Hi all!

I've recently had a blood test done and asked for VitD levels since I had read a bit about the D3 regimen. The test says I curently have 10,4 ng/mL. Apparently this is a very low vitD level so I've decided to try the D3 regimen and see if it works.

I have the full list of substances to take: Omega3, vitD, calcium, magnesium, vitK2, vitA, zinc and boron but I wonder if I need to take all of them to be PF. I've also read here about calcium potentially causing more pain and I'd obviously like to avoid it.
Today, I'll go to a pharmacy to check on the prices and availability of these substances in my city and probably will have more questions by then. Thanx!!

A good multivitamin might give you some of the regimen.  I use the 50+ mini-tablets by Rainbow Light and I get the Vit A, Zinc, and some of the K.  I have had success (before going off and then re-establishing is a *$#@*).  Boron is "new" since I started and can be acquired with a tablespoon of honey. Otherwise, the rest of the regimen is pretty easy to get (in the US) and effective!  Didn't your doctor put you on a loading dose of the D?

I'm not from the US but I don't think the vitamins will be difficult to get, maybe expensive.
The daily boron dose (1mg/day i believe) can be acquired with a tablespoon of honey? That's one thing less to buy! Good!
Yes, the doctor told me to buy some VitD mini bottles that I'm supposed to take every 15 days but I think I'll need something more regular, something daily, to beat the beast.
Also, Emjay, what do you mean with "before going off and then re-establishing is a *$#@*"? Is it hard to make it work and difficult to do that again after some time without the vits? Don't you take vitD on top of those tablets you mention?

I was on the full regimen since last June and totally "missed" my fall episode!  I am usually dancing with the beast from the end of January through June, then the end of August through the beginning of November.  So to miss a season is fabulous!  However, when I was tested for my D level, it was 187ng!  So, I stupidly listened to my doctor and stopped the D3 completely while staying on the rest of the regimen.  Exactly 2 weeks off, the beast returned in full force.  I am back on the D3 but getting myself back into whatever my sweet zone is has been challenging.  I have been working closely with Batch and he has been enormously helpful!  I am not going off this regimen again!  I'll titrate down if I have to, but not off.  I had a blood test yesterday and I will see what it is and then decide what needs to be done.  For me, this regimen has been a blessing.  It is worth whatever the "expense" is!  Plus, the side effects of more energy, less systemic inflammation, and all the bennies that come with no hits cannot be discarded!

Hi visperas
Here in the UK it's very difficult to get the high doses of vitD3. You would have to take bottles of the stuff to get the recommended dose and no one could afford that.
I get what I need from iherb.com. Very reasonably priced and reliable. If you are not in the USA you may have to pay for customs and duty depending on the value of your order, so check that out first.
Maz.

Thank you Maz and Emjay!

As expected, the trip to the pharmacy has created some more questions. Despite its availability, it's not that easy to find the specific substances in their specific measure. For instance, there's a pill that includes VitA-800mcg, Zinc-10mg, vitK (not K2), vitD (not D3) and magnesium (non of the specific magneisums listed). Could i take that one plus D3, K2 and magnesium citrate? Besides VitD3, what are the most important substances in the regimen?
Maybe, as Batch did in his first try, I can take only the fish oil and the VitD3 and work from there if it doesn't work?

Hey Visperas,

Welcome to the anti-inflammatory regimen...  Good questions and I understand obtaining some of the nutrients in this regimen can be difficult for CH'ers not living in the US.

Let's start with the vitamin D3.  If there's any question as to what's available is vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) or vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol)...  buy the cholecalciferol in the highest concentration (strength) possible. 

Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) is much less effective in preventing cluster headache than vitamin D3. 

We've had a few chronic CH'ers take vitamin D prescribed by their PCP and it ended up being vitamin D2 - (ergocalciferol). When they were unable to achieve a pain free response after several weeks taking vitamin D2 they stopped taking it and purchased some 5,000 IU vitamin D3 capsules...  Two days later they experienced a pain free response...

In many countries, 400 IU vitamin D3 liquid soft gel capsules is the highest concentration you can buy off the shelf without a prescription.  Taking 25 of these a day is a pain...  Get a prescription...

One of the exciting things about vitamin D3 is you can take 10,000 IU of vitamin D3 every day, 70,000 IU once a week, or 280,000 IU once a month and you should get nearly the same resulting 25(OH)D response.

If the pharmacy only has vials of vitamin D3 make sure it says "cholecalciferol."  Ask the pharmacist "What is the total International Units (IU) of cholecalciferol in the vial?"

If the total amount of vitamin D3 in the vile is 300,000 IU, divide by 10,000 IU/day and you get 30 days...  That means you can safely take the contents of the vial every 30 days.

Some vials of vitamin D3 have the contents measured by weight... usually in micrograms abbreviated as mcg or µg. In this case 250 micrograms = 10,000 IU of vitamin D3.

Some liquid vitamin D3 preparations the dose is listed as IU/drop as illustrated in the photo below where one drop = 2000 IU of vitamin D3:

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The bottom line is talk with the pharmacist to ensure you know how much vitamin D3 you'll be taking by serving size and that you need 10,000 IU/day, 70,000 IU/week or 280,000 IU every four weeks.

The other important thing to do is ask your PCP for the 25(OH)D lab test after a month taking the vitamin D3.

The alternative to the above process of obtaining vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) from a pharmacist is to order the nutrients from over the Internet.  The following photo illustrates the nutrients, I take each day to prevent my CH:

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As far as the minimum supplements to take if you can't find all of them... take the vitamin D3, Omega-3 Fish Oil, magnesium, vitamin K2 (MK-7), zinc and a good multi-vitamin...  preferably one for seniors.

You're correct, a teaspoon of raw honey a day will provide the needed boron.  Most multivitamins for seniors contain boron and vitamin A.

Hope this helps.

Take care and please keep us posted.

V/R, Batch

Thank you very much for the reply Batch!!
I'm going to think about it, check prices both on the internet and the pharmacy and decide what to do. As soon as I've decided I'll let you know.

@max
I live in the UK and you can get high dose D3 and Super K on Amazon.co.uk.

Hi Batch, thank you for posting the photo of what you take for the regimen.
I see that the Kirkland Mature Multi contains just 220mg of Calcium, is that enough Calcium? I thought that you recommended 500mg calcium for the regimen.
All the best  :)

Thierry,

The latest regimen update will call for 220 to 500 mg/day calcium... 

I'm a cheese head so go through a lot of cheese a week along with a serving or two of salmon, a daily glass of orange juice, and lots of dark green veggies.  I also go through nearly a pound of mixed nuts a week for snacks and an occasional serving of ice cream, so my intake of dietary calcium is likely a little higher than most.

