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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> Mushrooms?
        
(Message started by: wander02 on Sep 29^th, 2004, 11:05pm)

Title: Mushrooms?
Post by wander02 on Sep 29^th, 2004, 11:05pm

Has anyone tried mushrooms and they didn't work?

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by Superpain on Sep 30^th, 2004, 3:52am

Everytime I've eaten mushrooms they worked.

Ever have sex on mushrooms? Fanfuckingtastic!!!

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by Superpain on Sep 30^th, 2004, 3:59am

OK... All funnies aside, I assume you are asking in relation to clusters???
I have not used mushrooms for ch. But i have eaten enough for several large pizzas... ;;D

When it comes to CH nothing works for everyone. And with pscilocybin there are alot of variable factors that must be taken into account, such as detoxing, amount of dosage and timing of dosages, etc...

There are people that it hasn't worked for, but as far as I've read around here a great majority of people who are willing, find some, if not total relief.

I'll report to you when I get back in cycle because you can bet that hot spike in your head it will be the first thing I try. ;)

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by tommyD on Sep 30^th, 2004, 7:30am

Well. yes, what Superpain said.

The ClusterBusters compiled reports, from this message board and elsewhere, and while this is completely anecdotal and unscientific, found roughly an 80 percent success rate. For episodics, the rate is about 90 percent, for chronics, down around 67 percent.

The biggest problem: some standard cluster meds appear to interfere with the shroom treatment, particularly prednisone and sumatriptan (and maybe other triptans). Unclear whether verapamil interferes, some feel it does, some feel it doesn't.

From my review of these reports, it seem generally, and not surprisingly, that the more severe the case of clusters, the more difficult it is to get the clusterbuster treament to work.

And for some, the treartment works well enough, but the psychoactive side effects or the fear of legal and social consequences are a real problem; some who have found relief switched to other medications because of this. I count this as a failure of the CB treatment, and figure it into the 80 percent rate.

Some ClusterBusters pay a lot of attention to the timing of doses, but I personally suspect it's not that important, as long as you leave a few days between doses when using larger-dose style treatments.

Confounding the question: many find relief for the first day or three, then find the attacks return, sometimes with a vengeance, so it seems like the treatment has failed. Then however, the attacks fade again without further treatment. 'Tis a wily Beast.

The biggest danger in the treatment is it may exacerbate certain mental illnesses. Hallucinogens, particularly when used continually in large doses, have triggered or worsened mental breakdowns in those prone to paranoia, schizophrenia and such.

But there is growing evidence the CB treatment can be effective in doses so small there are little or no psychoactive effects. As in all things, Your Mileage May Vary.

-tommyD

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by toolong on Sep 30^th, 2004, 8:44am

Thank you TommyD.You have helped me make up my mind. :)David

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by Redrum on Sep 30^th, 2004, 9:50am

http://www.wired.com/news/medtech/0,1286,65025,00.html

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by fullhead on Oct 16^th, 2004, 9:23pm

redrum,
I've visited there AND clusterbuster.com and YOU are helping ME make up MY mind! could someone please pass the tea?
- soon to be Disney fan

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by Pinkfloyd on Oct 17^th, 2004, 12:47am

on 10/16/04 at 21:23:24, fullhead wrote:

- soon to be Disney fan

No need to become "Goofy" as Micky Mouse doses often do the trick. ;;D

PF

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by Biker on Oct 17^th, 2004, 7:52am

I have not tried them yet, but am getting close. Desperation is a great motivator. I sure hope they work.

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by Flash on Oct 17^th, 2004, 12:04pm

They've been working for me since 1993. That's 12 years. Yes I have been hit during that time, but only when I've screwed up the treatment or been unable to obtain it.

In 12 years I would have expected my episodes to total in excess of 24 months. In other words I'd have lost 2 years to pain. Thanks to the shrooms this has been reduced to 3 months... and even those could probably have been avoided.

It is hardest for shrooms to lick an episode once it has become established.

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by Mr. Happy on Oct 18^th, 2004, 12:51am

on 10/17/04 at 07:52:21, Biker wrote:

Desperation is a great motivator.

Ay god, if there's one thing I know, it's desperation.

http://mushys.com/despair/despair.jpeg

Chew a few,
RJ

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by sandie99 on Oct 18^th, 2004, 9:22am

Nope. Was too scared to.... :-[

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by marcus on Oct 18^th, 2004, 3:44pm

Hi, I'm new here. I've been reading the posts for a couple of weeks and this is such a Godsend. I have suffered for 15 years now, chronicly.

I had some ?s bout the shrooms. Me and my wife have been talking about traveling to the Virgin Islands or Amsterdamm to get some. Probably the Islands since the cost will be cheaper. Can I go to the US Virgin Islands or only the British ones? Also, do I need to claim the spores when I go through customs? If I do, what do I tell them?

