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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Flaxseed Oil
        
(Message started by: Grandma_Dizzie on Feb 18^th, 2007, 4:38pm)

Title: Flaxseed Oil
Post by Grandma_Dizzie on Feb 18^th, 2007, 4:38pm

Does anyone know anything about flaxseed oil being good for bad for CH? My husband WAS a chronic CH sufferer for a bazillion years - not being able to go more than a couple of days without a CH. Between lots of prayers, a working combo of meds and retiring and moving - he all of a sudden has gone 8 months without a CH - praise God! He just got a CH and I am wracking my brain trying to figure out what happened. The only thing different is we started taking flaxseed oil capsules a couple of days ago - and I am wondering if that has anything to do with the headache.
Does anyone have any good or bad experience with flaxseed and CH? Thanks...

Title: Re: Flaxseed Oil
Post by froggy on Feb 18^th, 2007, 6:01pm

According to the "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" by P. A. Balch Flaxseeds are rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids, magnesium, potassium, and fiber. It is also a good source of the B vitamins, protein, and zinc.

The medicinal aspects are, it helps with pain, inflammation, and swelling of arthiritis. Also, it has been found to lower blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

You would think that with all of these benefits it would be great for CH. According to my reference, flaxseed has a nutty taste. I'm wondering if the nutty taste is from some source of a "nut" which would be a trigger for some people.

When you get the time, I wouldn't mind hearing about what your husband did to get the headaches to stop 8 months ago.

My husband has been chronic for 18 years and would scream if he could get an 8 month break :D

Best of luck!

Title: Re: Flaxseed Oil
Post by Grandma_Dizzie on Feb 18^th, 2007, 7:05pm

I will let you know what I find out. When I was researching flaxseed oil before we started taking it, I discovered all the things you mentioned about the benefits, and even one place that said it might be helpful with migraines (so I am thinking, clusters too?). But, I was wondering with the heart health stuff, does the flaxseed oil strengthen the arteries, which in turn could cause them to rapidly expand and cause clusters? (whatever theory about clusters, whether they are vascular or aterially caused)

I'm not sure about the nutty flavor, therefore the nut trigger being a factor. They are a seed, and I don't think they have the mold spores that are in peanuts and other nuts that trigger cluster headaches.

My husband has had clusters for 19 years, and has been chronic for probably 17 of those years. What finally seemed to break the cycle was the right combo of verapamil and depakote. Adding 1000 mg of depakote to the verapamil he already took broke the cycle - until today that is. Maybe your husband could ask his dr about Depakote.

Title: Re: Flaxseed Oil
Post by froggy on Feb 18^th, 2007, 7:25pm

Well, according to the reference, flaxseed also helps reduce the hardening effects of cholesterol on cell memberanes. Don't know, maybey that has something to do with the arterial walls somehow.

Interesting combo with the verapamil and depakote. He's taken both at separate times but never together. I will file that for further possible use (already have 3 treatments lined up, first of which is Kudzu).

Please keep us posted on your husbands progress.

Title: Re: Flaxseed Oil
Post by georgej on Feb 18^th, 2007, 9:03pm

It would surprise me if it were anything other than coincidence.

Welcome, and best wishes,

George

Title: Re: Flaxseed Oil
Post by Phil L on Feb 19^th, 2007, 6:27pm

Probably just coincidnece, but who can tell?

Best wishes for PF days ahead.
Phil

Title: Re: Flaxseed Oil
Post by Charlie on Feb 19^th, 2007, 6:39pm

I'd be in the coincidence camp ibut f it works, it works.

Here's another alternative that worked for me:

Dr. Wright’s Circulatory Technique:

I am not sure what mechanism is triggered by this but whatever it is, at least indirectly helps kill the pain. I do know that this technique has nothing to do with meditation, relaxation, or psychic ability. It is entirely physical and takes some work. It involves concentrating on trying to redirect a little circulation to the arms, hands, or legs. It can described as a conscious circulatory flexing. Increased circulation will result in a reddening and warming of the hands. Try to think of it as filling your hands with redirected blood. The important and difficult part is that it has to be done without interruption through the pain. Do not give up in frustration. It may not work on the first try. Every now and then it will work almost immediately. I lived for those moments. Try experimenting between attacks. You will find that it gets easier with practice.

I was given less than five minutes instruction in the use of method. The doctor, while placing his arm on his desk, showed me that he could slightly increase his arm and hand circulation. After several attempts, I was able to repeat this procedure and use it successfully. I have had about a 75% success rate shortening these attacks. My 20 minute attacks were often reduced to 10 minutes or less. Once proven that I had a chance to effectively deal with this horror, I always gave it a try as I had nothing to lose but pain.

Perhaps it will help if you think of it as trying to fill the arm as if it is were an empty vessel. I used to try to imagine I was pushing blood away from my head into my arm. Use your imagination. There is one man who wrote that his standing barefoot on a concrete floor shortened his attacks. This may be similar as it draws some circulation away from the head. Cold water, exercise, or anything affecting circulation, seems to be worth a try. My suggestion is to not let up immediately when the pain goes. Waiting a minute is probably a good idea. So long as you do not slack off, this has a chance of working.

This technique is very useful while waiting for medication to take effect or when none is available. It costs nothing, is non-invasive, and can be used just about anywhere. It is not a miracle but it helped me deal with this horror. It can be a bit exhausting but the success rate was good enough for me and a cluster headache sufferer will do just about anything to end the pain. It gives us a fighting chance.

Charlie