Accordingly, 220 mg/day calcium is a good supplemental level to bring me up to the calcium RDA of 1000 mg/day.

Hope this helps.

V/R, Batch

wow Batch, that's a very healthy diet you're on, sounds great. I wish I was as discipline as you are reagarding what I eat. I ought to make more of an effort, though I am doing all right and do not eat fast food at all
Thanks for the info too.
Wishing you and yours a great weekend.

Hey Thierry,

We just finished a delightful block of Dubliner chedder...  so I know you've got some fine cheese there in Ireland...

Take care,

V/R, Batch

Is there any way to get this supplement list stickied? I think it would be helpful.

Hi all!

Today I've started the D3 regimen with the following:

- 12000 IU of Vit D3 (it's 4000 each pill)
- 1000 mg of Omega3 Oil 350EPA 250DHA
- 120 mcg of VitK2
- 400 mg of Magnesium Citrate
-a pill of Multicentrum Select 50+

I'm still thinking about making it two D3 pills making 8000 IU or if it will be needed to adjust the quantity to 1000 IU doing two and a half pills. Well, I guess there's not much else to say, we'll see how it goes.

Hey Visperas.

Thanks for the headzup you've started the anti-inflammatory regimen.  Good move... I'm confident you'll find it effective in preventing your CH

12,000 IU/day is fine, but your starting 25(OH)D serum concentration was very low at 10.4 ng/mL. You can safely take an average dose of 20,000 IU/day vitamin D3 for 30 days to build your 25(OH)D more rapidly as that will lead to a faster preventative response.

The alternative is the accelerated vitamin D3 dosing schedule that works out to 600,000 IU of vitamin D3 over a 4 week period.  This accelerated dosing schedule calls for 20,000 IU/day for two weeks.

During that first two weeks you'll take a 50,000 IU loading dose once a week on top of the daily dose.  For the second two weeks take 16,000 IU/day.  At the end of this 4-week dosing schedule, see your PCP for another 25(OH)D lab test. 

Your 25(OH)D response should be an average of 60 ng/mL above your starting serum concentration around 70 ng/mL...  At that point you should be able to drop your vitamin D3 intake to 12,000 IU/day.

See the attached study:

Take care and please keep us posted.

V/R, Batch

---

Ok. I've increased the D3 take to 20000IU and will keep it like that for a month.
Also, what's the average response time to the regimen for those who found it helpful?
Thanx for everything Batch!

Hey Visperas,

Good question.  The following chart will give you an indication of response times to the anti-inflammatory regimen.  It's based on data collected in the online survey of 110 CH'ers taking this regimen.

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The next chart illustrates the advantage of the accelerated vitamin D3 loading schedule in elevating 25(OH)D much faster than at a vitamin D3 intake of 10,000 IU/day.

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The solid black curve represents the average 25(OH)D response to a vitamin D3 dose of 10,000 IU/day.  As you can see this curve flattens out and reached a stable serum concentration around 80 ng/mL, but that can take 4 to 6 months.

The green curve approximates the 25(OH)D response to the accelerated vitamin D3 loading schedule totaling 600,000 IU of vitamin D3 over 4 weeks.  This loading schedule elevates serum 25(OH)D an average of 60 ng/mL above the starting 25(OH)D serum concentration in 4 weeks.

The rationale for maintaining a 25(OH)D serum concentration around 80 ng/mL when it's clear most CH'ers experience a pain free response in less time and at lower 25(OH)D serum concentrations, is based on the need to establish a safe 25(OH)D reserve.  This extra 25(OH)D acts as reserve to maintain a CH preventative response when competing 25(OH)D consumers are present and for skipped/missed doses of vitamin D3. 

Our immune system is likely the single largest consumer of 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)D2D3, the active hormonal vitamin D3 metabolite.  The immune system is active 7/24 and most of it resides in the GI tract and respiratory system, the two areas of the body exposed to the highest concentrations of antigens, allergens and pollutants.

Viral infections like colds and flu trigger an immune system response that consumes 25(OH)D at higher rates.  Trauma from injuries or surgery result in inflammation that can also consume 25(OH)D.  Allergic reactions to foods and allergens also trigger an immune response.  If one or more of the above conditions exist, the 25(OH)D serum concentration starts dropping.

The bottom line is a vitamin D3 maintenance dose of 10,000 IU/day is necessary to maintain an average 25(OH)D serum concentration around 80 ng/mL.  You’ll know when other 25(OH)D consumers are present…  You’ll feel the beast lurking around or it may even make a call…  Although the incidence of colds and flu are reduced while taking this regimen, they still occur.  When they do and you start feeling the symptoms of an approaching cold or flu…  double the daily vitamin D3 intake and add a 50,000 IU loading dose.  That should keep the CH beast away from your door.

Take care and please keep us posted.

V/R, Batch

I started the D3 regimen on the 17th. That day and the next I only took 12000 IU of D3 vit, each day since I've taken the 20000 IU plus all the other substances and I haven't felt an improvement in my CH. If anything it might have worsen a little bit. Before starting it I had two-three attacks per day, these last week I've had three-four attacks per day.
According to one of Batch's graph, most people felt an improvement over the three first days so I'm feeling a little down. I've still got some hope but... well, what do I do?

Visperas..do not get discouraged! It took me a few weeks to go PF while I adjusted my doses.They would get worse, then get better. Not everyone goes PF in a week...everyone's body reacts to the regimen differently. I'm sure Batch will chime in soon with some encouragement and ideas!

Judy

It took me almost a month.  Batch is awesome with responding, tweaking, and working with you.  Don't let the discouragement get to you.  In the mean time, use O2 if you have it.  I added energy drinks with taurine & caffeine and use at first twinge. 

Hey Visperas,

No need to feel left out... 50% of the CH'ers who respond to this regimen take more than a week.  One of the best indications of how long it takes to respond is knowing the results of your 25(OH)D lab test.  With your 25(OH)D serum concentration in hand, we can make a more informed estimate on response times...  Without it... we're shooting in the dark.

As far as what to try next... skip the calcium for a few weeks... but keep taking every thing else...  If you respond like the other CH'ers who experienced an up-tic in the frequency of their CH after starting this regimen, you should start experiencing a reduction in the frequency of your CH in 24 to 36 hours.

Take care and please keep us posted.

V/R, Batch

Hi. Im new to this site but had cluster for 20 years now. I started the regime for 1,5 month ago as i was low as well in my D3, But I am only on omega, d3 calcium and magnesium. I dont dare to take the K2 because I dont know how I will increase the risk of trombosis when I am on contraceptions as well and allready sk at risk. any one has more information about this. ???

