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Thanks, How much melatonin should i start out taking? I just got everything else d3 fish oil cc will start that asap. i got rc seed today, need to clean out system to start the seeds. I weight 180 lb so how many seeds should i start with. I'm not sure about getting clean yet i work 100 hours a week and need to sleep as much as i can and the verapamil has seem to cut the pain down on the ch. This is allot to take in all at once i have been very healthy up to this point i really hat the side effects of taking the verapamil tired,hands shake ,nite sweats are very bad wake up soke and wet almost every nite. :'(

This is slightly off topic, but instructive. I was reading one of those complimentary large format 'alternative health' magazines I picked up at an organic market downstate the other day, and there was an article about herbal first aid for parents, being summer and all. The article was written by a woman (obviously a heavy advertiser in this rag) who was something called a "sound" and "color puncture" (???) therapist. (Note: this mag is published in the same county as one of the premier schools of herbal medicine in the country, Tai Sophia Institute. They couldn't find a real herbalist?). It was concerned with cuts, scrapes, insect stings, poison ivy, that sort of thing. I wound up flinging it in disgust and ranting to my wife that no wonder people question the efficacy of plant remedies when morons are allowed to print nonsense. She recommended arcane plants and things like seaweed, which no one is likely to carry around. The truth is that the solution to simple summer medical problems is usually right at your feet. In the interest of restoring some integrity to my calling, I present just three common weeds which I guarantee to perform wonderful things. (Please google pictures of these plants so you make sure you've got the right stuff). 1. For cuts, scrapes, mosquito bites, bee or wasp stings: Plantago Major; plantain.: Not the banana thing. A ubiquitous weed found almost anywhere in the world Europeans have been (it is naturalized here; it is known as the 'white mans' footprint'), it is found wherever people are, and not where they aren't. One of the finest medicinal plants in existence, the first herb I ever learned and still one of the most useful, internally and externally. It will stop bleeding and absolutely eliminate the itch and pain of stings. It will suck toxins, splinters and debris from wounds.Simply take a leaf (make sure no chemicals have been sprayed, if its from a lawn) and chew it up a bit to crush and release the ingredients, then slap it on the wound or bite and hold it there for a few minutes. Ta da. 2. Achillea Millefolia, Yarrow. Named for Achilles, who healed his warriors' wounds with it. The feathery, fernlike leaves and flowers (the wild white kind, not the pink ornamental garden variety) when crushed, will stop even relatively serious bleeding almost instantly. (Internally, the tincture is a wonderful fever reducer moving heat from the core to the surface. The plant habitually grows in hot, dry soils. Coincidence?) 3. Impatiens capensis, Jewelweed. Called spotted touch-me-not, this is the premier poison ivy remedy, often found growing right near it. It prefers damp, wet areas. The sap from the hollow stems and the crushed leaves neutralize the toxins in PI. You can take the juice and freeze it in ice cubes to use when the plant is not available. Stops spread of rash, and use with plantain as well to remove itch. Thats just a couple that actually work, and I use these on a regular basis. OK, I feel redeemed. But I thoroughly understand the attitude of folks who are skeptical of herbal medicine given the profusion of snake oil salesmen (and women) out there. Hope everyone is well.

Bob, Two things I'll add: 1. Don't discount doing all the reading and research you can. Yes, a bunch of us could give you advice on what we've done and you could try it, but knowledge is empowerment. The more you learn about this monster, the more it puts YOU in charge. And being empowered to kill this thing (or at least knock it out know and then) is a great feeling, and much better than simply listening to a bunch of people saying "take this" or "try that". 2. Les Genser articulates this point much better than I can, but I can not stress the importance of this enough: your doctor can not write a prescription for anything that will treat your CH. It's a sad and shocking fact, but it's reality. Verapamil, Imitrex, Prednisone cycles, you name it. . .they're all hand-me-downs being used off-label, they don't treat the core problem, and the side effects are awful. My best advice is to start with a pure, clean sample. Get yourself off of the pharmaceuticals. Find an abortive that works for you to help get you through the detox (sounds like the oxygen is already working for you, so that's good). Eliminate all of your known triggers (Alcohol? Tobacco? Lack of sleep?) Then, start trying some of the regimens suggested on this site and others. Personally, licorice tincture toned my CH way down, then I went to the seeds for complete relief (that process is still in the works, but so far so good). You may find relief with this, or with the D3/fish oil regimen, or with melatonin, or busting, or you may discover something totally new that works. The key is to know what your melon responds to, what makes the beast tick, and how to kill it. Good luck, man! Lots of good info and good people here to help you.

