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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> High Altitude Cluster?
        
(Message started by: Ming on Apr 19^th, 2006, 6:06pm)

Title: High Altitude Cluster?
Post by Ming on Apr 19^th, 2006, 6:06pm

I've done a search and couldn't find much about altitude and clusters. My neuro says that altitude is a sure-bet trigger. I'm in the middle of a nasty cycle now (currently on Verapamil, Lithium, and Topamax...fun!) and have a 14 hour flight coming my way soon. He's prescribed a diuretic for me which he suggest I take a day before my flight and the day of. Any one have any experience with this that they could share? Thanks.

Title: Re: High Altitude Cluster?
Post by jon019 on Apr 19^th, 2006, 6:37pm

Hi Ming,

High altitude has been a trigger for me on occasion.
Am very curious about the diuretic advice. Dry air in planes and at altitude is very dehydrating. Why increase that??? Note that some here swear by just the opposite, that is, copious water drinking above and beyond "normal". See link on "water x 3) on the left

Regards

Jon

Title: Re: High Altitude Cluster?
Post by marlinsfan on Apr 20^th, 2006, 8:23am

Ming, airplane cabins are pressurized to much lower altitudes than the panes fly. Unless you're flying in the cargo hold, you won't really know you are at altitude.

I've lived in Denver, the mile high city, and I go skiing every year to mountains as high as 12,000 ft. I've never seen a change in my clusters when I go from sea level (home in Florida) to a mountain, or even with all the traveling I do for work.

Title: Re: High Altitude Cluster?
Post by floridian on Apr 20^th, 2006, 1:19pm

There have been a few other people that describe altitude as a trigger. I wouldn't say it is a sure fire thing for all.

Title: Re: High Altitude Cluster?
Post by daver on Apr 20^th, 2006, 4:16pm

on 04/20/06 at 08:23:25, marlinsfan wrote:

Ming, airplane cabins are pressurized to much lower altitudes than the panes fly. Unless you're flying in the cargo hold, you won't really know you are at altitude.

I agree with this, but also know that flying is a definite trigger for me and I think I've heard others mention it here in days gone by.

Makes you wonder about triggers, they seem to be so varied.

d.

Title: Re: High Altitude Cluster?
Post by thenucman on Apr 20^th, 2006, 8:04pm

As someone reminded me in another post, I googled this ;)

Quote:

Cabin Pressure

FAA regulations requires a cabin-pressure altitude of not more than 8,000 feet at maximal operating altitude of the aircraft under normal operating conditions. Serious health effects may occur in some people, such as infants and those with cardiorespiratory diseases, due to decreased oxygen concentration. Temporary pain or discomfort in the middle ear or sinuses may also occur.

I can tell you that when I am in cycle, I have had some of my worse CH's on airplanes. Be prepared for them.

Title: Re: High Altitude Cluster?
Post by unsolved1 on Apr 20^th, 2006, 8:36pm

It never triggered an attack for me. At least not at 23,000 feet ! ;;D

UNsolved

Title: Re: High Altitude Cluster?
Post by echo on Apr 21^st, 2006, 10:58am

Air travel has always been a trigger for me. Always hits on the decent.

Title: Re: High Altitude Cluster?
Post by Jup on Apr 23^rd, 2006, 5:52pm

I am chronic since 1999. In the last few years I had to travel by plane occasinally. I got hit very bad by the beast in the plane half the time. The other half I used 3 mg melatonine. I swallowed the melatonine when i just arrived into the plane, and it worked for 50%. Or it didn't work for 50%. Anyway it is worth to try.

Jup

Title: RE:
Post by Roxygirl on Apr 25^th, 2006, 1:52pm

I just got back from a trip and luckily didn't have any problems with my ch.
Remember, there's always the oxygen mask you can drop down from above you. Might scare a few people but it would be some good entertainment. ;;D

Title: Re: High Altitude Cluster?
Post by tanner on Apr 25^th, 2006, 5:25pm

Ming, I have been chronic for 19 yrs now and even though I can' t claim to have a strict schedule of hits mine are usually afternoon, evening, and nighttime, so I try to plan my flights for early am.