So, should I have another blood test done? Specifically asking for 25(OH)D ? The thing is I had one not too long ago and I don't know if the insurance will pay for another test. Anyway, if it's important to have it I'll see what I can do.
As I said in a previous post this is what I've been taking:
- 20000 IU of Vit D3 (it's 4000 each pill)
- 1000 mg of Omega3 Oil 350EPA 250DHA
- 120 mcg of VitK2
- 400 mg of Magnesium Citrate
-a pill of Multicentrum Select 50+

Every pill of multicentrum has 162 mg of Calcium so, that's what I'm going to cut from the regimen starting today. Let's see how it goes.

Hi Visperas, I am not Batch and don't have anywhere near the knowledge he has but i know that he recommends 400mg calcium,  although he does tell some people at times to stop calcium for a couple of weeks. Anyway the multicentrum gives you 164mg calcium so i don't see the need to stop taking it unless he has told you to stop calcium for a while. Also if you stop Multicentrum you won't get the Zinc, Boron and vitamin A so you might need to take those separately. Batch also recommends 2000mg omega 3 fish oil.
He also recommends a lot more than 120mcg of k2, I can' t remember right now how much but i think he talks extensively about this on the last page or 2 of the "123 days pain free, and i think i know why" thread.
All the best
:)

Hello Visperas,

Thierry is correct... If the Centrum Select 50 is your only source of calcium... keep taking it...  There are too many of the other essential vitamin D3 cofactors in the Centrum formulation so do not stop taking it.  My comment to "skip the calcium" was intended to skip the 500 mg/day calcium citrate if you were taking it.

Call your doctor's office and ask for the results of your last lab tests... In particular, ask if the 25(OH)D lab test was one of the diagnostic tests performed.  If they did do this test, ask for the actual results... they are given in terms of serum concentration usually in nanograms per milliliter, i.e., (ng/mL). 

In other words, if the nurse says your 25(OH)D results were "Normal"... politely tell the nurse you need the actual concentration...

If the 25(OH)D lab test was not done, ask for it along with the lab test for vitamin B12.

As far as what to do next... and knowing now what you're taking... I think the best course of action is hang in there and stick with the regimen at the doses you're taking... 

In other words... don't change a thing.  If your 25(OH)D is low, it can still take two to three weeks to elevate it into the green zone (60 to 80 ng/mL) even with the accelerated vitamin D3 dosing schedule.

Take care and please keep us posted.

V/R, Batch

Hey Paulina,

First things first... Howz the head? 

You bring up a good point. Vitamin K1 or “Koagulationsvitamin” as it was called when discovered, helps control clotting.

The vitamin K2 complex is a different story... These are the menaquinones (MK-4 & MK-7) and they're not directly associated with clotting.   Instead, they help direct serum calcium away from soft tissues and arteries towards building bone mineral density, (BMD). 

Medical researchers have only recently (last 6 to 8 years) started doing studies of vitamin K2... mostly at the Maastricht University Medical Center, Netherlands and a few in Taiwan.

The super K with advanced K2 complex contains vitamin K1 and the two vitamin K2 menaquinones MK-4 and MK-7.  They work in concert to maintain a healthy clotting factor. You can buy vitamin MK-7 by itself.

The best course of action is to talk with your OB/GYN or PCP whoever prescribed your birth control pills before taking any vitamin K.

In the mean time, the folks at LEF have an excellent page explaining how all three work in concert.

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Read through the source references for the really good stuff on the vitamin K2 complex.

Take care and please keep us posted.

V/R, Batch

In my last blood test, february 6th, they did the calcidiol (vit D 25-H) test and I had 10,4 ng/mL. I have the report with full results and there's no mention of 25(OH)D, mainly because I didn't ask for it. I take it, vit D 25-H and 25(OH)D are different things... In any case, I'm already working on having another blood test done and I plan to ask for: vit D 25-H, 25(OH)D and vit B12. Any other substance I should ask for in the test?
Also, I'm taking the multicentrum pill again so now, my regimen is exactly the same I wrote in my last post. I'm hoping this is one of those case of "it'll get worst before it gets better". Anyway, thank you all. I'll keep you posted.

Hey Visperas,

The 25-Hydroxyvitamin D lab test goes by several names depending on the country.  The "vit D 25-H" and 25(OH)D lab tests are one in the same... Different labs use different assay methods but the results should be roughly the same give or take 5 ng/mL.

At a 25(OH)D serum concentration of 10.7 ng/mL... you were clearly vitamin D3 deficient.  The normal reference range is 30 to 100 ng/mL.  The vitamin D3 experts say the real normal reference range is 50 to 100 ng/mL.

In either case, you were vitamin D3 deficient...  The optimum 25(OH)D serum concentration is 60 to 80 ng/mL. That said, CH'ers have reported a cessation of CH symptoms in a 25(OH)D range of 60 to 110 ng/mL.

Hope this helps.

Take care and please keep us posted.

V/R, Batch

I have not had the new blood test done yet so, no news there. The 27th and 28th of february were full PF days and I was getting my hopes high. Unfortunately, the 1st, 2nd and today, the beast was back and kicking. I hope I can have the blood test done soon and I'll report back with any news.

Hey Visperas,

Are you taking the accelerated vitamin D3 loading schedule?  If the answer is yes and you're still getting hit... cut the calcium supplement in half for a few days to see what happens.

Take care,

V/R, Batch

I've been taking 20000 IU of D3 every day and the only calcium I take comes from Multiventrum 50+. Should I cut the Multicentrum pill? Up the D3 dose?

Visperas,

What you're taking sounds right... I wouldn't change a thing. When you've reached two weeks at a daily vitamin D3 dose of 20,000 IU/day plus the two 50,000 IU loading doses, (one each week), drop the daily vitamin D3 intake to 15,000 IU/day for another two weeks.

At the end of the 4-week vitamin D3 loading schedule, drop the daily vitamin D3 intake to a maintenance dose of 10,000 IU/day and get another 25(OH)D lab test.

Check your Multivitamin 50 Plus for vitamin B-12.  If each tablet contains 25 µg (micrograms) or less, pick up some 1000 µg vitamin B-12 tablets and take one a day for at least a month.

Dr. Stasha Gominak, MD treats her patients with migraine and sleep disorders with a vitamin D3 regimen very similar to the anti-inflammatory regimen...  The only difference is she tests for vitamin B-12 along with the vitamin D3 and treats any deficiencies.

She has a 5-part video on youtube that's worth watching.  You can find it at the following link:

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Take care and please keep us posted.

V/R, Batch

I haven't been taking the 50000 loading doses but I will take one tomorrow and another next week.  Also, the multicentrum only has 3 mcg of B12, so I'll see if I can get my hands onto some B12 tablets. Thanx!!

