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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Chinese Food?
        
(Message started by: 3dogmom on Jun 11^th, 2006, 11:17am)

Title: Chinese Food?
Post by 3dogmom on Jun 11^th, 2006, 11:17am

Hi, folks:

I was a frequent user of this board a year or so ago when it was thought I might have CH. However, I know I didn't have the level of pain that you all describe.

However, now, my daughter (who is adopted) seems to have it. She had her first headache last November, saw the neurologist, was put on cyproheptadine and given fioricet for pain. They were determined to be migraines with aura (she hears a "crackling" sound when they are coming). None of them have been like the first one, however, which is classically like the CH in your profiles.
It followed a meal of Chinese food, about 4 hours later.

Well, Friday night and last night, she had them again. Awaked from sleep, screaming. We were able to deal with the Friday one, I gave her a percoset I had for myself. Last night, (she ate leftovers, Iwas out and my husband didn't suspect a problem) and again awakened with the headache. We had to go to the emergency room, they gave her demerol. These headaches are different from her regular headaches, she is up, holding her head, crying, screaming, rocking.

I searched your archives, but didn't see anything about Chinese food. Has anybody ever experienced this problem? She has had this food other times, with no problems. Maybe it's coincidental. I know about the MSG problems some people have. Could this be a CH trigger?

Any thoughts are gratefully appreciated.

She's got a neuro appointment in two weeks, as it happens.
Thanks!
Sue

Title: Re: Chinese Food?
Post by nani on Jun 11^th, 2006, 11:26am

Hi Sue. MSG (very common in Chinese food, although there are restaurants that don't use it... ask) can be a trigger for CH.
None of the meds your daughter is on are very useful for CH, though. Look over at the oxygen info link on the left, by far the safest treatment (especially for children).
Find a decent pediatric neuro who can get her started on the correct treatments.
pain free wishes to her, nani

Title: Re: Chinese Food?
Post by Kingjames1 on Jun 11^th, 2006, 5:37pm

Hi mom-

MSG is definitely a trigger for me, the only one I'm sure of. It took me a long time to figure it out, because that stuff is EVERYWHERE! I think it was responsible for me being chronic for a couple of years. Once I figured out the connection and started to avoid it, my headaches have been less frequent, and less severe.

Unfortunately, it isn't my only trigger because the beast is still with me. However, it is the only one I'm sure of, and I will avoid it like the plague the rest of my life!

Hope this helps and good luck.

Title: Re: Chinese Food?
Post by Mr. Happy on Jun 11^th, 2006, 6:24pm

Can you imagine drinking a Chinese beer?

Oi vey.
RJ

Title: Re: Chinese Food?
Post by floridian on Jun 13^th, 2006, 6:01pm

on 06/11/06 at 18:24:18, Mr. Happy wrote:

Can you imagine drinking a Chinese beer?

Oi vey.
RJ

I did, once. 45 minutes later it felt like I had a burning hot iron chopstick poking me behind my eye.

Title: Re: Chinese Food?
Post by Mattrf on Jun 13^th, 2006, 6:01pm

My sister was on a diet with high MSG and after a month or two on it started having daily migraines, once she stopped the MSG they went away and have not been back.
Thank god it wasn’t CH.