Verapamil (SR), Imitrex, Oxygen, Vitamins, Herbs and My CH

I have been a CH sufferer for 10 years now (2009), and labeled as a chronic CH sufferer for 10 years now.  Before I was finally diagnosed in 2001 and after suffering for about 2 years prior, I was getting up to 20 CH hits per day.  Needless to say I was not working or functioning well at all and was terrified that I had a brain tumor or something awful like a tumor!

I have done research on my own medications and herbals/supplements and have done so continuously, as well as each time I've heard or seen a new treatment or other treatment items used by others.

Below is what I take daily prescription or otherwise and it has worked WONDERS.  By no means is it a cure but it has had dramatic affect on the number and intensity of the CH hits I get.

Below the Itemized list, I have added a brief description of what that product is i.e. a basic description of the type of product and what that product is supposed to do.



My Daily medication and herbals/supplements:

Verapamil SR                       1 1/2 240mg cap = 360 mg per day (taken in AM)
Complete A-Z multi vitamin      1 /per day                  (taken in AM)
Taurine                        1 500 mg cap/per day            (taken in AM)
Kudzu                               2 613 mg cap/per day       (1 in am 1 in pm)
Echinacea                         1 760 mg cap/per day      (taken in AM)
Scullcap                         2 1275 mg cap/per day (1 hour before bed)
Zyrtec/cetrizine                   1 10mg /per day      (1 hour before bed)



As Needed Items:

Imitrex                  6mg shot as needed
Oxygen                  90% - 100% pure 15LPM - 25LPM flow rate as needed

The Following is a description of each of the items above.


Verapamil SR:
Is known as a Ca / calcium channel blocker
If you use the sustained-release (SR) tablets, the recommended dose of verapamil ranges from 180 mg to 480 mg daily with food.

It is important to take this medication regularly, exactly as prescribed by the doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue on with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue on with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.


Complete A-Z multi vitamin:
Balanced multivitamin/multi-mineral A-Z
Has 100% or more of the daily value of most vitamins and most minerals.

Vitamin details as follow with daily percentage values:

Vitamin A            70% - 29% as beta carotene
Vitamin C            150%
Vitamin D            100%
Vitamin E            100%
Vitamin K            31%
Vitamin B1            100%
Vitamin B2            100%
Vitamin B6            100%
Vitamin B12            100%
Niacin                  100%
Folic Acid            125%
Biotin                  10%
Pantothenic Acid      100%
Calcium            20%
Iron                  100%
Iodine                  100%
Phosphorus            11%
Magnesium            25%
Zinc                  73%
Selenium            79%
Copper                  45%
Manganese            115%
Chromium            2%
Potassium            2%
Boron                  150 mcg      Daily value not established
Nickel                  5 mcg            Daily value not established
Silicon                  2 mcg            Daily value not established
Tin                  10 mcg            Daily value not established
Vanadium            10 mcg            Daily value not established
Luteint                  250 mcg      Daily value not established
Lycopene            300 mcg      Daily value not established


Taurine:      
Is a conditionally essential amino acid which is not utilized in protein syntheses, but is mainly found free in most tissues especially through out the  nervous system.  Taurine has been found to be important in the formation of biles salts, cell membrane stabilization and eye health.  Taurine is also well known as a modulator of neurotransmitter activity and its relaxing affect on mood.

There is also evidence that taurine is beneficial for adult blood pressure and possibly, the alleviation of other cardiovascular ailments (in adults suffering essential hypertension, taurine supplementation resulted in measurable decreases in blood pressure).

In Japan, taurine is used to treat ischemic heart disease as well as certain heart arrhythmias. People who suffer from congestive heart failure are reported to have benefited from taurine therapy - in the amount of 3 to 5 grams per day - and taurine may also be helpful in the treatment of both hypertension and high cholesterol.

