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Topic: 5-HT activity in Kudzu (Read 32697 times) |
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floridian
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Re: 5-HT activity in Kudzu
« Reply #175 on: Feb 25th, 2005, 9:31am » |
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Thanks, Dan,
I think CHATS is the best way to gather data in a consistent format. And whether people are trying kudzu or not, please think about beta-testing this important software.
I agree with PaulL that there isn't really a placebo effect for clusters (believing in a sugar pill will not stop the beast). But there is problem with the unpredictability of clusters - if an episodic starts a new treatment a few days before their cycle winds down, they may mistakenly believe that the treatment was of value. I don't think that is what is going on here (experienced chronics and episodics are reporting rapid improvement!), but systematic observation is a good thing.
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Racer1_NC
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Re: 5-HT activity in Kudzu
« Reply #176 on: Feb 25th, 2005, 12:39pm » |
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Well folks...count me in on the Kudzu testing. I've purchased the NATURE'S WAY Kudzu Root 613mg bottle. My local health food store had 2 different types, but I selected this one because it seems several people here have started on this brand so I will as well.
I'm cronic, but the CH is controlled well by Verapamil 240 x 1. I taper off the Verap about every 6 weeks, just to check if the CH is still hanging around......in 2-3 days the beast returns. My plan is to start the Kudzu, and then taper off the Verap in about a week.
Time will tell......but damn I hope this works.
Bill
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seasonalboomer
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Re: 5-HT activity in Kudzu
« Reply #177 on: Feb 25th, 2005, 1:00pm » |
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I'm in also. Mine is supposed to arrive via UPS today as none of our local healthfood and vitamn stores were carrying the Nature's Way. Just can't stop humming that song everytime I see the name "It's nature's way of telling
you something's wrong It's nature's way of telling you in a song"
I ran around checked about 5 stores -- so call ahead and save the running around.
An alternate brand had the wonderful subtitle on the label "For alcohol cessation". No, how about Cluster Headaches for alcohol cessation......
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ArCane
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Re: 5-HT activity in Kudzu
« Reply #178 on: Feb 25th, 2005, 3:24pm » |
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I have a question about kudzu. I know everyone is trying it out and not all the results are in, but I was wondering. Im an episodic clusterhead. Since this stuff is working for you chronics and helping episodics in a cycle, can this help me prevent a cycle all together? Im not in a cycle now and Im curious. If I take it everyday could it help prevent a cycle from starting or prolong my PF time? Would it be worth a try? How would I know its working? Thanks all.
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floridian
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Re: 5-HT activity in Kudzu
« Reply #179 on: Feb 25th, 2005, 3:55pm » |
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on Feb 25th, 2005, 3:24pm, ArCane wrote:| I have a question about kudzu. I know everyone is trying it out and not all the results are in, but I was wondering. Im an episodic clusterhead. Since this stuff is working for you chronics and helping episodics in a cycle, can this help me prevent a cycle all together? Im not in a cycle now and Im curious. If I take it everyday could it help prevent a cycle from starting or prolong my PF time? Would it be worth a try? How would I know its working? Thanks all. |
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Good questions. My guess is that if you know a cycle is coming on, it might prevent it or blunt it, but that is speculation. How would you know its working? My cycles are only in the summer, but not every summer, so I wouldn't know for sure that it is working.
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pattik
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Re: 5-HT activity in Kudzu
« Reply #180 on: Feb 25th, 2005, 4:38pm » |
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I'm episodic and in a remission right now, but I'm going to give it a try at the first sign of a cycle starting up. I have been fairly good at identifying the beginnings of cycles over the years, and hopefully, although it would be anecdotal, I would be able to see if kudzu makes any kind of difference.