I would like to add that, for the first time in 18 months, I am getting measured relief with a regimen of Fish Oil, Melatonin, Scullcap tincture, and I just started D3 today. I am not on any prescribed medication at this time. For me, this is amazing. I plan to bring in Licorice Root this week. There is hope for you bob. Hang in there and learn with the help of this board. Scott

So sorry to read this, Bob . . . hard as it is to believe, you are "lucky" in having received a quick diagnosis, having gotten oxygen, having access to a neuro (if s/he is a good one), and having discovered this board, where you will get lots of help. You are way ahead of the game, and even though everyone understands why you are scared and confused and how very scary and confusing it can be, you're on your way to taking control of your situation. Yes, your cycle will almost certainly end--not many people start out with chronic CH (many people don't ever go there--and even chrocic CH can be managed). Others here will advise you about alternatives to the verapamil. "Busting" with RC seeds worked very well for my daughter, and we can discuss that more. You can read more about "busiting" in the "clusterbuster files" section here, particularly in the great files posted there by tommyd. For now, I would suggest that you consider three relatively simple things: 1. Try drinking a RedBull or other "energy drink"--something high in caffeine and taurine--as soon as you feel a CH coming on (or as soon as one awakens you). That helps a lot of people. 2. I think you should start on the vitamin D3 regimen that has helped a lot of people. It's generally very safe (though you might check with your doctor) and inexpensive. In essence, start taking about 10,000 international units per day of vitamin D3. You could take more (some folks take 20K IU per day), but high dosages for extended periods are not recommended. You should take it with food. You can take it all at once or in two 5K pills (or whatever denominations you can get). Also take two or three calcium citrate tablets that are formulated with magnesium and zinc (and maybe some other things, including a relatively small amount of additional D3). The recommended dosage of these is 2 or 3 tablets per day. You don't have to take them with food, but you can, of course. And also take Omega 3 fish oil capsules, roughly 2-3,000 mg per day. Others who are on this regimen also drink a glass of lemonade once or twice a day, with meals. There are substantial success stories here and elsewhere with using this method. You can read a great deal more about it in a long, somewhat complicated thread here: http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1291969416/50 I recommend at least skimming that, because you see success stories and individual variants. There's also a thread here at Clusterbusters, with less detail but still worthwhile: http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cb/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1300245052 3. You say your O2 "seems to help a lot." That's great. If you're aborting relatively quickly (within 10 minutes or so) with your O2 (which I assume is at least a 15 liters per minute flow using a non-rebreather mask), you probably don't need to hassle with that now (and I see that money is an issue). Many people, however, swear by the O2ptimask. You can read about having a good oxygen setup here, and at the end of this file there's a list of where you can order various components, including the O2ptimask (I will add the note note that increasingly, evidence is showing that higher flow rates of 25lpm or more result in quicker aborts, though as I say this might not be something you have to worry about now.) http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cb/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1299901790

I've had some kind of reaction to the vitamin D3 regimen. My tongue and throat became irritated. I thought it may have been the D3 so I stopped but then it continued. So I cut out the magnesium/calcium. For the past week I have been taking only the fish oil. Also, I stared taking 10mg Melatonin each night and skullcap tincture, 40 drops in some water 4-5 times per day. I'm going bring the D3 and mag/cal back in one at a time as I try to identify the culprit. But already something is different. Mind you, I do not have CH, I have HC (Hemicrania Continua). I have noticed my daily HA has become less frequent, shorter acting, and less severe. My plan is to throw in some Licorice Root as soon as I can get my hands on it. After 18 months of daily suffering, could I finally be on to something here? Beware the jinx! Les, given the effects of licorice on serotonin, would it interfere with busting if I decided to throw a dose in? Thanks Scott