Taurine is involved in a number of crucial physiological processes. However, the role of taurine in these processes is not clearly understood and the influence of high taurine doses on these processes is uncertain. A substantial increase in the plasma concentration of growth hormone was reported in some epileptic patients during taurine tolerance testing (oral dose of 50 mg/kg bw/day), suggesting a potential to stimulate the hypothalamus and to modify neuroendocrine function. There is an indication that taurine (2 g/day) has some function in the maintenance and possibly in the induction of psoriasis. It may also be necessary to take into consideration that absorption of taurine from beverages may be more rapid than from foods.

Taurine is also used in some contact lens solutions.


Kudzu:
Is an herbal; kudzu extract or kudzu root, also known as Pueraria montana, is native to Asia and was introduced in the U.S. in the late 1800s to control erosion. Since then, it has spread throughout the southeast and in other areas, crowding out many native plants. The plant's roots and extracts are currently sold commercially as an alternative medicine. It is promoted as supplement or treatment for a variety of ailments including alcoholism, headaches, diarrhea, intestinal obstruction, and stomach flu, hypertension and angina pectoris.

In the medical journal Headache, Dr. R. Andrew Sewell points out that kudzu root was described in a Chinese medical texts some 1800 years ago and its rhizome continues to be used as an ingredient in a variety of traditional medicines. Among its effects is an increase in cerebral blood flow in the brain.

Sewell of Yale University School of Medicine, West Haven, Connecticut and colleagues surveyed 235 cluster headache patients by email regarding their use of complementary and alternative remedies. Kudzu was mentioned in such a way as to limit its appearance as a subject of particular interest.

In all, 159 patients responded and 22 (14 percent) endorsed self-treatment with kudzu. Sixteen of this group -- 11 with episodic cluster headache and 5 with chronic cluster headache -- agreed to further evaluation.

With kudzu treatment, 73 percent of the episodic group reported a decrease in attack frequency and 36 percent had a decrease in attack length. Among those with chronic cluster headaches, 60 percent reported a decrease in frequency and 40 percent reported a decline in headache length.


Echinacea:
Echinacea contains several chemicals that play a role in its therapeutic effects. These include polysaccharides, glycoproteins, alkamides, volatile oils, and flavonoids.

There are nine known species of echinacea, all of which are native to the United States and southern Canada. The most commonly used, Echinacea purpurea, is believed to be the most potent.  Common Names—echinacea, purple coneflower, coneflower, 
American coneflower

Archeological digs indicate that Native Americans have used echinacea for more than 400 years to treat infections, wounds and as a general "cure-all." Throughout history people have used echinacea to treat scarlet fever, syphilis, malaria, blood poisoning, and diphtheria.

Today, people use echinacea to shorten the duration of the common cold and flu and reduce symptoms, such as sore throat (pharyngitis), cough, and fever. Many herbalists also recommend echinacea to help boost the immune system and help the body fight infections.


Scullcap (Also known as Passion Flower):
Is a small perennial found in North America that grows small blue-purple paired flowers. Also known as Mad Dog Weed and Mayweed, scullcap was used by Native Americans as a sedative and diuretic. The above-ground part of the plant is used for it sedative properties in teas, tablets, capsules and liquid formulas. Scullcap was a popular nineteenth-century medicinal treatment for nervous disorders and epileptic seizures. As an antispasmodic, it is helpful in relieving cramps and muscle spasms, making it effective against conditions such as restless leg syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome. The flavonoids present in scullcap act as a natural sedative and trigger the production of endorphins, which helps create a feeling of calm and relaxation.

Scullcap Also known as Passion flower has been used for centuries to treat insomnia, hysteria, restlessness and irritability. In the nineteenth century, it became a popular remedy for insomnia in North America and is still frequently prescribed in Europe to treat tension, restlessness and mild insomnia. It helps relax spasms and relieve muscle tension. The alkaloids and flavonoids present in passion flower appear to have a non-addictive sedative effect on the central nervous system.

