Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        New Message Board Archives >> 2002 Posts >> CH during AIR travel.  Any others?
        
(Message started by: milobox on Oct 14^th, 2002, 4:42pm)

Title: CH during AIR travel. Any others?
Post by milobox on Oct 14^th, 2002, 4:42pm

Hello all,

How can I put this, when it feels like a dagger is being placed through your right temple, and the sharp tip of the blade begins rotating behind your eye - you'll begin to realize what I go through when I fly.

My cluster headaches only occur during air travel. I'm fortunate that they only last about 5-20 minutes, but within that time frame, they attack in very painful waves.
Does anyone else have this symptom, and if they do - does it become more severe? I would like to contain these episodes, and would certainly not enjoy them in my life (outside of air travel). I've also done some research and found similar symptoms with Sinus Headaches. Is there a clear distinction between the two?

This is an amazing website, that clarifies what is happening to me - I was worried that I may have burst a blood vessel or caused a brain hemorrhage. I guess things could be worse.. Best of luck to all that are suffering.

--Dennis

Title: Re: CH during AIR travel. Any others?
Post by echo on Oct 14^th, 2002, 4:46pm

Dennis, changes in altitude during air travel are always a trigger for me, as are drastic changes in temperature and time zone changes. If air travel is your only trigger you should be able to get meds that will help you with that. I used to take a med that is normally used by high altitude climbers and/or skiers that minimized the effect.

Title: Re: CH during AIR travel. Any others?
Post by StanTheMan on Oct 14^th, 2002, 5:00pm

Yes, there IS a clear distinction between CH's and sinus headaches. The sad part is that people that first encounter CH's are often misdiagnosed because the symptoms are similiar. (However, I dare say that CH's are MUCH MUCH NASTIER than any sinus headache could ever dream of becoming!)

I too, have heard of air travel being a "trigger", although I have not experienced it. I recently travelled by air on the tail end of a cluster cycle, and I carried my meds on my person at all times. I needed my lithium a couple of times, but fortunately I never had to break out my Maxalt (my "heavy artillery").

Yes, I agree with Echo -- see a doc about getting some meds.

If your HA's are only triggered by air travel / high altitude, you may be one of the more "fortunate" sufferers around here. (Unless of course you travel a lot).
;)

Best wishes for PFDAN.

StanTheMan

Title: Re: CH during AIR travel. Any others?
Post by jonny on Oct 14^th, 2002, 6:46pm

on 10/14/02 at 17:00:48, StanTheMan wrote:

I needed my lithium a couple of times

Stan,

Are you using Lithium as an abortive?

...................................jonny

Title: Re: CH during AIR travel. Any others?
Post by Ueli on Oct 14^th, 2002, 8:31pm

Dennis,
I go a step farther than echo and StanTheMan: Do not only see a doc about meds, but more important for a correct diagnosis.
You write
Quote:

... they only last about 5-20 minutes, but within that time frame, they attack in very painful waves.

Cluster attacks come not in waves, they build up very fast from nil to almost unbearable, stay on top for some time and then end usually pretty fast. Also the duration of your attacks is at the very lower end for clusters. The term "cluster" in cluster headaches means that the attacks are grouped in time, up to 8 attacks a day, for a period of weeks or months, followed (for episodics) by month of pain free time. If your attacks come only during air travel, then either you must go airborne day after day for an extended period or the attacks do not come in clusters.
Seek the advice of a good neuro! Good luck,
Ueli

Title: Re: CH during AIR travel. Any others?
Post by Lenny on Oct 15^th, 2002, 3:23pm

Sounds to me that your head is getting de-compressed, it happens to me appro. 50 % of the time when i fly( when it happens its always on take off and landing )painful,but NOTHING LIKE A CLUSTER!!! Good Luck and PFDAN to you.
Lenny