Visparas,

Good move on both counts.  The beauty of vitamin D3 at the doses we take is there's really no such thing as an overdose. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can...  Even if you miss two or more daily doses, take them together along with the regular daily dose. Just remember to take the vitamin D3 with the largest meal of the day for optimum absorption.

We would need to take 50,000 IU/day for more than two months to push our 25(OH)D from 30 ng/mL to the lower threshold of toxicity of 200 ng/mL.

I based the present vitamin D3 loading schedule on a study of 48 adults who were give a single 600,000 IU oral dose of vitamin D3...  There were two other studies using a similar dose.  Three days later their 25(OH)D had risen an average of 60 ng/mL above their starting value...  There were no cases of vitamin D3 intoxication and no other adverse reactions.  In other words, a safe method of vitamin D3 repletion.

The vitamin D3 loading schedule has the same 600,000 IU of vitamin D3, but taken over a 4 week period.

Given your starting 25(OH)D serum concentration was 10,7 ng/mL, it will likely take you up to three weeks before you start experiencing a sustained pain free response.

Take are and please keep us posted.

V/R, Batch

Batch, I saw earlier in this thread that you were talking about your diet and you mentioned that you eat a lot of mixed nuts.  As you may remember I've been on the D3 regiment for about 2 years now and have had GREAT results (skipped my cycle entirely).

One of the things I've been doing religiously, in addition to the vitamins, is eating tree nuts (walnuts and almonds) almost every day.  The anti inflammatory qualities of tree nuts is well known, and I have no doubt that a diet high in tree nuts is helpful as an addition to the prescribed vitamins.

Good luck every one.

K2 is a coagulant and people on blood thinners or DVT history or risk should be careful with it indeed. If in doubt, have your INR blood levels tested.

Quoting Dr. Mercola and Dr. Kate Rheaume-Bleue from the following link...

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"Vitamin K is actually a group of fat-soluble vitamins. Of the two main types, K1 and K2, the one receiving the most attention is K1, which is found in green leafy vegetables and is very easy to get through your diet.

This lack of distinction has created a lot of confusion, and it's one of the reasons why vitamin K2 has been overlooked for so long.

The two primary types of vitamin K are:

Vitamin K1, or phylloquinone, is found naturally in plants, especially green vegetables; K1 goes directly to your liver and helps you maintain healthy blood clotting

Vitamin K2, called menaquinone, is made by the bacteria that line your gastrointestinal tract; K2 goes straight to your blood vessel walls, bones, and tissues other than your liver."

"Vitamin K1 exclusively participates in blood clotting — that's its sole purpose. K2 on the other hand comes from a whole different set of food sources, and its biological role is to help move calcium into the proper areas in your body, such as your bones and teeth. "

"Vitamin K2 also plays a role in removing calcium from areas where it shouldn't be, such as in your arteries and soft tissues.

K2 is really critical for keeping your bones strong and your arteries clear,"

Dr. Rheaume-Bleue says.

"Vitamin K2 can be broken into two additional categories, called:

MK-4 (menaquinone-4), a short-chain form of vitamin K2 found in butter, egg yolks, and animal-based foods

MK-7 (menaquinone-7), longer-chain forms found in fermented foods. There's a variety of these long-chain forms but the most common one is MK-7. This is the one you'll want to look for in supplements, because in a supplement form, the MK-4 products are actually synthetic. They are not derived from natural food products containing MK-4.

The MK-7 – these long-chain, natural bacterial-derived vitamin K2 – is from a fermentation process, which offers a number of health advantages:

• It stays in your body longer, and

• It has a longer half-life, which means you can just take it once a day in very convenient dosing"

Hope this helps...

Take care,

V/R, Batch

Hi all,

Another newcomer to the D3 treatment. I was wondering if you could share your responses to the treatment. Batch has been helping me along way with advice and recommendations for dosing and vitamins (thanks again!!) but I'm curious to hear you all knew it was working.

I'm a few days towards the end of the 4 week dosing schedule and only recently have I felt some relief. Frequency of attacks has gone down and the pain level at their peak when they do come has declined. But when they come, they come at expected "scheduled" times. So the cylce hasn't been broken but it is a little easier.

Is this a typical response or is more of an on/off pain free clarity response? 

Hello!

After 3 weeks, I'm back to explain how's it going. The short answer is good but I'm gonna elaborate in bulletpoints manner.

-I started the vitD3 regimen 35 days ago with a 10.4 ng/mL Calcidiol level and an average of 4 attacks each day.

-In this 35 days, I've taken 800.000 IU of VitD3 (among the other substances) and a blood test from 6 days ago says I have a Calcidiol level of 92.9 ng/mL (the B12 level is 553 pg/mL).

-This last week I've only had 3 attacks but plenty of shadows.

So, apparently the regimen is working but I don't want to count the beans just yet. I think I'm going to keep taking the 20000 IU/day one more week and see how it goes. Also, I have a couple questions:

-How's the B12 level? Should I do something with that or keep taking the 1000 mg of B12 each day?

-The lab report says that 100+ ng/mL of Calcidiol is the toxicity level but I've read in this thread that the threshold is 200. How's that? Also, in any case, what are the symptons or effects of Calcidiol toxicity? Right now, I should be at 110 so, yeah... A bit worried about that.

I think that's all for now. I truly hope it keeps getting better until there's no more shadow or pain to be had. We'll see.

PS: XOMR, yes, it has been the same for me. Only this last week I've had some relieve but the cycle is not dead yet.

Visperas,

Thanks for the detailed feed back with lab results on your experience with the anti-inflammatory regimen and the accelerated vitamin D3 dosing schedule.

The optimum 25(OH)D serum concentration we need to shoot for as CH'ers is 60 to 80 ng/mL...  That you're already up at a 25(OH)D serum concentration of 92.9 ng/mL indicates the accelerated loading schedule has worked as expected.

The best information available indicates the lower threshold for vitamin D3 intoxication as indicated by total calcium serum concentrations above normal, is 200 ng/mL.  Some experts opine the real lower threshold for vitamin D3 intoxication is actually closer to 300 ng/mL.

Many of these same experts say we start passing excess calcium in urine when serum 25(OH)D concentrations are above 80 ng/mL.

With all that in mind... and given your 25(OH)D serum concentration is 92.9 ng/mL, which should not be a big worry... there's no need to continue the vitamin D3 loading schedule any further.

I'd suggest dropping back to a vitamin D3 maintenance dose of 10,000 IU/day and start tuning the cofactors.

