Batch
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Batch
It was nice to meet you in Dallas, My brother in law also enjoyed talking with you.
I have a quick question, I have moved to the Bio Tech D3 at 50,000. If you are taking that every other day do you still take the other co-factors the days you do not take the vitamin D?
Thanks
Don
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Hey Chris, Excellent question. Data from the online survey of 313 CHers taking this regimen suggest the following initial target serum concentration ranges measured ≥ 30 days after start of regimen: ECHers - 80 to 90 ng/mL CCHers - 90 to 100 ng/mL To be clear, these are the initial target ranges. If you don't experience a significant reduction in the frequency of your CH or a complete cessation of CH at the 30 day mark, start/continue loading vitamin D3 at 50,000 IU/day. How long should you stay on the loading schedule becomes the next question. The average 25(OH)D3 response to loading dose of vitamin D3 is an increase of 10 ng/mL for every 100,000 IU of vitamin D3. Accordingly, as your 25(OH)D3 serum concentration is in the upper 60s ng/mL and you want it in the upper 80s or 90s, you need a total loading dose of 200,000 IU of vitamin D3 to elevate your serum 25(OH)D3 into the upper 80s in ng/mL and 300,000 IU of vitamin D3 to elevate your 25(OH)D3 into the 90s ng/mL. At a loading dose of 50,000 IU/day that works out to four days on this loading schedule if you're an ECHer and six days if you're a CCHer. Again, these are still initial target ranges. If you're not CH pain free or have experienced a significant reduction in the frequency of your CH... continue loading for a few more days. Some CCHers have loaded for 30 days at 50,000 IU/day vitamin D3 in order to experience a CH pain free response. This has driven their 25(OH)D3 up to 150 ng/mL, which is where I've maintain my 25(OH)D3 for nearly a year. It was 180 ng/mL prior to that. My PCP has no problems with my 25(OH)D3 this high as long as my serum calcium remains within its normal reference range... and it has. In any event, see your PCP/GP or neurologist for lab tests of your serum 25(OH)D, calcium and PTH after a loading schedule to determine its effect. As long as your serum calcium remains within its normal reference range, your 25(OH)D3 serum concentration doesn't really matter except as a point of reference to a pain free response. Take care and please keep us posted. V/R, Batch
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Hey Wesconsin, Welcome aboard. You've come to the right place. Check your PM inbox. I've sent you some information on preventing migraine headache. Take care, V/R, Batch
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Siegfried, Check your In Box. I've sent you some information about the anti-inflammatory regimen with vitamin D3. It's surprisingly effective in preventing migraine headaches with a few additions. Take care and please keep us posted. V/R, Batch
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Hey Dana, As far as a restock of your anti-inflammatory regimen supplements go, the following photo illustrates the "Go To" supplements I take and suggest to other CHers. The doses illustrated are daily with the exception of the Bio-Tech D3-50 50,000 IU (1,250 mcg) water soluble vitamin D3. Here I take one D3-50 capsule a week as the maintenance dose. That works out to an average dose of 7,000 IU/day. If that maintenance dose is insufficient to keep you CH pain free, reduce the daily interval from 7 days down to 6 days (8333 IU/day), 5 days (10,000 IU/day), 4 days (12,500 IU/day), 3 days (16,667 IU/day) or 2 days (48 hrs at 25,000 IU/day) as appropriate. Obtaining these supplements down under can be problematic on a couple counts. First of all, laws in Australia prohibit sales of vitamin D3 over 2000 IU (50 mcg). That makes the only good solution for high potency vitamin D3, ordering the Bio-Tech D3-50 from iherb.com. The next problem comes ordering the Kirkland Adult 50+ Mature Multi. It appears this brand has a different formulation when ordered from Australia, New Zealand and the UK and iherb.com doesn't carry it. Fortunately, iherb carries 21st Century, Sentry Senior, Multivitamin & Multimineral Supplement, Adults 50+, 125 Tablets have a nearly identical formulation as the Kirkland Adult 50+ Mature Multi so should be a good substitute. https://www.iherb.com/pr/21st-Century-Sentry-Senior-Multivitamin-Multimineral-Supplement-Adults-50-125-Tablets/37357 In any case, when looking locally for a good alternative for the Kirkland Adult 50+ Mature Multi, try to find a product that comes closest to the following supplement facts on the Kirkland Adult 50+ Mature Multi. It has nearly all the vitamin D3 cofactors. It just doesn't have enough magnesium or any K2 complex, hence the Nature Made Extra Strength 400 mg magnesium and Life Extension Super K with Advanced K2 Complex. Hope this helps. Take care, V/R, Batch
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Awesome Dana. Hang tough Kat.