Restless leg syndrome is a sleep disorder characterized by numbness, tingling, restlessness and leg discomfort during sleep, accompanied by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs in order to relieve these feelings. It is a neurological disorder whose causes are not well understood. Although restless leg syndrome is itself not dangerous, it can result in severe insomnia that can affect the quality of life for sufferers, causing mood swings and difficulty focusing on work. Symptoms can be somewhat alleviated by avoiding stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine at night, exercising regularly and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule. In addition, herbal remedies such as passion flower, scullcap and valerian help promote sleep and relieve tension while calming the central nervous system, making them beneficial treatments for restless leg syndrome.


Zyrtec/cetrizine:
Brand Name: Zyrtec
Generic Name: cetirizine

Cetirizine is the fourth addition to a new generation of allergy medications called "non- sedating" antihistamines or histamine (H-1) receptor blockers. These new antihistamines are called non-sedating because they cause less sedation than their predecessors; however, cetirizine is more sedating than the other non-sedating antihistamines.

Antihistamines block the effects of histamines. Histamines cause symptoms of allergy when released by allergic reactions in the body. Antihistamines block the ability of histamine to promote the allergy symptoms.


Imitrex:
Brand Name: Imitrex
Generic Name: Sumatriptan succinate
Imitrex/Sumatriptan, a fairly new (1991) migraine abortive medication available as 
a self-administered injection, nasal inhaler or as a tablet.

Sumatriptan (trade names Imitrex, Imigran, Imigran recovery) is a triptan drug including a sulfonamide group for the treatment of migraine headaches or cluster headaches. It is marketed and manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline.

Sumatriptan is structurally similar to serotonin (5HT), and is a 5-HT (types 5-HT1D and 5-HT1B) agonist. The specific receptor subtypes it activates are present in the cerebral arteries. Dilation of these arteries is thought to be a major cause of headache pain, and activating these receptors causes vasoconstriction.

Triptans are a family of tryptamine based drugs used as abortive medication in the treatment of migraine and cluster headaches. They were first introduced in the 1990s. While effective at treating individual headaches, they are neither a preventative nor a cure.

In medicine, the term "sulfonamide" is sometimes used as a synonym for sulfa drug, 
a derivative or variation of sulfanilamide.


Oxygen:
Is the third most abundant element in the universe also known as O2 and is a gas.
Oxygen is produced industrially by fractional distillation of liquefied air, use of zeolites to remove carbon dioxide and nitrogen from air, electrolysis of water and other means. 

Briefly inhaling 100 percent oxygen through a mask at a rate of 7 to 10 liters a minute provides dramatic relief for most who use it. The effects of this safe, inexpensive procedure can be felt within 15 minutes. The major drawback of oxygen is the need to carry an oxygen cylinder and regulator with you, which can make the treatment inconvenient and inaccessible at times. Small, portable units are available, but some people still find them impractical. Sometimes, oxygen may only delay rather than stop the attack, and pain may return. 

**You can only get medical grade oxygen by prescription. 

***If you do not have a prescription and a doctor is unwilling to prescribe it for 
you, you can get welders oxygen from almost any welding local company.  Many men who suffer from CH have walked into such places and gotten oxygen without any problems or questions; however for a woman with CH walking into one of these places and not knowing anything about welding, she may have some difficulties if asked why she needs the oxygen supplies.  (Lets face it when it comes to something like this in our society men have it a little bit easier with this than women do.)  If possible keep it simple and just say something like I am going to learn how to use a torch and hope it works.

****Failing the preferred options, you can also go the emergency oxygen route and get pre-filled tanks here Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or without a prescription.  I would recommend at least two tanks and make sure you get the 15LPM higher flow regulator. You will spend a few hundred dollars just for set up, tanks, masks etc. but it will be well worth it in the end.



Personal Note:
There are a few items that others use as CH aids that I don't use by choice or can't use, such as:

Melatonin:
The main reason I don't use it is because for some reason it is a trigger for me, I learned this the hard way.  So instead of this I use the zyrtec allergy medication I do have allergies and it does help them, BUT it also helps me get a good nights sleep without being awakened by a Nasty CH hit.

