Butterbur after 3 months

Well, I would have to say that this product from Swansons has done 100% of nothing for my migraines.

Tick this one off of my list.

i've been taking it just over 2 months, and i'm pleased to say that i have seen a small difference. most everything i try makes me WORSE, but not this stuff!

so i ordered enough for 4 more months, which is the recommended trial period. it's cheap, so what have i got to lose? please, others who are trying this, give us an update on you, ok? dianne

I was wondering actually. I tried to do that poll which this forum doesnt really handle very well.
But I will try again but it can only be done on a first post.

It does seem a bit hit and miss the Butterbur, but I guess if we dont try...

Poll is up, done my best...

P

Hi Pen I did add my vote to the original poll you set up, not sure if I can update.

Anyway I am pleased to report that butterbur is still being effective for me. I started it in May sometime it is now 21st August.

I get an occasional migraine but not nearly so bad and most of the daily headaches, milder migraines have vanished.

I did stop taking it and within a couple of days I got a migraine, I didn't take any chances and went back on it straight away.

If I do get a head-pain I will also use the headache buster nose spray, strong stuff nearly blows my head off but it is effective, I think they use peepers in the spray!

I have other health issues like CFS and have noticed no side effects from butterbur, and I think I would have done by now after this length of time,

Peter

This is good news for you Peter. Must be great.
Try the new poll for me would you....just to see.
Never seem to have much success with these things on here.

Also Peter, as you have CFS as well, please feel free to join our FB group if you happen to be on there..

Great news.
P

My personal opinion on it is that you should really be giving it a LONG time to see if it works. I have been taking it about a month longer than Peter and have had positive effects as well. But, it was difference came on so gradually over a few months that it was something I hardly noticed until I realized "hey, I haven't missed a day of work for a migraine in 5-6 months". That's not to say I haven't had a migraine in 5-6 months, they just have been less frequent and I have been able to treat the ones I have had a lot better in general. And the key thing for me, I haven't missed a day of work. I am feeling more functional because of that.

I am no expert and have no science behind this, but from my experience taking herbal remedies the ones that work don't 'just work'. They take months to work, and work gradually (again, in my experience).

Again, just more of my opinion. It should be viewed as a treatment, and success judged from there. EG in my case, if I feel it's preventing even 25% of my migraines in a month (in my case I think it's well above 25%), I consider that a successful treatment taking the price into account. Other people are obviously going to have their own interpretation of what is successful in relation to the cost.

I started taking it in June. Last week I had 4 days of no migraine, mild headache still. I'm thrilled - I haven't had a migraine free day in over a year and the pain was like a 1 or 2. I do notice that the M themselves seem to be milder as well - no quite so painful or debilitating.

I've ordered another 2 months in hopes that I will continue to have a few days off here and there. I'm on a 3 day bender at the moment but while it's unpleasant the pain levels aren't nearly as bad.

How many milligrahms do you guys take and can you take it with Advil?

Kate,

I take a 75 mg pill twice a day. I haven't noticed anything that it interacts with and I'm betting Advil would be just fine but someone else could speak to it better if they take it.

There are not supposed to be any interactions, but try googling to be sure...

I tried it for a month and there may have been a marginal improvement but I then ran out of tablets! So I've ordered 3 months supply to give it more of a chance. I started taking it again last week and bizarrely I had 3 days last week when I didn't have to take a triptan. I haven't had more than one day without for months. I was very reluctant to post as I feel I'm tempting fate by saying it out loud but when I saw the thread, I wanted to share. It's probably a coincidence but maybe not, time will tell.

But while I'm on, a question for Peter please. On your recommendation I ordered the Pedadolex from Betterhealth in the US - a single pot the first time, all fine (they were very efficient and helpful). But this time I ordered 3 at once and £15.99 VAT was slapped on to it when it got to the UK, which I had to pay before they would deliver it! Makes it very expensive. Has this happened to you please? Thanks.

Liz

liz,

Next time just get the Swansons from England at £5 a pot. I ran it past MA and its fine, and most of the folk on here are using it.
It is the same but so much cheaper.

On the VAT. I understood that VAT and or Duty was only applied to things costing more than £18.. Seems I was wrong.
Of course VAT can be reclaimed, but only if you have a business....Sorry you got caught with it.

P

I have been taking butterbur (swanson's) for 3 months now. No help. Will keep taking it for a while longer. It seems it is like anything. Works for some and not for others. The luck of the draw.

Could you tell me please where in England you get reliable Butterbur from? After watching a programme about medcines on the internet I'm not sure where is a trustworthy source and my pharmacist hasn't found any yet. I would like to give it a try.

Di

Hi Liz,

Yes customs can slap a charge on, it seems very much a luck of the draw. I purchased one tub to start with and since have ordered two lots of 3. So far no surcharge, yet I do know others that have. The last lot I had delivered by Fedex, this service is expensive yet I have never been charged import duty on anything from outside the EU, but have with standard Air mail.

I would not be without Pedadolex, it has changed my life, I did experiment by stopping it for a couple of days and hey presto, pain from hell returned. I just hope the UK government don't stop us importing it, the UK have such stupid ideas sometimes,

Peter

dizzyflower wrote:Could you tell me please where in England you get reliable Butterbur from? After watching a programme about medcines on the internet I'm not sure where is a trustworthy source and my pharmacist hasn't found any yet. I would like to give it a try.
Di

Yes Di...

http://www.healthmonthly.co.uk/petadolex_butterbur_extract

£5 for a months supply. Ran it past Migraine Action, and also others. It is not an internet purchase, it is merely an internet shop.
I have bought quite a few items from them. And the Butterbur is every bit as good as the expensive brand....
Many people on here taking Swansons, and no problems... Check the poll.

Not sure about the pharmacist, I wouldnt bother, the neuro I see has hardly heard of it.....
I think it just isnt something they carry Di. Probably not a big enough take up for them.
My pharmacy isnt even carrying Kaolin any more,,..
But if he cant find one, then he isnt looking very hard....sorry....but the expensive one is available.
Swansons however is as good, ask anyone on here......hope it helps..


Pen

Hi Peter,

Great you are having such a good effect. Must be such a blessing.
I wonder if you fancy trying the Swansons instead?
Just occurred to me, people are spending a lot on the Petadolex.
Others are put off trying by the price.
It would be great to see if there really is any difference in the two.
But I can appreciate you probably dont want to risk it.....!!!!

Either way, what a great find....
And no side effects.

Pen

Hi Pen,

Yes I should try Swansons, like you say it is such a great find and I would dread going back to the way it was before I started. I would love to save money, and in a way knowing that buterbur works for me I would be an ideal candidate to try another less expensive brand. If they did work as well as the more expensive brand it may encourage other people to try them.

I will take a look and let you know,

Peter

Hi Peter,
That is really sweet of you. I do hope the effects are the same. Many of us seem to be doing well on the Swansons.
The cost of the Petadolex, especially from UK is prohibitive.
Fingers crossed my friend.

Pen

thanks Pen I will give it a go.

Di

Thanks for the reply Peter. It seems I was just unlucky then, although my sorting office told me Mount Pleasant are doing this more and more. Perhaps I'll just order one pot again next time (assuming it does help and I do order more!) but then that won't last for long . . . Perhaps I may try the Swansons (thanks Pen) but I don't want to deviate at the moment.

I'm so glad it seems to have helped you Peter, that such good news. I hoping it may help me but it's very early days yet.

Liz