Mupp, I just got periactin today. I’m seriously considering cutting them in quarters and taking only a quarter for the first week, then going to 2 mg. next week. You really think I should do it that way huh? Sounds like it really knocks you on your ass. The less tired the better I say.
How you doing with it right now anyway?
Greg
Greg,
When I tried Peri, I started at 1 mg at 7 PM. It knocked me out; slept like a log but was not groggie the next day once I had been up for 30 min and out of the shower. It gave me headaches though and I stopped because of bad timing with a new job.
S
Scott,
I think I am going to start at 1 mg. just to be on the safe side. I wanna do this trial as best I can and easiest I can. How long would you say a fair trial would be for this med? Should I go 3 months or will I know if it’ll work after 5 or 6 weeks?
Also, do you know if the weight gain side effect is caused by an alteration in metabolism like some meds, or is it just increased appetite that eventually just leads to weight gain?
Those are the only 2 things I’m not quite sure of yet with Periactin. I think I’ve got just about everything else that I need to know covered.
Greg
Yes def start at 1mg for at least a week - low and slow is the key. And yes, give it at least 6 weeks and factoring in increased dosages to see if its help.
I doubt weight gain is an issue on this med as remember - even tho its an ‘old’ drug, people take it for hayfever etc. My guess is it is ok in that dept but dont go SuperSize me in MacDonalds though!!!
I took my 2mg at 9pm last night - I passed out but today did not feel half as como’d as I did the other morning. The sedation - however it affects you initially - will ease.
Beatles stick with it. We’ll do this together and you can post each day to me if you need to and we’ll monitor our progress together. Obviously I’m on the Nori too which will have its own interaction issues.
Have a good weekend my friend and a nice vacation. Hugs from London x
Thanks Muppo, Hopefully this is the last vacation that MAV tags along with me on. Yea, I’m glad that you’re taking it too. It is nice to know that I’m not the only one trialing myself at the moment, although I’ll be starting Tuesday and hopefully staying on it it before the 4 August!
Thanks again, and big hugs right back at you!! 
Greg
Greg,
You may want to revisit this post of mine back in March. You’ll need to be on the highest tolerable dose for 6 weeks to know one way or the other.
http://mvertigo.cloudapp.net/t/dr-ron-granot-my-appt-today/2736
Both Peri and Piz are big appetite stimulants. You’ll have to have some serious will power to stop filling your face on it from what I’ve heard. As long as you’re aware of this you can be strategic and avoid the kgs.
I look forward to hearing how you two go on this stuff. Keep me updated if you can. Any new headaches Mupp?
S 8)
— Begin quote from “scott”
Both Peri and Piz are big appetite stimulants. You’ll have to have some serious will power to stop filling your face on it from what I’ve heard. As long as you’re aware of this you can be strategic and avoid the kgs.
I look forward to hearing how you two go on this stuff. Keep me updated if you can. Any new headaches Mupp?
S 8)
— End quote
Crap - was hoping I was right about the Peri not adding to the kgs!!! :x
Scott, I had a proper meltdown Monday night after I decided to try out Zumba!!! Whilst the class was brilliant, I think my brain was like ‘WHAT THE F&&K??’ Was super dizzy the whole way home and then when I got in I had a massive spin that sent me across the kitchen!! Needless to say, had a V and crawled into bed with my bf and bff scurrying around me panicking.
I’m now getting 2 types of headache. 1, the normal headache that I’ve always had and 2, the electric buzzing headache that cant be removed with painkillers but only Valium will help kill it. It’s like I’ve been plugged into a generator and can hear it!!
Other than that, still managing to hold down the job 3 days a week even tho its a sh*t fight. But, it’s still steps forward so I’m happy. I’m also (probably stupidly) planning on attending a new martial arts class on Monday night - Krav Maga the Israeli style - leathal stuff but not sure whether that’ll send me mental too!
How are you doing these days? Have you given up on the Peri altogether now? I’m going to get my neck computer screened tonight to see if there is anything else going on there that is aggravating things.
Have a good weekend all - no spinning on the dancefloor!!! :lol:
Hey Muppo,
I started my Periactin last night at 1 mg. Took it at about 7:00 P.M.. Yesterday is the day I got back from Holiday and I was already extremely tired from driving all day and being off schedule for the past 4 days. Needless to say, I did not notice any extra tiredness. This morning, I was really tired, but I believe I would have been just as tired without taking anything last night as I always am the day after a nice vacation. So far, all is good.
On a side note, once again, going on holiday put me at around 90-95% during the whole vacation. Today, I’m about 90%. I’m really hoping the peri can get me to 100%. We’ll see, right.
How are you doing with Peri so far?
Greg
Hi Greg
Glad you’ve started it! I have been continuing on 2mg per night and only feel a little extra tired, but I think I’m getting used to it.
I went to a martial arts class last night that lasted 1.5 hrs and was terrified. I did karate for 10 years but I did not know how I’d cope last night given last Monday’s attempt at Zumba left me spinning :?
But last night was good! Hard but good and I’m really glad I went. I was still wrecked afterwards but not as bad as last week. It’s little achievements like this that give me continued hope for recovery. Karate is good as it’s all about balance, technique, being aware of your surroundings etc. I would recommend this for MAV-ers that feel up to it.