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Melissa
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Re: 5-HT activity in Kudzu
« Reply #181 on: Feb 25th, 2005, 4:47pm » |
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Just wanted to say I've been following this thread since it began. I feel very encouraged by it and want to thank those who are trying this possible preventative for experimenting. Hopefully, if things go well, I'll try this route this year as I am expected to get my cycle in Sept.
thx,
mel
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Sandy_C
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Re: 5-HT activity in Kudzu
« Reply #182 on: Feb 25th, 2005, 5:15pm » |
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Started Kudzu last night - two capsules 613 mg each. Had small k3 around 7:00, which is usually my VERY bad time, so this was great. The rest of the evening went fine, some shadows and tingles, but no real hit. Bed at 11:00, and was awakened at 1:00 AM with a CH. This is really odd, because I have NEVER been awakened in the middle of the night with a HA. Got up, took 3 excedrin, 12 oz glass of water and ice pack figuring I'd be up for quite a while. Low and behold - 15 minutes later - GONE! Wonderful. Went back to bed and slept the rest of the night.
Took two more Kudzu this morning - some shadows and activity - no hits. Two more at lunch about 1:00, back to work, and at 2:00 got hit - again not a biggie, and lasted about 15 to 20 minutes with excedrin and ice pack.
So, bottom line - less than 24 hours and I DO see some improvement. Some oddities also - someone else (can't remember who) posted that he had noticed shadows and activity on the opposite side of his head. Me too! Wonder what this means???? So far mixed results - but promising. Gonna keep going.
By the way - my urine is the brightest color yellow I've ever seen. Is this from the Kudzu or the B complex I'm taking in the morning?
How do I get to the chats??? I apparently don't have a CHAT log in or something because it won't let me in.
Have a PF night.
Sandy 
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Re: 5-HT activity in Kudzu
« Reply #183 on: Feb 25th, 2005, 8:32pm » |
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Well, good news from me...
I started the Kudzu yesterday.....had no shadows last night.....and NO CH!!!
YEEHAW!!!!!!!!!!
Hope this really works.....
Jean
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nani
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Re: 5-HT activity in Kudzu
« Reply #184 on: Feb 25th, 2005, 10:26pm » |
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Jean...repeat after me...it will work, it will work, it will work...
I'm so glad you found some relief with this. It seems the news keeps getting better and better... 
Sandy, maybe you should try a dose at bedtime to see if it keeps the nighttime hits away.
Me...still doin' great! Again not 100% PF, but tiny shadows for a few minutes here and there. I can live with this!
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Damon
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Re: 5-HT activity in Kudzu
« Reply #185 on: Feb 26th, 2005, 1:27am » |
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Thank you all for the valueable info. Will start trying tomorrow after neuro appt. I am curious about one thing, Kudzu works on alcohol cravings and alcohol triggers HA's, is there a connection?
PFDAN to you all,
Damon
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godsjoy777
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Re: 5-HT activity in Kudzu
« Reply #186 on: Feb 26th, 2005, 3:17am » |
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I'm up after sucking O2 for 2nd CH hit of the night....Started the Kudzu the other day again....taking around 600 mgs am and anothe 600mgs pm....still get the 3 hits in my sleep ....11:30....1:30 and 3:30....then I have to get up to go to work at 6:30 .....how long can this go on?
Will keep taking the Kudzu....I'm taking 250mgs of Zonegran as well in the pm and Excedrins PM when necessary and lots of O2....I wonder which brand of Kudzu seems to be the best....I have noticed a tightness in my chest during the day which is what I was experiencing earlier in my cycle which I thought was due to my triptal intake.....thus switching to the "back to the O2....natural way".....Anybody else egt the tightning of the chest?
Karen
PS....I couldn't log into that journal things either...any clues?
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ArCane
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Re: 5-HT activity in Kudzu
« Reply #187 on: Feb 26th, 2005, 4:37am » |
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on Feb 26th, 2005, 1:27am, Damon wrote: Thank you all for the valueable info. Will start trying tomorrow after neuro appt. I am curious about one thing, Kudzu works on alcohol cravings and alcohol triggers HA's, is there a connection?
PFDAN to you all,
Damon |
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Good question!
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Re: 5-HT activity in Kudzu
« Reply #188 on: Feb 26th, 2005, 7:14am » |
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Thank you Dan, I'm in CHATS. Please give me some basic information on what type of information you think I should enter - how detailed? Remember, I'm a real Newbie, I know I need to specify what I'm taking, dosage, times of day, etc., and report CH, HA, side effectcs. Is there some specific format I should follow?
