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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Hormones=Cluster Headaches?
        
(Message started by: harlem on Apr 5^th, 2005, 12:09pm)

Title: Hormones=Cluster Headaches?
Post by harlem on Apr 5^th, 2005, 12:09pm

I wanted to throw this theory I have out there and see whether it rings a bell with anyone. I have suffered from CH's for appx. 8-10 years now and think I have noticed a trend... though not fool-proof. I usually get my CH's anywhere from February-April and true to the timing, I have them now. They haven't been ridiculous yet, but I'm sure that's around the corner.

Anyway, enough yammering. I have noticed that frequently when I become involved and enamored with a woman, that is a time when I get CH's. One could say that it is a function of stress (women!) but believe me, I have much greater stress and neuroses that factor into my life at other times when I don't get the CH's. However, this seems to be consistent. I wonder whether there are hormonal changes that happen in the body that could trigger these headaches. Anyone have thoughts? Maybe something other than courting or union could trigger a hormonal change. Sound familiar?

Look forward to reading responses.

Now that I have read some responses, let me make a couple of things clear; this isn't about my desires or future plans to date women... I plan on it in perpetuity, and/or getting married. The big question here is whether anyone has heard or perceived that CH's are brought on by hormonal changes?

Ok, the woman comment was unnecessary; I was trying to add some levity to an otherwise grave situation.

Title: Re: Hormones=Cluster Headaches?
Post by Bob P on Apr 5^th, 2005, 12:23pm

I do believe that women don't get clusters, they give them!

Title: Re: Hormones=Cluster Headaches?
Post by pattik on Apr 5^th, 2005, 12:58pm

on 04/05/05 at 12:23:09, Bob P wrote:

I do believe that women don't get clusters, they give them!

::)shut up, Bob

Title: Re: Hormones=Cluster Headaches?
Post by PCMCCK on Apr 5^th, 2005, 1:06pm

I was seriously episodic from 1988 until 1996, when I became (and have remained) seriously chronic. Over these many years I have tried to find out if there was a pattern to my headaches related to stress-whether good stress, such as being involved with a good woman, or bad stress-job problems, money problems, problems problems, etc. I found, at least for me, no consistency. There have been times when I was under very severe bad stress and yet had no CH pain and other times when life was good and then WHAM, got hit with a number 10+. I don't think that hormones play a part, but I have found that I am able to distract myself from the pain when I am actively involved in something-usually physical, though sometimes emotional or intellectual. Unfortunately, once the activity stopped, the pain, which was always there but I had managed to push into the background, came back with a vengence.
Don't give up on pursuing relationships with women-get involved in a loving, caring one and the pain is easier to bear. That's my [smiley=twocents.gif]

Title: Re: Hormones=Cluster Headaches?
Post by Langa on Apr 5^th, 2005, 1:11pm

HI Harlem...

So let's clarify, how often do you get a cycle and are you meeting a new woman who stresses u out each time right prior to a cycle beginning? And if so (which seems highly unlikely) perhaps your taste in women needs to be revised.

Seriously, Harlem, is it possible this is all a coinkidink? Hmmmm....27 years with clusters here and i've yet to find consistency with these things...and if I think I found one, it always proves me wrong.

Langa

Title: Re: Hormones=Cluster Headaches?
Post by Bob P on Apr 5^th, 2005, 1:17pm

Quote:

shut up, Bob

I'm starting to like you Pat.

Many clusterheads report cycles and individual attacks within a cycle that start not during a period of stress but during the let-down after the stressful period, i.e. after school finals, after worrying about a job layoff, etc.

Title: Re: Hormones=Cluster Headaches?
Post by BobG on Apr 5^th, 2005, 1:30pm

on 04/05/05 at 13:17:07, Bob P wrote:

that start not during a period of stress but during the let-down after the stressful period, i.e. after school finals, after worrying about a job layoff, etc.

Damn!! After 6 years I've finally got through to someone. Stress is good for you.

Yippee for me! I'm going to Vegas. ;;D

Title: Re: Hormones=Cluster Headaches?
Post by pattik on Apr 5^th, 2005, 1:30pm

Hey, Bob P, it's mutual (my brother's name is Bob, so I'm really use to it)

Okay, so what hormones are we talking about here?..male hormones, or stress hormones? I've read that stress hormones can stimulate the hypothalamus. For me, just the stress from the expectation of a new round of headaches is suspect.

Title: Re: Hormones=Cluster Headaches?
Post by harlem on Apr 5^th, 2005, 2:14pm

Langa-

Of course I am willing to believe that it is coincidence. I guess the emphasis need not have been on women... I guess I could be gay and a relationship with a man would be the trigger. However, it seems to be a fairly fail-safe occurrence for me.