I went to see the VRT therapist today and she’s given me some daily exercises to complete at home, so I’ll start them tomorrow.
Greg, we’ll get thru this. I promise. Stay strong bud and glad you were 90%+ on your holiday! 8)
Hey Mupp —
Can you explain what sort of VRT exercises you were given to do? Sounds like you’re going to be ok on Peri. If you guys do well on this I will have to knuckle down and try it again. Pisses me off that it trashes me with headaches and started to jack me up as well. Curiously there was no jacked up feeling on Piz; instead I turned into the biggest grump on earth. I wanted to murder my girlfriend every time she spoke. :lol: Seriously though it was not nice at all.
Good luck warriors.
Scott 8)
I don’t really expect the Peri to send me through the roof with side effects. I’m more worried about it not having any effect on my MAV after I’ve done a full trial! All I’m expecting now since I’ve tried it last night, is to make me a little more tired than usual for a little bit. I’m actually hoping for some side effects, because I’ve heard that the more SE’s you have, the more impact the med will have on the MAV. I hope that’s not true for every case.
Glad to hear you’re Karate wasn’t so bad Mupp. Just keep up the good work on beating this. I’m right here with you.
Scott, you mentioned that Granot has some very positive results with Piz and Peri, so I’m going with it for now. I just want more consistancy with my balance. I went on holiday and the false sense of motion was reduced significantly-but now that I’m back to regular schedule, I know it’s gonna be back and bothersome. If the Peri can keep the false sense of motion and the swaying to the right at bay to the point to where I feel comfortable standing still for a long time, then that’s 100% for me.
Basically anything positive that makes me not think of my balance all day is what I’m hoping for. If I can just go on living without a thought of this MAV getting in the middle of my everyday activities would be excellent. I also noticed Jennyd hasn’t posted for a little bit now, so she must still be living the good life without the MAV. Good for her. I hope we get the same relief one day. Hopefully that day is coming up.
Scott, you may as well give peri another go if you can. It may be tough for the first few weeks, but that’s only a couple weeks that could lead to years and years of relief for you. If you knew 100% that peri was the drug that would finally do the trick, but you had to suffer possibly the worst 2-3 weeks of your life, would you do it? I’ve mentioned before that I would probably never take topamax cause it just scares the hell out of me, but if I found out somehow that would fix me for sure, I would skip work the next day and get my rx for it.
The problem is, is that we don’t know for sure and that’s what might be holding us back a bit. Especially me cause I don’t want to take anything. But that’s changing for me cause I’d rather not be dizzy anymore. I will start with the easiest meds and the ones that seem to work the best. If Peri don’t work, I’ll probably give Nort a fair trial and wait that one out about 3-4 months before dumping it. Then maybe I’ll try Verapamil, and if that one don’t work, then I’m probably gonna give in and battle the beast of Topamax. I really hope I don’t have trial that far to topamax though. I hope peri is the end of the trial road for me. We’ll see.
Greg
— Begin quote from “beatles909”
I’ve heard that the more SE’s you have, the more impact the med will have on the MAV.
— End quote
I don’t think this is the case Greg. Granot did not indicate this to me at all. However, I think most migraine meds will probably create start up SEs for most regardless and then they should diminish over time. Sometimes meds start with bad SEs and it stays that way. Just don’t think there’s any rule here at all. All different for different people.
— Begin quote from “beatles909”
I also noticed Jennyd hasn’t posted for a little bit now, so she must still be living the good life without the MAV. Good for her.
— End quote
I must contact Jen today and ask her how she is. I’m sure she’ll update us here. I think she’s doing very well on Peri and she’s been through a stack of migraine meds in her lifetime.
— Begin quote from “beatles909”
Scott, you may as well give peri another go if you can. It may be tough for the first few weeks, but that’s only a couple weeks that could lead to years and years of relief for you. If you knew 100% that peri was the drug that would finally do the trick, but you had to suffer possibly the worst 2-3 weeks of your life, would you do it?
— End quote
I sure would. I’d eat charcoal daily if I knew it would work. :lol: The problem is remaining functional at work while white knuckling the side effects which may or may not go. Peri was keeping me awake at night in the end and making me feel freaked out all day at work. Not good when I’m in endless meetings and having to do presentations etc.
— Begin quote from “beatles909”
I’m probably gonna give in and battle the beast of Topamax.
— End quote
From what I’ve seen here, Topa is only a horror story for a small minority of people. You’ll know soon enough and can dump it.
Scott
Scott,
Thanks, all of that is reassuring stuff. I sure am glad I can get some good answers from someone like yourself that can give good advise on how to handle this whole thing. I really like how you go off of science based evidence. We need facts to get us on the right track, not placebo. I’ve tried some chiropractor before and didn’t notice a difference and have tried few other alternatives that seemed to get me nowhere but right where I’m at today. I need some consistency to get my head above water for a long period of time. That’s why I’m starting to trial meds. I’ve been off balance too long for hoping some miracle to happen where I wake up one morning and I’m not dizzy.
