ThatHurtsMyHead

Ricardo, I have to meet you some day... ROFL... Jeff

Makes sense that we don't want to duplicate the same discussions from CH.com. Would it be better to direct questions on Licorich, Fish oil, Vit-D, or ther detox methods etc to a single location, and keep the discussions here 'busting' related? Oxygen is a tuffy as I personally almost deem that a requirement with busting. (Any poor soul out there w/o Oxygen I feel sad for) Jeff

Happy B-Day Mom! Jeff

Bummer on the green. Good luck, Jeff

I always have VERY vivid dreams just before my cycle starts. Usually violent and very real. When my CH stops, so do the dreams. (or I have normal dreams). This is really weird to say out loud, but here's how real the dreams are: Once, I woke up and needed to pee in the middle of the night. Got up from bed walked to the bathroom. lifted the seat (yes I put it down when done Started peeing. About half way through peeing I wake up in bed mostly in shock because I don't know how I got back in bed and I'm wet. I lay there for a few minutes in complete shock. I remember feeling the soft sheets when I got out of bed and smelling the clean bathroom smell when I walked in, and the cold tile on my feet. It was completely real in every aspect of my memory. (Thankfully the bathroom incident only happend once, but the dreams are that real). I only get vivid dreams like this just before a CH cycle starts, usually 1 to 2 weeks. They're like clockwork every cycle. (I'm likely going to regret sharing the above, but that's how real the dreams are. They're indistinguishable from reality until I wakeup and realize the memory was really a dream). Sometimes I have a hard time separating the dream from reality when I wake up (Is my grandmother alive or dead? The memory of her funeral, was that real or part of the dream?). It can be somewhat confusing when I wake up sometimes. I also wakeup with all the emotions and physical feelings from the dream just like whatever happened, really just happened. Anyway, the dreams started at the same time as my CH. And both started shortly after taking Lariam 23 or so years ago. Lariam is an anti malaria medicine that also has vivid dreams as a side effect. I hypothosize that the Lariam did something to my brain that the CH interacts with each cycle when it's starting. Jeff

Can't preach it enough: Oxygen, Oxygen, Oxygen. It's the only reason I'm still here... I haven't had a K10 since... 90%+ of my attacks I can abort within 5 to 10 minutes. (gotta get to the O2 quickly though). Jeff

Juster, Glad everything is going well for you. I'm thinking something was done wrong with some I saw a little while ago. 4 weeks since inoc, and only a few small spots starting. All only white right now, and small.

I prefer early evening / late afternoon. Around 3 to 4. That way (pending the strength of the dose) I can get to sleep before midnight. Jeff