Like echo I still always get hit but not until we are on the way down. I try to pack carry on only so I can get the hell out of the airports quickly. I never travel alone so if it is bad Linda takes care of getting the car or rental while I fast walk and try not to look to weird.

I hope that it won't be an issue for you.

Sorry to meet you but glad your here.......tim

Title: Re: High Altitude Cluster?
Post by Ming on Apr 26^th, 2006, 10:03pm

Sounds like its a varied trigger, unlike say alcohol which seems be quite universal.

Has anyone had any experience with using a diuretic as preventative to altitutude-induced cluster? The one I've been prescribed is Diamox (acetazolamide). 250 MG the day before the flight and then again the day of the flight. Any comments would be appreciated, not looking forwards to the possibility of getting on a direct 14 hour + flight and getting a middle seat in a 5 person row and a terrible cluster!

This is the WebMD info on Diamox.
http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-6755-Acetazolamide.aspx?drugid=6755&drugname=Acetazolamide

Title: Re: High Altitude Cluster?
Post by chewy on Apr 27^th, 2006, 7:25am

Has he RXed an abortive for you ? Give Zomig nasal a try berfore you go. Ask the Doc for some samples.

Title: Re: High Altitude Cluster?
Post by danm on Apr 27^th, 2006, 11:56am

I am paranoid of flying while in a cycle. The decent gives me great pain, not exactly the same as a a CH but I get sever pain in the same areas. I could swear that a few of my cycles over the years have been brought on by air ravel.

Title: Re: High Altitude Cluster?
Post by PV on Apr 28^th, 2006, 6:31pm

Flying was always a trigger for me when in a cycle,

Also quiet a few times a cycle started in the airplane.
I have no idea if that is due to altitude or cabin pressure or to exhaustion from travelling ( I've also had a cycle start in the train and the car).

But then, the beast always comes back eventually and sometimes I'n not even sure if it makes sense to avoid triggers...
I mean sleep is appearently the biggest trigger and I think we were all at the point of beeing afaid to go to sleep, but the next attack always came anyway, or?

Title: Re: High Altitude Cluster?
Post by mynm156 on Apr 30^th, 2006, 12:03am

HEy Ming,

For me you betcha! Everyyear I have to make a couple trips up and over the White mountains here in Arizona and I get SLAMMED every darn time. I also had a bad time after Flying. I had to fly to Alaska and both there and back was terrible.

I just take ALL my tricks with me

Take care

MYNM156

Title: Re: High Altitude Cluster?
Post by Cendie on May 3^rd, 2006, 12:27pm

Hi Ming, I'm in the same situation, in the middle of a cycle, have an 8.5 hour flight coming up on Monday, I'm terrified, even called about cancelling it. I'm scared to death, and the anxiety isn't helping. I'm afraid I'll be thrashing about and they'll put on the fasten seatbelt sign, I'll fail to comply, they'll try to restrain me, I'll end up in handcuffs before I land. Sure, fantasy is getting away with me, but who knows how bad the one that hits on the plane will be.

When I checked into cancelling I saw that Delta, at least, will provide oxygen for you or you have to meet their o2 requirements, you have to have a script from your doc and notify them 48 hours in advance, they will not let you use their drop down o2. Call your airline. Here is a link to delta's o2 policy:

http://www.delta.com/planning_reservations/special_travel_needs/services_travelers_disabilities/special_concerns/index.jsp#oxygen

Best Wishes

Title: Re: High Altitude Cluster?
Post by seasonalboomer on May 3^rd, 2006, 1:28pm

on 04/30/06 at 00:03:43, mynm156 wrote:

I just take ALL my tricks with me

Take care

MYNM156

That's the ticket right there. Take your tricks with. I don't think I will ever fly again in cycle without an Imitrex injection in my carry-on. Of course the last time I was hit on a flight I was an idiot anyway -- wanted to sleep on the flight to Germany and had a couple beers in the lounge before boarding. That was like hanging a "kick me" over my eye socket for the beast to see. There's some days I think I'm pretty smart but I never allow myself to forget the really STUPID things I do to keep me grounded.

Scott