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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Exercise & Clusters
        
(Message started by: DJNOUCH on Aug 16^th, 2005, 7:30am)

Title: Exercise & Clusters
Post by DJNOUCH on Aug 16^th, 2005, 7:30am

I have been a chronic cluster sufferer for about 7 years now with an average of about 2 major attacks a day. I have always worked out with resistance type training, however about two months ago we bought an elipitcal stepper for cardio exercise. I have been doing one hour on this machine three days a week....and have not had a single attack since....... Is there any known connection that anyone knows about ? Or is this strictly a coincidence ? Would sincerely appreciate any input ... David (Nlokahi@aol.com)

Title: Re: Exercise & Clusters
Post by Bob P on Aug 16^th, 2005, 9:04am

Don't know about exercise as a preventative for ch but I can abort an oncomming attack with a few minutes of "streneous" exercise. Not sure if it's endorphins or hyperventillating.

Title: Re: Exercise & Clusters
Post by clarence on Aug 16^th, 2005, 9:14am

I don't know about as a preventative either (as my wife likes to remind me that I don't go to the gym enough...), but for me it doesn't work as an abortive. I have tried heavy cardio at the onset of an attack, and it increases the pain level quickly and intensely for me.

Casey

Title: Re: Exercise & Clusters
Post by wip5150 on Aug 16^th, 2005, 12:02pm

I'm episodic and sometimes find that rapid breathing (almost hyperventilating) can help subside and attack. Not sure it would work for everyone, though.

Title: Re: Exercise & Clusters
Post by Sandy_C on Aug 16^th, 2005, 4:17pm

I'm episodic. Excercise, or the lack thereof, never seemed to make much difference in the number of hits, or intensity, until my cycle this year. If I so much as break a sweat, I got hit. The more I worked out, the higher the intensity and longer the hit lasted.

Glad it's working for you.

Sandy

PS no wonder I've gained a pound or two (or twenty) :-/

Title: Re: Exercise & Clusters
Post by 1968eric on Aug 16^th, 2005, 6:29pm

Opposite for me. If I want to gaurentee an attack, all I have to do is go for a hard run. The attack occurs almost exactly 1.5 hours after I finish the run.

Title: Re: Exercise & Clusters
Post by bnfreeman on Aug 16^th, 2005, 9:27pm

Exercise has never caused mine. But I have found if one is starting I run up and down the stairs and it can abort it.

BF

Title: Re: Exercise & Clusters
Post by Jasmyn on Aug 17^th, 2005, 1:54am

I used to dance professionally and then when in cycle I would get hit after a dance session.
But the strange thing is that during a hit (if I am at home and put music on) and do some full out dancing it sometimes help to abort. [smiley=huh.gif]

Title: Re: Exercise & Clusters
Post by burnt-toast on Aug 17^th, 2005, 9:01am

Hard labor of excercise throughoug a day will nearly always trigger a serious attack. Exercise at the onset of an attack has not been effective at aborting an attack. Outside of pacing the floors I just cannot concentrate on rapid physical movement.

I actually have to remind myself to just breathe during severe attacks because I often find myslef holding my breath. When I do breath again it's usually heavy and deep breathing to compensate and I once thought that this brought relief.

I did some deep breathing exercises to test this theory and the result was at best 50/50 which is very close to the percentage of attacks that ramp up and mysteriously stop without any concious intervention on my part.

Tom

Title: Re: Exercise & Clusters
Post by brainfreeze on Aug 17^th, 2005, 10:58am

A long hot day of exercise triggered my last cycle. Moderate exercise makes my head feel better during the cycle. Not sure if it's really related or not since I've experienced it both ways. I've gotten relief during exercise and have had exercise trigger them.

Title: Re: Exercise & Clusters
Post by marlinsfan on Aug 17^th, 2005, 1:27pm

When in cycle, if I do any strenous aerobic activity for more than 15 or 20 minute, I will get a Kip 8+ headache within 20 minutes of stopping the excercise.

Title: Re: Exercise & Clusters
Post by seasonalboomer on Aug 17^th, 2005, 2:12pm

on 08/16/05 at 18:29:14, 1968eric wrote:

Opposite for me. If I want to gaurentee an attack, all I have to do is go for a hard run. The attack occurs almost exactly 1.5 hours after I finish the run.

Mine is timed at about 17 to 32 minutes from the completion of my run, including cool down walk.... You gotta love these things. Was able to run this week for first time since July 15 ;;D with completion of cycle. Still ifnd that I start "thinking" about it as my run gets near the end. Will I or won't I. Today I came in and downed a Red Bull and took 5 minutes of O2 "just in case". Wacky behavior are us.