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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> New trigger - for me anyway.
        
(Message started by: snyder on Apr 18^th, 2006, 6:50pm)

Title: New trigger - for me anyway.
Post by snyder on Apr 18^th, 2006, 6:50pm

My current cycle has lasted so long that I have been concerned that I might be chronic. I have always been episodic. I have always had a food trigger or two each cycle and they are never the same from one cycle to another. Sometimes a cycle will finish before I have figured out what the triggers might be. Not all of my attacks in a cycle are caused by the triggers, of course, but when I can get a handle on the trigger(s) I can often cut down on the number of attacks per day and the pain level of them too somewhat.

I have discovered that my current trigger is vanilla and it is insidious. It is in the fancy coffees at Starbucks. It is in sodas, candy, donuts, cake and cookies. In fact, it seems to be in anything that is even remotely sweet that is labeled as having flavorings added. I think it is even in Coffeemate. It can cause an attack within an hour, sometimes less, after I consume it.

This wasn't easy to figure out. It took from last October until sometime this past March. But ... it's true.

For what it's worth.

Bill

Title: Re: New trigger - for me anyway.
Post by BarbaraD on Apr 18^th, 2006, 7:06pm

So, it looks to me like you'll be drinking your coffee black and not having that donut with it.. right [smiley=huh.gif] At least till you're out of cycle. (and hopefully it will be soon).

Sorry it had to be something like that, but at least you figured it out. It's strange the things that are triggers for us isn't it? MSG bothered me ONCE and never again. Thought I would die that time, but later it never even gave me a twinge. Weird. so maybe this is a one cycle thing.

Pain free days to you.

Hugs BD

Title: Re: New trigger - for me anyway.
Post by snyder on Apr 18^th, 2006, 7:33pm

Oh yeah, wow, I forgot about my MSG cycle, too. I agree, that one was really bad. I had trouble when diet sodas came on the scene, too, I think they were using cyclamates or something and I reacted to them. And then there has been the onions and garlic cycle. The no nuts for me cycle. I still make sure that anything I put on my body like soap, deodorant, etc, (including use of laundry detergent) is all unscented; the catch to this is that some manufacturers put a scent into their stuff to make it unscented. Figure that one out.

Bill

Title: Re: New trigger - for me anyway.
Post by BarbaraD on Apr 19^th, 2006, 5:17am

The only thing I've ever figured out that's been consistent in all my cycles has been the barometer. If it changes - you can bet I'm gonna get hit. And I live in East Texas and LA so it changes constantly and guess what [smiley=huh.gif] yep, I get hit constantly. This is sinus corner around here -- if anyone complains of a sinus headache you can bet I'm gonna get hit. Strange, but true...

Guess I've been chronic so long I've just quit worrying about triggers. Never could pin point anything specific (except the barometer) so I just don't worry about it. I'm gonna get hit so I just accept it and get it over with and go on to something else until the next hit.

Now if I could find a nice desert island where the barometer never changes............ ;)

Hugs BD

Title: Re: New trigger - for me anyway.
Post by NotH20 on Apr 19^th, 2006, 10:22am

I'll move with ya Barbara....since tax season is over and you've got all this time on your hands ;) you do the research, find the property and get the house built....I'll move the family there when ready. We could even name it something clever and have a Cluster Retreat LOL LOL

Mia

Title: Re: New trigger - for me anyway.
Post by BarbaraD on Apr 19^th, 2006, 11:24am

You're laughing, but several years ago Drummer found an island just for that -- I can't remember the details, but it was purple. Gargolyn Island or something like that. He was going to get in touch with the local authorities there and see about all us Clusterheads moving in, but guess he didn't get a response yet ;;D -- I'd almost forgotten that one......

Hugs BD