Bejeeber

Just FYI before this thing spins completely outa control, this is an old thread and that anniversary was actually last July LOL. ;D ;D Aw maybe I shouldn't've said anything......the lovin' sentiments from nice folks are still 100% valid.Â

Well yeah I think I can see how after 50+ years it could get ANNOYING. YIKES. Please tell me you haven't been chronic for 50+ years (I've had 'em for 30+ years, but episodic, which of course would be equivalent to only a fraction of those years compared to a chronic headbanger). Good news is now that you've passed your golden CH anniversary (yuck!) I bet you'll be finding info and advice here that will seriously enable you to experience a whole lot less CH. (Speaking of golden, anything you see posted here by CHfather is golden advice that should be taken very seriously). 8-) Imitrex injections too expensive? Well how about instantly getting 3 times or so more aborts from your current supply? If you're not doing this already, join the legions of imitrex injecting CH'ers who have very successfully adopted the method of extending your imitrex outlined here: http://www.clusterheadaches.com/imitrex.html Then you'll definitely want to look into high flow 100% O2 (NOT the old, ineffective low flow / rebreather O2) And busting. A much more effective preventative than any prescription out there, successfully employed by young'ns, middle aged folk and seniors alike (in my book you're middle aged LOL). Here's a super interesting Newsweek article on the subject of busting for CH: http://www.newsweek.com/2009/10/14/the-psychedelic-solution.html A great video talk on the same subject by our fellow CH'er Bob Wold: http://vimeo.com/10918637 And a rivetingly excellent National Geographic episode (starting around 30:50) covering the topic, featuring our esteemed forum member here Hipshot/Dan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjteSZu_JqM

Well based on the reports of others here who have taken lorazepam right during a mushroom bust for anxiety and haven't seen it interfere with the effectiveness of their busting, it seems reasonable to me to hope there'll be no major issue there. Hoping the slapback factor has died down for you Donnie , and glad to see the good people here have advised you well with the O2. 8-)

I'm absolutely with b.g. on the seed dosage thing and glad to see you're on the same wavelength Donnie. Plus 30 seeds seeds isn't even going big in my book, it's more like going cautiously low-moderate. 40 is the lowest I've ever taken. Personally I find 1.5g of mushrooms to be decidedly in the going big category, while 65 RC seeds before bed is still comparatively....nothing. The only benefit I can think of with an ultra minuscule 10 seed sub therapeutic dose (which is still officially recommended in places - I'm not sure why) would be that someone who is out of cycle, or someone who doesn't mind getting hit with devastating CH attacks for 5 more days (who is that??!!), could dip the tip of their little toe in with it to see whether they have an adverse reaction. Not that I recall anyone ever reporting any sort of allergic type reaction.

Hi Sabiga, glad to see you're getting excellent info and advice in the replies here. As those who've seen my posts have come to expect I would like to point you at some info that details how to inject partial doses, which actually work as well as full doses but help con$erve supply, lessen side effect risk, etc. : http://www.clusterheadaches.com/imitrex.html

Hey JBF! It does sound to me like you'd otherwise be in a hell of a cycle right now, but the busting is working so effectively that the attacks only break through when strongly triggered. Days off, relaxation, sleeping in (and of course beer!) appear to be very common triggers indeed - I've seen many a headbanger report mainly being hit on days off. So getting up early every day and staying engaged in work-like activities all day long sounds like a good strategy to me until you're through this cycle. I've also seen others report the nature and severity of their breakthrough hits morphing after busting, with severity often being lessened. Congrats on giving the beast a blast he'll never forget, and kicking him to the curb!! [smiley=thumbup.gif] [smiley=thumbup.gif] You are one rockin' buster. 8-)

You are consistently CRANKING out the zingers as of late, BB. [smiley=thumbup.gif] ;D

Whoa I'm confused here - are you calling Potter big boy or are you calling the K tank big boy? ;D

I know "stay stressed" is a mantra for many a headbanger. I like to think that stay engaged can give stay stressed a run for it's money for helping keep the hits at bay, but with less wear and tear. For some of us anyway. I will second BB's Never Relax (if the busting isn't kicking in). Not that 'ol you know beasty who doesn't patiently wait, knowing that eventually ya have to fall asleep. >

Well I do ROCK when it comes to seconding motions where other headbangers end up doing the work! ;D 43 DAYS. That must've seemed otherwordly for such a severe chronic case as Michael's. Thank gawsh for that attitude, and here's really hoping the busting will kick in again and/or the "almond" implant will become available (for Dan too!) and will work, whatever can be done to get back to that place of being a PF flyer.

....Starting to read about it and finding some intriguing stuff right away - including these bits: "an implantable neurostimulator that is smaller than an almond." "February 5th 2013 - New clinical results demonstrate that SPG stimulation with the ATI Neurostimulation System is highly effective in achieving fast pain relief in patients suffering from the debilitating pain of cluster headache"

WHOA Mr. Ron, if that one is actually working for Michael, that would be about the best news I've ever heard, at least since I heard from a little birdy around Christmas time that busting was starting to work for Michael again. -Jeebs, not as pretty as Dan, but still quite alluring.

