through.

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  7

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)? 9

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain). 9

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  Just 02 - have imitrex, but have not used it yet.

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they? First 2 days, had some constipation.

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant). 1

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??

Started kudzu at the first sign of my cycle and have not had any breakthrough headaches as yet - usually have shadows at all times during my cycle, and have had virtually no shadows at all.




Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by epic2002 on Aug 8th, 2005, 11:41am
1) Your Age   42

2) Your Gender     M

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?   Episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?  17

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?  2X per yr, (fall/winter, spring) some yrs no cycle.

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu? four

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?  n/a

8) What brand of kudzu do you use? Nature's Way

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu? 613mg x 2, three times a day

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?  yes

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  8

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?  10

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  8

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.   multi-vit, vit 'C', aspirin, ibuprofen

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they? light-headed after very first two-pill dose.

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant). 1

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  CH stopped within 24 hrs of taking zu. in days immediately prior, CH's had dropped off from 2-3 hits a day to once per day,  so there is a chance cycle was already ending on its own. after starting zu, zero headaches, light shadows for a week, then PF. tapered off zu after two pain free, shadow free weeks.


[/quote]

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by Jeremy365 on Aug 11th, 2005, 1:17am
1) Your Age   33

2) Your Gender     M

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?   Episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?  12

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?  1 per yr, fall or spring, 3-4 weeks in length.

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu? 1.5

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?  n/a

8) What brand of kudzu do you use? Nature's Way

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu? 613mg x 2, 3 x a day

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur? Yes, one 15 minute long minor headache approx 24 hrs after upping my dosage, none since.

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  10

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?  10

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  7

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.   5-HTP, Melatonin, Exedrin, B-12.

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  None.

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant). 0

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  I started out at 1 613mg 2x a day, but wasn't effective after 1 week.  Switched to 2 613mg, 3x a day, PF in 48 hrs.

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by Jeremy365 on Aug 12th, 2005, 1:41pm
Thanks Frank I will give it a shot.

Now that I think about it, I have noticed less shadowing than when I wasn't taking the Kudzu.
Usually when "in cycle" I know they're with me the whole time, I can feel them lurking, but since starting the Kudzu I don't feel the shadow effect throughout the day.  The headaches just pop out and sink in at their appropriate times.

Another thing I've noticed is that occasionally the headache has shifted places.  Usually it's the typical ice-pick behind my right eye socket, since starting the Kudzu I've had several right on my left temple.  The eye tearing and runny nose has moved to the side with the pain.  Not sure what's up with that, just another change I've picked up on.

Thanks for the idea Frank-   :)

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by larry_b on Aug 14th, 2005, 8:32am

on 02/28/05 at 21:07:20, floridian wrote:
1) Your Age 63

2) Your Gender Male

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic? Eposodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches? 16years

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long? It used to be in the spring but now, it seems to be any time of year.

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu? 4

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?

8) What brand of kudzu do you use? Natures Way Kudzu Root, 613 mg.

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu? 2 capsules three times a day.

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur? Yes, I didn't get them during the day, and the hit at night was less painful.

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  10

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?  8

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain). 10

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  Oxygen and Maxalt as an abortive.

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they? no side effects.

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  I definetly think the Kudzu has helped me.
Larry B

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by phydeaux on Sep 10th, 2005, 4:04pm
1) Your Age     40

2) Your Gender       M

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?           Chronic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?           4

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?            N/A

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?            N/A

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?            4 years

8) What brand of kudzu do you use?            Nature's Way

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?            Two 613mg capsules twice a day

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?            No change noted yet

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).              7

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?            2

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).            8

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.             Lithium, Migergot (ergotamine&caffeine) and Actiq

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?             None noted at this time

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).             0

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??             The kudzu has seemed to have little or no effect at this time, but I'll keep taking and hoping...

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by cherylc on Sep 15th, 2005, 8:57am

on 02/28/05 at 21:07:20, floridian wrote:
1) Your Age

2) Your Gender
Female

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?
Episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?

24 years!
5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?
2 to 3 cycles/year, always in the fall lasting 3 weeks

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?
3 days

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?

