Leaderboard

I don't think you will get an answer to this because of the variety of herbal products out there. My observation from attending CB conferences is that a significant number of clusterheads are smokers. I have heard neurologist state this is a cause of the clusters but I suspicion the opposite is true. Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor and vaso constriction is desirable in aborting cluster headaches. So if you have a headache and smoking helps even a little you are reinforced to smoke. It becomes a vicious cycle. There are plenty of cluster heads who do not smoke so drawing conclusions is hard even with a more common use on inhalant. Pretty much anything you inhale into your lungs isn't good for them. The smoke/vapor causes irritation and allows other problems to manifest.

There's an excellent video of Dr. Paul Marik, MD, Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, explaining his MATH+ COVID-19 protocol at the following link. It's long, but well worth the time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZJixjgu3tk I've been exchanging email with Dr. Marik for the last 5 months. There's an excellent analysis of the MATH+ protocol at the following link. https://covid19criticalcare.com/math-hospital-treatment/scientific-review-of-covid-19-and-math-plus/#1596274217294-29a4f4e2-63ce Take care, V/R, Batch

Spiny, As I indicated in an earlier post in this thread, Pepcid (Famotidine) is a histamine H2 receptor blocker. There's evidence Quercetin is a little safer and more effective as an antiviral than Famotidine. That said, the COVID-19 Critical Care Working Group (FLCCC) treatment protocol for COVID-19 patients in the ER calls for intravenous methylprednisone, high-dose ascorbic acid (vitamin C), thiamine (Vitamin B1) and heparin. Optional additions include melatonin, zinc, vitamin D3, atorvastatin, famotidine and magnesium. Quercetin also acts as an ionophore transporting zinc ions across cell walls to help stop viral replication. Vitamin C and quercetin have synergistic effects that make them useful in the prevention and early at-home treatment of COVID-19. Both are part of the MATH+ protocol developed by the Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Working Group (FLCCC). For COVID-19 prophylaxis, the FLCCC recommends vitamin C, quercetin, zinc, melatonin and vitamin D3 The at-home treatment for mildly symptomatic patients is very similar to the prophylactic regimen, but adds several optional drugs, including aspirin, famotidine (an antacid) and ivermectin (a heartworm medication that has been shown to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro) There are two distinct phases or stages of COVID-19 — the viral replication stage and the immune dysfunction stage — and the treatment must be appropriate for the stage you’re in. Equally crucial is starting aggressive treatment as early as possible. Vitamin D3 boosts immune system functions that help prevent viral infections. Vitamin D3 at a high enough dose and responding 25(OH)D3 serum concentration, also helps prevent immune system dysfunction Quercetin was initially found to provide broad-spectrum protection against SARS coronavirus in the aftermath of the SARS epidemic that broke out across 26 countries in 2003. Now, some doctors are advocating its use against SARS-CoV-2, in combination with vitamin C, noting that the two have synergistic effects. Incidentally, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and the bioflavonoid quercetin (originally labeled vitamin P) were both discovered by the same scientist — Nobel prize winner Albert Szent-Györgyi. Quercetin’s antiviral capacity has been attributed to five main mechanisms of action: Inhibiting the virus’ ability to infect cells by transporting zinc across cellular membranes Inhibiting replication of already infected cells Reducing infected cells’ resistance to treatment with antiviral medication Inhibiting platelet aggregation — and many COVID-19 patients suffer abnormal blood clotting Promoting SIRT2, thereby inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome assembly involved with COVID-19 infection Similarly, vitamin C at extremely high doses also acts as an antiviral drug, effectively inactivating viruses. During the 2003 SARS pandemic, a Finnish researcher called for an investigation into the use of vitamin C after research showed it not only protected broiler chicks against avian coronavirus, but also cut the duration and severity of common cold in humans and significantly lowered susceptibility to pneumonia. I compiled a list of immune boosting COVID-19 prophylaxis people can take at home in the following table provided by experts in nutritional medicine. Column 4 is my summation. Supplement Riordan Orthomolecular EVMS/FLCC Batcheller Vitamin C 1-2g t.i.d. 3 g/d (1g t.i.d.) 500 mg BID 3 g/d (1g t.i.d.) Vitamin D3 5,000 IU/d 10K IU/d for 2 wk* 1000-4000 IU/d 50,000 IU/wk** Vitamin A 10,000 IU/d 3,000-6000 IU/d Vitamin B1 25 mg/d Zinc Picolinate 30 mg BID 30 mg/d 75-100 mg/d 50 mg/d Quercetin 500 mg/d 250-500 mg BID 400 mg BID Selenium 200 mcg/d 200 mcg/d 55 mcg/d Magnesium 500 mg/d 400-800 mg/d Melatonin 1-5mg/d 0.3-2.0 mg/d Omega-3 PUFAs 1500 mg/d Multi Vitamin 1 Tablet/d 1 Tablet/d *** * 10,000 IU/day vitamin D3 for 2 weeks then drop back to 5000 IU/day ** 50,000 IU/day vitamin D3 for 12 days then drop back to 50,000 IU/week. Water soluble vitamin D3 suggested such as Bio-Tech D3-50 as it has a higher bioequivalence than the oil-based liquid softgel vitamin D3 formulations. *** The Kirkland Adult 50+ Mature Multi is an excellent source of vitamin D3 cofactors. It just doesn't have enough magnesium or any vitamin K2 Of course you won't hear anything about this from HHS, the good Dr. Fauci at NIH, the FDA or CDC. They're heavily influenced by the Big Pharmas who don't want people to know how effective vitamins and minerals can be in treating viral infections. Members of these organizations are also heavily invested in vaccine development (at tax payer expense) so don't want the public to hear about any competitive treatments that are more effective, safer and less expensive. Take care, V/R, Batch