There are several options in tuning the vitamin D3 cofactors.  You can reduce or eliminate calcium supplements for a few weeks to a month to see what happens.  You can also increase the Omega-3 fish oil (I double mine to 2000 to 2400 mg/day when needed).  I've also increased the magnesium intake to 600 mg/day and zinc to 25 mg/day. You also need to make sure you're getting at least 3,000 to 5,000 IU/day of vitamin A (retinol) as it plays an important role in genetic expression.

Your vitamin B12 lab results and daily dose are a little confusing.  B12 (Cobalamin) lab results are normally listed in ng/L (Mas concentration), or pmol/L, (Molar concentration).  Check the lab report just to make sure.

I take 5000 mcg (µg) sublingual vitamin B12 tabs.  1000 mcg to 5000 mcg, (1 to 5 mg) vitamin B12 should be more than sufficient.

Finally, there's diet...  Cut back on red meat, high gluten bread and eliminate sugars.  Fish and chicken are fine...  Eating an alkalizing diet like GOMBS can help.  GOMBS stands for Greens, Onions, Mushrooms, Beans - Berries and Seeds - Nuts. 

A handful of each a day can help elevate your arterial pH making it more alkaline and less acid.  I keep a jar of mixed nuts next to my Mac for snacks... See the following links for info on GOMBS diets:

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If arterial pH gets low (but still within the normal reference range), this condition results in vasodilation and that makes nearly all the cluster headache methods of intervention become less effective.

Hope this helps.  Please keep us posted.

V/R, Batch

Ok. I guess that tuning the cofactors is what can help me to get rid of the pain? It's that it? Finding a mix of the other substances is what puts the beast to sleep? Increasing the 25(OH)D serum concentration won't do that at this point?

Tuning the cofactors... Right now I'm taking:
-20000 IU VitD3 (that will become 10000 soon)
- 1000 mg of Omega3 Oil 350EPA 250DHA
- 120 mcg of VitK2
- 400 mg of Magnesium Citrate
- 1000 mcg of B12
- a pill of Multicentrum Select 50+

-Eliminating Calcium suplements would mean to get rid of the multicentrum pill.
-Increasing the magnesium and omega oil is easy. Should I increase both, or only one at a time? Which one first? Also, what do the factors do? Maybe, if I can understand that I can find my mix faster.
-Vitamin A (retinol)? I think is the first time I read that one. What's genetic expression?
-The B12 Cobalamin concentration is 414,75 pmol/L and I take 1000 mcg each day. Maybe I could try to increase that to 2000?
-I'll see what I can do about the diet. I guess that eating plenty of nuts/seeds is easy enough. Which nuts/seeds are best to keep the arterial ph high?


Well, many questions, once again thank you for everything Batch.

Visparas,

No need to stop the Multicentrum Select 50+...  Every thing else you're planning looks great.

Vitamin A (retinol) plays a key role in genetic expression of vitamin D3...  There should be a little in your Multicentrum Select 50+ but it may not be enough...

I've found a good source over the internet but you may be able to find it at most super markets...  It's call A & D...  5000 IU vitamin A (retinol) and 400 IU vitamin D3.  There are several brands that offer this formulation.

I've also been in touch with Dr. Stasha Gominak, MD, a neurologist in Tyler, TX.  She's been prescribing a vitmain D3 regimen very similar to the anti-inflammatory regimen to her migraine patients for over six years with good results... 

She suggests rather than vitamin B12 to take vitamin B 50 for three months...  After that the Mulitcentrum should work just fine.

The B 50 formulation is 50 mg each of all eight of the B vitamins.  Three months on vitamin B 50 should take care of any deficiencies.

Take care and please keep me posted.

V/R, Batch

Hi!

Since 26th March I've been taking:
- 12000 IU VitD3
- 2000 mg of Omega3 Oil 350EPA 250DHA
- 120 mcg of VitK2
- 600 mg of Magnesium Citrate
- 3000 mcg of B12
- a pill of Multicentrum Select 50+

But I'm not feeling any improvements. Actually, since I did a couple of night shifts, it's gotten worse and I don't know if it's the schedule change or the cofactors tuning that worsen my headaches.
That's a big problem for me with this D3 regimen. How do I tune the cofactors when I don't know anything about what they do or their effect in my body?
Since the D3 seems to be the key in all this, today I've increased it to 16000 IU. We'll see.

hi visperas,
                 im sort of in the same situation as you. ive been on the regime since last july? from memory.
for me, I didn't react as quickly as some, so ive been in fine tune mode for 3 or 4 months  lol
batch is great in answering all questions.
I noticed your still taking b12
the new info, as batch was saying, that dr gominak said, was to take the b50, not just b12. she sais in her video that levels below 500 need to be treated. Im waiting for a current test for d3 and b, and if im under 500, I intend on trying the b50 for a month and get re tested.
I get my calcium from the multi, like yours, but every now and then if my diet doesnt have a lot of calcium in it, I will take a calcium citrate 200 for a few days to boost it up, like wise with the magnesium. currently taking 300 of magnesium citrate and the multi has 50mg in it, total then 350 mg, but occasionally ill up it to 500mg depending on how my body reacts.   as batch sais, a handful of nuts and berries everyday.  have you tried the life extension super k ?  which as batch sais has 1000 mcg of k1, 1000mcg k2(4) and 200mcg k2 (7)  ?
little changes for me have made a huge difference !
im not completely pain free yet, but the worst I get is a kip2-3 more shadows, and a red bull generally kills it.
that's a huge difference to a year ago !
soon i'll try the b50 for a month, pending results.
somewhere in all this visperas the answer is, im envious of those who go pain free on the basic regime, but im happy with an 80% improvement for me and adjusting and fine tuning show little improvements along the way.
after seeing dr gominaks video that batch posted, makes me start to recognise how sleep plays a huge factor, my sleep patterns are terrible and I used to treat sleep as just an obstacle which interfered with my life ! im trying to change that, but we'll see how that goes !!
anyways, good luck with your fine tuning, stay positive, and I hope you get to that pain free stage !!

regards
colin

The thing is I don't know how to fine tune this regimen. Tomorrow I'm getting another blood test and will ask for every substance that I'm taking plus some others. I guess that I'll try to maintain a high though not too high concentration of each of them through the regimen but I don't know if there's any precise levels that I should aim for or something like that.
What little changes made a difference for you blacklab? And for everyone else?
Also, how long does it take to start feeling improvements or not after changing the dosages?