8) What brand of kudzu do you use?
SOLARAY 150 MG...2% DAIDZIN

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?
2 TABLETS FIRST PM AND THEN 2 PER DAY

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?
IMMEDIATE...NO H/A'S THAT FIRST NIGHT

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  
10

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?
9
13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).
10
14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  
Also taking 6 mg MELATONIN (with B6)at night
              and 2-Calcium and Magnesium supplements

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  
slight stomach upset for the first few days

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).
1

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  

Couldn't believe that it worked immediately...I kept waiting for one to hit...had my 02 take ready.  After one week I attended a wedding and ended up staying up late, didn't take Kudzu at the right time and forgot to take Melatonin, was hit with 2 Kip 10's over 24 hours.  Once I returned home and  back to my routine no more h/a's.  

[font=Verdana][/font][/b][b]

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by jdcanada on Sep 20th, 2005, 7:30am
This was filled out by my partner Graham.  We are located in Ontario Canada.    We are SO HAPPY we found Kudzu -- thanks to this site & this survey.  



1) Your Age      41

2) Your Gender       Male

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?       Episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?  
  Eight years

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?  
  One cycle every TWO years: 2-3 months duration

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?  
   3rd or fourth week

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?  
  ---- n/a ----

8) What brand of kudzu do you use?  
   Nature's Way

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?  
   2 capsules 3 times/day  

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?  
   Noticeable, or measurable after seven days

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  
    8  

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?  
    7  

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  
    8

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  
    None    

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  
    No side effects

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).  
    -------------------------------------  

17) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  
    Down to just ONE attack.  Starts 1 to 1-1/2 hours after falling asleep, KIP level 4-5.      
 

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by Margi on Sep 20th, 2005, 9:13am
Hi JD, glad to see the kudzu is helping your partner.  Just so you know, we have a Canadian cluster site as well and quite a few sufferers and supporters in your area.  Please feel free to check us out!

http://www.clusterheadaches.ca - we have a message board as well, and there's a link to it at the bottom right side of our homepage.  

There's a gal right in the TO area who's hubby is also on kudzu and getting pretty similar results.  Her screenname is Major (she also posts here), real name Lisa.

Hope to see you over there!


Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by Pascal on Oct 1st, 2005, 4:27am

on 02/28/05 at 21:07:20, 1>floridian wrote:
1) Your Age  58

2) Your Gender  F

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?  Episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches? 5

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?
2 X Year/ spring and fall : 9 to 11 weeks each time.

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?  5th. day of 1st. week

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic? N/A

8) What brand of kudzu do you use?  (fresh)?  diced kudzu roots from a herborist.

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?  15grms boiled in 1 liter of water for 50 mins, and  divided into 4 teas with the biggest dose at bed-time.

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?   YES: First day; (slept through first night from Midnight to 11 A.M. instead of being waken up  with CH at 3.A.M or 8 A.M. as usual every day.)

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).
9  (could be a coincidence = an eventual change in the cycle for example.) ??

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?
9  "extremely effective", but can't say complete remission as still have the signs of "things going on in there "  (i.e. knotted muscles on right side of the neck, light burning behind right eye, light "toothache feelings etc.) It's as if all the painful symptoms of the the CH'S are still there but are masked and muted, trying to break through in permanance, but can't. Hard to explain actually.

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain). 9

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.
None except if I count Cafeine (in the form 1,5 liters of strong coffée a day.  In a normal cycle at this stage  take Imigran 2 X day as an abortive, have it on hand but have not had recours to it so far.  

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  YES;  Tired  and sleepy + sometimes a bit dizzy soon after a dose, but nothing alarming or scary.
N.B. Have the same symptoms during a usual cycle using imigran so it's not sure its because of the Kudzu.

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).  1

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  

On the 8th. day, was busy (and inconsient) and forget to take mid-morning and afternoon doses: result in the  end of the P.M. was  a small CH Kip 3/4 of short duration and well aborted by ice pack. Back to the usual dose and nothing since. For the other obs. and comments see reply to question 12.


Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by tex_leger on Dec 2nd, 2005, 3:20pm

on 02/28/05 at 21:07:20, floridian wrote:
1) Your Age63

2) Your Gender male

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?  episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches? 20

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long? 2 spring fall

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu? I didn't get out of cycle this year started kudzu after 4 months

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?

8) What brand of kudzu do you use? nature's way

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu? 6 pills 613mg

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?24 hr's

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  10

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?10

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).10

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc. prednisone,lithium,liptor 

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they? low blood pressure

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant). 2

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  
kudzu stopped cold after 7 days i felt like crying the headache are back but I'm still taking kudzu and hoping :'( :'( :'(


Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by cmoore on Dec 10th, 2005, 10:04pm
1) Your Age
20

2) Your Gender
male

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?
episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?
four years

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?
one severe cycle in the fall that lasts 4 - 6 weeks, and sometimes one in late spring

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?
i am currently in cycle. this is the second time I have used kudzu to treat my CH and both times I began using kudzu  at the first notice of symptoms.