The cardio exercise was a good start to get my anxiety down and give some excitement to want to do more things. But my balance symptoms were just too up and down for me. I felt I was rocking the boat a bit. Maybe the peri will put my balance back in order, then I’ll start jogging again and see how it goes. But for the next month, I’m sticking with Peri only hoping for the best. Thanks again..
Greg
Hi Greg,
Given this is your first venture into the world of meds, I’m very optimistic that you will definitely find something that will make a big impact for you on this junk. I take it you’ve adopted a migraine lifestyle as best as you know how to reduce the symptoms? If I was not practising this, I’d quite literally be unable to work. It would only take one pizza covered with pepperoni, 3 glasses of red wine, go to bed at 3 am and arrive at work for 9 am and I’d be a babbling, dizzy freak. :lol:
The thing about placebo is that it is not a bad thing. When you find a med that actually works (i.e. evidence-based) you’ll not only get the real benefit of that med but you’ll also get a placebo too. It’s a double whammy.
Onward!
Scott 8)
hey greg after reading you last post im in the same boat as you, im going have to do the drug thing again as ive only come so far and its still not good. ive tried 2 meds but not for more than 3 weeks. so can you PLS update me on the preri as more keen on this as low side effects but im going have to give in a try and ride out side effects on other stuff its doesnt work. Im try inderal beta blocker again and then maybe clymbata
Scott, yea I think for some people a med is needed and for some placebo may due the trick. For me, this junk is bigger than placebo only. I have dropped the most common causes of migraine in the diet. I haven’t noticed a difference in symptoms and have dropped the 5 c’s for quite some time now. Now I bring back a few foods here and there and they don’t make symptoms worse at all. I am not bringing back caffeine though. I still steer clear from possible dietary triggers more than before though. But it has really not made a difference. Unless I drink too much alcohol. That makes me worse the next day only, but for obvious reasons of course.
While I’m taking Peri, I won’t be drinking any alcohol.
Greg
Scott,
Just had a question about titrating up on the peri. I am having no issues whatsoever on this med (side effect wise). I’d like to go up by 2 mg. every two days until I hit the full max of 16mg. Would that be OK? Or is dosing up slower a must for it to be as effective? As long as I get to 16mg does it really matter how slow or fast I get there?
Also, 16 mg. is 4 pills, If I take 2 pills in the A.M. and 2 in the P.M., should I take them both at the same time or take 1 pill every few hours? For example, should my schedule throughout the day look something along the lines as this:
Option 1-
8 A.M- 4mg.
12 P.M- 4mg.
4 P.M- 4mg.
7 P.M- 4mg.
or should it look like this:
Option 2-
9 A.M- 8mg
7 P.M- 8 mg
Does it matter the times of day like that, or as long as you’re getting the 16mg. per day, who gives a shit about the times it’s taken? I already know you can’t take more than 8 mg. in one sitting and have to wait 4-6 hours before having more, so I know that I’ll for sure be taking it at least twice a day. To be honest, I like option 2 better cause there’s less chance of me forgetting a dose, but if I would have more benefit from option 1, I’d definately rather do that.
I don’t know if you’ll know this but, do you know the half life of this med. Does it last all day long or does it start conking out after 3-4 hours. Does it just stay in your system as long as your taking it every day kind of like an antidepressant?
Greg
— Begin quote from “scott”
Hey Mupp —
Can you explain what sort of VRT exercises you were given to do? Sounds like you’re going to be ok on Peri. If you guys do well on this I will have to knuckle down and try it again. Pisses me off that it trashes me with headaches and started to jack me up as well. Curiously there was no jacked up feeling on Piz; instead I turned into the biggest grump on earth. I wanted to murder my girlfriend every time she spoke. :lol: Seriously though it was not nice at all.
Good luck warriors.
Scott 8)
— End quote
Hi Scott
I have to put a big X on a Post-It note and stick it on the wall then shake my head side to side and up and down without cranking the neck - 60 times per day (in 3 bouts if I want to) - then after a few weeks, progress to doing this with eyes closed and standing up, then on one leg etc.
The CBT session was good too - and I’ve been told to read the book MINDFULLNESS - now wasnt there a post on that somewhere here not so long ago??
I’m having no reaction to the 2mg Peri at night at all other than feeling very tired in the morning - but it’s fine once I’m up and about.
Muppo,
Yea that’s the only side effect I’m getting from the Peri. I’m just real tired when I get up and once I’m out of the shower, I’m all awake and ready to roll. I took 2 mg. last night. I’m not even getting real tired at night after I take it. I do believe I’m sleeping pretty well too. I actually fall asleep pretty quickly when I get in bed. It’s a nice effect.
Greg
— Begin quote from “beatles909”
Muppo,
Yea that’s the only side effect I’m getting from the Peri. I’m just real tired when I get up and once I’m out of the shower, I’m all awake and ready to roll. I took 2 mg. last night. I’m not even getting real tired at night after I take it. I do believe I’m sleeping pretty well too. I actually fall asleep pretty quickly when I get in bed. It’s a nice effect.
Greg
— End quote
You and me buddy!! We can do this!!!