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Topic: Please, please try this. My Ch's are gone. (Read 934 times) |
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ronschade
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Please, please try this. My Ch's are gone.
« on: May 21st, 2004, 7:53pm » |
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I know there are alot of skeptics out there but please give this a try. I'm not on any medication now and haven't had a CH in 2 months. I suffered for 10 months with severe frequent cluster headaches and went through all the medications. I was having 4 to 6 clusters a day and at my wits end. Due to an unrelated condition I was diagnoses with poor circulation in my legs which was found from an ultrasound test. From that day on, I went on a fat free diet and limited my caffine to one cup of regular coffee a day. My circulation is improving but a wonderful side effect was that my cluster headaches went away. I have not had one since the day after I started my diet. I have a cup of regular coffee in the morning, and cheerios with Splenda and skim milk. I have fruit, or a fat free turkey sandwhich, or salad with fat free dressing for lunch. I eat a little bit of boiled chicken either in a salad, or with steamed vegatables and rice for dinner. I keep fruit cups, or applesauce around for snacks, or fat free yogurt. I also stay away from foods with hydrogentated oils (trans fats) also. I do get some mild forhead headaches which I think are a result of the low fat diet. Then I will eat a little fat like a chocolate chip cookie, or small piece of steak. I still smoke. I also lost 20 lbs in 5 weeks by eatting this way. Basically eat no, or very little fat, and sugar, and caffine. It was a major change but now I don't eat for pleasure. I just eat for nourishment. Would someone else please try thi. I am hoping that this will provide relief for others as well. I have been experimenting with other fat free dishes to relieve the bordem of eating the same things day after day but cconsidering the headache free life I have not I don't mind the sacrifice. Please don't reply with negative comments until you try it. I am medicine free, headache free, and down to my normal weight. If you have questions, or need help getting started please send me a message. I really think this simple change of life can bring others the same relief I am having. 
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pubgirl
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Re: Please, please try this. My Ch's are gone.
« Reply #1 on: May 21st, 2004, 8:28pm » |
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Slim and headache free? How lovely that would be. But not sure I could just "eat for nourishment" alone. One of the total pleasures of life gone
Wendy
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ronschade
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Re: Please, please try this. My Ch's are gone.
« Reply #2 on: May 21st, 2004, 8:50pm » |
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Compare to the drugs, and agony I was in my change in diet was a small sacrifice. With a little bit of experimentation, creativity, and research, you can eat pretty good fat free foods. Just takes some trial and error. I would much rather eat bacon, and fried chicken but this new way of eating is a small sacrifice for me to avoid the agony of constant cluster headaches which were running my life. I'm thinking of posting some fat free dishes on my personal website to help.
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BlueMeanie
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Re: Please, please try this. My Ch's are gone.
« Reply #3 on: May 21st, 2004, 9:10pm » |
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Same old stuff. Change a diet and quit getting clusters. Good for you. I'm really glad your clusters went away because of your eating habits. Also I want to commend you for loosing so much weight. I quit getting clusters without changing a thing. Hmmm. Of course i'm episodic. Maybe you chronics might wanna give it a try. 
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miapet
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Re: Please, please try this. My Ch's are gone.
« Reply #4 on: May 21st, 2004, 9:27pm » |
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I don't know if it will help clusters . . .but it's good for other medical conditions, and can be a great preventative for them too *s* I'm glad it worked for you.
*positive light and energy*
miapet
btw, celery is great for lowering b/p (it's an old Chinese remedy, and it had great results for D)
edit: I buy organic celery, since it's mostly water, I don't want all the pesticides.
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Kevin_M
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Re: Please, please try this. My Ch's are gone.
« Reply #5 on: May 21st, 2004, 10:20pm » |
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You sound like you have taken to quite a good regimen of eating which sound healthy. However, certain fats are essential and should be included for better health, such as fish and nuts, there are interesting books on this lately. I have eaten like you have described for about seven years though and have suffered seven episodic bouts during this time. Somehow you have struck gold.
Kevin M
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Lizzie2
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Re: Please, please try this. My Ch's are gon
« Reply #6 on: May 21st, 2004, 10:30pm » |
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on May 21st, 2004, 10:20pm, Kevin_M wrote:You sound like you have taken to quite a good regimen of eating which sound healthy. However, certain fats are essential and should be included for better health, such as fish and nuts, there are interesting books on this lately. I have eaten like you have described for about seven years though and have suffered seven episodic bouts during this time. Somehow you have struck gold.