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?
n/a
8) What brand of kudzu do you use?
Nature's Way

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?
2, 613mg capsules in the morning, 1 capsule in the afternoon, and one in the evening.

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur? I immdeiately began noticing that the headaches were either gone or stayed at low kip levels. Most of the time never turning into anything above a kip 1 or 2, but sometimes escalating into a kip 4 or 5.

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain). I am certain that I notice a very positive change in my CH pattern, but since I do not always take careful note on the exact nature of my CH patterns, I can not say that I am extremely certain about my evaluation. I would say "8"

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)? 8

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain). 9

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  
-Inderal
-Magnesium
-Trace Minerals
-Kudzu

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  
definately increased gas  [smiley=laugh.gif]
occasional indigestion, but can not attribute that solely to kudzu.

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).  0. This time with the kudzu I am not experiencing any unpleasant side effects. The first time I used it I experienced sever indigestion, but like I said before, am not sure if I can attribute that directly to the Kudzu.

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??
This cycle has not been the easiest time for me. I am taking the Kudzu as directed, and am still getting hit here and there. While I am greatful for the PF time I am enjoying, it is still frustrating when you think you have found something that will work great for you, yet CH still negatively affects your life. I am a college student, and it never ceases to amaze me how my cycle will always start a week or two before finals. Regardless, kudzu is still the most affective treatment, besides shrooms, I have used.


Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by Melissa on Dec 12th, 2005, 1:14pm
1) Your Age 31

2) Your Gender female

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic? episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches? 15

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long? 1 cycle every other year, usually in September for 37 days.

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu? first week

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic? n/a

8) What brand of kudzu do you use? NSI (Neutraceutical Sciences Institute from vitacost.com)

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu? 1300mg

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur? Yes.  3 days.

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).   9

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)? 8

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain). 10

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.   Cymbalta, Xanax, Multivitamin, Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin C, Excedrin Migraine

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  yes, just loose bowels that I correct with acidophilis

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).  1

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??   Yes, that I have found it very important not to tamper with the dosage until at least a week has gone by, and also to take it at the same time each day.

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by cmoore on Dec 17th, 2005, 7:22pm
This post is an addendum to my survey.

Kudzu basically quit working for me approximately 2-3 weeks into my last cycle. I have since began experimenting with RC Seed dosing. But for Kudzu, it significantly lost its effectiveness.

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by Cinder on Dec 19th, 2005, 9:50pm

on 02/28/05 at 21:07:20, floridian wrote:
1) Your Age  47

2) Your Gender  F

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?  Chronic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?  5

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic? diagnosed 3 years ago

8) What brand of kudzu do you use?  Natures Way

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?  2 X Aday

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?  I started Kudzu and I have not yet had another cluster so imediatly, but have had a few major migrains

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  10  

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?  10

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  10

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  Inderal, Celebrex, Multi Vitamine, Kudzu.  

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  No

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).  O

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  I have not had a night-time cluster since I started Kudzu, but when I wake in the morning my right eye is slightly bloodshot and droopy.  


Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by gobby on Dec 20th, 2005, 12:36am

on 02/28/05 at 21:07:20, floridian wrote:
1) Your Age - 37

2) Your Gender - Male

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic? - Episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches? - 4

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long? - One per year, Fall/Winter

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?- 4

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic? -NA

8) What brand of kudzu do you use? - Vitamin World (1000mg)

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu? - 2000mg

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur? - Yes (3 Days)

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain). - 7

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)? - 6

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain). - 7

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc. - Aspirin, Melatonin, Red Bull

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they? - None

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).  - 0

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  -  I had just ramped up from 5 hits a day to 7 when I started, then 3 days later it fell to 3 or 4........which is what it is at now 8 days later, but the intensity seems to have gone down a bit also.  I may be comming to the end of my cycle now, but it never dropped off so rapidly before.


Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by r_headache on Dec 29th, 2005, 10:44am
1) Your Age 35

2) Your Gender Male

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic? episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches? 12 years

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long? this is a hard one...it varies from cycle to cycle.  recently I went 2 years.

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu? one week into my cycle

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?

