re: Butterbur: who has tried this??

Hi All of you out there,

I just have to post again, I am so excited about using this stuff. It is actually working for me. Yes, I have still had some migraines, but nothing like they used to be. I started using the Petadolex on April 10th, and I can't believe how good I am feeling. Even on days that I didn't have a migraine, I had constant head pain and thumping all the time. Now it's gone.

In the past I suffered about 27 days per month and used over that amount of Imitrex, (generic shots and tablets) and Treximet, Tordidal, just about anything I could get my hands on. This month it looks like I will end up with about 10 treatable migraines. I will actually have leftover medication at the end of the month. This is a first for me.

I have wasted so much money on trying different things, you name it, I have tried it. But never have I had such success as with this stuff.... no, I'm not writing a commercial,,, just so happy.

I was down this morning with a migraine, most of the day actually, but now at 11 p.m it is gone, normally this would last days, sometimes even weeks.

Well, there, hope I encouraged someone!

Blessings to all of you, please, if you haven't tried it, at least give it some thought


Sherri B!

Thanks Pen,

I definatley am excited about this, I started a new post so others might stumble onto it. I am just so happy, I want everyone to experience what I am right now. It's like I am me again!

Did you try yours yet? If so, I hope you have the same results as I am...

Sherri B

I began taking butterbur on Thursday. I expected to feel nothing. Let me preface this by saying I am a person who is VERY sensitive to medication......so, I took a capsule. (75mg) I felt it within 5 minutes. It felt as though I had taken some kind of muscle relaxant. That only affects the head that is. I had to lie down. For about an hour. Now, the headache I was experiencing at the time remained the same. I thought, perhaps, this was just an initial response. But, no. I have been taking it for 3 days now. I always experience that same effect. The headaches are the same. This is just an initial response immediately. So, I will continue on and see what happens. However, it certainly is doing something. The journey continues. Has anyone experienced this?

To Sheri: Again, I am soooo happy for you. Did you feel this way when you first began? Gail

So far I experienced nothing Gail. There is no account of this sort of thing in the trials either.
Could it be due to anything else?
How strange.

"could it be due to something else" ..... what? I response to any drugs (presc. or otc) a lot. Why? I don't know. My long time doctor doesn't know why either. It is interesing isn't it. God only knows what could be going on, in general, that I don't know about. I'll keep posting what happens.

Sherri, what a happy post! I am so pleased for you. After so long to have some relief, even partial, must be wonderful

And I may give it a try too. I haven't before for various reasons. I know a few people over here who've tried it and got no relief, the cost (a big reason!) and like others, I've tried so many alternative therapies and remedies in the past that I'd resigned myself to the hard stuff. However, I'm in such a black hole and taking so many tablets, anything's worth a try at the moment.

I hope the improvement continues for you

Liz

Gail,

Nothing like that happened to me. I also am very sensitive to medication. That is why I am such a difficult case for my neurologist. I couldn't take anything he tried me on... bad side affects....

I say stick with it for a while and give it a chance. Hope it works for you.

Sherri

Oh, I plan to stick with it! Absolutely. We have something in common re: low resistance to drugs. Bad side effects? Me too. Really bad. It makes it very difficult doesn't it. I am even sensitive to things like Tylenol, Advil etc. You too? But the butterbur didn't affect you in the way it affected me. Iwill keep posting as to whether or not it continues.

Just thinking Gail, maybe you should try cutting it in half. I am only on 50 mg. 75 might be to much. Just a thought.

How has it been?? getting any better?

Capsules from Swansons cant cut in half, bit difficult....they should make it into a tea???

Hi Sheri: You mean you're taking l - 50mg tablet twice a day don't you??? Please let me know. Thanks for your concern. Gail

Thanks again for posting this info. I just now read it. (wasn't able to before) NOte: It says that butterbur is used as a "smooth muscle relaxant." If you recall I said in a previous post that it almost felt like a "muscle relaxant" when I take it. Perhaps this is why. Interesting. Any comments?

Not sure Gail. Why dont we ask Dr Robbins....

I asked him something before. But, he didn't get back. I have an appointment on Wednesday with my pain specialist. I'm going to get his re-action to butterbur. I am printing out a page (that you posted, thanks) to take along. Should be interesting...how are you to-day? This is only my 2nd appointment with this guy. He seems ok. We'll see...

I'm seriously considering trying this however i'm afraid of any interaction it may have with what i'm currently on.

Everything i've read has said that there are no know interactions but if this is supposed to work the same way as a prescription i'm already on i'm afraid it may be too much?

I'm currently taking Verapamil 80mg 3X a day and Nortriptyline 20mg each night at bedtime + 1 81mg aspirin a day.

Any suggestions/thoughts?

Thanks!

As best as we all know, and according to Butterbur manufacturers there is NO drug interaction at all
It seems pretty much innocuous. Certainly isnt going to effect a low does aspirin. I take much more than that.
Why dont you give your GP or pharmacy a call if you are concerned?

Hope it works out for you.

I think we are going to be a butterbur trial group at this rate.

pen wrote:As best as we all know, and according to Butterbur manufacturers there is NO drug interaction at all
It seems pretty much innocuous. Certainly isnt going to effect a low does aspirin. I take much more than that.
Why dont you give your GP or pharmacy a call if you are concerned?

Hope it works out for you.

I think we are going to be a butterbur trial group at this rate.

Thanks ~ I wasn't so worried about the low dose aspirin - more the prescription drugs. Pharmacist said that they can't determine any possible interaction as butterbur isn't a "drug" or controlled substance that they would have in their system for comparison.

I guess that makes sense, they dont really know. How about calling the Petadolex or Swansons companies and asking them?
Do it from the other end?

I think it is going to be ok, but understand your concern.
Maybe someone else on here might know

I am seeing my dr. on Wednesday. I am going to ask him what he knows about interactions. I will let you know. Having said this, to ease your mind ask your own doctor. That would be the best thing to do. As you never know....

gailgigi wrote:I am seeing my dr. on Wednesday. I am going to ask him what he knows about interactions. I will let you know. Having said this, to ease your mind ask your own doctor. That would be the best thing to do. As you never know....

Thanks ~ I guess I can give him a call. I just hate to bother him as I was calling every two weeks and having meds changed until something worked! I'm not scheduled to see him again until early fall.

I know how you feel. I am taking Gabapentin. I went ahead and started the butterbur regardless. I guess I'll find out tommorrow if I'm killing myself!! Have you considered going through your doctors receptionist? Perhaps she could ask your doc and get back to you?? Just a thought...

Found this. Please note it stresses if you use non toxin Butterbur then no liver damage problems.
Petadolex and Swansons should be fine.

http://headache.emedtv.com/butterbur/butterbur-drug-interactions.html

Thankyou for posting this. Gail

gailgigi ~ thanks for the suggestion. I can call and ask her and maybe she'll ask the doc if she's not sure!

Gail,
I am taking 1 50 mg. THREE times a day.