visperus, the important ones are the vit d levels, which in the test it will also give your calcium score. the other one which has come to light is the vit b test. the other co-factors that we take are all within spec's so to speak.
I couldn't handle so much magnesium at the start, but have managed to get it up to about 350 mg per day to date, I believe the level batch quotes is 4-450 mg per day, you can check from your multi vit bottle about the daily recommended values required per day.
ive since started taking the same vit k that batch does.
im playing with the amounts of fish oil I take, as well as a bit extra calcium, if my diet has less calcium in it and will also try to get my magnesium up to 450 per day.
its all a juggling act, which you your self will feel when a change happens.  the vit b levels that dr gominak said she would treat anyone under that level could be something that could work for you, get tested for it, then you can see where your levels are. in her video, she stated that she would treat any patient with levels under 500 ( from memory)  I just got tested and mine were over 600, and were about 350 a year ago, so the multi vit ive been taking has been enough to take me over that threshold over a 6 month period, note that the " recommended levels of 'b' are a heck of a lot lower than what dr gominak believes.
im still a work in progress, as I guess you are currently, it took me 3 months before I started to feel an improvement and I continue to get shadows, but less frequently and less painfull.  ive only needed to take 2 imigran tablets in 9 months, and everything else has been killed off with red bulls, im half way thru weening off my verapamil, so I will be stand alone on the regime in about 2 weeks.
so my advice is to look at the tests, ask batch any question you need to know about levels,  and please stick with it, its been a long 9 months for me, but little by little it improves.
I hope this helps
colin 

But how do I tune the cofactors? Increasing them until the head stops hurting?

Visperas,

Looks like you're taking all the right supplements at the right doses.  Your 25(OH)D is also in the "Green Zone."  You might want to drop the B12 and add a three month course of vitamin B50...  This should take care of any other B vitamin deficiencies...

As to your question on response times...  The latest data from the online survey of CH'ers taking this regimen indicates 70% of the CH'ers who respond to this regimen do so within the first two weeks... Most of the rest respond over the following month.   That said, some chronic CH'ers have taken as long as two months for a favorable response.

Regarding the recent increase in frequency and severity of your CH...  A number of CH'ers have reported similar problems...  I suspect the increased pollen count that happens this time of year may be the culprit.

Allergic reactions to allergens like pollen can trigger an immune response.  My thinking now is this immune reaction gobbles up the active vitamin D3 metabolite, 1,25(OH)2D3 leaving too little to prevent CH.

I've had the same problem for the last 3 weeks, primarily from maple pollen that's coated my pickup with a thick yellow dusting...  I've increased my daily vitamin D3 intake to 40,000 IU/day, increased my zinc to 20 mg/day and added a 1000 mg vitamin C tablet two to three times a day. 

This is working well for me with great sleep and only an occasional shadow, easily dispatched 2 to 3 minutes with oxygen, after being out in the woods cutting fire wood...

Hope this helps...  Take care, hang in there and please keep us posted.

V/R, Batch

Hi all!
How are you doing? Me? Well, i'm certainly better.

The 24th April I augmented my dose to (before that I was taking aprox half of it and it wasn't working for me):
-24000 IU D3
-2000 mg Omega3
-3000 mcg B12
-600 mg Magnesium Citrate
-240 mcg K12
-2 pills of multicentrum 50+

Since then the amount of pain has reduced significantly. I've had 3 days of pain since the 18th of may and that's awesome. My question is how do I keep tweaking these amounts taking this into question:
I had a blood work done 1 week ago and one month ago and everything seems allright except the vit D. The calcidiol (vit D 25-H) level is at 95.5 and was at 98.4 last month. On the other hand the calcitriol (vit D 1,25-D) is at 126.6 and one month ago was at 62.8.
-Why has one of them slightly reduced and the other has doubled?
-How do I keep the calcidiol where it is now (or maybe slightly increase it) but reducing the calcitriol at the same time?
-Also, i've taking 600 mg Magnesium for quite some time and the magnesium levels are lower now than they were one month ago. How that works?
-Also too, apparently the risks of intoxication due to the regimen are mostly related to high amounts of calcium in blood, is that correct? If it is, having the calcium levels below 100mg/L is good right?

Thanx in advance!

Visperas,

Great questions...  Let's start with your 25(OH)D serum concentration...  Yours is between 95 and 98 ng/mL and you're staying mostly CH pain free so this appears to be a good therapeutic range to maintain...

The serum concentration of 25(OH)D is essentially a biological marker of vitamin D3 status... 

The higher the 25(OH)D serum concentration the better and 80 ng/mL is a good target...  Above that, there's really no problem until you start approaching 200 ng/mL...  Routine serum 25(OH)D, calcium and PTH lab tests are prudent if you need to maintain a 25(OH)D serum concentration above 100 ng/mL

The 25(OH)D serum concentration also represent an indication of vitamin D3 reserves once you've reached a reasonably stable serum concentration... and your 25(OH)D serum concentration is relatively stable... 

Higher 25(OH)D reserves near the target serum concentration mean the incidence of a CH relapse is much lower in the event of a viral or bacterial infection or an allergic reaction... These conditions trigger an immune response that will consume 25(OH)D rapidly as do injury or surgery.

1,25(OH)2D3 serum concentrations are generally a 1000 times less than 25(OH)D and they fluctuate rapidly from day to day as a function of calcium homeostasis.

It all depends on the serum calcium concentration and the serum concentration of the parathyroid hormone PTH.  When the serum calcium concentration starts to drop, the parathyroids sense this condition and start pumping out PTH. 

PTH signals the kidneys to metabolize more 25(OH)D into 1,25(OH)2D3 which in turn pulls more calcium from the gut and pushes it into the blood stream.  As the serum concentration of calcium rises, PTH drops so less 1,25(OH)2D3 is produced...   It's all a very tightly controlled balancing act to maintain serum calcium concentration in a very narrow range.

Vitamin D3 intoxication occurs under a couple situations...  A hyperactive parathyroid produces too much PTH and this triggers the kidneys to produce too much 1,25(OH)2D3 and this pulls too much calcium from the gut resulting in calcium serum concentrations above its normal reference range...  (vitamin D3 intoxication).

If we take too much vitamin D3, (a lot more than called for in the anti-inflammatory regimen) our liver will produce too much 25(OH)D.  This overloads the body's mechanisms for controlling 25(OH)D metabolism and this can also result in a calcium serum concentration above its normal reference range...   (vitamin D3 intoxication).

Magnesium plays an essential roll in the enzymatic processes involved in metabolizing vitamin D3 into 25(OH)D and then on to 1,25(OH)2D3, (Calcitriol), the active hormonal metabolite of vitamin D3.  Magnesium levels can also be affected by other blood electrolytes...

Most of the above discussion deals with the endocrine mode of vitamin D3 metabolism and calcium homeostasis...  Roughly 20% of the 25(OH)D metabolized from vitamin D3 in the liver is further metabolized by the kidneys into 1,25(OH)2D3 to maintain calcium homeostasis... 