8) What brand of kudzu do you use? I got it from a german pharmacy so I have no idea of the brand

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu? I followed the bottle instructions, 600 mg two times per day....later increased to 900 mg two times per day.

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur? I did have a change in my pattern but it was great for two days then I got hit really bad for a couple of days then I have been ok since.  I think it took about a week for it to start to really take hold.

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).   5

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)? first week???3..... second week 10.

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain). 10

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.   verap 240 mg per day, thats all.

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  none

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).  0

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by teajay5779 on Jan 10th, 2006, 9:14am
1) Your Age [i][/i]26

2) Your Gender   M

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?        Episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches? 5

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?   about  2 a year at anytime

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?   4 weeks

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?

8) What brand of kudzu do you use?  nature something

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?  2 pills 3 times a day

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?   started to die down after a few days but still got them, just not as intence

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).   5 b\c the cycle was old anyway

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?  4 or 5

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain). 9

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.   meletonin, zomig, O2

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  no

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).  

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??no

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by Kelv on Jan 20th, 2006, 9:46pm
1) Your Age 36

2) Your Gender Male

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic? Episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches? 15

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long? Once a year.  Used to be early summer, has moved to mid-winter.  Cycles last three weeks.

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu? One week in.

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?

8) What brand of kudzu do you use? Nature's Way

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu? Two 613mg Capsules x three times (3678mg).

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur? Yes, I took the first dose in the late afternoon and didn't get my usual dinner/evening headaches afterwords.

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).   10

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)? 8

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain). 9

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  Nothing except getting a little caffeine from Coke for shadows.  I don't drink coffee, cola or tea normally.

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they? Occasional dizziness.  My insomnia has been worse than normal this cycle, but it was bad before the kudzu so it's difficult to say how much it's responsible for.

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant). 1

17) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add? Not currently.

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by jBryan on Feb 3rd, 2006, 9:35pm
1) Your Age
30

2) Your Gender
m

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?
Episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?
7

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?
once/yr, winter, 3 months

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?
1

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?

8) What brand of kudzu do you use?
Solary

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?
150 mg 4Xs / day

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur? 4 days

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  10

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)? 5

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain). 10

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  
Lecithin
Magnesium
Immatrex
Omega 3
c
multi

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they? dizziness

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).
2

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  
Kudzu became very effective after 2 + weeks; now I would rate its effecacy a 9.


[/quote]

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by Dragnlance on Feb 7th, 2006, 11:00pm
Can you tell me about this "CHATS", please?
After reading all I have been on Kudzu, I bought some today and taking it. Since I take no meds at all, I should be a good test subject.
Thanks

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by Dragnlance on Feb 14th, 2006, 10:35am
1) Your Age 42

2) Your Gender male

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic? chronic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches? 40+ years

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long? n/a

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu? n/a

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic? As long as I can remember

8) What brand of kudzu do you use? Solray

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu? 150mg X 2

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?  Yes, within the first hour, as I took it while in pain. It cut the episode in 1/2 from it's normal course

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).   10. my episodes are always 3+ hours, always, and this one quit within 1 1/2 hours

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)? I would call it an 8

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain). 10. I have had several episodes since starting and the duration is less, just over an hour in length, and not nearly as painful. I can tell when a big one is on the way, and so far the worst I have had was a kip 7. the warnings said it should have been around a kip 9.

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.   none

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  I have to eat first before taking, otherwise it bothers my stomach

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).  3. annoying, but not real major

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??   not at this time

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by jdd on Mar 18th, 2006, 1:12pm

on 02/28/05 at 21:07:20, floridian wrote:
1) Your Age
38

2) Your Gender
Male

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?
Episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?
20 years

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?
Used to be summers, but now it can be any time of the year lasting about 2-3 months (1 cycle per year usually)

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?
First week.

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?
n/a

8) What brand of kudzu do you use?
Nature's Way

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?
Just one before I went to sleep (as I wasn't getting a hit during the day yet).  During the beginning of the last cycle, I got hit maybe 2-4 times in the first week and they wern't very intense.  As I got further into cycle, the hits become more intense and frequent.

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?
Yes on the first night, but I got hit the next day for several hours (kip 3).  I increased my dosage to 3 per day (one at lunch, one at dinner, and one before I go to sleep).  After the increased dosage, I have had very minor hits (kip 1), so I have had no problems.  I have been pain free during night, but there was one night when I woke up due to a phantom hit.  I could tell that the CH was there, but I did not feel any pain.