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Kat, Gender has little to do with the efficacy of oxygen therapy in aborting CH. If used properly with hyperventilation at forced vital capacity tidle volumes either with 100% oxygen at 30 to 40 liters/minute with a non-rebreathing oxygen mask, hyperventilating with an oxygen demand valve, or by hyperventilating with room air for 30 seconds at forced vital capacity tidle volumes then inhale a lungful of 100% oxygen and hold it for 30 seconds then repeat this sequence until the pain is gone. In all three methods, the average abort time should be around 7 minutes with > 95% efficacy and it has nothing to do with gender. What most doctors and neurologists don't understand about effective oxygen therapy as a CH abortive, is oxygen is only half of the abortive. The other half involves blowing off CO2 faster than the body generates it through normal metabolism by intentionally hyperventilating for 6 to 7 minutes pushes the body into respiratory alkalosis. In simple terms blowing off CO2 by hyperventilating shifts blood pH to the alkaline side of neutral making it more alkaline, hence the term respiratory alkalosis. I need to point out that respiratory alkalosis from intentionally hyperventilating is temporary and harmless. It clears normally within a few minutes once returning to normal breathing rates. Respiratory alkalosis does several things that help abort CH. The first effect of respiratory alkalosis with an elevated arterial pH, is to slow the expression of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) and Substance (SP) by neurons in the trigeminal ganglia. CGRP and SP are responsible or the neurogenic inflammation and pain we know as CH. What also happens during respiratory alkalosis is elevating arterial blood pH in the lungs to the alkaline side of neutral, increases blood hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen. This enables blood hemoglobin to carry up to 117% of oxygen where breathing a little faster than normal elevates blood oxygen to only 99%. This super-oxygenated blood flow and low arterial pH does two things. It speeds up the breakdown of CGRP and SP and It also triggers triggers pH homeostasis when chemo receptors in the brain stem and aortic arch sense the low arterial CO2 concentration. These chemoreceptors signal the breathing control neurons in the brain stem to slow the respiratory rate. They also signal the heart to beat more slowly and arteries and capillaries throughout the body including the brain and trigeminovascular complex to constrict. All this happens to slow the flow of blood to the lungs to prevent the loss of CO2 and allow its arterial concentration to rise back to normal levels. While we're intentionally hyperventilating, this triggers the vasoconstriction throughout the trigeminovascular complex and this serves as a significant CH abortive effect. I can hear the wheels turning... WTF are Forced Vital Capacity Tidal Volumes? The answer is simple once you understand the terms. Tidal Volume = The volume of air (or oxygen) inhaled and exhaled. The air comes into the lungs during inhalation and goes out when exhaling, just like the tide comes in and goes out. Vital Capacity = The maximum amount of air a person can expel from the lungs after a maximum inhalation without thinking about it. Forced Vital Capacity = By doing an abdominal crunch, tightening the abdominal and chest muscles as in doing sit-ups at the end of a forceful exhalation, squeezes out an additional half to full liter of exhaled breath highest in CO2 content. If you hold the abdominal crunch and chest squeeze for at least a second, your exhaled breath will make a wheezing sound. Try it now and hold the squeeze until your breath makes a wheezing sound. Accordingly, hyperventilating at forced vital capacity tidal volumes pumps CO2 from the blood stream much faster than "normal respiration." Now for the proof this method of oxygen therapy and breathing techniques makes oxygen therapy very effective with an average abort time of 7 minutes. We conducted a pilot study of this method of oxygen therapy (hyperventilating with 100% oxygen) with seven CHers (6 CCHers and 1 ECHer, six men and one woman) in 2008. Four of the CHers used an oxygen demand valve and the other three used a Flotec 0-60 liter/minute oxygen regulator set a a flow rate of 40 liters/minute with a Cluster O2 Kit mask from CH.com equipped with a 3-liter reservoir bag. Abort times with either method were the same. Each of the seven CHers collected abort time and CH pain level at start of therapy for every CH aborted for a period of 8 weeks. This came to a total of 366 aborts with this method of oxygen therapy. 