I didn't really know where to post this, and I didn't want to COMPLETELY hijack Batch's Omega3/D3 thread in the meds forum, but wanted to share. (Yes, Potter, I know this is a LOT of supplements).
With Gary having tried so many meds & herbs (including the implanted stims) and so many specialists so many times, when I started him on Batch's supplements, I didn't tell him why - I told him it was a weight loss regimen. I hand him pills, he takes them.
That said... we must assume he's got some other condition interfering with "proper" treatment, because nothing's worked since the shrooms stopped helping, and 02 stopped working ages ago. (In fact, the same time he had a K10 WHILE dosing on shrooms).
He refuses to see an "alternative medicine" doc unless they're also an MD. I understand, I do. And I found one, about an hour from us. Money's tight, we don't have insurance, and he keeps finding reasons not to go.
BUT... we don't scrimp when it comes to our cats. We adopted a kitty that western meds wasn't helping, and I found a DVM that is trained in all kinds of alternatives (including nutrition, western herbs and chinese herbs). She fixed him up in a couple of weeks.
One of our other cats was not feeling well, so we took him to see that vet a few days ago after his regular vet couldn't figure out the problem.
The alternative DVM asked after Gary (the right side of his face now puffs up and his eye turns red in addition to the drooping) when a cluster starts - you can't miss it). I told her about Gary's situation with the central fevers & sweating, how his internal body temp is so different from one side to the other... and having just started the D3 & Omega3, &etc. She asked about his GI system (which is terrible), and as she's met him numerous times, she knows his personality, but confirmed stuff like - he literally sees red when he's angry, blah blah blah.
She recommended several more supplements to add to the list. (knowing everything he's currently taking).
So I've now added "Gastrodia & Uncaria Wind Relief" (If you want to see the sort-of-description in its treatment of one-sided headaches: Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to
or
... "Tian Ma Gouteng Wan" is Gastrodia & Uncaria) and "Nourish Jade Yin" to his supplements. I bought the tinctures by Kan Herb (high quality) and add them to his lemonade as per her "prescription." (Well, suggestion LOL). Apparently Gary is very "yin deficient" with ...something with gall bladder meridian blockages and some whatever-liver-deficiency (in chinese medicine unofficial diagnosis).
Yin deficiency, funny enough, is addressed by increasing the body pH.
To help with his "overheating" problem, he'll need "a LOT" (20 - 30 drops, 3-5x per day) of the Nourish Jade Yin.
AND... she suggested I put him on the Align Probiotic.
Yes, feel free to make fun of me for trying crazy sounding alternatives. BUT... it's not like anything else has helped, and as the herbs don't interact, have little in terms of potential side-effects, I figure there's no harm in trying.
But seriously - I think it would be hysterical if a combination of The Cluster Headache Site and our VET were able to find Gary some relief!