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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Sleep deprivation/stress as a trigger??
        
(Message started by: Leggs on Jul 11^th, 2005, 8:18pm)

Title: Sleep deprivation/stress as a trigger??
Post by Leggs on Jul 11^th, 2005, 8:18pm

I know that the lack of sleep is just part of CH, but can it bring it on for anyone? For the past couple nights, we have been wacko digging ditches, clearing floors in the basement, and placing out drip buckets where the roof leaks. I got like 5 total hours sleep (I have also been waking up with phantom hits at about 3, no pain, just the wake up and the stuffy nose, etc) working on 3 nights in a row.

Some of you may know I tried the Kudzu about two weeks ago. I am not willing to go off until the normal 2 weeks of my cycle is over, and for the most part, I have been PAIN FREE! My head just went wacko in February, and I felt like I finally had my life back. Geeze, feel like such a whiner, knowing about all the chronics out there.

So today, for the first time since the Kudzu, I started having the eye issues, and was feeling pain for the first time. I was thinking my body being run down, and being stressed over the potential flood was a trigger. (BTW, everything was fine, we got way less rain than predicted, but the river flood watch is still on until tomorrow).I am so aggravated, I don't want this mess back again!!!! At least I have the first appointment with the pain specialist on Wednesday.

Title: Re: Sleep deprivation/stress as a trigger??
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Jul 11^th, 2005, 8:26pm

Because I'm such a regular episodic, I've never noticed the stress factor. I've read many times here that people tend to get hit when the stress ends - when they finally relax.

I always get changes in my sleep a couple weeks before a cycle begins, so can't really answer that either.

Hell, sweetheart - I'm no help at all with this one!

Sorry,

Kris

Title: Re: Sleep deprivation/stress as a trigger??
Post by Leggs on Jul 11^th, 2005, 8:29pm

:) Just knowing you guys/gals are out there, helps tremendously!!! It was like a miracle what the kudzu did, so I will take those PF days and not look back, but today just sucked.

Title: Re: Sleep deprivation/stress as a trigger??
Post by burnt-toast on Jul 11^th, 2005, 9:48pm

Stress - NO

Sleep Deprevation - Yes - If I can luckily catch a good night sleep the attacks the following night are at least less frequent and intense. Daylight naps unfortunately trigger attacks so it's not like you can make up for lost sleep.

One last note on something you included in your post -
I find the physically demanding days usually increase the frequency and intensity of attacks. When I've worked the hardest and need sleep most is when I seem to get the most serious attacks.

Tom

Title: Re: Sleep deprivation/stress as a trigger??
Post by AussieBrian on Jul 11^th, 2005, 10:00pm

on 07/11/05 at 20:26:03, Kris_in_SJ wrote:

I've read many times here that people tend to get hit when the stress ends - when they finally relax.

It's not a term we hear much anymore, but these rotten things have at times been referred to as "holiday headaches".

Title: Re: Sleep deprivation/stress as a trigger??
Post by unsolved1 on Jul 11^th, 2005, 10:19pm

I think both sleep deprivation and stress can aggrevate clusters.

I do the sleep deprivation thing when I'm getting hammered at night. I once stayed awake for 7 days (then ended up in the hospital)

I usually get hit after a stressful event. I've noticed that on several occassions. Just when I can finally relax...BAM !!

PF Wishes
Unsolved

Title: Re: Sleep deprivation/stress as a trigger??
Post by bnfreeman on Jul 11^th, 2005, 10:35pm

sleep deprivation definately can for me. As far as stress, when my cycle ramps up and I have multiple hits daily and nothing is helping, my anxiety goes through the roof. I get very stressed. I don't think it makes it worse as far as actually bringing them on, it justs makes me feel like shit even more.

BF

Title: Re: Sleep deprivation/stress as a trigger??
Post by StressFree on Jul 12^th, 2005, 12:11am

I've always thought that stress had a role. Many poo-poo that idea. Probably due to well meaning, but clueless family members or physicians. My cycles have started though at some significant times - Just after wedding, After thought I would lose job, but didn't, after finals in college. Also usually spring or fall. Last year I'd been on travel overseas (way messed up clock on those trips) and never started a cycle. This spring though, just after 6 weeks of a severe chest cold, cycle started in full force. Several others have posted that they seem to see a correlation of cycles beginning after being sick. Maybe physical stress involved in fighting off the virus? Hoping your cycle stays away, Rich

Title: Re: Sleep deprivation/stress as a trigger??
Post by AussieBrian on Jul 12^th, 2005, 12:21am

No-one's poo-pooing the idea, mate. Relax.

