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An update on Ginkgo Biloba.

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Guest
Guest

This is an update from my previous posts. I've suffered PF from late teens/early twenties and have suffered all the worries (and pain) associated with this condition. The turning point was in Jan 1997 when on 22nd I passed out in the toilet at work. This had not happened before and fortunately no-one came in and I wasn't out for long. From that day I started to record attacks in a diary. In 1997 I had 6 attacks, all quite severe. The next two years brought 13 and then 12 attacks, On 16th December 1999 I passed out in bed in the early hours and scared my wife half to death. Soon after in 2000 I saw a specialist who diagnosed PF immediately - that was such a relief. As the years have rolled by, I have suffered around ten attacks per year, and a high of seventeen in 2004. I've tried various supplements without success. Some time during 2005 I began with Ginkgo. I didn't record the date as I was not hopeful. But in 2006 (after a big one on 7th Feb), I only had six attacks. In 2007 that fell to four attacks, lasting between 30 mins and two hours. The last one was 10th August 2007 and I have been clear until last night when I had a moderate attack which lasted just over an hour. I was hoping to go six months without one but failed by one week!!!

Since my records began I have not gone longer than two months between attacks so this five months and three weeks period is extraordinary.

No guarantees of course - we're all different and this is taking time to make a difference. I still occasionally get a fleeting hint of pain - like a shadow but I remain optimistic.

Good luck to everybody in 2008.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    [color=darkblue][/color PF is dreadful. I have had two attacks each night for the past seven days. I have had this complaint for 6 years and been to the gp who sent me to the pain clinic at the local hospital. It is very upsetting to have to live with this condition. It is very intrusive on ones life and fortunately my partner is very understanding. I use a Ventolin evohaler to slow down my breathing when I have an attack. Like we all experience there is no time to fill a bath to get relief. I usually sit on the loo for ages and then I pass water and it begins to feel better. I also take 400mg of pregabalin a day. I was on 600 mg a day but I began to feel very groggy in the morning. So I am slowly cutting back. I also take docusate sodium 100mg capsules - 5 of those a day - to keep my stools soft.

    PF is so invasive on ones life. Sometimes I get an attack at work fortunately my colleagues are now used to me shouting out with pain.

    But as we all say sometimes it lasts a short time other times it is much longer.

    The consultant said he would be a millionaire if he could find an answer to this condition.

    What can we all do but share our condition - it helps to know that this website exists to air our views. But I have had so many attacks this year I would never be off the site! I will report again and we must all keep in touch and help each other.

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Gingko balboa? I will get some today! God bless you for sharing your experience and your remedy. I really pray that both of you get overall relief from this. I have not had it as severely - maybe 2 attacks a year for 7 years - but I really don't want to be getting this pain again any time soon!

    Thanks again, I will definitely get some ginko. My doctor has prescribed me GTN spray to use if I get another attack.

    Keep your heads up guys, something will change, it has to! I was diagnosed today, and at least I know what's happening and that it's not a symptom of something worse.

    Praying for you both (for all of us!)

    Skype smile

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Can I just ask - which brand of gingko supplement do you take, and how much?

    Thanks smile

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Sorry about the delay in responding!!! - I don't look on here very often. I get my Gingko from Healthspan in the Channel Islands (no connection).

    In 2009 so far I've had eight months without an attack, which is the longest period I've had without an attack since I started keeping records.

    But here's the strangest thing. I had an attack on 13th August, then 13th September, and this week on 13th October. I'm not suggesting \"unlucky 13\" because I don't think about the date, but this monthly repeat is odd, especially after so long free of it.

    I'll be trying sugar next, so thanks for that tip.

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