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  
8

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?
9

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).
8

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  
Multivitamin, vitamin C, and I have Imitrex nasal spray to abort but have not used any this cycle.

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?
Yes.  The first couple of days I felt very tired and sleepy after taking kudzu.  

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).
1

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  
I've been very lucky with kudzu, as I have been relatively pain free.  Only infrequent minor kip 1 hits that really have no impact in my daily living.  

The only caution I'll add is that I am not certain that I am in cycle.  It sure felt like it was coming, but I cannot be 100% sure.  If I am, the kudzu is doing wonders.  If I am not, I don't believe the kudzu has any negative effects.  My feeling however, is that I am in cycle and kudzu is working.

Where was kudzu 20 years ago??


Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by frisbee on Mar 20th, 2006, 1:04pm
1) Your Age
44

2) Your Gender
Male

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?
Episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?
21

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?
One cycle every one or two years. Time of year varies. 8-11 weeks.

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?
1st week

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic? N/A

8) What brand of kudzu do you use?
Planetary Kudzu Recovery (found locally), switched to NSI Kudzu Root (cheaper online)

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?
2 tablets 3x/day, now 4x/day

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?
It was the beginning of a new cycle (3 weeks in), so it's hard to say. But I would usually get 2-4 HA/day and night, am only getting 1-2 and they are of lessened severity, easily averted with O2 and/or vigorous exercise. None at night so far which is great. I am a teacher, so getting a HA during class is a hassle. I have O2 at home and have got a portable set up in the past for school. This cycle it doesn't seem that I will need the portable. Previously I would have to do push-ups and situps to exhaustion (rotating for 10-15 minutes) at school. With Kudzu, it takes merely a couple dozen of each to chase the HA off (a couple minutes only). We'll see if that continues through the cycle since historically the HA become more intense a few weeks into a cycle, but I am starting my 3rd week and there seems to be no increase in severity. The edge is _certainly_ lessened. The cycle continues, but at roughly half the severity.


11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).
8

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?
5

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).
9

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.
O2, vigorous exercise, or both simultaneously.

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?
No interest in drinking alchohol. Reduced appetite. Relaxed. All positive. I'll likely continue a lessor Kudzu dose after the cycle ends.

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).
0

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??
Just that Kudzu appears to take the edge off the HA intensity/frequency. Much easier to abort with O2 and exercise. Fewer HA. To be "scientific" I should go off the Kudzu in a couple weeks to see if the severity explodes, but I probably won't since I'm so happy with the lessened edge...which is another way of saying I'll be chicken to. ;)



Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by frisbee on Mar 20th, 2006, 1:09pm
1) Your Age
44

2) Your Gender
Male

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?
Episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?
21

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?
One cycle every one or two years. Time of year varies. 8-11 weeks.

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?
1st week

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic? N/A

8) What brand of kudzu do you use?
Planetary Kudzu Recovery (found locally), switched to NSI Kudzu Root (cheaper online)

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?
2 tablets 3x/day, now 4x/day

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?
It was the beginning of a new cycle (3 weeks in), so it's hard to say. But I would usually get 2-4 HA/day and night, am only getting 1-2 and they are of lessened severity, easily averted with O2 and/or vigorous exercise. None at night so far which is great. I am a teacher, so getting a HA during class is a hassle. I have O2 at home and have got a portable set up in the past for school. This cycle it doesn't seem that I will need the portable. Previously I would have to do push-ups and situps to exhaustion (rotating for 10-15 minutes) at school. With Kudzu, it takes merely a couple dozen of each to chase the HA off (a couple minutes only). We'll see if that continues through the cycle since historically the HA become more intense a few weeks into a cycle, but I am starting my 3rd week and there seems to be no increase in severity. The edge is _certainly_ lessened. The cycle continues, but at roughly half the severity.


11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).
8

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?
5

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).
9

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.
O2, vigorous exercise, or both simultaneously.

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?
No interest in drinking alchohol. Reduced appetite. Relaxed. All positive. I'll likely continue a lessor Kudzu dose after the cycle ends.

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).
0

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??
Just that Kudzu appears to take the edge off the HA intensity/frequency. Much easier to abort with O2 and exercise. Fewer HA. To be "scientific" I should go off the Kudzu in a couple weeks to see if the severity explodes, but I probably won't since I'm so happy with the lessened edge...which is another way of saying I'll be chicken to. ;)



Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by IpityU on Mar 20th, 2006, 1:24pm

on 02/28/05 at 21:07:20, floridian wrote:
Information for my husband, Jim.

