Post by Batch on May 27th, 2013 at 2:08pm
Lori,
Sorry your husband is having such a rough time. I know that's hard on you too.
Adverse reactions to vitamin D3 are very rare... and people who do react to it are almost always allergic to sunlight. They're not vampires, but usually suffer from an auto-immune condition called sarcoidosis or they suffer from hyperparathyroidism.
Accordingly, I'm with Brew, try to have your husband stick with this regimen. The more probable reason for the increase in frequency and intensity of his cluster headaches may be the calcium citrate tablets. Skip the calcium citrate for a couple days to see what happens.
A big drop in arterial pH (too much acid) can also trigger an increase in cluster headache symptoms. Have your husband try a couple Alka-Seltzer tablets or a baking soda tonic three to four times a day to elevate his systemic/arteral pH.
A half teaspoon of good old Arm & Hammer baking soda in a half glass (4 ounces) of water can work wonders in elevating arterial pH. The directions are on the box.
If alkalizing with Alka-Seltzer or the baking soda tonic help, a more lasting solution is an alkalizing diet. A GOMBS diet (Greens, Onions, Mushrooms, Beans-Berries and Seeds & Nuts should do the trick. A hand full of each a day with each meal should be adequate. See:
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As far as the frequent but unproductive urination goes... push fluids. I've found a cup of coffee or tea followed by a big glass of natural fruit juice, (orange juice, pineapple juice, cranberry or cranapple juice) two to three times a day gets me peeing like a champ.
The real question at this point is what other medications is your husband taking? Drug interactions between this regimen and other medications typically prescribed for cluster headache are rare... That said, a prednisone taper will slow vitamin D3 metabolism and calcium supplements will lessen the preventative effect of verapamil.
You indicated your husband has another appointment on the 28th. Do not take "No" for an answer when you ask for a prescription for oxygen therapy.
The National Guideline Clearing House at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends Oxygen therapy as the first abortive of choice when treating Cluster headache and other trigemino-autonomic cephalgias.
If the neurologist still refuses to prescribe oxygen therapy as an abortive for your husband's cluster headaches show him/her the following chart with suggested wording for the prescription. Print out the following link as well and take it along for backup.
START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to or END PRINTPAGE
START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to or END PRINTPAGE
These recommended treatments for cluster headache were developed by a team of internationally recognized neurologists, expert in treating patients with cluster headache. Collectively they've treated thousands of cluster headache sufferers and prescribe oxygen therapy at 15 liters/minute or higher as the first abortive of choice.
I've had the opportunity to meet with three members of this team: Dr. Peter Goadsby, Dr. Arne May and Dr. Peter Sandor. These neurologists are giants when it comes to treating cluster headache sufferers.
If you've other questions, please shoot me a PM with your phone number or Skype me.
Take care and please keep us posted...
V/R, Batch
Sorry your husband is having such a rough time. I know that's hard on you too.
Adverse reactions to vitamin D3 are very rare... and people who do react to it are almost always allergic to sunlight. They're not vampires, but usually suffer from an auto-immune condition called sarcoidosis or they suffer from hyperparathyroidism.
Accordingly, I'm with Brew, try to have your husband stick with this regimen. The more probable reason for the increase in frequency and intensity of his cluster headaches may be the calcium citrate tablets. Skip the calcium citrate for a couple days to see what happens.
A big drop in arterial pH (too much acid) can also trigger an increase in cluster headache symptoms. Have your husband try a couple Alka-Seltzer tablets or a baking soda tonic three to four times a day to elevate his systemic/arteral pH.
A half teaspoon of good old Arm & Hammer baking soda in a half glass (4 ounces) of water can work wonders in elevating arterial pH. The directions are on the box.
If alkalizing with Alka-Seltzer or the baking soda tonic help, a more lasting solution is an alkalizing diet. A GOMBS diet (Greens, Onions, Mushrooms, Beans-Berries and Seeds & Nuts should do the trick. A hand full of each a day with each meal should be adequate. See:
START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to
or END PRINTPAGEAs far as the frequent but unproductive urination goes... push fluids. I've found a cup of coffee or tea followed by a big glass of natural fruit juice, (orange juice, pineapple juice, cranberry or cranapple juice) two to three times a day gets me peeing like a champ.
The real question at this point is what other medications is your husband taking? Drug interactions between this regimen and other medications typically prescribed for cluster headache are rare... That said, a prednisone taper will slow vitamin D3 metabolism and calcium supplements will lessen the preventative effect of verapamil.
You indicated your husband has another appointment on the 28th. Do not take "No" for an answer when you ask for a prescription for oxygen therapy.
The National Guideline Clearing House at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends Oxygen therapy as the first abortive of choice when treating Cluster headache and other trigemino-autonomic cephalgias.
If the neurologist still refuses to prescribe oxygen therapy as an abortive for your husband's cluster headaches show him/her the following chart with suggested wording for the prescription. Print out the following link as well and take it along for backup.
START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to
or END PRINTPAGESTART PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to
or END PRINTPAGEThese recommended treatments for cluster headache were developed by a team of internationally recognized neurologists, expert in treating patients with cluster headache. Collectively they've treated thousands of cluster headache sufferers and prescribe oxygen therapy at 15 liters/minute or higher as the first abortive of choice.
I've had the opportunity to meet with three members of this team: Dr. Peter Goadsby, Dr. Arne May and Dr. Peter Sandor. These neurologists are giants when it comes to treating cluster headache sufferers.
If you've other questions, please shoot me a PM with your phone number or Skype me.
Take care and please keep us posted...
V/R, Batch