Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Smoking and CHs
        
(Message started by: MR_FLOOR on May 17^th, 2007, 8:15pm)

Title: Smoking and CHs
Post by MR_FLOOR on May 17^th, 2007, 8:15pm

My family has been on me about quiting smoking for years(I know I should quit for my own good)but I've never heard anybody say smoking triggers CH.Do they?

Dave

Title: Re: Smoking and CHs
Post by Redd on May 17^th, 2007, 8:22pm

Everyone has their own triggers.

That said, nicotine is a vascoconstrictor. There are non smokers who still have CH.

When I tried to quit over 3 years ago, the beast morphed on me. (what finally got me correctly DX after over 20 years of this hell.)

Only my personal experience, but quitting won't end your CH. Of this you can be sure.

Title: Re: Smoking and CHs
Post by Ray on May 17^th, 2007, 8:44pm

Hello Everyone:

As previously stated, nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, as it's effects wane, you get vasodilatation -- This is a cycle that CH patients should avoid. Other than the millions of reasons we should stop smoking for our health, I am UNAWARE of any research that states that we will be cured of CH if we quit.

I quit about 8 weeks ago, although I've cheated with a few smokes, I've essentially quit. Wish me luck!

Best wishes for PF days and nights,

Ray

Title: Re: Smoking and CHs
Post by MR_FLOOR on May 17^th, 2007, 8:54pm

RAY,
That's awesome.Yah I didn't think smoking was a trigger otherwise I'd get about 40 CHs a day LOL.... Still I so hope you stay quit. GOOD LUCK.

Dave

Title: Re: Smoking and CHs
Post by George_J on May 17^th, 2007, 10:54pm

I started with CH long before I started smoking.

We've discussed the ins and outs of this quite a bit--the proportion of clusterheads who smoke is much higher than the proportion of smokers in the general population.

I've not seen anything to convince me that tobacco is a consistent or even an occasional trigger for different individuals, but it is an interesting statistic. It may be that clusterheads are attracted to smoking simply because it is a vasoconstrictor. Or it may be something else entirely. Plenty of theories about why clusterheads often smoke--but I've seen nothing definitive about it either way. Obviously, there's a link...but I cannot say what it might be. Perhaps further research will enlighten us.

Best wishes,

George

Title: Re: Smoking and CHs
Post by thebbz on May 17^th, 2007, 10:57pm

It has been said here many times and I agree with it....clusterheads have an addictive personality. That said stay away from fire hydrants.. [smiley=laugh.gif]
all the best
jb
Hey GeorgeJ whats up in tater land?
be good

Title: Re: Smoking and CHs
Post by George_J on May 17^th, 2007, 11:46pm

on 05/17/07 at 22:57:30, thebbz wrote:

Hey GeorgeJ whats up in tater land?

Nothing much. The runoff's started, so it'll be a few months before I can fish for trout in most of the freestone rivers--going to start with the spring creeks once the season gets going at the end of the month. The kayakers are in ecstasy, though, and the plastic hatch is in full bloom.
;;D

on 05/17/07 at 22:57:30, thebbz wrote:

be good

No promises. ;)

Best,

George

Title: Re: Smoking and CHs
Post by rolo65 on May 18^th, 2007, 10:36pm

Smoking messes up your breathing cycles. Just teach yourself how to keep a consistant breathing cycle and it lowers your BP and heart rate. It is working for me. Maybe if my attacks stay away for long enough I'll get the willpower to quit myself.

Good luck, Roland..

Title: Re: Smoking and CHs
Post by medic1852 on May 18^th, 2007, 11:00pm

on 05/17/07 at 20:15:58, MR_FLOOR wrote:

My family has been on me about quiting smoking for years(I know I should quit for my own good)but I've never heard anybody say smoking triggers CH.Do they?
Dave

on 05/17/07 at 20:22:06, Redd wrote:

I have had CH since I was 15, I have also smoked since I was fifteen. I personally agree that it is not a trigger. If anything smoking was a comfort (not a abortive far from it) but it did provied comfort. I am now a non smoker and still here..

Rodger :-/

Title: Re: Smoking and CHs
Post by michael on May 19^th, 2007, 8:04am

I've been a smoker for 38 years and a clusterhead for 40 years.