364 of these aborts were rated as successful with a complete CH abort in 20 minutes or less for a success rate of 99.4%. The results are plotted out in the following graphic. The average abort time for these 364 aborts was 7 minutes. One of the pilot study participants collected abort time and pain level data for a week while waiting for his oxygen demand valve, using a disposable non-rebreathing (NRB) oxygen mask at an oxygen flow rate of 15 liters/minute. As you can see, the demand valve method (hyperventilating with 100% oxygen) results in CH aborts 3 to 4 times faster than using a disposable NRB oxygen mask at a flow rate of 15 liters/minute. We also discovered an interesting phenomenon that the higher the CH pain level, the longer it took to abort to abort the CH. This has never been reported in any of the previous RCTs or studies of oxygen therapy as an abortive for CH or Migraine. For reference, I hold a patent on the oxygen demand valve method of aborting CH. I've also over 15 years training in Aviation Physiology primarily involving oxygen breathing systems and their use in flight. Bottom line, hyperventilating at forced vital capacity tidal volumes with 100% oxygen or hyperventilating with room air at forced vital capacity tidal volumes then inhaling a lungful of 100% oxygen and holding it for 30 second then repeating this sequence 6 more times for an average total of 7 minutes are equally effective in aborting CH. Hope this helps. Take care, V/R, Batch
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Hey Ali, Great question and I understand your concerns. For starters, the anti-inflammatory regimen is very safe. With well over 2000 CHers taking it there have been no reports of adverse events requiring medical attention and no reports of vitamin D3 intoxication/toxicity since I started posting about the efficacy of the anti-inflammatory regimen in December of 2011. Moreover, this regimen is so safe and so important for good health, I've had my entire family taking it for nearly 7 years and none of them have CH. My daughter and niece took this regimen at 10,000 IU/day vitamin D3 through their pregnancies. The net results are I have three grand babies who were bathed in maternal vitamin D3 since conception through breastfeeding. Once done with breastfeeding, they get a vitamin D3 dose of 50 IU per pound of body weight per day. These three kids have had a remarkable physical and neuromotor rate development. All three are budding Einsteins with incredible intellectual development. More importantly, they all have T-Rex immune systems and don't get sick. The oldest, Fred, a.k.a., Winefred was speaking fluent German (Hochdeutsch) at age 2 and she just completed kindergarten at a public school in Heidelburg, Germany. You can download a copy of the anti-inflammatory regimen CH and MH preventative treatment protocol at the following VitaminDWiki link: http://www.vitamindwiki.com/tiki-download_wiki_attachment.php?attId=7708 Regarding vitamin D3 injections, I don't have any first-hand data on the efficacy of this method of vitamin D3 application, but there was a study assessing the effectiveness of 300,000 IU vitamin D3 as an IM injection compared to 300,000 IU vitamin D3 taken orally. The researchers found that both treatment regimens significantly increased vitamin D blood levels. Vitamin D status at 3 months was significantly higher in oral than in the injection group, with levels at 36 and 23.5 ng/ml respectively (p=0.03). At 6 months, levels were similar (20.8 and 24.8 ng/ml respectively). Hope this helps. Take care and please keep us posted as you start this regimen. We gain important information in feedback reports from CHers like you. V/R, Batch
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Hey Dan, I've a published version of the anti-inflammatory regimen CH and MH preventative treatment protocol posted for download on the following VitaminDWiki link: http://www.vitamindwiki.com/tiki-download_wiki_attachment.php?attId=7708 Take care and please keep us posted. V/R, Batch
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Hi Batch,
It seems like you're the go-to-guy when it comes to questions about the Vit D protocol (thank you for being so helpful to all of us!).