Kevin M |
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Very very true, Kevin! Another thing...a lot of people cut out carbs, but our diets should actually be 60% carbs to be healthy. Carbohydrates are our main source of energy in our bodies, and if we don't consume them, bad things can happen in our bodies. And also, when they remove certain things from foods, such as fat, it must be replaced by something. In fat-free foods, they usually have more carbs or sodium. In low carb/carb-free foods, they add fat or sodium. They have to make it taste like something people will eat.
I think eating healthy is extremely important, but cutting whole nutrient groups out of our diets can be extremely dangerous.
Glad you are PF, though, ron!
Lizzie
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Karla
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Re: Please, please try this. My Ch's are gone.
« Reply #7 on: May 21st, 2004, 10:40pm » |
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I joined Jenny Craig and was on a fat free diet with no soda and lots of water for over a year. I lost 75 pounds. That is when my ch started. My dr actually thought the diet might have triggered the eposode. However, I don't believe that. But it certainly didn't help my case at all.
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Karla
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Kevin_M
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Re: Please, please try this. My Ch's are gon
« Reply #8 on: May 21st, 2004, 10:54pm » |
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Quote:| Another thing...a lot of people cut out carbs, but our diets should actually be 60% carbs to be healthy. Carbohydrates are our main source of energy in our bodies, and if we don't consume them, bad things can happen in our bodies. Lizzie |
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Yes, you are accurate too. I know they are in the process of trying to revamp the food pyramid, but grains DO make up 60% of that pyramid, that will not be altered that much. Carbos are our body's prefered intake for energy. Why is a spagetti dinner traditional before the Boston Marathon ( I'm pretty sure it's that marathon)? Can thousands of runners extraordinare be all wrong?
Kevin M
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Ueli
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Re: Please, please try this. My Ch's are gon
« Reply #9 on: May 21st, 2004, 10:56pm » |
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I am one of the skeptics you refer to, and I not gonna try your diet.
I'm glad your diet is helping you with your other help problems, but I sincerely doubt that fats, sugars and caffeine have more than marginally to do with CH. In fact many clusterheads believe that coffee is helping them.
The diet you describe is designed to eliminate some harmful stuff from the body, so it is unbelievable that
Quote:| I have not had one (cluster attack) since the day after I started my diet. |
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After all, you didn't lose the 20 lbs over night, did you?
*You suffered for 10 months with severe frequent cluster headaches and went through all the medications." It would be interesting to know what "all the medications" are. Do they include
Clonazepam and Tylenol? I ask this because
on Feb 25th, 2004, 10:49pm, ronschade wrote:| I have been suffering terribly from Cluster Headaches for 6 months. 4 to 6 of them a day. One thing I noticed was that any type of anxiety brought them on when I was awake at least. My wife who suffers anxiety attacks takes CLONAZEPAM for anxiety attacks. I started taking one Clonazepam, and one Tylenol 3 once in the morning, and once in the evening and have not had a headache in 6 days. I told my doctor about it and he gave me the prescriptions for both. ..... |
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So, did Clonazepam and Tylenol only work for 6 days? As I read it, it must be so. Otherwise your diet couldn't stop your cluster a few weeks later. Another inconsistency that struck me: According to your latest post your last cycle started in May 2003, but I calculate August 2003 from your first post. That's a bit much of a difference. 
This post may sound a bit harsh. But I feel obliged to warn people from quality of live impairing recommendations, sole on the evidence of one unreliable and contradicting witness.
PFNADs
Ueli 
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Kevin_M
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Re: Please, please try this. My Ch's are gone.
« Reply #10 on: May 21st, 2004, 11:04pm » |
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Ueli man, thanks for the chronologic and meds clarity. Lights turn on when you are here.
Kevin M
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Charlie
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Re: Please, please try this. My Ch's are gone.
« Reply #11 on: May 22nd, 2004, 4:25am » |
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The thing about diets is that there have been a pile of them tried and discussed here over the years. I guess there are a couple of triggers like MSG and alcohol for many. I don't think there are a lot others that have been proven. If anything, I'm less conscious now about what I eat than ever. I do eat small amounts all day along and rarely a big meal which is a change of sorts.
I can come up with half a dozen things that I cannot prove as a reason that it’s been 13 years since my last attack: I was 45 when they ended after 22 years, but it's a bit young for the iffy age theory. Others are quitting tobacco, (the timing is wrong) anti-seizure drugs I've taken or quit taking for epilepsy, (again the timing is wrong) stress as a positive, (timing fits perfectly here) much more strong coffee, and diet. Wouldn’t be nice if I could pin it down? I can’t prove any of them. I have to take into account that coincidences exist.