Another good reason for not using Melatonin is as follows:

Blood pressure medications and Melatonin--
Melatonin may reduce the effectiveness of blood pressure medications like 
methoxamine and clonidine. In addition, medications in a class called calcium 
channel blockers (such as nifedipine, verapamil, diltiazem, amlodipine, nimodipine,
felodipine, nisoldipine, and bepridil) may decrease melatonin levels.

Use of beta-blockers (another class of high blood pressure medications that includes propranolol, acebutolol, atenolol, labetolol, metoprolol, pindolol, nadolol, sotalol, and timolol) may reduce melatonin production in the body. 
Excerpt from:  Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or


Red Bull & Energy Drinks:
Red Bull or other Energy Drinks with Taurine and caffeine are used by many CH sufferers to kill a CH hit.

I prefer not to add anything I don't need into my diet such as some of the ingredients in Red Bull and other energy drinks.

Instead, I take a Taruine supplement daily (low dose) and I am a coffee drinker so 
I add my own caffeine without any other additives other than cream and sugar.

Ingredients in Red Bull
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Regular Release Verapamil vs. Sustained Release Verapamil (SR):
When I was on the regular verapamil I experienced a severe drop in blood pressure a few times, I already have an abnormally low blood pressure as a rule and have had this all my life.  So, I asked my Doctor about this and he suggested the SR because he thought maybe my body was absorbing the regular release to fast.  The switch to SR did the trick for me and I have been on it without incident for a few years.



Some of My Triggers of a CH hit are:

Changes in Air pressure: either by travel or weather changes.

Certain smells: Perfumes, hand lotions, some shampoos either for human or animal,  Smells in salons such as permanent solutions, some hair sprays, incense, air  fresheners, Fabreze, Paint, Mold, raw or when cooking onions, some cleansers, and  heaven forbid if there is a Skunk smell in the neighborhood even driving through an  area where ones been hit can be a trigger. Air quality at work, I'm noting this because when they are working on or haven't changes air filters in the Havac system for awhile I have had more trouble with CH hits at work.

Body temp too cold or to hot (Sudden changes in temp such as going from an 86 degree day to an air conditioned building or visa versa, too much time in the sun as well)

Cold wind or breeze on ear, (side of CH hits)

Coming down with a cold or flu or other illness

Allergy flare ups

Sneezing (yes, I've actually had sneezes cause a CH hit)

Stress

Sleeping on side of head that CH normally hits.

Dental work

Too much Cigarette smoke

Alcohol, any amount, any kind

Not being able to eat when necessary (Usually thanks to some moron at work)

Lack of Sleep

Ginseng

Tea (though this is not a constant, not sure why)

Melatonin

Soy Sauce (usually only if used in excess or when eaten a few times during the week.)

Some Nuts: peanuts, cashews (so far)

Foods with MSG (There are many; prepackaged meats, chips, crackers, and a variety of soups, a small amount is ok, just not everyday)

Dairy Products (usually only when eaten to much or often)

Chocolate

Yeast Breads (haven't had the time or patience to log them all)

Black Pepper, as in the spice

Paprika

Other Hot pepper spices (haven't been able to pin down which one or if it's a mixture of a few.)



Symptoms I get before, during or after a CH hit:

Searing pain left side of head eye and temple area, feels like someone is taking a red hot or ice cold fireplace poker and digging around.  (Obvious symptom of a CH hit)

Congestion; eyes, nasal, ears

Drooping eye lid

Urgent need to Urinate

Feeling hot or cold

Tingling, facial, limbs or all over body

Involuntary Clenching or squenching of facial muscles on side of CH hits (mouth and cheek area, not due to pain)

Painful to touch head, temple, ear area on side of CH hit

Painful to use cold clothes on head during CH hit, so I use hot clothes

Problems thinking

Problems speaking

Need to move, rock, pace or just plain fidgety

More painful to lay down

Tightening/clenching of upper body muscles, may be due to pain but there have been times I've noticed this before a CH hit.

I found out later that it's not a good idea to take it while on Verapamil anyway. 


Why?

Verapamil isn't "working harder to get rid of it."
Marc