Anyway, I'm facing a dilemma. I had my cluster headaches return recently (8/17) and started the anti-inflammatory protocol right away (all supplements included) with the 50,000 IU loading dose. I did not get a chance to have my blood tested before starting, but I did 50,000 IU for 7 days, and then dropped to 40,000 IU for 5 days (today was my last day of 40,000 IU). I was planning on dropping down to 10,000 IU tomorrow.
However, my blood was tested yesterday and I just got the results. My Calcium levels are in the normal range (though, at the very top of the range), but my Vit D is 120 ng/mL. My doctor is urging me to stop the Vit D supplementation because of this level. If the protocol had seemed to be helping with my headaches, I would be more inclined to push back against this advice. However, my headaches have, if anything, gotten worse over the course of the past two weeks.
I'm at a loss of what to do. Should the anti-inflammatory protocol have made some beneficial difference by now? (Again, I'm following the supplement and diet instructions exactly). Does it usually take longer to notice a reduction in headaches even at a level like 120 ng/mL?
Should I stop the Vit D and get a retest in the future? Should I drop to a lower dose? I don't want to jeopardize the chances of the protocol working, but I also don't want ill-effects of too much Vit D.
Thanks so much for any advice you may have!
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Skyler,
Your doctor is playing a CYA in response to your higher labs for serum calcium concentrations. This is a "normal" response by physicians so they can't be accused of malpractice. Acknowledge, your physician's warning and tell him you plan to continue vitamin D3 dosing to prevent your CH. Doing this takes him off the malpractice hook.
A serum calcium concentration at the top of its normal reference range, but not over, indicates normal calcium homeostasis, the mechanism by which the body controls blood calcium concentrations. There's nothing alarming about calcium levels this high and it's no reason to stop vitamin D3.
To answer your question about needing a higher 25(OH)D serum concentration than 120 ng/mL to prevent your CH, the answer is YES. Many CHers will need a higher 25(OH)D serum concentration to prevent their CH, particularly if they're experiencing an allergic reaction to airborne or food borne allergens. For reference, see my labs for 25(OH)D3, calcium and PTH over the last three years. I was taking an average of 40,000 IU/day vitamin D3 when my serum 25(OH)D3 and calcium where highest.
As you can see, my calcium serum concentration was up near the top of its normal reference range, but not over it. You can also see where my PTH goes lower in response to the higher serum calcium and 25(OH)D3 concentrations. This is also a good indication of a normal calcium homeostasis. Please feel free to share my labs with your doctor.
I needed to increase my vitamin D3 dose between 25,000 IU/day and 40,000 IU/day and resulting serum 25(OH)D3 due to allergic reactions to airborne allergens (pollen, mold spores) in order to remain CH pain free. The allergic reactions triggered a flood of histamine that reduced vitamin D3 effectiveness in preventing CH. There are two courses of action to take if you're experiencing an allergic reaction (they can be subclinical with no outward or obvious symptoms):
1. Start a week to 10-day course of Benadryl (Diphenhydramine HCL) at 25 mg every 4 hours during the day. If there's no response with a reduction in CH frequency after 5 days, discontinue.
2. Titrate the vitamin D3 dose - increasing the maintenance dose every 3 to 4 days until you experience a reduction in CH frequency. The best way to do this is to take a 50,000 IU vitamin D3 loading dose for two days then drop back to a new vitamin D3 maintenance dose of 15,000 IU/day. If there's no change in CH frequency after four days, load for another two days, but continue the maintenance dose of 15,000 IU/day. If there's still no change in CH patterns after another 3 to 4 days, repeat the 2-day loading schedule then drop back to a maintenance dose of 20,000 IU/day. Be sure to take all the cofactors daily and double the magnesium dose to 800 mg/day while loading. Split the magnesium dose by taking 400 mg with breakfast and 400 mg with the evening meal. This will help avoid osmotic diarrhea.