In His Love,
Marcus

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by Superpain on Oct 18^th, 2004, 4:14pm

on 10/18/04 at 15:44:14, marcus wrote:

No need to travel... You can have them shipped. Easier, less expensive and safer I would think... But if you do, I sure as hell wouldn't claim them! :o

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by Pinkfloyd on Oct 18^th, 2004, 4:32pm

on 10/18/04 at 15:44:14, marcus wrote:

I have suffered for 15 years now, chronicly.

well thats a long time. I'm sure you're pretty tired.

on 10/18/04 at 15:44:14, marcus wrote:

Can I go to the US Virgin Islands or only the British ones?

I'm not sure but I do know there is at least one person that makes yearly trips to an island. He'll probably show up and give you a guided tour with pictures.

on 10/18/04 at 15:44:14, marcus wrote:

Also, do I need to claim the spores when I go through customs? If I do, what do I tell them?

The only reason to go to the islands (besides the beaches and scenery) is to eat the shrooms there.

If you are going to go the grow route, you can order spores online and have them show up on your doorstep. They are legal to order in 48 states and yours is one of those.

Unless you plan on staying in the islands a couple of weeks, I would suggest, since you are chronic, that growing a supply to break the cycle is probably your best bet. For follow-up doses the islands sound nice.
breaking a chronic cycle often takes more than two doses, but not always. You can get 2 doses in 5 days there but if you need a third, you'd need 10 days in the sun. You wouldn't know until after the 2nd dose, at the earliest, how long you'd need to stay.

Not to burst your bubble or your chance to get away but honestly I would suggest growing your own this time to break the cycle. Make sure you have enough time and supply to continue the treatment once you start it.

Unless of course you can stay as long as needed. In that case, call your travel agent! Be sure to read all the information first whichever way you go.

best of luck
PF

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by marcus on Oct 18^th, 2004, 4:39pm

Pinkfloyd,

Thanks for the info. After 15 years, I have to admit, I am exhausted. I'm sure you can relate.

I will look into the ordering online. Can you point me in the direction I should go to do that? The beast should be knocking on my door early next year, does that buy me enough time?

I may still consider visiting the islands for a break as well as maybe when my CHs come and be able to medicate them down there. Guess I can't think of better place to be in pain. :D

In His Love,
Marcus

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by Pinkfloyd on Oct 18^th, 2004, 4:55pm

on 10/18/04 at 16:39:29, marcus wrote:

Can you point me in the direction I should go to do that?

Go to the clusterbusters website, click on the FAQ link and scroll down to the procurement section. (read as you go ;-) There are some suppliers links there.
www.clusterbusters.com

on 10/18/04 at 16:39:29, marcus wrote:

The beast should be knocking on my door early next year, does that buy me enough time?

Ok, well now, one of us is a bit confused. If you are not in a cycle now then you aren't chronic. Chronic does not mean you get cycles every year. It means you are in one LONG cycle. Basically clusters every day for years on end. No breaks like the one you are on.
This is not to say that getting them as often as you do is not a terrible thing to live with, it is. It just means among other things, that they might be easier to break.
Easier yet to avoid the next cycle. One dose might keep you from the next scheduled cycle and strategically spaced maintenance doses may keep them away for good.
A trip to the islands is looking better with every post.

PF

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by marcus on Oct 18^th, 2004, 5:01pm

Oh ok, I thought chronic meant on a regular bases. I get them like between 15 months and 18 months apart. I guess that is considered regularly and not chronicly?

Thank you for the link, any help works at this point and I'm not familiar with doing this. I'm just tired and willing to try anything. My wife isn't thrilled about it but she doesn't want to have to see me in the pain anymore.

In His Love,
Marcus

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by JeffB on Oct 18^th, 2004, 5:43pm

Are my eye's deciving me??? Are you talkin SHROOOMS or just shrooms (like I buy at safeway)? Wouldn't that make for a tough or fun day at work, how about dinner at moms? I can just see myself in a meeting as I feel the beast approch " er ..ah excuse me gentlemen but I have a headache coming on so if you'd give just a moment to eat these little presents from heaven I'll be with you in a minute or so......by the way, does anyone have any phish or dead we can put on the intercom???

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by E-Double on Oct 18^th, 2004, 6:03pm

on 10/18/04 at 17:43:19, JeffB wrote:

I had a very similar reaction because of preconceived notions based upon my own recreational use in the past but it appears to be an extremely valid treatment that is done in a very systematic way. Very similar to the way we take any other meds or the way certain meds are "tapered" it's intersting reading and might be worth a shot

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by Flash on Oct 18^th, 2004, 6:51pm

on 10/18/04 at 17:43:19, JeffB wrote:

I can just see myself in a meeting as I feel the beast approch " er ..ah excuse me gentlemen but I have a headache coming on so if you'd give just a moment to eat these little presents from heaven I'll be with you in a minute or so......by the way, does anyone have any phish or dead we can put on the intercom???