Clearly I'm not a doctor... just a damn artist. But in keeping with my sensitivies, it appears there may be a correlation.

Title: Re: Hormones=Cluster Headaches?
Post by Sandy_C on Apr 5^th, 2005, 2:36pm

< Many clusterheads report cycles and individual attacks within a cycle that start not during a period of stress but during the let-down after the stressful period, i.e. after school finals, after worrying about a job layoff, etc.>

Just the opposite here. My daughter announced her engagement and the wedding was planned 6 motnhs later. Slightly over two months after her engagement, my CH started, and continued through the day of her wedding and reception. The next day - I was pain free. So stress, mostly job related now, is definitely a trigger for me.

Title: Re: Hormones=Cluster Headaches?
Post by Bob P on Apr 5^th, 2005, 2:57pm

Quote:

Use of testosterone in the treatment of cluster headache.

Klimek A

The study was carried out on 15 men suffering from the episodic form (12 patients) and the chronic one (3 patients) of cluster headache. Before treatment the patients did not receive any drugs, and after determining the index of attacks the treatment was commenced. For 7-10 days patients were given testosteronum propionicum (25 mg) once a day intramuscularly, and then for the same period of time testosterone (10 mg). Before treatment the index of attacks was 3.66 (total number of attacks 308 ). In the 1st week of treatment the index decreased to 1.11 (total number of attacks 94) and to 0.16 in the 2nd week. In 3 patients with the chronic form of cluster headache testosterone was ineffective.

Title: Re: Hormones=Cluster Headaches?
Post by BarbaraD on Apr 5^th, 2005, 6:18pm

I'm with Bob G -- after the stress is usually when mine hit. Now the migraines (and I'm one of the lucky ones who has both) get brought on by stress... some of us just can't win. If I stay stressed I get migraines -- if I get unstressed I get CH.

Oh well, harmones was the subject. I don't think that has much to do with it. Some pregnant women have reported not getting HAs during the pregnancy and then some have been hit when pregnant.

Don't know about the testestone stuff -- I don't know if guys really get CH or if they just "imagine" them. ;;D

Hugs BD

Title: Re: Hormones=Cluster Headaches?
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Apr 5^th, 2005, 8:48pm

According to BobP's information the increased Testosterone that is coming about from your enamoration with a woman should be HELPING your clusters, not causing them.

Yes ... I believe hormones do play a part in clusters, because our body's wonder gland - the Hypothalamus_ is involved with hormones, our internal clocks, and is a known involved factor in cluster headache syndrome.

While it's all quite fascinating, a cure is still far away. In the meantime, this could put quite a crimp in your social life. Perhaps you could become a priest ... I heard we have a shortage here in the U.S. *smile*

PF Wishes, my friend!

Kris

Title: Re: Hormones=Cluster Headaches?
Post by Pinkfloyd on Apr 6^th, 2005, 11:23am

Best test would be to try a little experiment.

Try two women at once.

If the clusters go away...you've found a great treatment plan.(although expensive come Christmas and Valentines Day)

If the clusters get twice as bad....post the girls phone numbers here...I'm sure someone will take them (and the resulting clusters) off your hands. ;;D

Bobw
Sorry to poke fun....I know its serious....I'd suspect the time of year is more at work here than what you're doing or feeling, this time of year.

Title: Re: Hormones=Cluster Headaches?
Post by miapet on Apr 6^th, 2005, 3:57pm

seasonal times of more intensity (cycles) appear pretty common . . .episodics have their seasons . . .chronics have times that are more intense than others . . .etc .. .so that seems to cover the time of year.

stress, on the other hand, appears to have an effect on people (beit the beginning, middle, or end of the stressful period . . .maybe y'all meet your stress limits at different levels?) . . .anyway, the body reacts to all stress the same way . . .good or bad, doesn't matter, stress is stress . . .so that lumps all the types together . . .figure the piece posted about stress and they hypothalmus, and ta-da, there is another 'trigger' . . .but, i think, it's more when you're in cycle (unless it's particularly stressful and then it may bring on a cycle?) . . .unless you're chronic . . .and then it's just suckage no matter what . . . .
gee, ch sucks.
*positive light and energy*
miapet
btw, this thread drew my attention because we had had a discussion on hormones and h/a . ..so i thought it would be similar .. .oops, wrong kinda hormones *L*
*positive light and energy*
miapet

Title: Re: Hormones=Cluster Headaches?
Post by Karla on Apr 6^th, 2005, 10:08pm

Well speaking as a woman I had a hysterectomy and it made no difference in my ch frequency or intensity. My dr thought I had a stressfull life between work and ministry so I dropped out of life for 5 years. Didn't make much of a difference their either. I think it is just coincidence.