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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Posts >> What really triggers CH?
        
(Message started by: jclaire on Jul 5^th, 2004, 6:51pm)

Title: What really triggers CH?
Post by jclaire on Jul 5^th, 2004, 6:51pm

[smiley=huh.gif][left][/left]I am a 25 yo female who lives in NW Indiana. I have episodes of CH. I have been living with these since I was 14yo. I haven't had an episode in almost 3yrs, boy has that been great. All of a sudden though one hit on July 1st. I ended up having 3 in on day... I went a day with out having a full one, but one lingered piercing my right side all the following day. Since then I have been getting them 3 - 4 times a day.. I know they are only going to get worse.. And, I have tried everything, :'( imitrex, verapamil, prednisone, zomig, you name it, i've tried it. I want to know if there are any herbal supplements or vitamins in which could possibly help. One last thing.. I am so glad this site is here, I thought I was alone in feeling insane at times... thanks for your support... female in Indiana

Title: Re: What really triggers CH?
Post by Sean_C on Jul 5^th, 2004, 7:24pm

Give o2 a try, there is also some great reading for you on the home page. Hope all works out.

Sean

Title: Re: What really triggers CH?
Post by don on Jul 5^th, 2004, 8:06pm

What triggers mine?

Eating
Sleeping
Breathing

I'm sorta fucked.

Title: Re: What really triggers CH?
Post by Rock_Lobster on Jul 5^th, 2004, 8:16pm

My trigger was my mom & dad doing the nasty.
About 23 years after that... bang... clusters.

Lobstah

Title: Re: What really triggers CH?
Post by Callico_Kid on Jul 6^th, 2004, 12:53am

Welcome aboard. You will find a lot of information here, but unfortunately, few answers. I don't mean that in a bad way, but at this time there are few answers available for CH. Read as much as you can and ask questions about what you don't understand. Join OUCH and fill out the surveys. The information will be used to help in the search for the cause and the cure.

You asked about a trigger. That varies from person to person, and from episode to episode to episode for episodics. This beast is constantly changing.

You said you had tried every thing, but there are quite a number of things you did not mention, and there are quite a nmber of combinations of these drugs that will sometimes work when one will not work alone. For instance, I had no success with Verapamil or Lithium until I started using them together. I have had remarkable results since.

Do you have a good Neuro that is CH competent? That makes all the difference in the world. If you don't IM me and I will refer you to mine. He would be a bit of a drive for you, but well worth it. He is in Glenview.

Feel free to touch base anytime you need help.

Jerry

Title: Re: What really triggers CH?
Post by chrismo on Jul 6^th, 2004, 1:23am

some VERY interesting reading is at

http://www.clusterbusters.com

There is also a ton of information in these message boards about the same subject.

Title: Re: What really triggers CH?
Post by Ree on Jul 6^th, 2004, 6:21am

Hi and Welcome ~~My husband's remission period is about 2 1/2 to 3 years... every time they stop he tries to think they are gone for good... that's why I'm here.
If this is your first visit to the site... read read read There is a lot of information at your fingetips........again welcome...........ree

Title: Re: What really triggers CH?
Post by BarbaraD on Jul 6^th, 2004, 7:09am

Welcome to Clusterville. As others have said, there's a lot of good reading here. Go to your neuro ARMED with facts (and we ALL know that women don't get CH ;;D).

Sorry you're having a bad time. I've been chronic so long, I just take them as a matter of getting thru the day. Take the pain free time and get thru the other times.

Hugs BD

Title: Re: What really triggers CH?
Post by Jeepgun on Jul 6^th, 2004, 10:46am

I get cluster headaches in my ass on an almost daily basis. These rectal clusters are generally triggered by whining kids, whining adults, telemarketers, snake-oil salesmen, and irritating co-workers. ;;D

Title: Re: What really triggers CH?
Post by Root on Jul 6^th, 2004, 1:23pm

Whenever the mangetic resonance flow through the flux generators reverses I get hammered.

