I am very new-- my first "hit" was Sunday night, followed by two Monday night, a day of shadows, and then another 2 hour marathon hit this afternoon. I am trying to get a handle on this in any way I can as I try to save money to visit a neurologist (uninsured college kid here).  This afternoon, I tried a tiny bottle of I think Boost energy drink.  It's the kind that advertizes itself as the "energy sip." It didn't help at all.  I'm wondering if I should have tried something different.  What energy drinks work for you?  And while I'm at it-- what works for you in general as a *free* or at least *over the counter* abortive?  

God I hope I don't have another one of these tonight.  It's only been 4 days, and I'm absolutely exhausted.

Helen

Anything that has a good dose of caffeine (70mg or more per serving) and taurine (around 1,000mg per serving). Red Bull is the standard. I prefer NOS. The original flavor is passionfruit (the orange label and cap). They also have grape and fruit punch now.

Hi Helen

Welcome


I don't have great advice on the energy drink but in case you hadn't thought about some things to try - does your state have low income health plan and maybe your school clinic can help you apply? I had to do a similar thing in college. They may have a list of doctors they can refer you to. Even if they only have Family Practice doctors and no specialists start with the FP. Another option would be to contact the physicians, explain your situation and see if they will let you set up a payment plan. Check the phone book for free clinics. Also Planned Parenthood could be an option - they may have a list of physicians who will see low income patients.

There is a lot of good information here. I know this is the last thing you may feel like doing, but if you can start a folder with the information here on oxygen, imitrex ect. to take with you. When you can write out your own "chart" by filling in the following acronym as this is the information you will be asked:

Onest (i.e. yesterday)
Location (i.e. behind left eye)
Duration (i.e. 45 minutes at a time)
Characteristics (i.e. burning, stabbing)
Aggravating (i.e. lack of sleep)
Relieving (i.e. cold packs)

Current medications: including over the counter, herbal ect

Especially if you have to go to the ER it will help to have it written out so you can just hand it to the doctor. I'm assuming this is the worst headache of your life? If it is be sure that you tell them "This is the worst headache of my life".

Hang in there and feel free to pm me anytime.

Terra

hi helen

sorry you are hurting-  over the counter melatonin between 6-12 mg taken before bed has really helped some.  can help you avoid nightime hits.  Strong black coffee - a couple of cups - has helped me avoid some headaches.  Red bull for sure has helped me too.

read all you can about oxygen on the left,  very safe, cheap abortive.

Good luck to you -  others will be along to help soon too!  

kelly

Helen,

I'm so sorry that you're hurting.

What comes to energy drinks, get one as soon as you feel the hit/pain starting and drink it as quick as possible. That's what I do and I rely on energy drinks and caffeine tablets.

For me, personally, the energy drink needs to be cold, because cold in general helps me. For others, hot helps, so it doesn't matter. If you decide to try energy drinks again, see if it makes any difference.

Wishing you PF days,
Sanna

Helen,

I don't think the Boost is the right one from what I've heard. Red Bull is good. Look for the caffeine and taurine in them. I don't think the Boost has the taurine and not much caffeine.

Melatonin at night (12-15mg at night).

Wishing you some PF times.

Hugs BD

Hi, Helen, I don't think it matters. I have tried two different ones and they both worked for me. I don't remember what the one was, but it was very tall and cherry flavored. I don't like the taste of Red bull, so I drink Amp. I slam the whole thing down (maybe it's more than I need, but have never seen anyone say how much to drink). My last one was at 8:00 at night, and I was worried about not being able to sleep, but I went to bed at 11:00 and slept as well as I ever do. Just make sure it has taurine in it. Good luck, Cathy

Helen,

I just buy the store brand of energy drink.  I've tried Red Bull and Rock Star but they both taste terrible to me so I just go for the cheapest.   As long as it has taurine in it.  I drink it so fast taste doesn't matter anyway.  Heck, I'd drink gasoline if it helped.  ( don't do that...too expensive! ha ha!)

Hope that you are feeling better soon.  

Jeannie

catgold wrote on Jul 3^rd, 2008 at 8:21am:

Hi, Helen, I don't think it matters. I have tried two different ones and they both worked for me. I don't remember what the one was, but it was very tall and cherry flavored. I don't like the taste of Red bull, so I drink Amp. I slam the whole thing down (maybe it's more than I need, but have never seen anyone say how much to drink). My last one was at 8:00 at night, and I was worried about not being able to sleep, but I went to bed at 11:00 and slept as well as I ever do. Just make sure it has taurine in it. Good luck, Cathy

Actually it does matter. Amp only has 40 mg of taurine per serving. Plenty of caffeine, but not near enough taurine. Imagine the results you'd get if you got one with 1000mg of taurine?

It's the combination of the two ingredients that delivers the knockout punch.

Jeannie wrote on Jul 3^rd, 2008 at 9:52am:

Helen, I just buy the store brand of energy drink.  I've tried Red Bull and Rock Star but they both taste terrible to me so I just go for the cheapest.   As long as it has taurine in it.  I drink it so fast taste doesn't matter anyway.  Heck, I'd drink gasoline if it helped.  ( don't do that...too expensive! ha ha!) Hope that you are feeling better soon.   Jeannie

If you have an Aldi near you, try the Red Thunder. Not quite as knarly tasting as Red Bull, and only 80 cents a can!

