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rick
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Shroom Update
« on: May 20th, 2002, 12:42pm
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Hello to anyone interested:
 
     I am taking 1 gram of mushrooms every 6 days, and life is good.  Headaches are shrinking in intensity and frequency after each dose.  I've had one Kip 2 in the last four days.  I haven't had a debilitating attack since I started dosing again.  Although my cycle has not been broken, it has shrunk to nothing more than an annoyance.  I get hit about once every 3 days with a Kip 1.5 or 2 that lasts 20 minutes to a half an hour.  Life is good.
 
     I was taking 1.5 grams per dose, but that left me feeling hung over but CH free on the following day.  I would then feel great the day after that.  I did take Tylenol for one of these "hang overs", and it seemed slightly aggravating.  I took only 1 gram last Wednesday, and felt great the following day, so I am sticking with 1 gram.  I am reaching about a 2 or 2.5 on a scale of 5 as far as psychoactive effects, as described in Pinky's "Important Notes on Mushroom Therapy":  
 
http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=meds;action= display;num=1013709016  
 
     Also, I want to begin stretching out the amount of time between doses.  The last time I tried this, it was a little too soon, apparently.  I tried to go 9 days without after 5 doses, and everything blew up again.  I took another 9 (painful) days off, and as soon as I started dosing again, everything got better.  So I've just done another 5 doses, and I'm feeling great.  I'm praying this continues to work, I've experienced no side effects other than a next day hangover after taking 1 1/2 grams.  
 
     My conclusion is that this therapy can require many doses for some individuals as opposed to others.  It must however be stated that this is a medication, and must be treated with respect and caution as with any prescribed medication.  Use caution, and don't go into this without doing your homework if you are thinking of going this route.
 
Big ups to Pink and Flash...
 
Peace and PFDAN to all,
 
-Rick
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Mastifflvr28
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Re: Shroom Update
« Reply #1 on: May 21st, 2002, 10:10am
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Hi Rick,  
thanks for the update.
 
My udate is this...4 weeks ago, started shadowing (I'm a once a year for 3 month duration episodic) so I dosed w/ 2 grams.  Had nothing (no shadows) for 2 weeks, started shadowing again.  Dosed w/ 2 grams.  Now 2 weeks later...I got his 2 nites ago.  Will dose again with 2 grams.  So, so far, I'm on an every 2 weeks dosing schedule.
 
I'm hoping this last dose will totally abort the cycle.  But even if it doesn't...every 2 weeks is not bad compared to doctors visits...verapamil...waking up every 2 hours at nite...imitrex shots...oxygen all nite long
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Mastifflvr28 (aka Michelle A.)
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Re: Shroom Update
« Reply #2 on: May 21st, 2002, 10:37am
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Rick:  
 
Interesting. It would appear you are either significantly more sensitive to psilocybin than most or the mushrooms you have are significantly more potent than most. Possibly both. It is rare (though not unheard of) to reach a Level 2 experience from a single gram of dried Psilocybe cubensis.
 
It is also interesting to hear of the duration of the remissions you (and Michelle) are receiving from each dose. We are still getting reports from people who achieve instant and complete remission from a single dose, but the more reports are posted, the more we hear of cases like yourself where it is necessary to dose every week to two weeks for extended periods, and maybe even the entire length of the cycle. I had expected to hear results like this from "chronic" experimenters, but I must admit I was a bit surprised to find it was relatively common with "episodic" clusterheads as well.
 
The important thing is that you are both pain free, or nearly so, with no side effects. Congratulations to you both!
 
pinky
 
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rick
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Re: Shroom Update
« Reply #3 on: May 21st, 2002, 11:51am
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Pinky & Mast:
 
My assumption from the start was that these were pretty strong, but it had been years since I had done them, so I wasn't sure exactly.  I have been questioning my provider on their origin, because I wanted to know what strain they were, but he doesn't know.  I was getting a little to buzzed on a weekly basis from 1.5 grams, and was thinking of trying to get by on .75 grams if I can get the same results.  Are Ecuadors and B+ a bit stronger than the norm?
 
I haven't wanted to talk about it, but I was fearing my condition was becoming chronic.  My cycle was due to end right around the time I went off all the meds I was saturated with, and instead, it came back full force.  Things only began to recede when I started mushroom therapy.  I was fearing that taking all those meds at once pushed me into a chronic phase, they were really messing me up.  
 