Neurontin was also suggested for my daughter. There's a 20-post thread here discussing it, though not directly in relationship to your specific question about mushies: http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cb/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1300849393 (I wish we had a better search engine here. I don't understand the limitations of the current one, but if you enter neurontin there it doesn't even take you to this thread, let alone whatever mentions of neurontin there might be elsewhere.) Has Booj tried the vitamin D3 regimen? I'd definitely go that way before taking neurontin. Here's something I just wrote about that regimen in another thread:     I think you should consider the vitamin D3 regimen that has helped so many people, which you could start this afternoon and which does not seem to interfere with busting. Very much more likely to help you than the kudzu, I'd say. The recommended dosage for treatment during a cycle is 10,000 international units per day (with food) of vitamin D3, 3-5K mg. of Omega-3 fish oil (with food) per day, and a couple of calcium citrate tablets (the kind that are formulated with magnesium, zinc, and sometimes a little D3) a day (not necessarily with food). Many people find that a glass of lemonade twice a day enhances the effects. I've just told you the basics, which I think is all you need to know, but you can read more about this approach (and many success stories) at these lengthy threads: http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cb/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1300245052 http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1291969416/50

Welcome, ztc. The RC is going to help you. If you haven't, you should read TommyD's pertinent files in the "Clusterbusters Files" section of this board, starting maybe with "The Dosing Method": http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cb/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1290130612 . You should read the "LSA" file, too. And then you should ask questions. I have to say that it's extremely rare for anyone to get more than a very mild buzz from the recommended doses of RC, especially the recommended starting dose of maybe 10-20 seeds. It's also rare for those low doses to have much effect, for most people, on the CH. You will know yourself best, of course, but I'm thinking Thursday is a long way away and I don't think you'd have to worry about effects at work if you took the dose the evening or night before work. So I'm saying maybe you'd want to do something sooner, if kudzu is all you've been taking and you're "detoxed" from the meds that could interfere with busting (see TommyD's file on "interactions" if you're not sure about this). Or (and/or, really), I think you should consider the vitamin D3 regimen that has helped so many people, which you could start this afternoon and which does not seem to interfere with busting. Very much more likely to help you than the kudzu, I'd say. The recommended dosage for treatment during a cycle is 10,000 international units per day (with food) of vitamin D3, 3-5K mg. of Omega-3 fish oil (with food) per day, and a couple of calcium citrate tablets (the kind that are formulated with magnesium, zinc, and sometimes a little D3) a day (not necessarily with food). Many people find that a glass of lemonade twice a day enhances the effects. I've just told you the basics, which I think is all you need to know, but you can read more about this approach (and many success stories) at these lengthy threads: http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cb/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1300245052 http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1291969416/50 You have oxygen, I hope! If not, that should be another priority for you. The great folks here, who understand what you're going through, are very generous with their help. Ask questions, and, please, keep us informed, since we learn from you, too. PF wishes.

I wonder if some of you who have suffered with episodic CHs would be able to answer some questions... -Do you have signs that your cycle is ending and what are they? -Do you still get “pangs” or even shadows when you’re not in cycle? -How does it start when it returns? -Do you remember the first cycle of your life? Mine has been very mild compared to your stories and I’m wondering if that is expected and then it gets worse over the years? (I have read that some of the meds are suspected to cause more frequency/severity, that some people have long remissions and some have changed from episodic to chronic). Last time I wrote the HAs had come back after 3 days pf but I've now been 6 days pf with only the D3/cal/mag/fish oil regimen. I'm wondering if it's the regimen or end of cycle. I definitely feel like it's the regimen (thank you, CHfather for suggestion to try this!!!!) If things continue to go well and I get brave enough, I will bring the supplements down to a maintenance level and report my experience in case this info can help others (I know the official "reporting" on this should go to ch.com and I will get over there at some point). Thank you for your input and support. So grateful!