Once you've been at a stable maintenance dose of vitamin D3 that keeps you CH pain free for 30 days, see your PCP/GP for another set of labs for your 25(OH)D, calcium and PTH. It's very unlikely your serum calcium will go over its normal reference range. That said, should this happen, it is not a medical emergency. However, you will need to stop vitamin D3 intake for at least two weeks then resume at a lower vitamin D3 maintenance dose. Test again 30 days later.
Take care and please keep me posted,
V/R, Batch
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Thank you for the thorough response.
I'm wondering if I should continue taking calcium as a cofactor, or if I should stop that for a while?
Also, is there a link to the most recent anti-inflammatory protocol?
Thanks,
Skyler -
Skyler,
If you're taking the suggested Kirkland brand Adult 50+ Mature Multi, you're getting the right amount of calcium at 230 mg/day.
I'll need your email address to send you the latest draft version of the anti-inflammatory regimen. It's too big to attach in this blog. It should provide what you're looking for, but it's still a work in progress and not ready for prime time so don't pass it on or post. You can also shoot me an email at pete.batcheller@verizon.net.
Take care and please keep me posted
V/R, Batch
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Hey Dana, G'day mate. Bonzer feedback! I can't think of a better way of convincing wallflower CHers, waiting for the next 2-step tango with the devil, to start this vitamin D3 regimen than with a success story like yours. Your words are far more convincing than anything I could say. Perth has some very fine local brews so please sip a frosty brew for me or my other favorite down under, Bundy & Coke. Good on ya, V/R, Batch
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Hi Batch! I just officially joined this site but have been reading posts for weeks. My headaches started in 2014 and I had no idea what was happening. Was en route to the ER one night because I literally thought I was dying but the pain eased just enough for me to realize I wasn’t.
After an MRI and CT scan I was diagnosed with migraines (no surprise right?). But after doing my own research I was convinced it was CHs. I’ve never been nauseous or demanded a dark room. My only relief is a 6mg sumatriptan injection and I know I will have relief within 3 minutes.
I live in hot, humid south Mississippi. I always have cycles in July/August. In 2017 I started receiving Botox quarterly for my “migraines” and didn’t have any issues until the end of July 2019. My doctor prescribed a round of steroids, Ajovi shot and 4 torodol pills. I started taking Topomax last weekend. The nurse told me the dr finally put in my notes that I’m having CHs (I’ve known this for years).
I finally accumulated all the vitamins you suggest but then realized I may need to be on a ramp dose? Also realized my multi doesn’t have boron. However, I’m a 5’5”, 114 pound female and want to confirm with you exactly how much of what I should take.
I clench my teeth while sleeping and I am also narcoleptic and have sleep apnea! Yes, I’m a neurological mess for an otherwise healthy 43 year old. My husband is a pilot in the military, I have a full-time job and I have 2 sons. The current cycle has interrupted my/our lives more than any of the others. The day after headaches has been horrible this time. I’m absolutely exhausted. Is this from the CH or the medicine?
I greatly appreciate any advice you can give me!!
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Hey JDS,
Howzit? Have you started the anti-inflammatory regimen. Did you start it with the 12-Day accelerated vitamin D3 loading schedule at 50,000 IU/day vitamin D3 for 12 days?
Take care and hugs,
Peter
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Funny you should ask - I was coming here to reach out to you. I did the accelerated dose for 12 days but I did 35k-40k IU because of my weight. I had a few excellent days well into the regimen. I started doing 10k IU day on Saturday the 7th. And Monday the 9th (a week ago) I had a full blown CH and another one last Friday. I’m currently fighting a baby CH, possibly a shadow?, right now. Should I increase the D3 again? I also don’t eat a whole lot so maybe my body is having a hard time absorbing the vitamins and keeping my levels high?
I know I need to have labs drawn but I’m trying to figure out the easiest way to do that. Speaking to anyone at my neurologist office is almost impossible.
Thanks for reaching out.