Even if I am chronic and have to use psilocybin regularly, that is what I will continue with as my treatment.  Unlike all the meds I've been put on, this actually works!  And like Mast said, no doctors, no meds, no waking up at night, no oxygen, etc.
 
-Rick
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Re: Shroom Update
« Reply #4 on: May 21st, 2002, 1:23pm
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Gheesh Rick, that's not too bad. I've taken a break from the psilocybin as weekly to bi-weekly doses were killing me. I need a babysitter when drinking the tea and frankly it has lost all its pleasure.  I've never used any medications (tried verap once) other than abortives until the mushroom therapy. It gives me a solid week of remission though there may be a shadow here or there.  
 
Recently I took about a 3 week break and have only had the usual wake-up pain in the morning. Been PF for the last 3 days though I'm not quite sure why. Last attack was in the theatre watching Lord of the Rings. Seems TV and long movies are a trigger I guess due to the sleep-like state and serotonin levels.  
 
I plan on riding this out until there's another spate of attacks when I'll redose. I have some speculation that psilocybin acts more deeply than just the 5ht receptors--I believe it tweaks the suprachiasmatic nuclei as perhaps evidenced by changes in timing of attacks that I documented early on in the mush therapy. Anyhoo, will investigate further.
 
This Cluster Headache stuff is quite a monster to contend with. Keep your chins up!
 
nots
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Re: Shroom Update
« Reply #5 on: May 22nd, 2002, 8:52pm
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CONGRATULATIONS ON ALL THE SUCCESSES!!
 
Pink and Flash:  I have been reading and absorbing the mounds and mounds of information you have provided in hopes of helping my husband.  He is currently in the middle of a cycle.  All I can say is that I could not be more impressed with all that you have managed to learn, the volumes you have written in order to explain to us, and the resources you have collected to help other people get going.  To me, it seems that you have been on a quest and it must feel amazing to see such positive results.  There are not enough people in the world with your dedication - if there were, there would be far more cures for incurable diseases.  You have my respect - and also my prayers that the positive results continue.
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Re: Shroom Update
« Reply #6 on: May 22nd, 2002, 10:12pm
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Me too!  Me too!  I've been lurking for the last few months, but couldn't resist this one.
 
Though I've thanked them privately, felt the need to make it public.
 
Thanks for giving us our life back....happily farming....rotating the supply.....waiting for the next one.
 
Not afraid of it anymore...and that's something, isn't it?
 
Shelley
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rick
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Re: Shroom Update
« Reply #7 on: May 22nd, 2002, 11:08pm
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Nots:  Shrooming on a weekly basis was getting a bit heavy for me also, which is why I lowered my dosage last week.  I find that parking my butt on the couch and watching basketball or Japanese animation makes me feel like I get more out of the experience.  I'm going to work my way through the original Star Wars trilogy for my next 3 sessions, should they be necessary .    
 
But seriously, I'm now giving myself at least a 9 day break until my next dose.  Glad to hear you are feeling better as well.
 
Kristi & Shelley:  Keep us posted on your questions and experiences, please!  We need all the data we can get.  Also, we should'nt leave it all on Pinky & Flash to "share the love" with everyone else.  It is important for other sufferers to hear the details of individual success stories so that they may decide whether or not this therapy is right for them.  We can always fall back on the experts when we fall short in answering questions ourselves.  Glad to hear from you both, please stay in touch!
 
Thanks to all,
 
-Rick
 
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Re: Shroom Update
« Reply #8 on: May 23rd, 2002, 12:34am
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Hey Rick!
 
You'll find our experiences detailed for all eternity in the posts....sometime in 09/01.
 
Felt it important to transcribe for future readers.  At the time,  the historical info that I read was mostly one-dose, mystical stuff.  That, evidently, not the case for all people....and not what we experienced.
 
When it worked for my husband,  I found it hard not to scream "shrooms!" at every post asking for answers.  So, I lurked.
 
Even tho he was mid-cycle and had to dose several times, I thought that it was the silver bullet.  I still think it is..at least for him...at least this cycle..... but different people react differently.   Not everyone has the same results.  So, off my soap box.
 
Since I'm posting and not lurking....where is Paco?  I miss his relentless logic.  And  speaking of missing posters....what about all the shroom sucesses that I no longer see here....Geoff...hedferst...Joe?....out there somewhere?
 
