Hello!
My husband has just entered a new cycle and I was checking out the boards to see what I may have missed in the last several months.  I've seen discussion regarding the use of taurine.  Can anyone offer infor abou this?  Where to purchase, how to use...side effects...over all effectiveness.  He is on prednisone and topamax and uses Imitrex injections to shorten the worse of the headaches.

Thank you!!!

I'll let others pipe in with their 2, 3, maybe even 4 cents worth regarding effectiveness etc., but for source, I've tried many a supplement etailer, and I've found iherb.com to be my favorite. Low prices, fast shipping, well stocked.

I also find the NOW brand to be good for supplements in general - here's a link to NOW taurine at iherb:

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Has your husband tried the "newer", more effective approach to using O2 with non re-breather/high LPM, and is he using the revolutionary half dose imitrex injection method (which is just as effective as full dose, but doubles the amount of injections available to him) a la the "imitrex tip" link to the left?

I suggest 02 as you've not mentioned it... but Taurine related:

I got for the energy drinks.  Monster, Red Bull, usually come with caffeine/taurine mixes in them.

I find that "red rain" (my local red bull knockoff) can eliminate shadows, and seems to prevent some hits if I down a can or two quick enough. 

I'll let others suggest/discuss herbal supplements, etc.  I find the energry drinks are available everywhere, and are cheap and effective for me.

For what it's worth, taurine seems to intensify the effects of whatever it's taken with. That's why experts seem to agree that it should be taken only in small doses with verapamil because it will start to seriously mess with heart rhythms.

Before you buy any supplements, got try a few energy drinks.  I like the big cans of starbucks... has a good amount of taurine and taste better to me.

I use the 5hr Energy drinks.  They aren't as big as the carbonated drinks, but contain as much caffeine and Taurene.  I find they don't tear my stomach up as badly, plus they have a pretty heavy B complex that helps with my equalibrium.  I don't get nearly as irritable from the attack.  These can help knock out hits if gotten early enough and save using the Trex. 

I strongly would urge him to get high flow oxygen as his first line of defense.  It is a lot less expensive than Trex, and no side effects.  Personally I can knock out a hit in 5-8 minutes with 25 lpm oxygen through an O2ptimask.  Well worth the $25 for the mask.  It makes a big difference.

Jerry

Brew wrote on Oct 30^th, 2009 at 2:48pm:

For what it's worth, taurine seems to intensify the effects of whatever it's taken with. That's why experts seem to agree that it should be taken only in small doses with verapamil because it will start to seriously mess with heart rhythms.

Yup, and I'd add that one should always tell the doc of ANY supplements being taken. Also, my treating neuro (nationally recognized "headache" specialist) is deadset against taurine...quote..."it is extremely neuro active and we don't fully understand its effects...do not take it". Interesting that her partner (at the time) had no problem with it :-/

Best,

Jon

Brew wrote on Oct 30^th, 2009 at 2:48pm:

For what it's worth, taurine seems to intensify the effects of whatever it's taken with. That's why experts seem to agree that it should be taken only in small doses with verapamil because it will start to seriously mess with heart rhythms.

AMEN to that !   thanks Brew.

jon019 wrote on Oct 30^th, 2009 at 8:34pm:

Brew wrote on Oct 30th, 2009 at 2:48pm: For what it's worth, taurine seems to intensify the effects of whatever it's taken with. That's why experts seem to agree that it should be taken only in small doses with verapamil because it will start to seriously mess with heart rhythms. Yup, and I'd add that one should always tell the doc of ANY supplements being taken. Also, my treating neuro (nationally recognized "headache" specialist) is deadset against taurine...quote..."it is extremely neuro active and we don't fully understand its effects...do not take it". Interesting that her partner (at the time) had no problem with it :-/ Best, Jon

  Crud, and I got a full bottle....wonder if its any good for the houseplants.... :-?

I've been using Taurine supplements since April 2006 without any ill effects.

Cheers
Barry

Barry_T_Coles wrote on Nov 1^st, 2009 at 8:36pm:

I've been using Taurine supplements since April 2006 without any ill effects. Cheers Barry

While taking what else, Barry?

I take up to 2000mg of Taurine per day when in cycle. Never noticed any problems. Had plenty of issues with some cold medicine I took last week (blood pressure spikes and heart rhythm issues) but nothing from the Taurine.

I always take...
- Metoprolol HCT 100/25mg for blood pressure (Beta blocker & diuretic)
- Lipitor, 20mg (for high cholesterol)
- Ambien, 5mg (for sleep)

and during cycle only...
- the Taurine
- Kudzu root (613mg x 3-4 per day)
- Melatonin (9-12mg at bedtime)
- O2 for hits

Had very good results my last 2 cycles with this regimen. Had a few doozy's break through this time but I've had MUCH worse cycles over the years. (knocking on wood!!!)

Brew wrote on Nov 1^st, 2009 at 8:41pm:

Barry_T_Coles wrote on Nov 1st, 2009 at 8:36pm: I've been using Taurine supplements since April 2006 without any ill effects. Cheers Barry While taking what else, Barry?

500mg Magnesium/Calcium three times a day, 250mg Taurine at evening & every 3 - 5 days  500mg Zinc depending on the intensity of the shadowing.
And Brew your right about Taurine enhancing other medication, it acts as a catalyst that promotes the those medications, an example of this is Magnesium is one of the minerals that the human body doesn't readily absorb, Taurine promotes the metabolism of the Magnesium.
I refuse to take any of the hard line drugs available.
Currently 466 days without a high cycle :)

Cheers
Barry

Merd,

I keep Red Bull in the fridge and down a can IF I need it (that's when the O2 isn't working REALLY fast which it usually does). It contains caffeine and 1000mg of taurine.

I take topamax (100mg) at night before bed along with 12-15mg of melatonin (have been for about 10 years or so) and sleep thru the night (with very few exceptions).

Calicum citrate with magneisum and zinc (3 of those horse pills) a few times a day (when you think about it) will help keep shadows away (or it does for me - when I think to take them - something to do with the Ph balance).

But the O2 in a high flow with the RIGHT mask (look to the left at the ch.com store - the Op2tic mask is great). Most of us use at LEAST 15-25 liters per minute (I use a demand valve and swear by it) and get good results to abort with this.

Oh and my neuro thinks everything I'm doing is A-ok because it's working for me. I've been his "problem" child for years and if anything works for me, he recommends it for his other CH patients.

Let us know how things are going with you.

Hugs BD :-*