It's perhaps relevant that in each of the stress situations you've mentioned the cycle started after the situation resolved itself.

I've long been aware of this in my own case, though hopefully not many others have the problem.

Title: Re: Sleep deprivation/stress as a trigger??
Post by StressFree on Jul 12^th, 2005, 1:17pm

It seems there are a handfull here that have noticed the post-stress connection. As to sleep deprivation, I've found it can aggrivate a cycle that has already begun. Certainly when having night attacks, I've become even more exausted and depressed than when having daytime-only attacks. Rich

Title: Re: Sleep deprivation/stress as a trigger??
Post by vig on Jul 12^th, 2005, 3:57pm

I think both... excessive stress AND an extended period of sleep deprivation, brought on CH in me.

be careful

Title: Re: Sleep deprivation/stress as a trigger??
Post by BobG on Jul 12^th, 2005, 5:18pm

See the tag line.

Title: Re: Sleep deprivation/stress as a trigger??
Post by StressFree on Jul 12^th, 2005, 6:29pm

BobG

Quote:

Stay stressed. Never relax. Never sleep. Ever.

Now that's depressing! Besides, I tend to have a psycotic episode/breach of reality when going without sleep for long periods of time. It's not a good thing. :)

Title: Re: Sleep deprivation/stress as a trigger??
Post by Limey on Jul 12^th, 2005, 6:39pm

Sleep is a funny one for me as I find that whilst not enough sleep can trigger a CH, too much sleep can also trigger it.

Stress. Hmm, I've certainly had CH's after periods of high stress but I've also had them after periods of no stress at all such as a happy day out or a relaxing day at home so maybe the 'stress' factor is a red herring! After all you can have a CH after eating a banana but it doesn't mean that bananas cause it!

Title: Re: Sleep deprivation/stress as a trigger??
Post by Leggs on Jul 12^th, 2005, 7:05pm

on 07/12/05 at 18:39:34, Limey wrote:

Sleep is a funny one for me as I find that whilst not enough sleep can trigger a CH, too much sleep can also trigger it.

I know exactly what you mean here...If I am sleep deprived, and the alarm goes off, I may as well just get up, or it just makes me feel worse. Also, if I try to take a power nap, I can wake up with a headache.

I was SO close to taking excedrin today, but NO!!!! I am just supposed to be waiting out an appointment to talk about O2, and they keep yanking me around cancelling things...THAT's stressful, not to mention potential floods, water bottle homemade bombs thrown in our yard by some punks, rocks thrown at the front window, etc. :o

Title: Re: Sleep deprivation/stress as a trigger??
Post by BobG on Jul 13^th, 2005, 12:05pm

on 07/12/05 at 18:29:17, StressFree wrote:

BobG
Now that's depressing! Besides, I tend to have a psycotic episode/breach of reality when going without sleep for long periods of time. It's not a good thing. :)

Welcome to the wonderful world of Clusteropolis where everyday is a new adventure.

on 07/12/05 at 18:39:34, Limey wrote:

Stress. Hmm, I've had CH's after periods of high stress but I've also had them after periods of no stress at all such as a happy day out or a relaxing day at home so maybe the 'stress' factor is a red herring!

Stress is good!

Title: Re: Sleep deprivation/stress as a trigger??
Post by Topical on Jul 13^th, 2005, 1:09pm

Sleep deprivation is good. (Trying to think positive as I am on 6 hours sleep today.) *sigh*

I was starting to do well too...oh well, I will be a guinea pig and if I get hit I will update the thread.

Title: Re: Sleep deprivation/stress as a trigger??
Post by Leggs on Jul 13^th, 2005, 5:37pm

6 hours is okay for me, when I get much below that, I get punchy. I don't think even when i have had the 5 it's uninterrupted. THAT makes me feel like garbage. I think I need to chop the melatonin in half though, I was just dragging today, even thought I had good sleep.zzzzzzzzzzzz I am such a medication wimp, I have a 3mg melatonin and have to cut in in half...