Sorry to be such a dummy, but I don't want to screw up results by doing something stupid.
Thanks
Sandy
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Re: 5-HT activity in Kudzu
« Reply #189 on: Feb 26th, 2005, 9:14am » |
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OK.I've read thru many threads and seen all kinds of dosages.I've got Kudzu Extract 150 mg.Right now I'm taking 1-2X a day.Should I increase dosage?Or stay with this and see if it works,or increase it right away?Started on Tuesday so I'm in my 5th day and Shadows have still been hanging around with some spikes but no real kick ass CH.For as much of this stuff that grows in the south is sure is expensive.Solray 150 mg. 60 caps.is $17.00 anyone have a cheaper source? David
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Re: 5-HT activity in Kudzu
« Reply #190 on: Feb 26th, 2005, 10:06am » |
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Legal Status: WSDA Quarantined Plant
annual Kudzu Festival in Blythewood, Georgia.
Detrimental: Kudzu is a highly aggressive invasive plant which is extremely difficult to control once established. According to researchers at Clemson University, lands infested with Kudzu are generally good for only one purpose – growing Kudzu. Kudzu is so aggressive it covers and smothers all other plants in its path resulting in solid single species stands eliminating native species and natural diversity. Trees may be covered with kudzu and damaged by the weight of the vegetation resulting in loss of limbs or tree death from insufficient light necessary for photosynthesis. Once established, Kudzu can render lands unusable for timber production or agriculture. The Congressional Office of Technology estimated the economic costs of Kudzu at $50 million annually (Hoots and Stewart, 1997). Control costs are estimated to increase by $6 million per year (Agricultural Research Service) as landowners struggle to contain this plant. The weight of the vines can bring down power lines and collapse buildings.
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Re: 5-HT activity in Kudzu
« Reply #191 on: Feb 26th, 2005, 10:38am » |
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on Feb 26th, 2005, 9:14am, toolong wrote:| OK.I've read thru many threads and seen all kinds of dosages.I've got Kudzu Extract 150 mg.Right now I'm taking 1-2X a day.Should I increase dosage?Or stay with this and see if it works,or increase it right away?Started on Tuesday so I'm in my 5th day and Shadows have still been hanging around with some spikes but no real kick ass CH.For as much of this stuff that grows in the south is sure is expensive.Solray 150 mg. 60 caps.is $17.00 anyone have a cheaper source? David |
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David,
Solaray is what I have. Here in Canada it is $26 for 60 caps. Even with the exchange that is no good. I am taking it 3x a day and it is doing well for me. folridian can correct me, in fact, anyone can, but I am not sure it is the size of the capsule that matters, but the amount of the active ingredient that is included. The Solaray is 2% daidzin, or, 3mg. I should go back and read the articles floridian posted again, because I am not sure which ingredient affects the receptors.
I am going to taper my verapamil, as, I am having trouble sleeping again. When I was on 480mg of verap I was having shortness of breath and dizziness, and a really hard time sleeping because I couldn't breathe, possibly from low bp. I went down to 320mg, and started sleeping fine, with no dizziness. Now up to 3 of the Solaray Kudzu capsules a day. Since Kudzu can also be effective for BP, maybe, since I am having trouble sleeping, maybe it is a bit low. I don't know. But I will taper the verap starting today anyway.
As for headaches. A few minor shadows, and no hits. Last night I had a wicked headache, but it wasn't a cluster. Dual sided in the temples across forehead. Not centered in right eye. Tension? Migraine? I don't know. Took 2 Midrin and I was fine. And, no rebound. Today is day 10. So far so good.