The other 80% of the 25(OH)D produced by the liver is metabolized and consumed at the cellular and nuclear level throughout the body in what is called the autocrine path of vitamin D3 metabolism...

It's this path of vitamin D3 metabolism we think is responsible for preventing CH and migraines.  The leading theory is the genetic expression made possible by vitamin D3, [1,25(OH)2D3] and retinol (vitamin A) trigger the nerve cells to stop producing calcitonin gene-related peptide, (CGRP).

CGRP is a vasodilator and responsible for not only pain transmission but also neurogenic inflammation...  both are part of the pathophysiology of cluster headache.

In this path of vitamin D3 metabolism, 25(OH)D and vitamin A (retinol) are absorbed in the cell wall and metabolized to 1,25(OH)2D3 and a family of retinoids within the cell.  The 1,25(OH)2D3 then combines with retinoids to form a bridge attaching to specific genes at a vitamin D3 receptor (VDR) and Retinoid-X receptor (RXR).

This process unlocks the cell's genetic library and triggers the cell to perform any one of a number of functions...  In our case as CH'ers, the cell slows or stops producing CGRP.  It's also important to note that 1,25(OH)2D3 and retinol are consumed in this process so more will be needed to maintain this cell function.

So there you have it... How to build a Swiss watch when you only wanted the time...

The takeaway is simple, we need all the vitamin D3 cofactors...

Hope this helps...

Take care,

V/R, Batch

Returning to the board after many years. Getting my butt kicked by new cycle. I am jumping up and down with joy to see this new regime! I already know that I am very low on Vitamin D and magnesium. So I think I have some hope!  Writing down all the ingredients right now. I had started taking Vitamen D2 though and not D3.  What is the main difference? Do I need both?  Or just one!  :D. God bless this board

Hey Gracie,

Good question...  The biggest difference between vitamin D3 and vitamin D2 is the human body produces it's own vitamin D3 and there are hundreds of biological processes that depend on vitamin D3 in ample quantities...

Supplemental vitamin D3 is available over the counter without prescription.  It's also distilled from animal fatty acids.

Vitamin D2 is primarily synthesized in a lab...  Here in the US it's only available by prescription...

There are several studies that show vitamin D3 is 30% to 60% more effective than vitamin D2 in treating medical conditions due to a vitamin D deficiency.  You can read more about why you should be taking vitamin D3 and not D2 at the following VitaminDwiki link:

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Here's the latest list of supplements and doses used in the anti-inflammatory regimen along with a photo of the supplements I take:

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The Mature Multi contains the rest of the vitamin D3 cofactors shown in the table above.  Not shown in this photo is the vitamin B 50 recommended by Dr. Stasha Gominak, MD.  She's a neurologist in Tyler, TX who suggests a 3-month course of vitamin B 50 to take care of any possible B vitamin deficiencies... 

Dr. Gominak has been treating her patients with sleep, chronic pain and headache disorders for over 6 years with a regimen very similar to the anti-inflammatory regimen.  The only real difference is she adds the 3-month course of vitamin B 50.

Vitamin B 50 is a formulation of all seven B vitamins at 50 mg each plus 400 mg of Folic acid.

Many CH'ers have found the following vitamin D3 loading schedule elevates their 25(OH)D serum concentration and achieves a pain free response a lot faster than taking 10,000 IU/day vitamin D3... 

Take the complete anti-inflammatory regime with 10,000 IU/day vitamin d3 on the first day.  As long as you don't experience an allergic reaction (very rare) to the vitamin D3, proceed with the loading schedule.

The vitamin D3 loading schedule calls for 20,000 IU/day vitamin D3 for two weeks plus a 50,000 IU loading dose once a week during the first two weeks.

Take 15,000 IU/day vitamin D3 for the next two weeks then drop the vitamin D3 intake to a maintenance dose of 10,000 IU/day. 

This loading schedule totals 600,000 IU of vitamin D3 over the 4-week schedule.  I know that sounds like a lot of vitamin D3, but it averages out to a little over 20,000 IU/day vitamin D3... 

Our skin can make that much vitamin D3 with a 30 minute exposure to the UVB in direct sunlight at mid day if clad in a bathing suit without any sun block.

This vitamin D3 loading schedule should result in a 25(OH)D response of 60 ng/mL above the starting serum concentration by the end of the 4th week. 

Be sure to see your PCP for the 25(OH)D lab test at that point.

Take care and please keep us posted.

V/R, Batch

Thank you Batch!  I just got back from Vitamin Shoppe with everything. I printed out your chart showing all the ingredients and how much. Took it as you noted in post above with my lunch, which included some bacon.  ;D  I used to be helped alot by kudzu, but that apparently is no longer working for me.  SInce I know I am low in D, then this makes a LOT of sense.  You are so very helpful. I have been reading like crazy here.  8-)  I also printed off the chart showing how long it typically takes for effect, so I plan to keep using my ice cube on my ear bump to keep the headaches down as much as I can until then.  I have no idea WHY that works.  And why the ice has to be on THAT spot.  But it usually helps knock it out faster.

All lined up and ready to go!

---

Gracie,

Looks like you're off to a great start on the anti-inflammatory regimen...  I'm confident you'll have a favorable response.

Regarding the ice cube...  I'm very familiar with it and called it acu-ice...  The only difference is I placed a single ice cube wrapped in a damp paper towel on top of my head, just off center on the hit side on a line above the front of the ear.

I did some research on why this works...  It turns out there are branches of the occipital nerve and one other nerve that are affected during a CH attack.  Chilling them and the capillaries that feed them triggers vasoconstriction which reduces pain transmission.

Take care and please keep us posted.

V/R, Batch

Well how "cool" is that! No pun intended Batch.  I can now just say that my ice cube is acu-ice, so deal with it!  ;D

Hi Batch!

Well, yes, your explanation is too complex and i don't feel like my doubts have been answered so, I'll try to be clearer. These are my levels:

                          15/4/14        22/5/14
calcidiol 25-h            98,4              95,5
calcitriol 1,25D           62.8              126,6

1. Why has the calcitriol increased but not the calcidiol?
2. One month ago, I still wasn't pain free as I am now (for the time being, fingers crossed), the makes me think that the real helper is calcitriol.
3. Despite its safeness, if there was a toxicity problem it would be related to calcium, right? So, if I have a calcium level of 96, am I safe?
4. Is it ok to take 5000 IU of vit A daily? Any risks?

Thank you again!!!

Visperas,

Glad to hear the anti-inflammatory regimen is preventing your CH... and sorry my last explanation wasn't clear.