Jon, Er... Make that Spiny, (Forgot my cheaters) Regarding Pepcid (famotidine), it's a histamine H1 blocker and there have been two completed studies taking it during a COVID-19 infection listed in clinicaltrials.gov. The first was based on a questionnaire sent to COVID-19 outpatients who took it during a COVID-19 infection. The second study involved a Therapeutic Plasma Eexchange as a treatment for COVID-19. The protocol called for supportive treatment that included Vitamin C, Zinc, Vitamin D, Famotidine, Enoxaparin and Methylprednisolone so Prpcid wasn't the only intervention. Neither have been through peer review. There was a reduction in mortality among COVID-19 patients who had taken Pepcid (famotidine). Take care, V/R, Batch

You have been given some significant challenges. Your strength should be an asset as you control the conditions. Personally if you have had busting success in the past I would try busting while using your current Stills meds. If you are stable on the meds and they are effective don’t start making your body confused by changing the dosing.. Prednisone has been identified as a blocker by some but there is little understanding why it would block. Ten mg is a relatively small dose. If you don’t get results you might briefly lower the steroids but my guess is you will be fine. My experience was taking 100 mg prednisone a day did not stop the effects of mm and when the mm effect kicked it I was able to get off the steroids. That too is anecdotal so take it for what it’s worth. the methotrexate is an anti metabolite metabolized in the gut and liver. It doesn’t use the same breakdown enzymes as psilocybin so it should be ok. As you are aware methotrexate and chronic steroid use a necessary serious treatment in these types of rheumatologic conditions so vigilant monitoring is critical. Stay strong

Hi all, an update. It's the 23'rd and only one more mild attack since my last post on the 17th. Shadows have faded, and it feels like (fingers crossed) this cycle is over. If that's the case, It seems like the D3 regimine helped reduce my regular 6 to 10 week cycle (usually with 40-50 headaches) to about 2 weeks with 7 mild headaches not reaching higher than kip 4. I only used oxygen to abort (no usual imitrex) and did not use any other preventitive treatments besides the vitamins. This is by far the mildest cycle I've experienced in over 20 years of episodes. Going to give it another week before I call this cycle definitevely over, but feeling great right now.

And this from Batch on cluster headaches.com... Kirt,Try the Arm & Hammer baking soda anyway... I think you'll find it chases away the shadows... which are minor cluster headaches...Take care,V/R, Batch