1) Your Age ~48

2) Your Gender~Male

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?~episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?~First time, currently in week6

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long? ~Uncertain at this time

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu? ~Week 5

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?

8) What brand of kudzu do you use?~ Solar Way

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu? ~4 x 150mg

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur? ~Immediately, with in two hours missed my usual hit.

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain). 10  

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)? 8

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain). 9

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.
~Only vitamins on daily basis:
B-12 250 mcg
B-6 100 mg
Vit. C  500mg
Calcium,magnesium with Zinc
333mg Calcium, 133 mg Magnesium, 5mg Zinc  

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they? none

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant). 0

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add?? Only experience shadows most of the time. Occasional Kip 5- 6 but much shorter duration.   


Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by I Cant Dance on Apr 18th, 2006, 4:30am
1) Your Age  

37

2) Your Gender  

M

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?

Episodic...so far

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?

5

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time
of year, and how long?

1-2, Sept/October and March/April, usually 4-5 weeks, this time I think I am now in week 7

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?

6

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?

8) What brand of kudzu do you use?

Planetary formulas kudzu recovery

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?

5 x 750mg split over 3 times

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?

NO

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  

9

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?

0

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).

9

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  

o2, melatonin

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  

upset GI

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).  

1-2

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  

no

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by Garys_Girl on Apr 28th, 2006, 10:48am
1) Your Age   43

2) Your Gender    M

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?   Episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?  At least 7

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long? Unknown

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu? 4 weeks

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?  Not applicable

8) What brand of kudzu do you use? Planetary Formulas "Kudzu Recovery"

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu? Four pills (750mg each); 1 late morning, 1 mid-afternoon, 2 in evening

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur? Day 2 experienced fewer attacks of less intensity

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  10

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)? 6

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).10

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  Melatonin, calcium, magnesium, and Taurine.  Tramadol (Ultram) only when must push headaches back due to work requirements

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  Diarrhea until body adjusted

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant). 3

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  Kudzu has reduced (on average) number of attacks/day from 8 - 10 to 2 - 5.  Intensity (on average) has been reduced from K8/K9 attacks to K5 - K7 with the occassional K8 or K9.  Length of attacks has (on average) been reduced from 1 - 1 1/2 hours to 15 minutes - 45 minutes.   Hubby describes it as having changed the nature of his CH from lots of long, intense and "sharp" attacks to an all day "fuzz" with constant shadows that spike into shorter attacks.  All-in-all CH is more "bearable" for him with the use of Kudzu.



Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by Charlotte on May 15th, 2006, 3:50pm
1) Your Age
--56

2) Your Gender  
--F

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?  
--Chronic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?  
--All of my adult life, possibly longer

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?  
--N/A

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?  
--N/A

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?  
--Since 2002, this round.

8) What brand of kudzu do you use?  
--Nature's Apothacary - liquid extract

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?  
--2 ml, then 1 ml, then 1/2 ml four times on 2nd day but within the 1st 24 hours.  ( 1 ml has 100 mg Pureraria lobata).

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?    
--My headache patterns varry. On the day I started kudzu, I was getting hit every hour.  The 2nd through 4th days, I was hit every 1 1/2 hours.  The lengthening time may or may not have been related to the kudzu.

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  
--10 - unknown whether kudzu affected the pattern

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?  
--Related to remission - 0.  
--Related to pain management - 5.  

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  
--10

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.    
--5 mg Paxil daily.
--Maxalt mlt in 2.5mg increments as needed.  
--Currently no vitamins or supplements.

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  
--On the 2nd day, I had gas, but not after that.  
--Over half the week, I used no maxalt mlt.
--On day 6, I had several hours mid morning of back to back hits with 5 to 7 minutes in between.

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).  
--1

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  
--I had hoped it might work in liquid form as an abortive.  On the 2nd day, I tried .5 ml per hit, but it did not work as an abortive, so I switched to 2 ml, three times a day.
--Since I started taking it during a very bad day, I can not say what per centage of change it made.
--I emailed the info from Floridian's article to my dr, who wasn't sure I should take kudzu as I use Maxalt mlt, a triptin.  I did use a total of 5mg maxalt mlt on two days with no adverse reaction.
--This week is better, but I can not say whether it is due to kudzu or to the nature of cronic ch.