Rod, I'll give it to you straight up... I saw doctors for 15 years that gave me everything from antibiotics, to Verapamil, to Imitrex, to .... to.... NOTHING worked 1/2 as good and had TONS of awful side effects, as these two items: 1) Oxygen 2) Hallucinogens (low dose) I've learned over the years about how doctors operate and am somewhat bitter that many know how effective Oxygen and shrooms are, but they refuse to do anything that really helps their patients. Doctors today only know how 'try' one drug company cure after the next instead of helping with something that really works: Oxygen and Shrooms: 1) Doctors can't make money off of repeat trips to see them for more drugs, or adjustments to the doses. (or even more drugs to combat the side effects of the first drugs they gave you). 2) They don't make the drug companies rich, which in turn give kickbacks and perks to the doctors. Since starting alternative treatments discussed on this website: I now only see my doctor for 1 visit a year to update my oxygen prescription. Other than that I don't need to see him OR put any of the drug companies crap in my body. (and trust me side effects from Verapamil and other drugs I've taken from them were FAR worse than anything natural I've taken (seeds, shrooms etc) From my experience with the halucinogen treatments, I'm perfectly fine the next day with no issues, side effects, nothing. Just normal - well accept no CH attacks!! Lithium you would have to take every day and here's a list of side effects I just looked up: Lithium Side Effects - for the Professional LithiumThe occurrence and severity of adverse reactions are generally directly related to serum Lithium concentrations as well as to individual patient sensitivity to Lithium, and generally occur more frequently and with greater severity at higher concentrations. Adverse reactions may be encountered at serum Lithium levels below 1.5 mEq/L. Mild to moderate adverse reactions may occur at levels from 1.5 to 2.5 mEq/L, and moderate to severe reactions may be seen at levels of 2.0 mEq/L and above. Fine hand tremor, polyuna and mild thirst may occur during initial therapy for the acute manic phase, and may persist throughout treatment. Transient and mild nausea and general discomfort may also appear during the first few days of Lithium administration. These side effects usually subside with continued treatment or a temporary reduction or cessation of dosage. If persistent, cessation of Lithium therapy may be required. Diarrhea, vomiting, drowsiness, muscular weakness and lack of coordination may be early signs of Lithium intoxication, and can occur at Lithium levels below 2.0 mEq/L. At higher levels, ataxia, giddiness, tinnitus, blurred vision and a large output of dilute urine may be seen. Serum Lithium levels above 3.0 mEq/L may produce a complex clinical picture, involving multiple organs and organ systems. Serum Lithium levels should not be permitted to exceed 2.0 mEq/L during the acute treatment phase. The following reactions have been reported and appear to be related to serum Lithium levels, including levels within the therapeutic range: Neuromuscular/Central Nervous System - tremor, muscle hyperirritability (fasciculations, twitching, clonic movements of whole limbs), hypertonicity, ataxia, choreoathetotic movements, hyperactive deep tendon reflex, extrapyramidal symptoms including acute dystonia, cogwheel rigidity, blackout spells, epileptiform seizures, slurred speech, dizziness, vertigo, downbeat nystagmus, incontinence of urine or feces, somnolence, psychomotor retardation, restlessness, confusion, stupor, coma, tongue movements, tics, tinnitus; hallucinations, poor memory, slowed intellectual functioning, startled response, worsening of organic brain syndromes, myasthenia gravis (rarely); Cardiovascular – cardiac arrhythmia, hypotension, peripheral circulatory collapse, bradycardia, sinus node dysfunction with severe bradycardia (which may result in syncope); Gastrointestinal - anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gastritis, salivary gland swelling, abdominal pain, excessive salivation, flatulence, indigestion; Genitourinary - glycosuria, decreased creatinine clearance, albuminuria, oliguria, and symptoms of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus including polyuria, thirst and polydipsia; Dermatologic - drying and thinning of hair, alopecia, anesthesia of skin, acne, chronic folliculitis, xerosis cutis, psoriasis or its exacerbation, generalized pruritus with or without, rash, cutaneous ulcers, angioedema; Autonomic - blurred vision, dry mouth, impotence/sexual dysfunction; Thyroid Abnormalities - euthyroid goiter and/or hypothyroidism (including myxedema) accompanied by lower T3 and T4. I131 uptake may be elevated. Paradoxically, rare cases of hyperthyroidism have been reported; EEG Changes - diffuse slowing, widening of the frequency spectrum, potentiation and disorganization of background rhythm; EKG Changes -reversible flattening, isoelectricity or inversion of T-waves; Miscellaneous - fatigue, lethargy, transient scotomata, exophthalmos, dehydration, weight loss, leukocytosis, headache, transient hyperglycemia, hypercalcemia, hyperparathyroidism, excessive weight gain, edematous swelling of ankles or wrists, metallic taste, dysgeusia/taste distortion, salty taste, thirst, swollen lips, tightness in chest, swollen and/or painful joints, fever, polyarthralgia, dental caries. Some reports of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, hyperparathyroidism and hypothyroidism which persist after Lithium discontinuation have been received. A few reports have been received of the development of painful discoloration of fingers and toes and coldness of the extremities within one day of the starting of treatment with Lithium. The mechanism through which these symptoms (resembling Raynaud's syndrome) developed is not known. Recovery followed discontinuance. Cases of pseudotumor cerebri (increased intracranial pressure and papilledema) have been reported with Lithium use. If undetected, this condition may result in enlargement of the blind spot, constriction of visual fields and eventual blindness due to optic atrophy. Lithium should be discontinued, if clinically possible, if this syndrome occurs. Good luck on your decision, Jeff

Christina, Please call me I'll PM my number. There are some date stamps on the outside of the tank that determine if the gas distributor will fill them. Please make sure you don't buy any tanks unless you verify they are within "hydro" (I'll help you with that). If they're outside of hydro they're almost worthless for your use, because the gas distributor by law can only fill tanks in hydro. A hydro usually takes 1 to 2 weeks and costs $40 and up. You also run the risk that if the tank wasn't properly stored by the prior owner, that it could easily fail the hydro (very common). If that happens the company by law has to condemn the tank and drill a hole in it before returning to you. I've found most tanks people sell on craigs list are out of hydro, or not stored properly. I was looking for some additional SCUBA tanks a few years ago and out of 10 or so I looked at only 2 were in hydro and fillable, the rest were only worth scrap metal. Craigs list may be a good place for some things, but be wary of any type of tank. (also not to mention you don't know if they were previously filled with O2. Could have been acetelyne or another toxic gas you certainly don't want to breath. I can help you with the hydro info, but not with what they were used for previously. My recommendation is to flip the nickel and buy new tanks from the gas distributor, you know they'll be good for years to come and normally aren't that much, because they want to make money on filling them for you. Did you get the O2 prescription? Why problems? Please elaborate as that may be a much easier situation to fix. As I mentioned earlier most med supply companies charge $20 for setup and $9 per tank (no rental on the tanks = free tanks for only the cost of the fills!) I've gone through this for several years, multiple doctors and multiple med supply companies. Jeff