The Shaggy always grinds or chops his mushrooms and puts it into hot peppermint tea. The peppermint is a very strong flavor and it soothes the tummy. Let it steep for 20 minutes or so, reheat and drink. Don't boil. Could get rid of the nausea??? --The Shaggy

Hello fine folks, Thank you to all who gave important info and words of support when I joined last week. I'm hoping to be able to be helpful to others at some point! I started the D3/cal/fish oil regimen a week ago and have seen some improvement (although today was rough so now wondering). I think I should wait to post any details, though, as I have not been officially diagnosed. I will wait till after seeing Neuro (keeping a diary so info will not be forgotten from day one). I was told by phone that MRI/CT was normal aside from "white matter" showing I'm having chronic pain (uh, yeah, doc... remember I mentioned that when begging not to have to wait 6 months for Neuro appointment!!!!). I'm sure you'll all relate to this... I called the Neuro's office the GP was referring me to as I wanted to see if this doc had any familiarity with CH or was even a headache specialist. Person answering asked me to repeat "ch" and then said "Are you SURE they're not migraines?" not once but twice!! I will be going to a different Neuro (one from the OUCH list hopefully). I get that this condition is rare and docs don't know about it but my GP knew a little. The first thing you always read is that CHs are most painful disorder known to humankind. Just seems to me that that in itself should provoke some sense of urgency... just sayin'... My best to all...

Alleyoop. Sorry to hear that your back in high cycle but very glad to know you got relief from your recent bust. Does this prove, once again, that we cannot rely on prescribed meds to do the trick? Seems it was "working" for you for some time but, as with most, it became ineffective. On the vitamin regimen, I had started the D3, Fish Oil, Magnesium/Calcium a couple of weeks ago. I don't know if many one else has had this side effect but my tongue and throat became kind of raw so I stopped the whole regimen and it cleared up. I wonder which of these supplements caused that or was it the combo of them all? I may just re-start with the D3 and see what happens. Then begging to incorporate the others, any thoughts on this? Thanks Scott

OK, just for the record, here are my results: I took the following for 10 days: 10,000 i.u. (2-5,000) D3 - Nature's Bounty 3600mg (3-1200mg) Fish Oil - Omega 3&6 - Nature's Bounty 2 Calcium Citrate tablets - Kroger store brand - containing 630mg calcium 500 i.u. vitamin D 10mg sodium At least 2 20oz glasses of fresh squeezed lemonade I am in high cycle and was averaging 2 to 4 hits daily. After 3 days, my activity actually picked-up to 4 to 8 hits daily. I also started having up to 4 wake-up hits per night. Six days of this convinced me that the regimen was not only not working for me, but possibly making it worse. As soon as I stopped, the hits started decreasing. It has now been 10 days post D3 regimen, and I am having more PF days than otherwise. Also the wake-up hits have stopped. This by no means means that this D3 regimen doesn't work; it just didn't work for me. It could be that my cycle is winding down, and that it coincided with stopping the alkaline regimen. At any rate, I am not complaining. The meds that I take daily could also possibly be responsible for my lack of success (see Caveat). Caveat: The following meds are taken daily: AM: verapamil 240mg clomiphene citrate 50mg folic acid 800mcg omeprazole 80mg PM: verapamil 240mg melatonin 9mg simvastatin 40mg ambien prn I am happy that there have been so many success stories with D3; it just didn't seem to work for me. :-/ bobb

You guys are AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!! I had shadows throughout the night then it started to break through this morning. I drank a red bull... omigosh... it worked!!!! I am forever grateful (have I said that already?) I also started the D3/cal/fish oil last night... as CHfather said... "why not?" on this. Although just realized I bought "calcium carbonate" instead of "calcium citrate" but I saw that conversation somewhere and will look it up again to see if it's ok. (Head was still not clear last night) My husband is going to help me with the oxygen. And I'll be continuing with the diagnosis process. I'm going to call about the Neuro and check into going to one of those on the list. I had the MRI/CT scan on Friday last week so I'm guessing doc should have results... GP said he had to do this BEFORE referring to Neuro. Guess Neuro will use this as well so doesn't matter. I was in despair yesterday until all of you showed me there is hope in dealing with this. I think the amount of despair correlates directly to amount of pain of that last attack! Thank you for taking the time for me yesterday. My latest fear is that one of my boys will develop this at some point... think I will look for info/stats on that here. At least I know there is hope if they do.

