Hello all,
After more than a year of being a member of the MDJunction NDPH group, and after more than 5 years with NDPH, it's time to introduce myself and maybe even give some info back.
It's ironic but I never had a headache. really. Then, one day on late December 2005, at 11 am while at work and after working out at the gym, all of a sudden I got a nasty painful headache and went home for 10 days.
Even though my productivity deteriorated, because I was quite senior there, I managed to keep my job until the end of 2009. since then I am jobless.
I don't know about you, but NDPH made my memory function like an old man and my ability to concentrate went out the window.
Any form of exercise makes the pain worse, immediately. the only form of exercise I can sometimes perform is walking, slightly fast, but not too fast.
To make the long story, shorter...
On this journey I went through 2 MRI and one MRA, EEG, Blood tests which came back normal, except for non-normal indicators of inflammation: CRP (C-reactive protein) and ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate). Also, if I am not mistaken, Fibronogen. can't remember right now.
I have seen multiple Doctors and literally almost all the best Neuro specialists in my country (Israel), some of them are even world renowned.
It's amazing but most doctors told me the exact same thing: We have no clue what you have, and we have no clue what may help you, or what may heal you. Goodbye.
A few mentioned Tension headache and/or occipital neuralgia. Only one mentioned NDPH, and when I later read the NDPH diagnosis and symptoms, it was spot on, as if written specifically on me!
Not a week goes by that I don't research the web for new info on NDPH New Daily Persistent Headache for any new treatments or research or relief.
I have tried some medications, but mostly all I got was horrible side effects with zero improvement at best, while most made the head pain even worse. not a great package deal.
I have also tried many alternative therapies, most of them expensive and some also painful. not a great package deal too, I can assure you.
Natural / alternative therapies I have tried:
I can't even remember them all...
- Naturopathic Medicine (Naturopathy) combined with Reflexology
- Medical massage clinic at the Hospital
- Medical marijuana (You'd be surprised to know it didn't help me at all)
- Acupuncture by the #1 specialist in my country
- Kinesiology
- Shrink
- Osteopathy (twice, by 2 separate practitioners)
- Classic Homeopathy
- A special method of Homeopathy called GUNA
- IV Ozone therapy for about 6-7 months (Painful and expensive)
- St. john's wort (Proven safe and natural anti depression)
- Lyme disease testing at iGeneX
- L-Theanine
In 5 years nothing has helped me get any relief, none at all, except one single thing. I tried a relatively high dose of a natural substance called L-Theanine (originally made from Green tea). I took 1200 mg daily, and woke up the next day with zero headache! amazing 
A full month went by and it was still working! I got my life back. wow
(BTW, it is interesting to note that L-Theanine passes the blood brain barrier).
But, I don't live in the US and L-Theanine is not available in my country. by the time I managed to get some again, more than a month had passed and I was out of L-Theanine. Gradually the pain came back.
Due to technical reasons it took an additional 2 weeks for it to get to me. pain was back at full force.
I started again with the relatively high dose of L-Theanine, but nothing happened.
Since then I have tried twice to re-start my L-Theanine regime. Unfortunately, no luck and no relief at all, which is obviously very disappointing.
Life goes on. somehow...
If anyone's got any questions, feel free to shoot them my way...
99% chance that your Neuro or GP has never heard of Theanine, and even if they did, they would most likely tell you that it's a waste of time and money. not clinically proven, etc. bla bla.
in my opinion what you should ask your Doctor is not if he thinks it can help you, but rather if he thinks there is any possible harm. just my 2 cents.
Theanine is something a Naturopathic or any other kind of natural healer has most likely heard of.
L-Theanine (aka simply: Theanine) is something you buy in the health food store. If you do try it please don't use the cheapest kind, you want results after all. I would strongly recommend the SunTheanine brand.
What I would recommend to do, is an escalation upwards, but not too slow.
Start with about 200 mg once, and see how it makes you feel. most people will just feel more relaxed and mellow and yet more focused.
After a day or two of using 200 mg once a day, I would do 200 mg twice a day and after another day or two, while taking it, I would do 200 mg three times a day.
Once you start with the 200 mg once, please don't stop, or stop completely if for some reason you feel it's not for you.
Now, see how that makes you feel.
Then I would possibly keep escalating until I reach
300 mg three times a day. so far that's 900 mg daily.
When you go to sleep take an additional 300 mg, you will also sleep better. some people use Theanine solely as a healthy sleeping aid.
Recommendation and summary: you want to take it 3 times a day separeted out, plus 40-50 minutes before you go to sleep (4 times total). it starts taking effect within about 40 minutes.
Start your day with the first dose as early as possible, trust me it's a great way to start the morning.
Also, try not to take it with protein or a meal containing protein as this makes the Theanine absorbed less effectively.
it just occurred to me that I better come up with some sort of mini disclaimer, I don't want any responsibility over someone elses actions, so here goes...
Disclaimer: I take no responsibility regarding your use of Theanine. I am not a doctor nor do I claim to be one. of course I have no connection to SunTheanine or any other Theanine brand.
I am just someone with a lot of experience. unfortunately 
Post edited by: ranabra, at: 03/28/2013 04:36 PM