I’m very glad you have had some good results and my advice is to keep doing what you are doing so long as you use common sense.
Good luck and let us know how you’re getting along.
Charlie
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Woobie
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Re: Please, please try this. My Ch's are gone.
« Reply #12 on: May 22nd, 2004, 9:19am » |
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Well congratulations on being PF for 2 months...
I am happy for you! Really, I am!
BUt - isn't it just possible your cycle has ENDED? When you're PF for a long time - and skip a couple cycles.. while being on this diet for a couple years... then get off it - and the cycle comes back............ then maybe .....
but it's been 2 months 
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ANd HEY UELI... nice to see you back, man!!!!!!
Ronschade - more power to you....
tina
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ronschade
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Re: Please, please try this. My Ch's are gone.
« Reply #13 on: May 23rd, 2004, 3:24pm » |
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Just to clarify a few questions. I lost 20 pounds in 4 weeks with this diet. I however also walk about 2 miles every other day which helped burn some of the fat off. As far as eating fat, I know you need a little for proper organ function. I eat less then 5 grams of saturated fat, and less then 10 grams of poly and mono fats a day. I eat grains, fruits, starches, but almost no processed sugar, caffine, meats, or snack food. I spent 2 years learning about food properties and alot of people think they are eating heathly but they aren't. I'm not a health nut by any means but I learned because of a heart condition, and then the headaches. I am also not saying this is a cure I would just like someone to try it. A good source to learn about foods is the American Heart association website. As far as medications here is a list of what I have tried with no success. Now I'm not on anything and headache free. I also don't believe this is a break in a cycle because the headaches stopped the day after I started eating this way. Too much of a coincidence for me.
TYLENOL 3 WITH CODINE
CLONAZEPAM 1MG TABLETS
IMITREX
HYDROCODONE
TIZANIDINE
TOPAMAX
DEPAKOTE
INDOMETHACIN
BUTALBITAL
and a host of neuro drugs with not success.
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FZfan
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Re: Please, please try this. My Ch's are gone.
« Reply #14 on: May 23rd, 2004, 5:46pm » |
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Quote:| I also don't believe this is a break in a cycle because the headaches stopped the day after I started eating this way. Too much of a coincidence for me. |
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Not a coincidence at all. I've had at least three occassions where I was certain I had found the "thing" that would keep me pain free. Each time it was simply the "coincidence" of the end of the cycle.
It's only natural to think that something you did in terms of lifestyle resulted in the end of a cycle. And its not beyond the realm of possibility that there exists a magic bullett out there somewhere that works for all of us. But that's the rub. One of the very few things that seem to have been proven about this disease is that no single treatment exists that works for all of us. Another one of the few things that has been proven is the source of the disease is a defective hypothalamus.
Unless it can be proven that diet/lifestyle change can fix the defective hypothalamus, I'm afraid what you may have found is something that works for you and maybe a few others. I am happy for you and anyone that can find something that works for them.
I'm betting it's simply the coincidental sudden end to a cycle.
Stay PF
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mynm156
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Re: Please, please try this. My Ch's are gone.
« Reply #15 on: May 24th, 2004, 1:29am » |
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Ronschade,
I am glad to hear that you have survived another bout with the demon. However, I have to ask this question. Given that your episode was rather long isnt it just possible that it is over for now? I think that we all appreciate any REAL heartfelt advice and ideas. I will see what my Nuero says I am on a diet already and if I can I will keep in touch and compare notes!
Good Luck and i hope that you stay PF
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sandie99
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Re: Please, please try this. My Ch's are gone.
« Reply #16 on: May 24th, 2004, 5:57am » |
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Hi there! 
I glad that the fat-free diet works for you! For me it has done wonders for my body in general, but nothing to my CH. I gave up my once-a-week coca-cola dose so I don't get any caffeine, I don't smoke (never have) and don't drink (that's the meds for you). But I have never felt so energetic, so I'll keep on doing it anyway. Perhaps it takes longer than six months with my head!
Best wishes & PFdays to the future! I hope that your CH stays away!
sandie99
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Superpain
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Re: Please, please try this. My Ch's are gone.
« Reply #17 on: May 24th, 2004, 7:38pm » |
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I have to agree that I think the cycle ended.