Aldi is exactly where I get mine.  They also have a sugar free Red Thunder.  0 calories.  I have to disagree with Brew............tastes pretty knarly to me!

Jeannie

Jeannie wrote on Jul 3^rd, 2008 at 10:38am:

Aldi is exactly where I get mine.  They also have a sugar free Red Thunder.  0 calories.  I have to disagree with Brew............tastes pretty knarly to me! Jeannie

I said "Not quite as knarly tasting as Red Bull."

Not to imply that it's not knarly. Red Bull tastes a little mildewy to me.

Red Bull tastes a little mildewy to me.[/quote]


Never could quite put a finger on the taste.  Mildewy is a perfect description!  

Jeannie

BTW, Why can't I get my quote thingy to work right all the time?

Jeannie wrote on Jul 3^rd, 2008 at 11:07am:

Red Bull tastes a little mildewy to me.

Quote:

Never could quite put a finger on the taste.  Mildewy is a perfect description!   Jeannie BTW, Why can't I get my quote thingy to work right all the time?

You have to put [ quote ] on the front end, and [ /quote ] (no spaces) on the back end.

If you highlight the text you want to quote, then press the button above that has the page with the blue arrow pointing to the right, the quote commands will be automatically inserted.

I just use coffee. It's cheaper.  :D
thebb

I found the Rockstar Juiced works wonders and the flavors are good enough to just sip even when you don't need one. There are 3 kinds  Pomegranate, Guava, and Passionfruit I think. I bought 2 24 packs a Big Lots for $10 bucks each. Killer deal. They have all the ingredients of the nasty tasting energy drinks plus real fruit juice, so you can pretend they are good for you as well. They taste better and the heartburn from 4 or 5 in a day isn't as bad.

Hello all,I have a question.I went to the store yesterday to look for the rockstar energy drink and only found 16 oz. cans.Does it come in 8oz? I slammed down the 16oz at 2 am today and it did work but thats  alot to get down quickly or will 8oz do the job?

8 oz will probably do the job. I hate the carbonate in it. Linda H came up with a dilly a few months back -- She opens the can and leaves it in the fridge to "uncarbonate" -- I've tried this and it's so much easier to get down....

Of course if you're out and need one in a hurry ... well nothing's perfect....

As to the taste... mildewy is about right, but when you're chugging and getting hit -- it COULD taste like gasoline - who cares... just get it down...

One of my neighbors brought me some off brand yesterday 1500mg of taurine and 150 of caffeine. 50cents a can. Haven't tried it yet, but sounds like a winner if it works. Case of that stuff vs about 4 Red Bulls -- yep that would work well on my budget...

Just read the labels...

Hugs BD

I've been drinking NOS regular (peachy flavor) or NOS grape.  Mmmm do I love the grape one.  Reminds me of a more carbonated grape pop.  Each one has 1000mg taurine and 130mg caffeine per serving.  

Audre wrote on Jul 17^th, 2008 at 5:25pm:

I've been drinking NOS regular (peachy flavor)

NOS original (or regular) is supposed to taste like passionfruit. But I can see "peachy." The first one I had I didn't know what it was supposed to taste like, and my first thought was "pink grapefruit."

well, I guess, again, I am the wierdo of the bunch! they seem to mess me up!!! I have tryed red bull, and it will knock the kip 9 down to about a 5 or 6 , but then it hangs on for about 5 hours!!!! Personally, if my O2 fails,(which is rare) i would rather deal with a 9 for 30 minutes and be done with it , than deal with a 5 or 6 all FREAKIN DAY. but hey, whatever works for you!  good luck and God bless,   tuck

You may qualify for some free meds like i did.  i get 1 prescription ( six doses ) of imitrex nasal spray a month.  ( a $250.00 value ).  The program is called bridges to access and is offered by glaxo smith kline who manufactures the drug.  first thing, of course, is to get a prescription from your doctor then get a sponsor (it could be him/her or someone else in the medical field...mine is my pharmacist) then contact glaxo smith klein to register.  you have to jump through a few hoops as with any medical paperwork but it isn't that bad a well worth it.  there was a $10.00 copay for the first one from the pharmacy then after that they send it direct to you in the mail in 3 month batches. you will need to provide glaxo with a prescription each time...a 3 box, 18 dose prescription for each shipment every 3 months.  als ask your doctor for free samples...i got one box from him too.  good luck and if you have any questions feel free to im me or email me.   John

I get mine from Aldi or Lidle. I found one in ASDA (Walmart) called Relentless and it tastes nicer than Redbull, it tastes like orange sherbert.

have the doc at your college infirmary prescribe you verapamil and a steroid taper.  Meds will cost about $50 total.

Good old fashioned Lucozade. Lifesaver

I prefer Rockstar Sugar-free (white can). It has more stimulants, and I actually enjoy the flavor. I drink the entire can at a sitting. Sometimes 2. Sometimes I buy the 24 ounce can...it depends on the headache.

The little energy drinks that you tried are pretty much garbage. They have lots of vitamins in them, but not much in the stimulant department, and that's what you're looking for in an energy drink.