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Hey JSD,
Thanks for the status uipdate. I would bite the bullet and take the full loading dose at 50,000 IU/day for 3 to 5 days. If your 25(OH)D has yet to reach a therapeutic level, the loading doses should help. If the CH beast is still jumping ugly, load for a few more days. I just read a case history of a 22 year old male who presented with seizures.
Serum Chemistry:
Calcium 1.30 mmol/L
Phosphate 0.65 mmol>L
25(OH)D < 10 nmol/L
DX: Hypocalcemia secondary to Vitamin D Deficiency
He was treated with 500,000 IU/day vitamin D3 for four days (2 million IU) and IV calcium. He walked out of the hospital in great shape/
My wife is a 115 pounder and eats like a bird. She took 15,000 IU/day from her start on this regimen and that has kept her migraine pain free since 2010. She dropped back to a maintenance dose at an average of 7,000 IU/day alternating between 10,000 IU/day and 5,000 IU/day two years ago and has remained migjraine free.. Her serum 25(OH)D stayed constant at 120 ng/mL at a maintenance dose of 15,000 IU/day and is now down to 97 ng/mL at an average maintenance dose of 7,000 IU/day.
As to where to go for your lab tests of your serum 25(OH)D, calcium and PTH. I would start with your husband's flight surgeon or the nearest military medical facility.
If push comes to shove, the magic word to get these lab tests. is "Hypervitaminosis D". Tell the doctors you've been taking 50,000 IU/day vitamin D3 and want to make sure your serum calcium is still within its normal reference range. This works every time...
Take care and please keep me posted.
V/R, Batch
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Hey Cocobongo, Howz the head? Good work checking out the supplement facts and great question. It's clear the Kirkland Adult 50+ Mature Multi is formulated differently for different countries outside the US. Go with the second supplement. The goal of this regimen is a CH pain free response. If the CH beast continues jumping ugly, don't be afraid to increase the vitamin D3 daily maintenance dose until you're CH pain free. Be sure to see your PCP/GP for labs of your serum 25(OH)D, calcium and PTH 30 days after you reach a stable vitamin D3 dose. As long as your serum calcium is within its normal reference range, the actual 25(OH)D serum concentration doesn't really matter even if it's over 100 ng/mL. My 25(OH)D averages 150 ng/mL with normal calcium and low PTH as expected. My PCP/GP has no problems with this. Take care and please keep us posted.
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Hey Bridge, Interesting observation and great question. Over the last 9 years providing outreach on the benefits of vitamin D3 at a minimum of 10,000 IU/day plus Omega-3 fish oil and the vitamin D3 cofactors as an effective CH preventative, we've discovered situations similar to yours. We've found that infections (viral, bacterial and fungal), allergic reactions, trauma and surgery all contribute to an increase in the frequency, severity and duration of CH even when taking vitamin D3 at a dose of 10,000 IU/day. Digging into the causality, it appears that any medical condition that triggers inflammation and activates the immune system, consumes serum 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] rapidly frequently leaving too little serum 25(OH)D to prevent CH. The best course of action for bacterial infections is to take an antibiotic. The big problem in doing this is nearly all antibiotics are indiscriminate, so kill off the friendly colonies of bacteria living in our GI tract called the microbiome. As the microbiome plays a key roll in our immune system, keeping it healthy is important. Accordingly, we've found that it's best to start a course of probiotic ASAP after treatment with the antibiotic is complete. We've also found that increasing the vitamin D3 dose in a range from 15,000 IU/day up to 25,000 IU/day elevates serum 25(OH)D sufficiently to counter most viral infections. 6 to 8 grams a day of vitamin C is also helpful in combating viral, bacterial and fungal infections. Hope this helps explain your observation. Take care and please keep us posted V/R, Batch
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Hey Ryan, Understand the cluster headache beast has been jumping ugly on the back of your eye and side of your face on one side of your head. If you want to stop this beast from doing a scrum inside your head and get back on the playing field, I've sent you a PM with the "How To." Take care and please keep us posted. V/R, Batch