Shelley
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rick
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Re: Shroom Update
« Reply #9 on: May 24th, 2002, 12:03am
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Shelley:
 
I hear you about wanting to scream "shrooms".  It sounded radical to me at first, even though I had used them recreationally in college.  I believe this could work for anyone provided they detox for a long time and focus on keeping themself as healthy as possible in all areas of their life.  Everyone requires a different regimen for dosage, which is what they need to determine through trial and error, as I am doing.  Similar to Verapamil, which can take longer to work for some and require different levels of dosage from one individual to the next.  Glad to hear your husband is well!  Let's all hope and pray for continued success.
 
-Rick
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erik
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Re: Shroom Update
« Reply #10 on: May 24th, 2002, 7:30am
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I am glad to hear that the shrooms are working well for some of you I tried another gram last saturday 6 days after my last dose I took 1 gram  and made tea from it  
got one extreme!! headbanger this time around. dont think i will ever try this again.
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rick
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Re: Shroom Update
« Reply #11 on: May 24th, 2002, 10:37am
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Erik,
 
You should really contact Flash or Pinky.  I could try an advise you, but Flash has been at this the longest.  What comes to mind for your situation is that he once stated "things can get a lot worse before they get better".  He's also told me that it can take up to 5 doses to work.  I began to notice results early on, but I've dosed 10 times in the past 3 months.  Flash can give the most advice from experience.  
 
He's also stated to me that short term results can take up to 48 hours to kick in, and in some instances, individuals will have accelerated cycles, where they get 2 nasty weeks and then remission.  
 
Again, I wouldn't judge anyone on trying to make it through this phase med free, I can't feel how much pain anyone else is in.  It wasn't easy for me.  I know Notseinfeld has said he's also experienced attacks right after dosing, although I don't know if they were as severe as yours.    
 
It's tough to snap a full blown cycle to my understanding, particularly if you've been on a lot of meds.  This works best as a preventative.  Although in my case, while the shrooms did not completely snap my cycle, they brought everything down to such a minimum that I've been able to reclaim my life.  Anyway, best of luck to you in whatever you decide, I'll back you in whatever you do, but please, talk to the experts for some better advice if you are still interested in this.  
 
Peace,
 
Rick
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Re: Shroom Update
« Reply #12 on: May 24th, 2002, 9:34pm
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Right Rick!
 
First doses, my husband got a HA as soon as it wore off.  Changed in intensity and and location, but Definitely CH.
 
Continued to dose on 5 day cycles.  Med-free.  No imitrex?  No, says I.  Pinky said so.   He was mid-cycle when he started.  Then blammo!  Just stopped.  Last pain was Sipaupu, NM......09/01......2 days after last dose.
 
02:00....a short sharp twinge just to say goodbye.   Instead of being in Hell for 6 months, only lasted 6 weeks or so.  No shadows, no nothing.  Gone.
 
He hates it so much, can't convince him to do it as preventative.  We'll see.  Got a little factory here.  Give the old stuff to our friends that want to relive their youth.  Keep a current supply for the next time.
 
You can find me in the archives )  
 
Shelley
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Re: Shroom Update
« Reply #13 on: May 25th, 2002, 3:13pm
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on May 23rd, 2002, 12:34am, Shelley wrote:
Hey Rick!
 
 And  speaking of missing posters....what about all the shroom sucesses that I no longer see here....Geoff...hedferst...Joe?....out there somewhere?
 
Shelley

 
I think I saw them on my last *trip* LOL We were all sitting under a giant shroom, reminiscing about the old days.
 
I'll be celebrating a one year cluster free anniversary on July 4th. I'll also be experiencing the fireworks as I did last year, with brighter reds and deeper blues. It's quite the moving experience.
It's a wonderful way to celebrate my country's and my *personal* Independance Day.
 
To all the fellow farmers out there....beware the green mold. I now hate that more than spinach.
 
Happy Memorial Day to Everyone...may all your pain someday just be a memory!
 
Bob W.
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Re: Shroom Update
« Reply #14 on: May 25th, 2002, 9:57pm
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Hmmmmm.  Bob W.  Seems I remember a Bob Wold.  Do I have the correct one?  In any case,  
 
Congratulations on your Independence Day.
 
