I'm posting this in hopes of getting some feedback.  Let me give you a little background.  I have been mostly pain free for the last 2 years thanks to Verapamil with only a few scattered breakthrus nothing close to a full cycle.  I will be travelling outside of the US in 22 days for a 2 week vacation which I have been planning for a year.  About a week ago I started to feel as though I was ramping up for a new cycle now, even though I try to stay steeped in denial I am afraid I am in a full blown cycle.  Also, my episodes are (it seems) more severe than usual, like the beast is making up for lost time.  Obviously I know that as much as I would like to travel pain free it really is not up to me.  But damnit I am going to try my best.  My trip, which 2 months ago seemed like it would be such a welcomed reprieve is now looming over my head and driving me crazy.  Here is what I've concluded are my options:

1) Stick w/ the Verap. see if it clears

2) Detox from the Verap - try something else.
    I have read the "kilowatt" thread.  I have never tried
    Kudzu but I bought all the ingredients in case I wanted to try.

3) Stay on Verap. go back to Neuro for a Pred taper and possibly
    a nerve block.

I have inquied to a company about getting O2 while over there, no response yet but it's only been a couple days.

Also, I'm going to Amsterdam so I will be able to obtain shrooms over there.  I have never used them to abort a cycle or a headache.

Oh if I could just push the cycle back a month, maybe it's just wishful thinking.  I've travelled w/ the beast before and let me tell you it sucks.

Any ideas or anything I might have missed would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks,

Jason

Well, before the Verap. I was good for 2-3 cycles per year each lasting 2-3 months.  I am one of the lucky ones who normally does not get hit in the middle of the night, mine come around noon everyday.  This time around I've gotten a hit everyday for the last 7 or so at 2-3am.  So, it feels more like breakthroughs then a usual cycle but normally I don't get breakthroughs this frequently.  Currently I take 480mg of Verap/day.  My neuro always gives me a hard time about upping doseages.  I don't want to stop taking my Verap it has been a godsend and has worked for me far better than any other prevent I've tried and I've tried a bunch. 

As for me maybe partially being the cause of my current cycle, the answer would be a resounding YES.  Stress and anxiety (both good and bad) are powerful triggers for me.  I've also noticed a maybe psychosomatic element to my condition.  What I mean by that is it seems that if I am really worried about getting a headache, I will get a headache.  I know I shouldn't worry about it but it is so hard not to.

Thanks for the great advice Dennis.

jason1212 wrote on Nov 9^th, 2008 at 7:53pm:
Do yourself a favor, eat the shrooms!  I don't know many that didn't have success with this.    It's worth a shot.  I refuse to take Vera and Pred. so i don't know if that would interfere with the shrooms.  I stick to natures way

i  aborted my last cycle with mushrooms. only took one treatment. i've heard of other sufferers  having the same luck with seeds. it took me about 10 days. you'll have to clean out your system from all that rx stuff you've been trying.

I always take the verapamil together with lithium.  It seems to be more effective for me.  

I have been in a similar situation as you are in and have opted for a prednisone taper, but to make sure I knock out the beast, I go for 4 days on the highest dose (not 3) and then fours days of each lower dose (I foget the dose I take).  I try to avoid the prednisone because of the risk of joint problems, but my neuro says it's ok if infrequent and a last resort.

If I were to bet, I would count on you trying the shrooms in Amsterdam.

Good luck.  

Botox injections X 3 did not work for me and at 3K a pop, a pricy endeavor.

Works for some and it did get the wrinkles out!

ChefChris wrote on Dec 4^th, 2008 at 10:01am:
Shrooms = homerun

I'm glad to hear they worked for yet another clusterhead!

Peace,
Chad