Now THERE'S an inspired slogan! ;D Maybe it can be adopted as the official theme of the 2013 C-Busters conference.Â

;D Fair enough - I guess some people's spouses do act as their own personal Phosphatidyl Serine supplement, and with free shipping to boot.

Brilliant post there Ricardo, [smiley=thumbup.gif] and impressive use of the word "stipulation". ;D

I was surprised the first couple times I read about it, but now I too have noticed enough CH'ers commenting about being able to fall back to sleep after an energy drink (used to help abort a wake up hit) that the phenomenon is starting to appear typical even.

SWEETÂ ;D

I have the feeling BB will have something to contribute here. I believe he's researched the subject aplenty. 8-) [smiley=vrolijk_1.gif]

LOL ;D ;D You're welcome CHS. For all I know it might enhance them...I don't know if that'd be a good thing though!! ;D You might reach a point where you wouldn't ever have to actually go online to find out what's the latest with your headbanger crew here, you'd just always know.

Howdee b.g., I haven't seen (or experienced) much o' nuthin' regarding interactions - all I've seen is this sort of hypothetical thing (from Web MD again): "Phosphatidylserine might increase a chemical in the body called acetylcholine. This chemical is similar to some medications used for glaucoma, Alzheimer's disease, and other conditions. Taking phosphatidylserine with these medications might increase the chance of side effects." Acetylcholine is a naturally occurring neuro transmitter BTW, and PS is a naturally occurring phospholipid that is vital to brain cells.

OK, I'm throwing down the gauntlet! The currently very active thread regarding short term memory loss and how many of us experience it has me now ramping up my message about the potential benefits of phosphatidyl serine, and I'm officially challenging those with krap memories to try a bottle. For a minute there I was thinking I should tread lightly, so as to avoid coming off as a vitamin salesman on commission, but heck that didn't stop Batch from doing a marketing blitz with vitamin D3.* Come to think of it though, the first guy who tried to make a strong case for D3 at ch.com was tarred, feathered and run outa town on a rail. ANYHOO, here's what ya do: 1) Getcha one 120 pill bottle of Phosphatidyl Serine 100 mg 2) Take one pill 3x a day (one with each meal, makes it easy) 3) Upon finishing the bottle, assess whether you've been forgetting whether you've watered the plants etc. like you used to. What it's done for me: Over the years I have gone off and on the PS, and each time I go off, I'm back to a sad state where I routinely have to feel the toothbrush to see if it's wet, so I can know whether I brushed my teeth! That sort of thing doesn't happen when I'm on the PS. I do still tend to exhibit some very public memory lapses on the forum here, my memory isn't GREAT, but it's significantly improved. Here are a couple brands I know of that work, any vendor oughta do (I do like iHerb though): http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-Phosphatidyl-Serine-100-mg-120-Vcaps/745 http://www.vitacost.com/jarrow-formulas-ps-100-phosphatidylserine-100-mg-120-capsules-1 I haven't noticed any effect of PS on CH, so I'm assuming it's innocuous in that regard. This isn't isn't the cheapest supplement out there, dammit, but considering how much memory capabilities can affect work performance, etc., I realized it was penny wise / pound foolish for me not to spring for it. I think Dan should consider trying it toot sweet. 8-) From Web MD: "Phosphatidylserine is used for Alzheimer's disease, age-related decline in mental function, improving thinking skills in young people, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, etc...." "Phosphatidylserine is an important chemical with widespread functions in the body. It is part of the cell structure and is key in the maintenance of cellular function, especially in the brain." *I'm no Batch, obviously - my font is much smaller, and he's all scientific researchy and junk, whereas I just heard of the already researched benefits of PS, tried it and found it worked for me. Also, Batch has developed an entire multi pronged regimen around D3 for CH, while this memory "regimen" involves just one pill down the hatch.

CHfather to the rescue!! [smiley=thumbup.gif] Hey Sledge, that's a beautiful goldmine of info CHfather just posted above - I bet you will seriously find some significant relief by reading through it all and following through. The detox from the meds and the high flow, 100% O2 are a couple of especially pertinent bits IMO. 8-)

Sorry to hear you've been getting slammed so bad Donnie, but glad to see you're getting good advice here. Busting is not even remotely in the "grasping for straws" category IMO, it's more like hitting the motherlode of preventatives, as it is more effective than any prescription out there. 30 seeds as CHf mentioned is something I also would consider very reasonable. I know a lot of us are in no mood for pussy footing around though - I went for 40 something seeds first dose (right before bed) and felt no side effects except for 1 minute of nausea and a better than usual night's sleep. Since then it's been 65 or more seeds before bed, no tripping, just sleeping. What if the seeds don't work?! Perish that thought, but you'd still have other very powerful busting preventatives to hit it with, like psilocybin, and it could be a good idea to start growing some mushrooms right now so you'll have them for your back up plan.

You have some captivating stories b.g. [smiley=thumbup.gif] 8-)

Well I see that one of the most important words - bust - needs no translation. ;D