I think it's the combination of Taurene and Caffeine in the energy drinks that helps. I've found they don't do much by themselves, but 1/2 an energy drink (Monster green can tastes pretty good) seems to make the O2 work much faster and better. Jeff

Mysti, Sorry to hear of your diagnosis. Your symptoms definitely sound like CH to me. One predominant symptom is repeated attacks several a day usually. Normally after a few weeks to around 2 months the attacks stop if you're episodic. Chronics go on and on. #1 Best attack stopper is breathing 100% Oxygen. #2 Hallucinogens (small quantities only needed a few times a year) You'll find that many on this board share your same concern with Hallucinogen use and our jobs. If you do need to go this route a few encouraging words. 1) Most standard drug tests don't test for hallucinogenics. 2) The chemicals are normally in extremely small doses and your body expels them very quickly. Jeff

Perediablo, Excellent news! Tingeling, Is that a new tattoo in your avitar? I can't quite tell? Jeff

Christina, You are 100% correct! And thanks or the compare to giving birth. People just don't understand the level of pain... Like you, I've gone over the edge during K10's. Nothing but luck has kept me here. I'm 10,000% better after finding oxygen and more importantly the hallucinogens discussed here. Jeff

$70 a day... WOW... I use to regularly get real.. yea real welding gas for a hobby of mine (making "Stuff" The last tank I bought was $180 and it's a 5 foot tall by 8 inches round. You should be able to buy a smaller tank for much less. Once you buy a tank they normally exchange it for the fill fee. ($35 sounds about right for a large O2 tank). Good luck and keep us posted on your progress. I can't stress enough O2, O2, O2. It's a complete game changer. Jeff

I'll NEVER take that stuff again... Verapamil #1 - It didn't help my CH #2 - Made me tired and dizzy #3 - Gave me heart palipitations - Premature Ventricle Contractions (PVC's). They started a few weeks after I started verapamil, and didn't go away for months after stopping. REALLY scarry stuff. My heart would skip a beat then stop and wait to restart in rythm. When it restarts it feels like your heart is going to jump out of your chest, and wouldn't restart for 4 or 5 seconds sometimes. I never once had a heart issue before starting verapamil... I gave it a good go, and stayed on it for about 2 months well into a bad cycle, and it didn't do squat in reducing the pain or terminating the cycle. Just my 2c... Good luck with the new neuro, Jeff

Christina, Firstly... Glad you found us! The treatments spoken about on this board do work and and much better than any doctor prescribed treatment I've had or any that I've read about. #1 - Get Oxygen - It's the #1 easiest and fastest abortive for attacks. You have two options to get it: a) Get a prescription from your doctor (You will likely need to print out some of the oxygen information from this website and bring with you. Don't be afraid to DEMAND it from your doctor. Many are unwilling or just uneducated enough to prescribe O2 due to ignorance, or their want to only provide solutions that put $ in the pockets of drug companies. (more on that later.. ha) - Medical O2 is about $20 for setup and $9 per 'E' tank (That's what it costs me w/o insurance) - Each E tank lasts me about 3 to 4 attacks. You HAVE to have a non-rebreather mask and 15 liters per minute flow or better (some people require up to 25). You can purchase a welding Oxygen tank and get refills at any welding supply (or industrial gas supply) company. You need a non-rebreather mask (ouch.com for $27 I think) and regulator (harbor freight for about $30). #2 - Order HBWR or RC seeds (LSA) over the internet. There are lots of vendors that sell them and lots of information on preparation on on this website. Here's the link: http://www.clusterbusters.com/links1.htm Another option is if you have access to magic mushrooms, LSD or Mescaline. They all provide relief, but depending on where you are, could be more difficult or easier to come by. They all have varying degrees of social acceptance, and side effects. Jeff