Shrooms are episode aborters, or cycle breakers as opposed to headache abortives. The can also be used as preventative medicine to prevent entire episodes as opposed to individual attacks.

Recent feedback indicates that much smaller doses (with no trippy side effects) than we originally thought, taken much more frequently than we originally thought may constitute a viable treatment plan. If this turns out to be correct then it makes this treatment feasible for every clusterhead - even those that fear hallucinogenic drugs.

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by AlanG on Oct 18^th, 2004, 10:22pm

Maybe I should at least try this, its got to be better than 1/2 a 5th bottle of whiskey a night. thats one reason why I havent been here much for the last several months...been too darned drunk to type. when you find your self in desparate places maybe its best to look at alternative methods and if there is valid evidence to show relief or to break a cycle then I think its worth looking into. besides alcohol takes a toll on the body and I know im gona have to find something else besides a 5th of whiskey.
man, the things we get driven to out of desparation. by the way ive heard you laugh alot after having mushrooms...cool I could do with some big smile on my face and a chuckle in my belly.
Alan G

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by Biker on Oct 19^th, 2004, 5:52am

Alochol to avoid CH?????? Your a lucky one. I have found that one shot of any kind of alochol, or even a beer will trigger an attack.

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by JJA on Oct 19^th, 2004, 8:36am

Alan G,

I would take shrooms over alcohol any day. They're as nonaddicting as a drug can be, much less addictive than alcohol (I would say they're nonaddicting period, but I don't want to excite the anti-drug enthusiasts). They're not nearly as bad for your health as alcohol. And the best part, they knock the headaches into oblivion for most CH'ers. The only downside is their legal status.(There's no common sense in the drug war).

Jesse

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by Bob P on Oct 19^th, 2004, 9:48am

Quote:

The only downside is their legal status

There's a little more than that. For me they caused a good deal of anxiety, chills, tremors and after four doses, didn't put a dent in my cluster attacks.

They do seem to be effective for a lot of people and are definately worth a try though.

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by JJA on Oct 19^th, 2004, 10:14am

Sorry Bob P. You are right. They can be quite unpleasant at or near recreational doses. I was thinking of Flash's sub-threshold dosing technique.

Jesse

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by Bob P on Oct 19^th, 2004, 10:34am

Like I said, even if you do get a little too big a dose and have to deal with some of the side effects, it's still worth a try. If we're willing to eat prednisone for days, inject ourselves with vasoconstrictors, risk ergotism or gangrene, why wouldn't we be willing to give the fungi a shot.

If you think you have clusters and haven't tried indomethacin and shrooms, you're nuts!

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by jminmilwaukee on Oct 19^th, 2004, 11:49am

Good day Marcus,

If you do visit the islands you will want to go to the British Virgins, Tortola to be exact. Althou not completly legal they can be had almost anywhere. If you go during a full moon, there will be an open market of sorts at a place called the Bomba Shack (full moon parties with a mush tea served at midnight). This open market tends to be supervised by the island police but they seem to be there just to keep things from getting too out of control and the shrooms are sold openly.

Several of the locals will be happy to help out also but you do need to exercise common sense and some caution as crime does happen sometimes there but rarely compared to the US side.

Just make sure to bring your passport and plan on a few hours of down time and you will be fine.

BTW - Maint dosing have kept the beast at bay for me with great success so far.

Good luck

jmin

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by marcus on Oct 19^th, 2004, 4:41pm

What exactly is maintenance dosing? I'm sure I need to find out more about how to do this and all but I kept thinking I just take some when I am starting to feel the headaches coming on and then it will stop them.

Thanks for the help with the travel, Jim. I look forward to going there, soon I hope!!!

Lastly, I don't know who has kids and stuff here but my wife is really worried that the kids will find where I'm growing the mushrooms. We have 5 kids from ages 13 to 4. How do I make sure they won't find them? My wife is so bothered by this and she's not real comfortible about it anyways so if I can ease her fears about that part, it could help her.

Hope everyone has a pain free day.

In His Love,
Marcus

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by jminmilwaukee on Oct 19^th, 2004, 4:59pm

THe kids and legalities are questions that only you can answer in my opinion. This is why I choose to vacation where they are "legal" and not risk growing or keeping them here in the states. Plus, the dosage is sooo small that is more like the equiv of having a couple of beers than some far out trip.

I have way too much to lose and therfor go where it is accepted and ok by local standards. Another great reason to continue the leagal reserch and study of this "cure".

Good luck.

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by marcus on Oct 19^th, 2004, 6:37pm

I do work for the government and worry about breaking the law but I don't wanna suffer no more. I might try your advice first and do it there where it's safe and then grow them only if I need to. I looked on that clusterbusters website and couldn't find anything about maintenance dosing. Am I just not finding it or it isn't there or what is it?