Some other things I can think of, which work sometimes for some. Peppermint lip balm on the eyelid. Sex (really--there's even a study of this), and other vigorous exercise, including for some people jogging. Huffing cold air from an air conditioner (in the absence of more "normal" sources of oxygen from tanks). For my daughter, when she could handle being touched I would "massage" her neck and shoulder and then circle my hands around her arm and run them down the arm with a firm pressure, kind of like trying to get the blood down into her fingers. (Makes me cry, remembering, but it helped, or at least was a distraction.)

Solace, so sorry that you have to be here. You will find the best people here, ready to do their best for you. I'm going to skip almost all of your questions (leaving them to others) and suggest something pragmatic that you could do right now, which has helped a lot of cluster headache sufferers and is probably not contraindicated by other things you might be doing or conditions you might have. Since I'm not a doctor, there's a disclaimer here that maybe you should check with your GP first, although most people are doing this regiment without incident. As soon as you can, start taking about 10,000 international units per day of vitamin D3. You could take more (some folks take 20K IU per day), but high dosages for extended periods are not recommended. You should take it with food. You can take it all at once or in two 5K pills (or whatever denominations you can get). Also take calcium citrate tablets, which usually are formulated with magnesium and zinc (and maybe some other things, including a relatively small amount of additional D3). The recommended dosage of these is 2 or 3 tablets per day. You don't have to take them with food, but you can, of course. And also take Omega 3 fish oil capsules, roughly 2-3,000 mg per day. Others who are on this regimen also drink a glass of lemonade once or twice a day, with meals. There are substantial success stories here and elsewhere with using this method. You can read a great deal more about it in a long, somewhat complicated thread here: http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1291969416/50 I recommend at least skimming that, because you see success stories and individual variants. There's also a thread here at Clusterbusters, with less detail but still worthwhile: http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cb/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1300245052 As I say, this might not be the very best thing you could do, but it's simple, legal, and it has shown considerable effectiveness. Again, not being a doctor and specifically not being your doctor, I can't simply say that you should circumvent the system you're in and get oxygen, but that's sure what I would do. You can use welding oxygen without waiting for a prescription. For now, and in the long run, you should be familiar with the information contained here: http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cb/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1299901790 And you might order some RC (rivea corymbosa) seeds now (they're completely legal to buy and possess), just in case. www.iamshaman.com is a place where many people get them. Whatever you have (sounds like CH to me), I know how tough it can be to deal with all this information, while at the same time dealing with medical practitioners who probably have no real appreciation of what you're going through, and friends and loved ones who think you have "headaches," or at the worst "migraines." We will do our best to help you, but you should enlist others, too. (There are some videos at youtube which I can't bear to watch, having seen more than enough as I have sat up nights with my daughter, but which she says quite accurately portray what a CH attack is like. I'm not suggesting that you should watch them, but if people are doubting what you're going through, my daughter says they're quite a waker-upper for them.) My daughter was just saying last night how hard it is to have CH and take full responsibility for yourself. But you're in a helpful place here, as you'll see. And you're "lucky" to potentially be getting a relatively quick diagnosis and to have found the wonderful folks here who, as I can't say often enough, saved my daughter's life.

Well, since my last post on April 11, I have come to fully believe in this 'treatment'. When I skip 2 days, the shadows come out to play. I have also been supplementing the Licorice root(maybe 15-30 drops/week now) and I added the Fish oil O3, and Magnesium to the roster. I missed the part about the calcium citrate...will have to check into it though. As of last Monday, I'm taking 4000iu D3,1x360mg Omega3/1200mg fish oil combo,2x400mg/15mg magnesium/zinc combo. Still drinking 64oz++ water/day(filtered city bleach water), the occasional Monster Energy, and the seldom coffee. Also in the process of quitting smoking(trying the E cig route-down to 5-6/day instead of 1/2 pack), and diet changes(no more processed foods or fast food,hormone laced commercial meat. Trying to buy everything we can locally grown now.). I've had CH for the last 12 years, and I am now in total control, at last! What really gets me is that I fought the docs for O2. Guess how many times I've needed it since I got it. Exactly.......3 times. Better to have it and not need it, and this cycle is hanging on, but the weather is to blame for that. Normally, I would be good to go by now, but Mother Nature has had other plans with all of the rain. I'll show her! lol. PF days and nights to all. With the nice weather comes more work, so my posts will become infrequent. But I will try to get in here and check up every chance I get.

