butterbur - gail

i got my swanson's brand in the mail and took my first dose tuesday. it cost $11 for 2 bottles of 60 each, including shipping. no response with first dose. amazing, as i nearly always feel some bad effect or other, with new substances.

yesterday (wed) i took a pill in the morning and another at night about 8 p.m. it was my night to take magic sleeping pill, ativan, which i take every 4th day.

i took my regular dose at 11 p.m., which normally puts me to sleep very quickly, yet i lay there without sleeping, and not even being tired, for more than 2 hours. finally the drug kicked in and i slept most of the night.

so now i have determined that i will not take the second dose at night. i can't afford to have my sleep interrupted any more than it normally is.

so interesting, i think, that i had this "wired" effect, and gail had the opposite, sedation. oh well, i usually react in a backward manner to new drugs/supplements of all kinds. i will keep taking this stuff, twice/day, for 2 months, and then report what has happened. i sincerely hope SOMETHING will happen!

and i look forward to reading everyone else's experiences with this also. dianne

Hi,

I started Petadolex over a week ago, it was more expensive I think I paid $68 for three pots, about £45.

I have stomach issues but so far I have not had a problem, this is great news for me as most new meds upset my stomach. The last couple of days I have felt full of beans so to speak, but the previous I felt exhausted and a bit off balance. I do not think this is the meds as I am often up and down, I also have CFS.

Sleep seems unaffected for me so far, although I am not the best of sleepers anyway. One thing is I may have put on some weight, but there again it maybe the choc biscuits I have been having too often

Peter

This is very interesting. So far I still 'feel' the butterbur take effect. In about 5 minutes. But just a regular Tylensol affects me. (not exactly in the same way as butterbur though.) It kept you awake Dianne? Aren't we a pair. This is day 9 for me. Still, of course, at 2 capsules a day. It has not changed the headaches in any way thus far. I will keep taking it for 3 months. I've read that that is a fair trial period. Oh Dianne, mine cost $8.00 extra (for whatever amount I order) as I'm in tCanada. Extra shipping fee for some reason. Still a great price! Gail Keep posting with updates.

I buy it from Swansons six months at a time along with my magnesium, coenzyme q10 and omega 3's. They won't ship my vit d or b but it still works out to be hundrends of bucks cheaper this way.

I think the butterbur is some rediculous price now between three and four dollars for a whole month supply. Shipping in the US is flat at 4.99 unless they are having a special...and it's 4.99 to Canada PLUS actual freight charges.

It's much cheaper to ship a whole six months supply then paying the shipping more often.

As far as giving it a try...three months is what you should aim for before you stop, unless of course you have a reason to stop before that.

I'm still amazed that you guys are having side effects from it, the clinical trials did not indicate any side effects that the placebo did not also have. (BUT as we all know, anyone can have odd reactions to anything) I hope you all can make it through your trial

Thanks for all the info. 1) I will absolutely be staying on the butterbur the 3 months. 2) re: freight charges...my parcel came from Windsor, Ontario. I am in Ontario. I realize they are American. They must have an outlet here?? I just received their sale cataloque as well. Windsor on the back cover. (actually I don't care about an extra $8.00 considering their great prices. But, I am curious. ) 3) why won't they ship your Vit D and B?? I am stumped. I will now be ordering all my vitamins from them (as you do) in one shot. Now that I am aware of how they work. re: side effects...I have discovered in my life that you only know what the side effects will be/or not be by ingesting the thing. This is why I am so hesitant about trying new things. One never knows....

i'm just like you, gail. very very gun-shy about trying new stuff. that's why it took me about 12 years to try butterbur, after reading about it and knowing about it.

if anybody's gonna feel terrible after taking one pill of anything, it would be me. so we shall see if this does anything positive, but it surely isn't doing anything negative, except for that first night when i took it too close to bedtime. dianne

I only fear for my gut reaction. Everything seems to upset my stomach and I cant bear the pain from that.

I do think the effects you guys are getting should be noted. Fed back to Swansons, because others may like to know, but also it can be comforting to know others have a similar effect.....and survive and continue...

Nothing of that nature noted in the trials I have read about...
Are we all fibro people, the ones getting reaction from it???

