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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Alcohol and Sleep Disturbance
        
(Message started by: jimp63 on May 18^th, 2007, 10:23am)

Title: Alcohol and Sleep Disturbance
Post by jimp63 on May 18^th, 2007, 10:23am

Good morning (could be better!!),

So I decided to try a couple of Budweisers last night after a full day of work. CH have been somewhat dormant for a little while, figured I would be ok. Drank two, no ill effects...until about six hours later, at 3:00am this morning. I was bolt upright, in full CH bloom!! What a drag. I figure I should just give up trying to drink alcohol period. I like to enjoy a beer or two every now and then, just doesn't seem to be worth it. I have a Topomax script but I'm a little reluctant to give it a go given some of the side effects I've read about here. Somebody talk to me...please!! Thanks.

Title: Re: Alcohol and Sleep Disturbance
Post by Brewcrew on May 18^th, 2007, 2:21pm

on 05/18/07 at 10:23:29, jimp63 wrote:

I figure I should just give up trying to drink alcohol period. I like to enjoy a beer or two every now and then, just doesn't seem to be worth it.

That's pretty much what I've done. Big-time trigger for me. I used to make my own beer, and I was getting pretty good at it. 'Cept I gave away most of the last 5 or 6 batches 'cause I couldn't drink it anymore.

I've learned to use my palate for discerning differences in coffee instead. A full night's sleep and more pain-free time is worth more to me than a beer or two.

Must be an "old guy" thing. ;;D

Title: Re: Alcohol and Sleep Disturbance
Post by cynjeep89 on May 18^th, 2007, 2:41pm

Episodic CHer here. There is nothing like a nice cold beer or two, a good glass of wine, a margarita or a sip of Bailey's Irish Cream but when I'm in cycle, alcohol of any type is a big no-no for me.

I tested the waters many years ago thinking there was no connection between alcohol and CHs but after this happened twice, I quickly learned my lesson. For me, the hits came about 1/2 an hour to 1 hour after drinking alcohol.

Certain foods and strong perfumes can trigger my hits too so I do my best to avoid them.

Title: Re: Alcohol and Sleep Disturbance
Post by Bob P on May 18^th, 2007, 5:06pm

Quote:

There is nothing like a nice cold beer or two, a good glass of wine, a margarita or a sip of Bailey's Irish Cream

and then a good breakfast!

Title: Re: Alcohol and Sleep Disturbance
Post by Lotus on May 18^th, 2007, 5:07pm

Please dont start Topamax on your own without consulting your doctor. You should also discuss the side effects of it with your doctor too. Topamax, like any other meds, affects different people differently.

Have you got oxygen ?

Annette

Title: Re: Alcohol and Sleep Disturbance
Post by Bob P on May 18^th, 2007, 5:14pm

Took topomax a few years back and had no side effects.

Title: Re: Alcohol and Sleep Disturbance
Post by Jonny on May 18^th, 2007, 5:59pm

on 05/18/07 at 17:14:10, Bob P wrote:

Took topomax a few years back and had no side effects.

Good point, Bob!

Many folks wont take a med because of side effects that they have READ about.

Many folks say Lithium fucked them up, I took it everyday for 13 years and it never did anything to me except make me PF.

The key is to try the med!.....if it dosent agree with you, you can always stop taking it....not taking it is saying no to possible PF time and thats ridiculous!

Title: Re: Alcohol and Sleep Disturbance
Post by Guiseppi on May 18^th, 2007, 7:35pm

Unlike Jonny, I'm a closet lithium user.....never tell anybody, cuz when people find out you're on lithium they start talking and moving REALLY slow around you!!

Seriously, don't be scared away by others experiences, give stuff a try yourself and see what works for you!

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Alcohol and Sleep Disturbance
Post by chrisw on May 18^th, 2007, 8:01pm

Tried topamax and it didnt help my CH, but there were no side effects, Sometimes I am amazed at the side effects that I am willing to put up with. The side effects from prednisone are horrible, but during a bad cycle, I will take anything for some PFDs.

If youve never tried topamax, give it a shot, you can always stop taking it if it doesnt work. Also, do you have any O2.

I broke a nine month ch cycle about three weeks ago., and even though I really want to, I am not taking any alchohol for a while, just to be on the safe side. Why risk it?

good luck,
chrisw

Title: Re: Alcohol and Sleep Disturbance
Post by rolo65 on May 19^th, 2007, 2:45pm

I can not drink a 1/3 of a can of beer without it starting a CH attack. I tolerated the Topamax at low dose, but with no relief. At High dose I saw a little benefit but the side effects were horrible. I can only take Verapimil without serious side effects, and it doesn’t help so I’m left with the O2. It’s hard to leave that beer alone on a hot day when it tastes so good but it will only make you use more O2 to alleviate the CH attack. The craving for it is hard to put down, Try a nice cup of green tea instead.

Title: Re: Alcohol and Sleep Disturbance
Post by MR_FLOOR on May 20^th, 2007, 10:00pm

I'm with you Rolo 2 sips and here comes the demon.It's not worth it.I works out though cause my wife likes her beer and I am designated driver.Drink up honey. [smiley=beer.gif].

Dave

Title: Re: Alcohol and Sleep Disturbance
Post by burnt-toast on May 21^st, 2007, 8:24am

Here's a classic - Just say no to triggers! Early on I had some of my worst bouts with this nightmare as a result of thinking I could sneak in a beer or two.

We get a lot of serious meds thrown at us and its important to live up to our responsibilities for our own health.

Understand the meds being prescribed and make informed choices after weighing the risks. Maintenance tasks such as routine blood and/or organ function tests should be done religiously.

Be alert to signs of side effects and immediately discuss them with your doc. - even those not listed on the med descriptions. Some meds will present side effects very early on, others can present side effects after continued use - even when patient's haven't experienced problems for years.

Tom

Title: Re: Alcohol and Sleep Disturbance
Post by BarbaraD on May 22^nd, 2007, 6:09pm

I've been taking Topamax for years and no side effects to speak of. I take the whole dose at night (it does have a little sedative effect if taken in the daytime). It's been my miracle drug and I swear by it.

As for beer. I went 12 years without even thinking about drinking one cause a couple of sips and I didn't have to wait for the CH to hit (took me a few times to realize it was the beer, but I'm a slow learner). It just wasn't worth it. A year or so ago, I drank one and nothing happened. I don't over do it but every once in a while I do have a cold one now. Seems I outgrew that trigger. Other alcohol didn't bother me - just beer.

But my advice -- if it triggers a CH -- don't do it. NOTHING is worth the pain of a CH. At least in my opinion.

Hugs BD