TeethRemoval.com

Verapamil is a commonly used headache medication. I was on verapamil for a 3-4 week period, before I had a reaction to it after I went in a hot tub, where veins in my body seemed really inflammed and were like popping out in the back. However, my second cousin has been using it for years successfully to treat and eliminate his chronic headaches.

A new UK study suggests that at high doses the drug verapamil can cause heart problems and all patients being treated with the drug should have frequent electrocardiograms (EKGs) to check for irregular hearbeats.

 The results showed that of the 108 patients whose EKGs could be monitored:

• 21 patients (19 per cent) had arrhythmias (irregular heart beat).
• 13 patients (12 per cent) had first degree heart block at 240 to 960 mg a day, with one patient needing to have a permanent pacemaker fitted.
• 4 patients had junctional rhythm.
• 1 patients had second degree heart block.
• 4 patients had right bundle heart block.
• Bradycardia (heart rate below 60 beats per minute) occurred in 39 (36 per cent) patients, but verapamil was stopped in only 4 patients.

Therefore if you are using this drug or are going to consider using this drug for headaches it may be very benneficial, but be aware of the heart problems it can cause and check your EKG frequently.

For the entire article visit http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/79557.php

Continue Reading

I have long thought that I have a lot of inflammation in my body, which is why I still have a headache, and was brought on by the sinus infection caused by removing my wisdom teeth.

New research by Dr. Todd Rozen, at the Michigan Head Pain and Neurological Institute, suggests that almost all NDPH patients have an elevated level of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF α) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

As about 30% of NDPH patients have their headaches start after an infection or illness, the possibility of a persistent state of systemic or central nervous system (CNS) inflammation comes into question. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α is a proinflammatory cytokine involved in brain immune and inflammatory activities, as well as in pain initiation. Elevation of CSF TNF α levels has been found in a select number of neurologic conditions, suggesting CNS inflammation in those disorders.

Proinflammatory cytokines in the CSF produce and enhance pain in animal models. Up until recently, spinal cord glia were considered the sole source of CSF cytokines including TNF α. A new investigation, however, has suggested that cells in the meninges adjacent to the CSF space also produce proinflammatory cytokines that enter into the spinal fluid. Little is known about what triggers the meningeal cells to produce inflammatory cytokines. However, in laboratory animals, recognized triggers of glial cell activation include infection, stress, and surgical procedures.

Wisdom teeth removal can cause infection, stress, and is a surgical procedure, and certainly did in my case. Therefore, it is possible that proinflammatory cytokines entered into my spinal fluid. Based on the study, Dr. Rozen suggests specific TNF α inhibitors may have an important role in the treatment of NDPH and refractory chronic migraine. Currently there are three different TNF α inhibitors available designed to treat autoimmune disorders.

To read the entire article visit http://www.teethremoval.com/elevation-of-csf-tumor-necrosis-factor-alpha-levels-in-ndph.html

Continue Reading

Well today I went to the acupuncturist again. He asked me how I was doing and I told him I noticed no improvement. Again I took of my socks and shoes and lay down. This time he put a few more needles in my head, but none in my feet. He then put the heat lamp over me, turned off the lights, put on some soothing music, and left. I remained in the room by myself for almost an hour. It does hurt to have needles in you for that long. Not only that, whenever I lay down I can feel my head pounding constantly. While, I could feel some different movements and sensations going on, the headache remained strong and would not go away. After, I made another appointment to see him.

In Other News: Chocolate Better than Fluoride?

New research suggests an extract of cocoa powder that occurs naturally in chocolates, teas, and other products might be an effective natural alternative to fluoride in toothpaste, according to Tulane University doctoral candidate Arman Sadeghpour.

Sadeghpour said his research revealed that the cocoa extract was even more effective than fluoride in fighting cavities, according to a news release from the university. The extract, a white crystalline powder whose chemical makeup is similar to caffeine, helps harden teeth enamel, making users less susceptible to tooth decay, the study suggested. The extract has been proven effective in the animal model, but it will probably be another two to four years before the product is approved for human use and available for sale.

I say stick with your fluoride, while chocolate tastes good, it keeps you up at night if you eat it too late, and every one knows you should brush before going to bed.

Continue Reading

Today I saw a new doctor, a Chinese acupuncturist. He was a very small guy and really enjoyed laughing. He had pictures hanging up on the wall of famous athletes he has seen.

He proceeded by first having me fill out a few forms of background information and then we discussed my history. Next, he had me lay down and he performed some spinal manipulation. Then, he proceeded to insert needles into my head and neck. He put less than I was expecting, only about 4 on each side and he also put one in each of my feet.  After, he put a heat lamp over my head, turned on some soothing music, told me to relax, and turned off the lights and left the room.

Let me tell you, the needles did hurt, especially the ones in my forehead. The others though I couldn’t feel that much. It felt as if blood and nerves were moving around and primarily in my head but also throughout my body. About 20 or 30 minutes or so later, the doctor came back into the room and removed the needles. It felt a bit painful after he removed the needles, but then the pain subsided after a few minutes.

He also gave me 2 different Chinese herbs to take: one to help promote circulation in my body and another to help prevent me from sweating so much.  He told me that typically headache patients he sees have 5-6 visits and wants to see me tomorrow. He also said that 95% of patients have relief.

I agreed to see him again tomorrow and take his Chinese herbs, but I am doubtful that it will help me find relief. Perhaps I will be proven wrong. He charged a lot more than I anticipated.

Continue Reading

I saw my neurologist today to discuss medications. I had been on verapamil for about 3-4 weeks. However, when I increased the dosage, I had a strange reaction after I went in a hot tub, where veins seemed to be really inflamed on my back and popping out. So I hadn’t been on any medication for 9 days.

My neurologist decided that I should give amitritpyline a try and wants me to start out at 5 mg every day for 10 days. I have never been on amitritpyline before, but was on something notritpyline, which is similar for 3 months. Amitriptyline is an older antidepressant that has been proven effective for headaches. The reason I was on notritpyline instead of amitripytline is that amitripytline causes more side effects, and I tend to be susceptible to side effects. Hopefully I will see some relief with the new medication.

Continue Reading