http://www.mushrooms.ca/media-pdf/Vitamins.pdf wow, didn't know mushrooms did so much for you! Go Vitamin MÂ [smiley=tekst-toppie.gif] I know portabella mushrooms are delicious sliced and sauted with fresh green beans, olive oil and some nice coarse sea salt, might try this with shiitake tooÂ

Here's the complete daily anti-inflammatory and buffering regimen along with doses which are suggested to be taken. 3000-3600 mg. Omega 3 Fish Oil (dose depends on brand if three (3) softgels are taken - some are 1200 mg. liquid softgels like Nature Made others are 1000 mg.) 10,000 I.U. vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) 2-3 of the Calcium Citrate tablets formulated with vitamin D3, magnesium and zinc An 8 oz. glass of lemonade with lunch, dinner, or both meals I get all of the above at Costco as shown in the photo in the attachment These brands at Costco have the best bang for the buck and the cost of dosing with this regimen is less than 25 cents/day. The Nature Made Omega 3 Fish Oil also has one of the highest concentrations of the Omega 3 fatty acids EPA, DHA and other Omega 3 at 720 mg per serving of two liquid softgel capsules. The Kirkland brand of calcium citrate also contains more vitamin D3 along with the magnesium and zinc that are needed with the vitamin D3. The calcium, magnesium and zinc also act as a buffer when taken with juices high in citric acid... i.e., fresh lemonade, limeade or... I've also found that Baja Bob's sugar free margarita mix works well as it's fortified with additional citric acid. The assay for two of the Kirkland brand of these tablets follows: Vitamin D3 800 I.U. Vitamin B6 10 mg Calcium 500 mg Magnesium 80 mg Zinc 10 mg Manganese 1 mg Sodium 1 mg Boron 1 mg If folks can't get the Kirkland brand of calcium citrate tablets, Citracal Plus Bone Density Builder™ has a similar formulation, but it has a mix of calcium citrate and calcium carbonate. Some folks find they need to take calcium carbonate with meals to help prevent tummy distress... Regarding the 10,000 I.U. therapeutic dose of vitamin D3, I've attached a paper by Dr Peter J Lewis, MD from down under... It provides a good coverage of therapeutic dosing along with a suggested maintenance dose at 5,000 I.U. Info courtesy of Batch Wishbone Vitamin_D_deficiency.pdf

I don't know if you read the thread you saw where I am getting PF after 3 months and I was takin 20,000 IU of D3 for about 2 weeks. I took all 20,000 in the morning with a bowl of cereal. This is when I took the fish oil (3,600 mg) and calcium citrate (3,000 mg). Again because of the timing (my cycle having been in force for 3 months) I have no idea if this regimen worked or if my cycle was just ending. I do think like with meds if you elect to space out the dosage of D3 you should eat something when you do. Good luck in getting PF Wishbone

CHfather honestly I think the lemonade is for purposes of correcting the PH and absolutely a correct alkline diet does help. I think your comment about "alkline pill" is also correct. I think most people naturally have a tendancy to be more acid and it seems at least for me when I am in cycle, I am way off in acid even though my diet has not changed. Also if you are on the D3 regime it is vital to take the Calcium Citrate because the D3 will eat up the natural calcium. As you probably read when I was in high cycle I was taking 20,000 IU of D3 3,600 Fish Oil/Omega 3-6, but I upped my dosage of Calcium Citrate from 2,000 per day to 3,000 per day and I did not suffer any side affects so it very well may be muscle tightness was partially due to your not taking the CC. Wishbone

Yury CHfather is correct you don't need to detox from anything to take this regmen. I spoke directly with the original poster of the thread CHfather gave in his post and depending on how bad you are being hit you can literally take 20,000IU of D3 for 2 weeks without any problems, if you elect this route you should however also take 3,000 mg of the calcium citrate because the D3 does eat up the calcium. Also you should take 3,000-3,600 mg of the fish oil. One thing people may be overlooking as well is the lemonade. You do need to be drinking at least 2 large glasses of fresh lemonade (not from concentrate) every day. The lemonade and calcium citrate work to help get you body in PH balance. Good luck, Wishbone.