In His Love,
Marcus

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by JJA on Oct 19^th, 2004, 7:30pm

Maintenance dosing means taking psilocybin before a cycle starts in order to avoid that cycle. For some their cycles are regular enough that they know when to dose. Others wait until they feel the first signs of the cycle beginning.

Am I the only person disgusted by the fact that people are leaving our "free" country to get relief from CH because they are afraid of legal repercussions?

Edited to add: I'm not disgusted with anyone who leaves the country to get shrooms. I'm just disgusted with the law that causes it.

Jesse

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by vig on Oct 19^th, 2004, 8:32pm

on 10/19/04 at 19:30:26, JJA wrote:

Am I the only person disgusted by the fact that people are leaving our "free" country to get relief from CH because they are afraid of legal repercussions?

Jesse

Yeah, I'm disapointed in that, especially considering that alcohol is legal and very dangerous.... plus the fact that the doctors are quite satisfied to put people on Prednisone and worse, but run like roaCHes at the first mention of this treatment... LSD was originally developed as a headaCHe medicine.

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by miapet on Oct 19^th, 2004, 10:31pm

D did his first maint dose 3 months after breaking his 'cycle' (20 year cycle!). We have since moved it up to every 2 months, because history has shown us that the fall is the worst time of the year.
We have kids (only one in the home) . . .while we would love to go to the islands, it just hasn't been an option. Maybe someday?? Oh, and our kids are just glad that D isn't getting whacked anymore . . .3 of them never knew him without h/as (his youngest, and my 2) . .. that is, until this last 6 months! edit: oh, and neither had I . . .he had CH when I met him . . .what a great 6 months this has been!
*positive light and energy*
miapet

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by karma on Oct 20^th, 2004, 7:08am

There is way to much stigma attached to this treatment.
Its not that big a deal. But then again I don't live in the U.S.
If its the kids your worried about, just be honest. Its way better than getting busted by 13 year old.

If you want to use this as an excuse to travel to the caribbean, go for it. Tortola is just a short ferry boat ride away from St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. Check with any travel agent, there are pretty good package deals to be had.
Ferries run on the 1/2 hour from Charlotte Amalie or Red Hook.

Born and raised in St. Thomas. This area was my playground as a kid.

If you can't travel, grow your own.

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by AlanG on Oct 20^th, 2004, 11:42am

on 10/19/04 at 05:52:06, Biker wrote:

Alochol to avoid CH?????? Your a lucky one. I have found that one shot of any kind of alochol, or even a beer will trigger an attack.

Yes I have the same problem, one drink and I go into pain so I hit the oxygen then go back to my drink. I have some portable oxygen tanks that I sometimes take to the bar thats only 2 blocks away. Most time when I feel the pain coming on I will walk back 2 blocks to get oxygen. The bar owner is aware of my condition so sometimes I take my portable and he allows me to use the back room so im not around any smokers or flame for safety. but I have to say that once drunk I dont get anymore attacks and can sleep a full night thro without going into pain. mind you the next morning I feel just as useless as having been in pain all night. This in itself defeats the object of being able to get a nights sleep and waking up all chipper the next morning, but at least im not waking up every hour and half in blazzing pain.

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by vig on Oct 20^th, 2004, 1:03pm

on 10/20/04 at 11:42:08, AlanG wrote:

Yes I have the same problem, one drink and I go into pain so I hit the oxygen then go back to my drink.

Sounds like a vicious cycle.
Why have the first drink?

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by marcus on Oct 20^th, 2004, 6:35pm

vig, thanks for the email about being discreet. If people have ideas but don't want to post, my email address is marcushoffman_1@hotmail.com. I am just so happy there are kind souls out there to help me. I was so alone before the internet and I rejoice for the support of this board.

In His Love,
Marcus

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by BlueMeanie on Oct 20^th, 2004, 7:16pm

on 10/20/04 at 11:42:08, AlanG wrote:

Alan,

I hate to sound so negative. I like to have a drink just like the next guy, but geesh. That is an awful excuse to have a drink. When I'm in cycle I couldn't stand the fact that a drink is worth a CH. Just my opinion.

Title: Re: Mushrooms?
Post by Flash on Oct 21^st, 2004, 12:16pm

on 10/19/04 at 09:48:13, Bob P wrote:

There's a little more than that. For me they caused a good deal of anxiety, chills, tremors

I've had problems with the side effects also, to the point where I became reluctant to takethe shrooms... until the CH reminded me of how bad it could be. Felt a bit like I was caught between a rock and a hard place... BUT it's looking like very small doses (not even level 1) and taken more frequently (up to 3x each day) for a prolonged period (14 days) may be even more effective than the single piledriver dose.