Lekook, I forgot to mention: On the $ for Oxygen... Oxygen setup: Most medical supply companies have a nomial 'setup' fee with your first oxygen pickup. Both the company I use in NC and here in FL had it. BUT, it's a bargain! (I travel between NC and FL for work a few times a year, so keep Oxygen in both places) In NC they charge $20 for a non rebreather mask, regulator (8lpm is all they have), hose and carrying bag for a small tank. In FL they charged $25 for the exact same setup. Both companies charge between $8 and $9 for an 'E' size oxygen tank (I can pickup an unlimited number of tanks for the same price per tank). The 'E' tank I usually use to abort 3 or 4 attacks and keep anywhere from 4 to 8 tanks around the house depending on where I'm at in my cycle. At about $2 an abort, trust me it's $ WELL spent. And these charges are without using my insurance. All you need is a prescription. I'm a strong advocate for using 'E' tanks and not larger tanks for one simple reason. Safety. This is also the reason I'm sure most Dr's are reluctant to prescribe Oxygen (They know it can kill you, but I bet most don't know why). Breathing O2 above sea level depletes nitrogen from your body. Nitrogen is required to keep the alveoli in your lungs inflated (The sacks that allow Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide to be exchanged to the blood). After an hour or so the alveoli in your lungs slowly start to collapse reducing the amount of Oxygen obsorbed in your bloodstream. Your body doesn't know anything is wrong because your body senses you have plenty of carbon dioxide and Oxygen in your system. If you were to fall asleep on 100% oxygen for 3+ hours you run the risk of basically suffocating in your sleep. I regularly fall asleep after some hard attacks. The exhaustion kicks in and BAM, I'm out like a light when the pain goes away. Simply exhausted... I've woken up on several occasions when the O2 'E' tank hits empty, never realizing when I fell asleep. Wearing a non rebreather mask will wake you up pretty quickly when you take a breath in your sleep and can't pull anything in). If someone has a large O2 tank (3+ hours of continuous 100% O2) you could run the risk of all the Ovoli in your lungs collapsing. Don't mean to scare you or anyone else, but it's a very real fact. If you use tanks with 2 or less hours total capacity you should never get to a seriously dangerous point. Normal usage for aborting CH attacks are between 15 and 40 minutes. With experience most are closer to the 15 minute mark or less. That said: I now only use 1/10th the oxygen I used before starting seed and fungus treatments!!! O2 + Fungus = Return to Living Life! Jeff

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O2, O2, O2 - By Far your best $ spent. As for Seeds or Shrooms: I used seeds to successfully terminate a cycle last year with only two doses. This year seeds didn't do beans... Fungus though initially gave me 4 days at a time complete pain free releif. After 2 doses the PF time extended further. I'm now at 14 days PF since my last dose with the fungus!!!! Hope that helps. I'd say order and try the seeds first, but don't count on them to work long term. Several others have reported the same as myself, that they worked one year but not the next. Jeff

Completely agree with Father, Jeebs, skibo and mom above.. Definitely taper from the zoloft slowly per Dr advice. As a positive note: Many here have reported (including myself) a general uplift in attitude and mental well being after starting alternative treatments spoken about on this website. Long after the immediate effects are gone a very slightly uplifted feeling is left. Nothing huge, but definitely present. Could just be the missing CH attacks, and normal sleep!! Jeff

hmm, that's a tricky question as I'm sure each person with CH will give a different answer. For me: I get crazy vivid dreams when my cycle is about to start. They usually start 1 to 2 weeks before the attacks start. Like that for every cycle as far as I can remember. The dreams stop shortly before my cycle ends, though the exact cycle end is VERY difficult to determine. I took a prescription drug Lariam (for malaria) when it was experimental back in the mid 80's. One of the side effects are vivid dreams that can persist after ending the drug. I've hypothasized that Lariam did something that triggers the dreams when my CH is starting up each cycle. (Some nerves in my brain rewired in the same place the CH affects?). A few years ago I had gone nearly a month without any attacks. I figured I was out of cycle and decided to test the theory by drinking a beer. BAD idea... I had an immediate high K attack, and it started the entire cycle back up again for another month or so. No more 'Beer' tests for me unless I'm positive I'm out of cycle. Jeff

Rob, Yes the description does help, some of your symptoms are typical Cluster symptoms, not all, but some of us get some variations. The symptoms that are more common it seems are pain in the temple, behind the eye on one side, runny nose on attack side, facial swelling on attack side. One particular symptom is the opposite of migraine. Those with CH attacks typically can't lay down and instead rock back and forth or pace (I'm a rocker with the occasional hit of my head on the wall or floor when in the throws of a K9 or greater). Migraine sufferers usually prefer to lay down in the dark. You may want to see your neurologist for a proper diagnosis and script for 100% Oxygen. The O2 is definitely a life saver and is almost a unanimous first choice for those with CH at the beginning of an attack. I'm unsure what the percentage is but I'd say 90% of my attacks are aborted within 15 minutes if I get to my O2 quick enough. Many of the other natural remedies on this site are more for cycle termination, though some are useful as an attack abortive also. Many of us use the term Shadows to describe the unpleasant feeling we get when an attack is eminent or a very very low pain headache. Jeff

Rob, Have you been diagnosed with a specific type of HA? Where does your pain originate, and does it move locations? Jeff

Definitely Pain Free here right now!!!! Those on this board know what they're talking about!. You get your Oxygen setup yet? Jeff