6-9-06: Still doing OK.
    per neurologist on 8-4-06, my ha has elements of but is not ch or cph.  So, my info may not be valid for ch, but it is valid for me and the kudzu is still helping, 3 months later.
    on follow-up, on 10-5-06,  the neuro now says it is ch or sunct, and wants me to stop kudzu & start verapamil.  Still thinking about that one.

Charlotte



Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by vze2n4nj on Jun 11th, 2006, 11:39pm
1) Your Age -25

2) Your Gender -Male

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic? -Episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches? - 5yrs

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long? -2 cycles per year, 1 month each

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu? -1.5weeks

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?

8) What brand of kudzu do you use? -Started with Nature's herbs, now use nature's way

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu? -3 capsules, about 1500mg

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur? -I got a kip 7 1 day later on schedule, that I aborted with imitrex tablet. For the next week, I only got one more kip 6-7, and the 2nd week I got only one kip 6. Usually my cycle escalates to several kip 7's and 8's in a 3 week stretch, and it has not. That is abnormal.

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).   -10. I kept a log. I needed to, as I ran out of those damn expensive imitex tablets and do not have an o2 tank

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)? -8. I still got shadows and 2 kip 6's.

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain). -10

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.   -only imitrex 100mg tablets.

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  -Hard to say. I moved my bowels more often, but I usually do when I have clusters.

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).  -0. ANYTHING to prevent a cluster!

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  -I am a researcher, so I know all about searching for cause and effect. I tried my best to stick to 5 or 6 capsules of Kudzu daily, but I did not of course. The only few times I did not take Kudzu, I got those kip 6's, no joking. For example, 2 nights ago, I took 1 capsule before bed instead of 2, because I took one only a few hours earlier. At 3 in the morning, I was up  with the devil. The only way to know if Kudzu works is if it helps when taking it, and you relapse if you stop taking it. I am convinced that was the case for me. I now worship the Kudzu plant, ask my girlfriend! I would also like to thank OUCH for providing this outlet so I could have found out about Kudzu. God Bless You!!!!! Pain free days are here, naturally!!

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by Sovenite on Jul 28th, 2006, 4:48pm
1) Your Age
       28

2) Your Gender
       Male

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic?
       Ummm... dont know yet.  I HOPE eposodic.

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches?
        This was my first episode.

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?
         Again, dont know yet.

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu?
         8????

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?
        9 weeks (IF cronic)

8) What brand of kudzu do you use?
        Solaray

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu?
        2x250mg 2 times daily  (upped to 4 times daily after 3rd day)

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur?
        HUGE YES!!! They STOPPED immediately for 2 days.  some shadows but nothing i couldnt tolerate after four hits at kip 8 or worse, each day, for almost 2 months.

11) How certain are you about the answer to question
10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  
        10

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?
       7  ((after 2nd day, headaches came back, average one a day with drastically decreased severity (usually) and duration. (almost always except one night when i drank few (8) beers.))

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).
       10

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.  
       exedrine sinus headache if i feel like a hit is coming on.. can usually tell several hours in advance because of pressure in sinus cavity or pain above teeth on right side.  doesnt do crap for the headache itself if it comes but helps a lot with residual sinus pressure and tense muscles after the main hit is over.
       caffine... it seems if i drink a cup of coffee before bed i dont get a night time hit... if i dont have the coffee, i get a mild hit.  also a mountain dew during the day seems to get rid of most upcoming headaches.
        vicks sinus nasal stuff... label is rubbed off from having it pocket all the time so not sure of exact name, but found that if i take it AFTER pain behind eye stops, it speeds recovery of sinus pressure on rare occasions that excedrine sinus doesnt cut it.  I DONT RECOMEND IT WHILE A HEADACHE IS ACTIVE!!!!!



15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  
         more relaxed on average during the day.  even with increased intake of caffine, im generally more at ease since taking kudzu ((when im not having a headache))
         dont want to drink as much.. could be kudzu, could be knowing what happens if i drink   (but seems only beer is trigger for me... before kudzu, getting drunk on whiskey actually kept me from getting major headaches the next day... only ever got a normal hang over type headache that way,which hurts way less)
16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).  
      -1.   the side efects are good in my book.



16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??  
       Yes,, i spread them all through the survey in responce to appropriate questions.. and there is one other comment... THANK GOD FOR KUDZU AND THANK THE PEOPLE WHO RUN THIS SITE FOR HAVING THE INFO THAT LED ME TO DISCOVER IT!....     i didnt even know what a cluster headache whas untill i did a search on cronic headaches and found one line in an artical about migraines that refered to clusters.. which led to another search, which led to this site... really.. thanks so much for hosting this site and thanks to everyone who contributes...  you all probably saved me years of agony!