P

I don't have Fibro Pen. And, Dianne, it would be interesting to know why some people (like ourselves) are senstive to pills. My doctor, whom I've known for 30 years, doesn't know why. He completely accepts it though. He is one of those doctors who listens to his patients. I also have paradoxical effects from meds. Why? I don't know. One time, many, many years ago, I actually blacked out from a med that was supposed to help. (Immiprimine) Sp. note: I tried ammitripyline for headaches. It produced nocturnal panic attacks. It was absolute hell. Again, that wasn't 'supposed' to happen. I'm telling you all this as it sounds as though you're in the same boat. Gee, what a llife....Gail

Gail, are you sure you dont have fibro..... You might as well with those kinds of effects.
Really though, I guess some of us are just sensitive.
Maybe it isnt the fibro with us either, maybe it is because of our sensitivity we have the symptoms of fibro....hmm.... interesting thought...

Either way, you have a good dr there, I know a lot of us are envious of that.
To have one that listens and understands......

I will say my usual GP who has been on sick leave for a year, (and I am so glad to have back) is always mindful of my drug sensitivity at least.
And I appreciate that, but when you go to see anyone else.....very difficult most times.

As you say.....What a life.....

My doctor (the one who listens) is now too far away for me to get too. Hence, a new one in my area. Like you say trying to tell a new one of your sensitivity is a chore. For some reason they have a problem hearing you. And carry on as if the problem does not exsit. We'll see how this new one goes. He is a pain specialist. I've not seen a pain specialist before. Should be interesting.... PS Hope your head is manageable to-day. G.

Sorry Gail, I misunderstood there. So you have to start over.....
It shouldnt be that difficult should it.

I am doing a therapy for FMS and there is a lady on there who has survived cancer and recovered from FMS.
She said she would rather go through the cancer.!!!!
She said you dont have to start with getting someone to believe you and then face the fact there is no treatment protocol.

My head is driving me nuts today. I am resisting a triptan because of seeing my grandkids tomorrow and I will need it then.
I dont think this is migraine, its the other damn thing, but it makes me soooo tense.
Got nothing done, but have walked around the garden in the rain.

Ive never seen a pain specialist either. Hope today is not too badcfor you.

I've read on this web site (toward the bottom) that Petadolex can be used as an abortive:

http://www.iherb.com/Enzymatic-Therapy-Petadolex-Fast-Acting-10-Softgels/2205?at=0

Has any body tried it, as an abortive?

I been off it for a while (as a preventive), I believe I better get back on it again.

Martin

I only know of one person who has used it as an abortive.
I think she is on it and takes an extra one, but yes it is a suggested use I know.


P

I just looked up Petadolex. (again) There is Petadolex Pro Active. And Petadolex Fast Acting. Who knew? It appears the Fast Acting is used as an aborative. Check for yourself though in case I'm mistaking. G.

Just want to let you all know. I am on day 8 without a migraine! I have been getting better and better as I take the Pentadolex. I have absolutley no side affects from it.

Don't give up.... I hope everyone gets the same results as I do.

I have had what we would call an old fashion "headache". I took the old Goodys for it, the asprin in powder form. It got rid of the headace. I have not had any Treximet or Imitrex in 8 days.

No kidding,,, I am so excited. After suffering for 16 years. To have found something natural that actually works to me is nothing short of a miracle.

I have sent the paper with the information on it that comes in the box to 3 people that I know with migraines.

I hope and pray you all get the same results. And oh, I only started it on April 10th....almost 2 months. Can't wait to see how much better I might get... oh, I still get that suttle fear that it's gonna come in the night, or when I have plans,, but not yet....

Sheri, it is definately a miracle!!! I could not be more happy for you!! I love hearing about your success!!

The butterbur has not worked on my headaches. I will keep going. I am on day 11. I am keeping the hope.

Sheri,

Your success is what made me bite the bullet and go ahead and order the butterbur from Swansons. I'd be happy if it just reduces the severity a bit, but any help would be welcome.

I also ordered something called digestitol--I'm hoping something natural might be more helpful than the proton pump inhibitors/acid reducers--I'm wondering if I'm not absorbing medications (as well as nutrients) properly and don't get the maximum benefits. Does anyone wonder about that problem? Seems like every med combined with the migraines themselves take a toll on the digestive tract.

Hope you have continuing success, Sheri. It's so wonderful !!!!!