yury sorry to hear you are in such pain but trust me I understand about 10 days ago and for the previous 2 weeks I was getting hit 10-18 times a day and like you every hour during the night, all night long. To your question the D3, Fish Oil and Calcium Nitrate won't interfere with the meds you listed. I am no expert but yes you need the Calcium Nitrate really for a couple of reasons the main one being the D3 dosage will eat up calcium so you need this supplement to counterbalance. I won't profess to explain the other reasons other than it helps you PH Balance which much of the time if way off (too acidity) when in cycle. Also you need to add fresh made lemonade and drink a glass with lunch and dinner. Also to your failing detox, I did the same thing and was only lacking one day when I got hit with a 10 at night and could not abort with O2 and took a zomig nasal spray. I now have been able to detox and ready to dose and all of a sudden my hits have disappeared, only 1 minor hit in a week. Good luck and I hope and pray you are PF soon. Wishbone

Fellow clusterheads, I have been on the "Batch" regime for about 3 weeks now, but I take 20,000 IU of D3, 3,600 Fish Oil w Omega 3 & 6 and 3,000 mg of Calcium Citrate and drink lemonade with lunch and dinner. I am eposodic and my cycles usually run for 3 months and this is the end of the 3rd month. When I started the regimen I was getting hit anywhere from 10-18 times a day every day. About half the hits were 4-5 but several were 8-9 (each day). Beginning with the second week on the regime my hits began to reduce and I got fewer and fewer high kip hits. Last Monday night I was hit (in my sleep of course) with a 10 that I could not abort with O2 and had to take a zomig (which of course ruined my detox which I was doing in prep of dose). Then on Tues and Wed I got hit only a couple of times each day and each hit was only in the 5 range. Beginning Thursday through today I have no more hits or shadowing. I honestly don't know if the regimen took hold or if my cycle was ending on its own and except for knowing the regime worked on me I don't care as long as I am PF. Beginning yesterday I dropped the D3 down to 6,000 IC and the Calcium Citrate down to 2,000 mg but am keeping the Fish Oil at 3,600 mg. I plan to continue this regimen forever. I know this is probably of little help but is a report of my use of the regime. Also I now play to delay dosing for while since I am PF at the present, if the hits return then I will dose. Thanks all and wishing each of you to have PF days regardless of how you get there. Wishbone

Scott, not sure if you're asking me . . . and not sure I know the answer. From what I've read at the ch.com thread, people experiment with D3 dosages between about 15000IU and about 7000IU, depending on their tolerance and also the perceived effectiveness. So, you're at the lower end there, but not far from the 10000IU that seems to be the norm. The calcium that's recommended there is "calcium citrate." Don't know whether that's the same as what you're taking, though it is apparently often formulated with magnesium and zinc (and some added D3). In one of his posts at ch.com, the popularizer of this regimen, Batch, says this: >>>I had originally attributed several week long CH remissions to a buffering regimen of calcium citrate tablets that also contained vitamin D3, magnesium and zinc washed down with homemade lemonade... However, upon review of my logs I found there were two more factors that came into play during three of these remissions. The first was increasing the dose of the calcium citrate tablets up from three to four/day. The other was two of the week-long CH remissions occurred while I wasn't taking the calcium citrate tablets but I was taking the Omega 3 Fish Oil while spending a good bit of time outside in direct sunlight wearing shorts and tank top working in the yard. I connected the dots last October while I was here in Bremerton, Washington working on the house. I realized that the CH remissions I'd attributed to the calcium citrate and citric acid buffer were more than likely due to the increased level of vitamin D3 from sunlight so I stopped by Costco and picked up a bottle of 2,000I.U. softgel capsules and started dosing at 10,000I.U. a day along with three of the 1000mg Omega 3 Fish Oil softgel capsules. . . . <<<< Here's a link to that post, or the general vicinity of it; it's reply #37 on this page: http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1291969416/25 In several other places in that thread, Batch also says that he attributes the effectiveness to the D3/fish oil (or even just the D3 itself). So I'm not sure what the citrate adds -- but I suppose there's no reason not to take it. He also talks in that thread about lemonade/margaritas (!) as a regular strategy to change his pH. Looking forward to hearing how this works for you -- hope it's great!!! Oxygen will be very good, too: That I know.