It seems impossible to me that your body could respond in less than 24 hrs to a change in diet.
Plus the fact that diet doesn't have shit to do with clusters. 
But I'm glad you're PF. 
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Chris
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Re: Please, please try this. My Ch's are gone.
« Reply #18 on: May 24th, 2004, 11:36pm » |
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on May 24th, 2004, 7:38pm, Superpain wrote:diet doesn't have shit to do with clusters.
But I'm glad you're PF. |
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I'm STILL alive ?
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ronschade
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Re: Please, please try this. My Ch's are gone.
« Reply #19 on: May 25th, 2004, 1:06am » |
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Several people think this was just the end of a cycle. I'm going to let this subject go for now and report back in 6 months or so. I know there is no cure-all that works for everyone but hopefully this is my answer. Thank you for all the the kind wishes. One thing I have learned is not to stay with one doctor, or pain specialist. If you don't get results with one, move on to another. Thank you again..........Bye for now........Ron
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pubgirl
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Re: Please, please try this. My Ch's are gone.
« Reply #20 on: May 25th, 2004, 5:14am » |
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Good luck Ron!
Hope you stay healthy and pain free. Talk to you when you're back 
Wendy
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JohnM
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Hi Ueli I missed you being around
« Reply #21 on: Jun 1st, 2004, 9:50am » |
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Hi Ueli, where have you been my doubting fellow Ch'er?
Since you stopped posting for a while it seems that quite a few people have experienced a break in their CH by radically changing there diet. As you may remember I have managed now to break my last 2 cycles doing my "detox diet", which on long term reflection may have stopped my CH due to the "shock to the system" of a radical diet. It does seem to work for some people and you should not be so quick to knock it. It only puts people off trying for themselves to break the cycle without using more drugs, drugs, drugs!
Sticking to the sort of diet expounded here long term is just about impossible, as is my own "detox diet", but....
it seems that undertaking a radical change and loosing a lot of weight quickly changes the body chemistry somehow and this may be the reason it can break the CH. It is NOT A CURE, but I think it can help some people to get over their cycle quickly. Do it for a few weeks when you are in cycle and see if it helps. It works for me too!
My own recipe is to consume only fresh fruit, fresh veg and plain water for at least a week, then introduce some fish and chicken for another week or so. Then slowly slip back into old habits if you have to!
John
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grandteton
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Re: Please, please try this. My Ch's are gone.
« Reply #22 on: Jun 4th, 2004, 9:10pm » |
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Hi all,
Just to add my two cents, I am glad to see the diet has worked for someone. However from my experience, I thought diet was the reason for my CHs at one point, only to find out in the next cycle it wasn't.
I am in my third chronic cycle in my life. The first was 9 years ago, where following a collision whilst playing football, I suffered whiplash and started getting headaches a month or so later. Not even hearing the term Cluster Headache at this point, I didn't know what it was. I tried physio, chiros etc and nothing work, until I tried a clinical masseur who use the trigger point technique to release the muscles - and PRESTO! Headaches gone. It must be solely neck/muscle related...so I thought.
When living overseas in 1999, they started again. So I got all sorts of treatment on my neck again with no result. I was suffering up to 7 times a day, KIP 7's and 8s, and no physio or massage helped. I thought they were migraines (having not researched at that point either) and a lady in a herbal shop told me the various triggers in diet that can cause them (caffeine, cheese, chocolate, red wine etc etc). I started a diet with most if not all triggers cut out plus Feverfew capsules, and PRESTO AGAIN! Headaches gone within a week after 12 months suffering. It MUST be diet then...
WRONG! They are back, and I have had them for 15 months. They started again a month or so after starting a season playing footy again...but is that a co-incidence?? I don't know for sure.
I've tried the same diet with FEVERFEW. No luck. I've tried the same masseuse who cured them the first time. No luck again. I am now in the process of growing mushies hoping they will cure them...
All I'm saying I guess is that my theory is that if you are prone to them, then more than one thing can initiate them or end a cycle. Whilst I thought it was diet the second time, it could have been partly that, but what could also have influenced was that perhaps the cycle could have been ending anyway, I was living in a different country, taking a hebal remedy, working less hours than previously... it's too hard to pin point.
So by all means try everything. Diet may be the "straw that breaks the cycle", but unless it is the only thing you change, and you never get them again, then it might not be the miracle cure that you think it is.
Good luck anyway to all that it works for. I hope it is your little miracle!
Mark
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