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by serendipity on Aug 13th, 2006, 8:48am
1) Your Age 37

2) Your Gender Female

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic? Episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches? 17-18

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long? Usually one cycle per year, time of year varies, each cycle lasts approx. 8 weeks.

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu? 1.5

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic? N/A
 
8) What brand of kudzu do you use?
Vitamin World

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu? 2,000 mg. at bedtime

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur? Yes, immediately.  Had the first completely pain-free night of sleep this cycle the night I took my first dose.

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).   10

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)? 7

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  10

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc. O2 and Frova (Frova only when CH comes back after two O2 treatments - maybe two doses per week).  9 mg of Melatonin at bedtime.

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?   Leg/arm cramps

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).    2

17) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??    The frequency of my heachaches seems to have decreased a little, but the most noticeable change is in the intensity of them.  Nothing over a kip 5 since I started taking the kudzu (which is unheard of at this point in the cycle for me), and twice I have been able to ride a CH out without any medication or O2 whatsoever.

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by Dave_W on Aug 21st, 2006, 3:53pm
1) Your Age 49

2) Your Gender Male

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic? Episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches? 20+

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long?  One per year typically, 3 to 5 months

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu? 3 weeks into it

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic? N/A

8) What brand of kudzu do you use? Nature's Way

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu? 2 caps 3x a day

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur? Yes, first night pain-free, then two pain free days.  Headaches returned, but only one or two a day and very mild

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).   10

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)?  8


13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).  10

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.   Verapamil 960 mg/day, oxygen, imitrex nasal sprays  

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  Can't say for sure whether adding kudzu to the mix contributed to a heart attack (doc said I was already on the way to it anyhow).  No other side effects to note.

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).  Could be 0 (no side effects) but if it did contribute to my MI, that would be a 10.

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??   Was pleased with the results.


Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by labantayo on Sep 27th, 2006, 6:49pm
1) Your Age  38

2) Your Gender M

3) Are you Episodic or Chronic? Episodic

4) How many years have you had cluster headaches? 14-15

5) If episodic, how many cycles in a typical year, what time of year, and how long? 2, 2-6 weeks

6) If episodic, how many weeks into a cycle did you start on kudzu? 3

7) If chronic, how long have you been chronic?

8) What brand of kudzu do you use? Planetary

9) What dose did you take during the first 24 hours that you started on kudzu? 2 pills 3x day

10) Did a change in your cluster headache pattern occur after taking kudzu?  If so, how soon after you started did it occur? yes, almost immediately. shadows dissappeared.

11) How certain are you about the answer to question 10 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain).   9

12) At the end of the first week on kudzu, how effective would you rate kudzu (0-10, where zero is not at all effective, 10 is complete remission)? 7

13) How certain are you about the answer to question 12 (scale of 0-10, where 0 is not at all certain, 10 is completely certain). 9

14) What other medicines are you taking?  Include preventive and abortive medicines for CH, non-CH medicines, vitamins, etc.   Melatonin, Amerge

15) Have you noticed any side effects?  If so, what are they?  none

16) On a scale of 0-10, how intolerable are the side effects? (0-no side effects, perfectly tolerable; 10 - extremely unpleasant).  

16) Are there other observations, comments or questions that you would like to add??   My shadows went away immediately and were almost non-existant after that. My daytime headaches pretty much ceased. I did have 2 night time headaches, but they were K4-K6. I did have several K8's near the 1 week mark. After 10 days, all headaches seem to be gone.

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by Melissa on Oct 13th, 2006, 6:52pm
I think this needs a HUGE bump back up to the top!  (or it could be stickied again Deej or Steph ;))

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by Charlotte on Oct 20th, 2006, 7:22am
bump.

This is an important resource.

thx, c

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by BB on Oct 20th, 2006, 10:07am

Floridian,

Please now that you are here , do you think its worthwhile to follow up on this and see what the long term effect of Kudzu is ?

Thank you muchly

Annette

Title: Re: Kudzu Survey - First Week
Post by nani on Nov 13th, 2006, 9:07am
bump



Clusterheadaches.com Message Board » Powered by YaBB 1 Gold - SP 1.3.1!
YaBB © 2000-2003. All Rights Reserved.