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Headaches
Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 5:44 pm
by Nenu
Haven't had one like this in a long time. In fact, I can't recall if I have had one quite like this.
I started my Copaxone 3 days ago (3rd injection today). I'm also taking tetracycline for an acne issue.
Woke up with a bit of a headache, that never went away after taking 2 extra strength Tylenol. Due to various reasons, I couldn't just roll over and go back to sleep. I also got 6 hours of sleep, and perhaps it wasn't the greatest night of rest due to how much I had going on today.
My entire head feels 'hot', but I checked my temperature and it's fine. Almost like a burning sensation occasionally in 1 spot on the top of the head. The back of my neck (both sides) has this burning too, like the muscles are tired. Front of the neck, same muscle discomfort. Ears feel hot too.
The headache 'pain' is minimal itself, but the burning feeling is annoying. Anyone else have a headache like this before? It's definitely one I'm going to mention to my doctor tomorrow, but the muscle sensation is nuts.
Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 7:05 pm
by Toyoterry
I've had severe muscle tension headaches since I was a teenager, I'm now 46. For years they were dx as sinus headaches and I was treated accordingly. I finally went to a specialist who dx the problem. I was already on a high dose of Bacloren and I was also taking Lyrica. I did some research and asked my MS nurse if I could add Amytriptiline to the mix.
Since then, my headaches are a thing of the past unless I get really stressed then they come back with a vengence. I also have a problem with my ears. At times my ears get bright red and feel like they are burning. Once again I did some research and came up with a condition, creatively named, Red Ear Syndrome. Believed to be caused by, you guessed it, nerve damage.
Terry
Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 7:14 pm
by jimmylegs
nenu is it related to the burning mouth thing you think?
Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 7:29 pm
by cheerleader
Nenu...
SO sorry to hear about the headache. Here's a wacky coincidence. Jeff is having a HUGE migraine right now, and he's never had one before. I think it's from the minocycline he just started three weeks ago. His brain is literally pounding at the temples. I'm calling his derm tomorrow morning. This can be a serious side effect of tetracyclines.
Maybe your acne antibiotic is causing some intracranial pressure-
http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/PUarticles/bih.htm
best,
AC
Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 7:54 pm
by jimmylegs
hey there, here is a link to one branch (muscle pain) of a fabulous website but get ready for some serious medicalese:
http://neuromuscular.wustl.edu/mother/mpain.html
Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 9:16 pm
by Nenu
Jimmy: possibly. I feel like I almost have the flu, without fever. It's horrible.
Cheer: It's actually minocycline I'm taking. Maybe I the drug's causing it. Very interesting.. Definitely going to mention it to my doctor tomorrow. Perhaps it also irritated my mouth that was slightly improving before the drug.
Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 5:01 am
by Loriyas
Nenu
As I posted in AC's question regarding her husband's headaches, I have also experienced them when I started antibiotic protocol. I believe it is a signal that the antibiotics are doing something good-the "feel worse before you feel better" thing! I found that drinking Emergen C really really helped. And you may need more than one pack to get the headache under control. Then take it every day to see if you can prevent them from coming back. Give it a try-can't hurt and might help!
Lori
Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 6:36 am
by cheerleader
Nenu-
Minocycline/doxycycline can cause some serious side effects. I didn't know this until last night....while I googled as Jeff was in agony.
It can cause headache, vision changes, body aches (like the flu) and a lupus-like illness. How long have you been on this? Jeff was on mino 3 weeks. Talk to your doc and see. I'm taking Lori's suggestion and giving Jeff some emergen-C. His headache's gone, but he's groggy.
best,
AC
Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 6:56 am
by jimmylegs
some bits on pieces on minocycline side effects; reports and potential ideas for managing concurrent supplementation regimens
http://www.naturalnews.com/DrugWatch_Minocycline.html
Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 7:58 am
by Nenu
Well in my case, I was taking minocycline for adult acne, so it's not a life threatening ordeal if I stop taking it, which I've decided to do. I can deal with the acne in other ways. I couldn't deal with the agony I was in last night and previous days, probably resulting from this drug.
I was on it a week Monday. I actually ended up taking 15 capsules total over 7.5 days.
Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 8:13 am
by Artifishual
Hey Nenu, hope all is well, just FYI my wife has the occasional acne breakout she uses "Proactive" I think this is the name. Might be another avenue vs the named drug above. She has really good luck with it. Later Shaaannnnooonnn 
Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 8:35 am
by jimmylegs
that's nasty nenu, hope it clears up quickly now you're off. here are some links. below i included abstracts to support the claims on the acnevitamin site.
http://acnevitamin.org/content/view/15/44/ - vitamin A (retinol)
http://acnevitamin.org/content/view/16/45/ - zinc
http://acnevitamin.org/content/view/17/46/ - vitamin E
http://acnevitamin.org/content/view/18/47/ - magnesium
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/ab ... .tb06138.x
Serum zinc and retinol-binding protein in acne
The serum levels of zinc and retinol-binding protein (RBP) have been determined in 173 patients with acne and compared with those of a control group. The RBP is a specific transport protein and its level in plasma reflects the amount of vitamin A available to the tissues. Patients with severe acne were found to have lower levels of RBP than either patients with mild acne or healthy subjects ofthe same age. In the case of males with severe acne, the mean serum zinc level was significantly lower than that of the control group. No such difference was observed for girls. The observed condition of low levels of zinc and vitamin A in the serum of patients with severe acne may provide a rationale for the clinically good effect of oral zinc treatment.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/82355
Acne treatment with oral zinc and vitamin A: effects on the serum levels of zinc and retinol binding protein (RBP).
The serum levels of zinc, vitamin A and retinol binding protein (RBP) were studied in 75 acne patients before and during oral treatment with zinc, vitamin A or placebo. In the zinc-treated patients an increase in the mean serum zinc level was seen after 2 weeks, when also the first clinical improvement occurred. After 4 weeks the zinc level had increased by about 30% and no further significant increase was observed during 3 months of treatment. In 33 healthy subjects there was an increase of 14% after 4 weeks of zinc therapy. Vitamin A and placebo induced no significant changes in the serum zinc status. Prior to therapy the serum levels of vitamin A and RBP were lower in the acne patients than in the controls. Zinc + vitamin A treatment raised the serum RBP value to normal after 4 weeks. In patients given vitamin A alone, a probable increase in RBP was achieved. Zinc and placebo treatment did not change the serum level of RBP.
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/ab ... 06.02106.x
Does the plasma level of vitamins A and E affect acne condition?
Background. Vitamin A and E are lipid soluble antioxidants that are necessary for our health. Deficiency in these vitamins can cause serious diseases. Administration of vitamin A and E to patients with acne was shown to improve their acne condition.
Aims. To test the relationship between plasma vitamin A and E levels and acne.
Methods. Plasma vitamin A and E concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography in 100 newly diagnosed untreated patients with acne and were compared with those of 100 age-matched healthy controls. Patients were carefully graded using the Global Acne Grading System.
Results. We found that plasma vitamin A concentrations in patients with acne were significantly lower than those of the control group (336.5 vs. 418.1 μg/L, respectively) P = 0.007. We also found that plasma vitamin E concentrations in patients with acne were significantly lower than those of controls (5.4 vs. 5.9 mg/L) P = 0.05. In addition, we found that there is a strong relationship between decrease in plasma vitamin A levels and increase in the severity of acne condition. Patients with severe acne had significantly lower plasma concentrations of vitamins A and E than did those with lower acne grade and the age-matched healthy controls.
Discussion. Based on our results, we conclude that low vitamin A and E plasma levels have an important role in the pathogenesis of acne and in the aggravation of this condition.
http://www.doaj.org/doaj?func=abstract&id=229426
Zinc, copper, magnesium, proteins and superoxide dismutase in acne
Serum zinc, copper, magnesium, proteins and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were studied in 40 cases of acne. Serum zinc, magnesium and albumin were found to be significantly decreased whereas serum copper and globulin were significantly increased. There were no significant alterations in the serum total proteins and SOD in the above cases.
hope these provide some ideas. adding a retinol supplement to your regimen for a week or two could do some good, plus maybe a short term boost to your current intakes of magnesium, zinc and vitamin e.
for example the klenner protocol for ms (which i have modified to good effect in the past) advises for vitamin E: "800 international units before meals and bedtime must be adhered to in this treatment."
klenner also advises the use of zinc and magnesium in approximately the amounts you are currently using. i think in the short term it could be useful to go higher.
Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 8:50 am
by Nenu
I currently take 400 IU of E daily. Is it suggesting double that amount, or 1600 IU daily as part of that regimine?
(Sorry really tired so I only skimmed)
Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 9:41 am
by jimmylegs
i read it as take 800IU E before each meal, plus again at bedtime, for a total of 3200IU per day while you're on the protocol.
if you throw in 10,000IU retinol (vitamin A) per day for a few days that could help too.
even if you don't boost your mag and zinc, adding the A plus boosting your E for a while might be beneficial. i hope so! you have not been having a good time of it lately!!
Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 10:15 am
by Nenu
I've just had a history of allergies and bad interactions with various types of drugs, namely antibiotics. I even reacted pretty terribly to steroids, but overall the side effects were worth dealing with for the outcome.
Least the Copaxone seems to be doing alright with me (thankfully!). I didn't take the minocycline today, and I feel TONS better. Well, not entirely tons, but better significantly. No headache.
Oh, and I did find out my compound does not contain Iron... which I am now suspecting as #1 culprit in burning mouth. Least it's worth a shot. So I'm headed out to buy some of that, will start at 25mg daily. Don't want to overdo this one.