Casey
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Re: 5-HT activity in Kudzu
« Reply #192 on: Feb 26th, 2005, 11:09am » |
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Recap of day 2 on Kudzu - Been taking 2 cap, 613 mg each since 6:30 pm Thursday 2/24. First night and yesterday afternoon at work, as posted earlier, a little strange. Last night and this morning, even stranger. Pretty much PF most of the afternoon and early evening yesterday. About 9:00 last night, started to get a hit, so took my excedrin and ice pack - 15 minutes later - all gone - wonderful. But, and this is a big BUT! For the rest of the night, I got hit after hit after hit, just just shadows, real hits, each one stronger than the last one. I would have about a 30 to 45 minute break between hits, and each hit would last about 15 to 20 minutes. Ended up taking another three excedrin, (6 in aabout a 3 hour period) which can't be good for my stomach. This went on until 3:30 this morning, when I finally collapsed in bed and slept. Since awakening this morning, I have had constant shadows, bordering on a hit, but not quite. Also, bloodshot right eye, dull ache in right ear - feels like pain from wax buildup in ear. Had sensations of dull HA all across my forehead (tension??), but a hot shower and shampoo seems to have eased that one somewhat.
The Kudzu is definitely lessening the duration and intensity of the CH, but is seems to be changing the patterns and causing some other little problems for me. I wonder why?? Anyone got ideas?
I'm still going to continue the Kudzu - and Nani - you are right, I haven't been taking a dose before bedtime. Will do tonight.
Thanks for the info and support. Hanging in there!
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floridian
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Re: 5-HT activity in Kudzu
« Reply #194 on: Feb 26th, 2005, 12:52pm » |
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Quote:| The Kudzu is definitely lessening the duration and intensity of the CH, but is seems to be changing the patterns and causing some other little problems for me. I wonder why?? Anyone got ideas? |
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Several reports sound similar to what can happen with clusterbusters ... one person (in an email) who has tried both said that kudzu did feel similar to shrooms. We do know that sometimes the beast makes a bumpy exit when that alternative treatment is tried.
We don't know if a short course of kudzu will banish the beast, or if it has to be taken for the whole cycle (or long term for chronics).
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| « Last Edit: Feb 26th, 2005, 12:59pm by floridian » |
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Re: 5-HT activity in Kudzu
« Reply #195 on: Feb 26th, 2005, 12:56pm » |
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on Feb 26th, 2005, 9:14am, toolong wrote:| OK.I've read thru many threads and seen all kinds of dosages.I've got Kudzu Extract 150 mg.Right now I'm taking 1-2X a day.Should I increase dosage?Or stay with this and see if it works,or increase it right away?Started on Tuesday so I'm in my 5th day and Shadows have still been hanging around with some spikes but no real kick ass CH.For as much of this stuff that grows in the south is sure is expensive.Solray 150 mg. 60 caps.is $17.00 anyone have a cheaper source? David |
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http://www.iherb.com/kudzu1.html
price is 12.03 a bottle and an online order discount after that. free shipping.
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Melissa
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Re: 5-HT activity in Kudzu
« Reply #196 on: Feb 26th, 2005, 1:52pm » |
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on Feb 26th, 2005, 11:09am, Sandy_C wrote:| About 9:00 last night, started to get a hit, so took my excedrin and ice pack - 15 minutes later - all gone - wonderful. But, and this is a big BUT! For the rest of the night, I got hit after hit after hit, just just shadows, real hits, each one stronger than the last one. I would have about a 30 to 45 minute break between hits, and each hit would last about 15 to 20 minutes. Ended up taking another three excedrin, (6 in aabout a 3 hour period) which can't be good for my stomach. This went on until 3:30 this morning, when I finally collapsed in bed and slept. |
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Sandy,
Just wondering why you keep popping the Excedrin? Maybe you should try taking Aleve instead for the shadows, to try and keep your CH's from rebounding?
mel
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Re: 5-HT activity in Kudzu
« Reply #198 on: Feb 26th, 2005, 3:10pm » |
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OMG this stuff is like a creeping crud....
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Re: 5-HT activity in Kudzu
« Reply #199 on: Feb 26th, 2005, 3:55pm » |
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Hey im checking in again my clusters are all gone but i get nasty shadows on wednesdays and saturdays that last a few hours. How wierd is that. Any good tips for getting rid of the shadows?
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