Regarding your questions... Under normal conditions, in the endocrine mode of vitamin D3 metabolism where calcidiol, [25(OH)D] is metabolized in the kidneys calcitriol, [1,25(OH)2D3] is controlled by a complex set of biological mechanisms involving the parathyroid hormone (PTH) to ensure an optimum level of serum calcium.

A slight dip in serum calcium (within the normal calcium reference range) is all it takes to stimulate calcitriol production in the kidneys.  Accordingly, you'll need to track total calcium serum concentration and serum PTH with lab tests to see their relationship with serum calcitriol.

Serum levels of calcitriol produced along the endocrine path of vitamin D3 metabolism can clearly help prevent the incidence of CH. 

That said, the autocrine path of vitamin D3 metabolism where calcidiol is metabolized within the nerve and other types of cells throughout the body at the nuclear and genetic level to calcitriol.  This process triggers genetic expression and consumes the calcitriol so it never reenters the blood stream.  Calcidiol, vitamin A (retinol) and magnesium are the primary reagents in the process we think down-regulates CGRP and in the process, prevents CH.

Vitamin D3 intoxication is very rare at the doses we take to control CH.  It would take 50,000 IU or more for several months to overload the 1,25(OH)2D3 control mechanisms and this would likely take 25(OH)D serum concentrations well above 200 ng/mL (closer to 300 ng/mL 25(OH)D).

There are exceptions... If the parathyroids are hyperactive (hyperparathyroidism) where too much PTH is produced, this can trigger an uncontrolled metabolism of 25(OH)D, (calcidiol) to 1,25(OH)2D3, (calcitriol). 

This excess calcitriol would then pull too much calcium from the gut and bones causing serum calcium concentrations to exceed the normal reference range. This is how a vitamin D3 intoxication is determined...

A vitamin D3 dose of 10,000 IU/day is very safe...  Your skin can make that much in as little as 10 minutes exposure to mid day sun clad in a bathing suit without sun block.

The average normal 25(OH)D response to a 5000 IU dose of vitamin D3 is a serum concentration of 60 ng/mL.  While this may prevent some CH, a serum concentration this low leaves no reserves for other consumers of 25(OH)D like your immune system...  See the following chart:

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Exposure to virus, bacteria or even allergens (this happens all the time) can trigger an immune response that will suck up available 25(OH)D leaving not enough to prevent CH... 

Accordingly, CH'ers are better off taking 10,000 IU/day vitamin D3 to maintain an average 25(OH)D serum concentration at 80 ng/mL...

I hope this answers the mail...

Take care,

V/R, Batch

Well after 7 nights of 3-4 headaches per night with little sleep, last night was a nice break. Just 2 milder shorter headaches. I figure I got 5 straight hours of sleep!  Wooooooo hoooooo!   Does this regime work that fast?  Or just lucky?  Can I keep taking some kudzu with this too? Or not good idea. 

For some it works even faster! I'm 4 years pain free on this regimen after over 30 years of episodic CH, I stay on a maintenance regimen permanently now, 5000 D-3 a day in addition to the other "stuff" Batch recommends. My wife and I get giddy when we talk about how simple it's been to remove a beast from our lives that seemed to run our marriage for so many years. Hoping it does the same for you.

Joe

What about the vitA, is it safe to take 5000 IU daily?

Guiseppi, that is awesome! I kinda figured that I was so low on D3 that it would take a while longer.  I am hoping this will follow the curve of effect that I have seen above. I feel so much better just getting 5 hours of sleep!  My two dogs that sleep with me are also happy not to be interrupted in their sleep as I get up, get an ice cube and pace a bit till it goes away.   [smiley=vrolijk_26.gif]I am rooting for EVERYONE that has the beast to find help with this treatment plan, which is so much less risky than some of the drugs the neuros often push on you.

Vispares,

The U.S. recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for adults is as follows: 900 micrograms daily (3,000 IU) for men and 700 micrograms daily (2,300 IU) for women... 

We're using it to prevent CH...  That appears to require a slightly higher dose.  5000 IU of vitamin A (retinol) or retinol equivalents should be very safe...

I say this as people with a vitamin A deficiency have been given at a daily dose of 100,000 IU by mouth or intramuscularly for three days, followed by 50,000 IU daily for two weeks. After two weeks, daily doses of 10,000-20,000 IU have been given for two months. In mothers six weeks after childbirth, either 400,000 IU of vitamin A (in two doses separated by 24 hours) or 200,000 IU as one dose (plus placebo 24 hours later) has been taken.

See the following ling for more details:

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Take care,

V/R, Batch

Thanx! You're great!!

Good morning!  Just one minor headache at 12:30 am! 6 straight hours of sleep! Woooooooooo hoooooooo!  We are on the way.  I cannot thank you enough. 
I have been reading most if this post going all the way back to the beginning. I am a learning sponge and took lots of notes. Going to start eating more alkaline foods and less that produce body acid. I always knew there had to be a good excuse to eat more watermelon!   :D

I do have a question about how sleep cycle fits into this. Most of my cycles have kicked off when something got me out of my regular routine. I assume that when that happens it affects us CH folks in a way that throws off our PH? Or it is some other effect? 

Hey Gracie,

Watch Dr. Stasha Gominak's videos at the following link...  She explains sleep, why quality sleep is very important and why we need vitamin D3, the cofactors and a 3-month course of vitamin B 50.

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Take care

V/R Batch

What the hell is the photo that appeared in my post above??   Never saw that photo and did not upload it. UGH!  It was supposed to be my two dogs with a THANK YOU.  So I deleted the bizarre photo. 

ANYWAY, I am kind of stuck at 1 or 2 minor headaches at 12:30 am and then about 4:30 am.   But having faith that things will get better!

Gracie,

Thanks for the update...  I understand the frustration that you're not completely pain free.  It's only been a week since you started the anti-inflammatory regimen and you've already experienced a favorable response with a reduction in the frequency and severity of your CH...

I'm confident, with a little more time, your CH symptoms will continue to decrease until you're pain free.  Once you've been taking this regimen for a month, try to see your PCP for another lab test for 25(OH)D. After that, the best course of action is to continue taking this regimen year-round at a vitamin D3 maintenance dose of 10,000 IU/day.

Take care and please keep us posted.

V/R, Batch

Boogers. Yesterday was a step backwards. I took the dogs for a walk about 7:30 pm and it was still pretty hot outside. I ended up with minor headache at 8 pm and then had 2 mild ones at 11 pm and 1 am.  UGH.  Not sure why this happened.   

Last night was pain free!!! Wooooooo hooooooo.  And no shadows today. Here's hoping that this is the home stretch

congratulations GracieH   
may it continue for you

regards
colin