 
Shelley
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Re: Shroom Update
« Reply #15 on: May 25th, 2002, 10:22pm
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on May 25th, 2002, 9:57pm, Shelley wrote:
Hmmmmm.  Bob W.  Seems I remember a Bob Wold.  Do I have the correct one?  In any case,  
 
Congratulations on your Independence Day.
 
 
Shelley

 
Thanks Shelley.
Last I checked there was only one of me.
 
Bob Wold
 
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rick
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Re: Shroom Update
« Reply #16 on: Jul 23rd, 2002, 12:21am
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It's been a little over 2 months since I began this thread, so here's an update.  I dosed once in each of the 2 weeks after May 20th, the first time with 1.5 grams, and the second with 2 grams.  I felt great during those two weeks.  2 weeks after the 2 gram dose,  I began to have tension headaches on a daily basis, which were a bit meaner than normal.  One week after this started, I began to fear that this was some kind of indicator that the monster would return.  I made a 3 gram slushie (blueberries, melon, ice, and fungus, all tossed into a blender).  This is the only way I'll take them ever again, if I can help it.  Anyway, after that dose, everything was immediately fine again.
 
And that was 2 weeks ago, and I still feel fine.  If I don't need to take them again, I'm going to hold off for 6 months and then take a maintenance dose.  
 
Much love to Mr. Pinkfloyd (Bob W.) and his family, we all went to a White Sox game tonight.  Our boys got pounded by the Twins, but I got to meet a real live shroom eatin' clusterhead in the flesh .  
 
Peace,
 
-Rick
« Last Edit: Jul 23rd, 2002, 12:25am by rick Logged
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Re: Shroom Update
« Reply #17 on: Jul 25th, 2002, 12:34am
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Outstanding News!  
 
Best advice I ever read regarding this therapy was from you on another thread. It was to 'roll with it' while actively expunging any discomforting ideas which seem to crop up. 3g's takes on a whole new meaning in the realm of psychic flying compared with standard aviation.  I was wondering if you found a correlation between increasing doses and increasing relief.  
 
As an aside, my condition has somewhat mirrored yours (rick's) in terms of severity and frequency. If you found something specific that helped your condition, I have a sneaky feeling it would do the same with mine. Likewise, I would share any earthshattering news on this end.  
 
For a brief vent: This is the most ridiculous, misunderstood and downright fuc-k-er of a disease I could have possibly imagined before being straddled with it. There's no information of certainty on the front end with pathophysiology; the preventatives are enough to put one in an insane asylum; abortives are basically hand-me-downs from Migraine sufferers who have no idea how good they really have it. Speaking of this, Episodics have only an inkling of an idea about how day after day this malady will beat you down, unrelentingly with no end in sight, ad infinitum. Cyclical for chronics means January through December---Christ!
 
It certainly is refreshing to know this website exists. Not sure what I would do other than think I'm the only human being battling such a Goliath, alone.  
 
Lastly, does anyone reading this have an animal (dog) that knows before you're hit that you're going to have an attack? A premonition or undefined psychic link similar to those xxxxxxx that help folks with epilepsy prior to seizures?  Seems the stress and mental disturbance during a bout could emit similar red flags.
 
 
Thanks for your ears all---and if there's an extra hypothalamus floating around, would love to try it out!
 
nots
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Re: Shroom Update
« Reply #18 on: Jul 25th, 2002, 7:12am
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Hi Nots,
 
excellent post, thank you before all for your statement:  
 
» the preventatives are enough to put one in an insane asylum; abortives are basically hand-me-downs from Migraine sufferers...«
 
- that's the absolute truth, so far there is not  o n e  drug designed specially for us CHeads and we are still only stepchildren of the medicine, or even better orphans living in a medical asylum and receiving only poor and inadequate alms from the pretty advanced migraine research.
 
And, concerning a legalized  shroom therapy for us, there doesn't seem to be a morning dawn in sight so far: After I had learned from the web site of the renowned Heffter Institute that they are supporting clinical trials with psilocybin as therapy for patients with compulsive disorders in Arizona/USA and Zurich/Switzerland, I mailed them about three months ago, asking if there is or would be such a trial for CHeads too - no answer so far...So, even my MD specialist colleagues don't seem to care too much for us !
 
 
ATB !           Thomas, MD
« Last Edit: Jul 25th, 2002, 3:57pm by Tom Logged

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