Title: Re: What really triggers CH?
Post by broomhilda on Jul 6^th, 2004, 1:49pm

on 07/06/04 at 10:46:17, Jeepgun wrote:

[smiley=laugh.gif] [smiley=laugh.gif] [smiley=laugh.gif]
LMFAO Jeep, now I gotta go clean my computer!!! [smiley=spit.gif]

Title: Re: What really triggers CH?
Post by purpleydog on Jul 6^th, 2004, 8:31pm

on 07/06/04 at 13:49:39, broomhilda wrote:

[smiley=laugh.gif] [smiley=laugh.gif] [smiley=laugh.gif]
LMFAO Jeep, now I gotta go clean my computer!!! [smiley=spit.gif]

dude, you're on a roll today! [smiley=laugh.gif]

jclaire, I have no idea what triggers mine. I am lucky to only be episodic. I just get through them.

purpleydog

Title: Re: What really triggers CH?
Post by ClusterChuck on Jul 6^th, 2004, 8:38pm

on 07/06/04 at 10:46:17, Jeepgun wrote:

Your ass, your head, who is to tell the difference? They both look the same ...

Chuck

PS: OPPPSSS!!! Am I gonna get my ass kicked by ANOTHER clusterhead? DAMN!

Title: Re: What really triggers CH?
Post by Jeepgun on Jul 6^th, 2004, 8:45pm

BWA-HAHAHAHAHA!! Usually, my head is so far up my ass, I can't tell exactly WHAT'S really hurting! LOL! All I know is, IT HURTS!! :o ;;D

Title: Re: What really triggers CH?
Post by nosfed01stang on Jul 6^th, 2004, 9:53pm

[smiley=laugh.gif]...That made me bout fall in the floor laughing..... ;;D

jclaire.......when you find out what triggers these things....let me know. Mine started back about the same time and hasn't let up yet. I think my head is numb about right now.

Title: Re: What really triggers CH?
Post by Charlie on Jul 6^th, 2004, 11:00pm

Welcome aboard. You'll find a lot of good ideas here for dealing with this horror. The subject of triggers is big. So far as I know, I didn't have one. Mine have been gone for 13 years.

Things like very vigorous exercise, cold water, and things that affect circulation seem helpful. Here is what helped me:

Dr. Wright’s Circulatory Technique

What follows is a technique learned from a neurologist:
I am not sure what mechanism is triggered by this but whatever it is, at least indirectly helps kill the pain. I do know that this technique has nothing to do with meditation, relaxation, or psychic ability. It is entirely physical and takes some work. It involves concentrating on trying to redirect a little circulation to the arms, hands, or legs. It can described as a conscious circulatory flexing. Increased circulation will result in a reddening and warming of the hands. Try to think of it as filling your hands with redirected blood. The important and difficult part is that it has to be done without interruption through the pain. Do not give up in frustration. It may not work on the first try. Every now and then it will work almost immediately. I lived for those moments. Try experimenting between attacks. You will find that it gets easier with practice.
I was given less than five minutes instruction in the use of method. The doctor, while placing his arm on his desk, showed me that he could slightly increase his arm and hand circulation. After several attempts, I was able to repeat this procedure and use it successfully. I have had about a 75% success rate shortening these attacks. My 20 minute attacks were often reduced to 10 minutes or less. Once proven that I had a chance to effectively deal with this horror, I always gave it a try as I had nothing to lose but pain.
Perhaps it will help if you think of it as trying to fill the arm as if it is were an empty vessel. I used to try to imagine I was pushing blood away from my head into my arm. Use your imagination. There is one man who wrote that his standing barefoot on a concrete floor shortened his attacks. This may be similar as it draws some circulation away from the head. Cold water, exercise, or anything affecting circulation, seems to be worth a try. My suggestion is to not let up immediately when the pain goes. Waiting a minute is probably a good idea. So long as you do not slack off, this has a chance of working.
This technique is very useful while waiting for medication to take effect or when none is available. It costs nothing, is non-invasive, and can be used just about anywhere. It is not a miracle but it helped me deal with this horror. It can be a bit exhausting but the success rate was good enough for me and a cluster headache sufferer will do just about anything to end the pain. It gives us a fighting chance.
I hope this technique is helpful and I wish you the best of luck

Charlie

Title: Re: What really triggers CH?
Post by RevDeFord on Jul 7^th, 2004, 6:28am

I have found without fail 2 triggers. These triggers happen EVERY time for me.

1)Wide change in sleep pattern. For example, if I have a lockin with my kids at church, I can guarantee that 7-10 days afterwards, I will start an episode. So I try to go to bed and wake up at approximately the same times. I also have this problem if I have a particularly bad case of heartburn overnight because I am waking up many times to take antacids.

2)Environmental changes with the changing of the season from Summer to Fall.

Now, I also have migraines, and without fail, I get a migraine if I get too angry, I assume because my bloodpressure goes up. Plus all the usual triggers of light, sound.