I did manage to stop for 3 years 20 years ago but foolishly took one I was offered. It only takes one. I have been stopped now for 9 weeks, one week after my cycle started that lasted its normal length. Stopping, smoking normally or cutting down has never had any effect on my cycles - but it's still a stupid thing to do!

Mike

Title: Re: Smoking and CHs
Post by MR_FLOOR on May 19^th, 2007, 2:30pm

I hear ya Mike

Dave

Title: Re: Smoking and CHs
Post by DannyV on May 20^th, 2007, 4:39am

I found it interesting when I looked at the pictures from last years convention, and it seemed like EVERYBODY was surrounded by packs of butts.
I smoke as well. I would also have to admit to having an addictive nature.
Guilty and guilty.

Title: Re: Smoking and CHs
Post by MR_FLOOR on May 20^th, 2007, 12:13pm

Danny,
A least it's cigs not heroin [smiley=crackup.gif].

Dave

Title: Re: Smoking and CHs
Post by DannyV on May 20^th, 2007, 12:24pm

I can only speak for myself. To each his own.

Title: Re: Smoking and CHs
Post by GrandPotentate on May 21^st, 2007, 11:55pm

Quitting seemed to help me. I tried to convince myself otherwise, but I gave it a try (the 50th time I quit finally stuck). It didn't do much for the cycle in process, but for five years I had very light cycles. I also got a new doc, and he said he has seen this elsewhere.

Nicotine stresses. And how about some CO for a trigger?

I was beginning to thing I had licked it completely, but the beast visited again this spring. But the worst have been 7's, which is soooo much better than 8's or 9's.

Hang in there. I'm glad I quit. I saved a bundle of cash, too!

Title: Re: Smoking and CHs
Post by MR_FLOOR on May 22^nd, 2007, 12:09am

on 05/21/07 at 23:55:32, GrandPotentate wrote:

Quote:

[/quote][quote]

I did not quit I wish I did

Title: Re: Smoking and CHs
Post by swimchica623 on May 22^nd, 2007, 11:12am

Yeah like everyone else has been saying, the high amount of smokers in the CH population is because we tend to have addictive personalities and nicotine is one of the most common things to get addicted to...coffee and alcohol is another thing. I'm a little addicted to caffeine in my own way (via diet cherry coke!) and a few other things you wouldn't think of normal things you woudln't be addicted to, but I can certainly see my quirky habits as being that trademark addictive personality...just not to the typical things.
Anyway that being said, stopping smoking most likely won't help your CH, a few people have said its helped, but a few people have said its made it worse (I think....). It's a good idea to quit for your general health..smoking can lead to health complications later in life (though not in everyone so don't pounce on me those of you that have smoked your whole life and are still fine!) and, having asthma, its the worst experience ever to have a hit and not be able to breathe well during it. Brings it to a whole different level...so scary. I would urge you to quit for your general health and so you never have to put yourself in that situation...a few people on the board have quit and I'm so happy for them!!!
Go ahead and just find a healthier addiction. :D
Just my two cents...do with them what you will...
Lisa

Title: Re: Smoking and CHs
Post by GrandPotentate on May 22^nd, 2007, 9:28pm

Actually the CH's were partly the reason I was able to quit. How about that, something good about CH!

I hadn't really noticed how compulsive we are. I didn't have a monkey on my back; I had a Diane Fosse study group. People would ask why I smoked a couple packs or so a day, and I had to reply that I needed coffee breaks. During one of my episodes, I had a Dr. who got me pretty doped up. It didn't do much for the CH's, but I quit buying smokes at the tail end of the cycle and didn't even notice until a month or so later. 5 years next week. I recommend narcotics for quitting smoking. They were easier to quit, too.

Beer and coffee are still my freinds, but only between cycles. Hope the doc doesn't want me to quit those, too!

Title: Re: Smoking and CHs
Post by Brewcrew on May 22^nd, 2007, 10:02pm

There is a theory being entertained by some of the current researchers in CH that the defective hypothalmus in CH sufferers might also be responsible for our higher than normal penchant for nicotine. The hypothalmus is the "pleasure center" of the brain, and whatever defect we possess might also cause us to be more susceptible to nicotine addiction.

Title: Re: Smoking and CHs
Post by michael on May 25^th, 2007, 3:14pm

I knew it wasn't my fault I smoked.