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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Traveling to the Midnight Sun while in cycle
        
(Message started by: mabus on May 29^th, 2007, 12:19am)

Title: Traveling to the Midnight Sun while in cycle
Post by mabus on May 29^th, 2007, 12:19am

I came into the most recent cycle on April 13th, and it really couldn't have been more inconvenient (is it ever convenient???), as I had already scheduled a trip to Tromso, Norway for my cousin's wedding. This cycle has been mercifully mild, with only 2-3 a day, and none of them getting past a K6. In the past I would have cancelled the trip, as I've told myself I would never again get stuck having an attack out of town/on a plane, etc.

But I decided to give it a try, since this didn't seem to be "The Mother of All CH Cycles".

Since my attacks are almost exclusively nighttime visits, I was curious how the 24 hours of daylight in the north of Norway would affect them. And guess what! Not a single shot needed during the week, and I was averaging 2 a day before I left.

Without any darkness at all (which is so weird, but that's a different story), I might as well be back in remission. Has anyone else experienced this?

We'll see what happens tonight now that I'm back where night happens, but if it actually brought the cycle to an end, I think I might have a new treatment for the next time. Alaska is only a few hours away!

I took 10 prepared shots, expecting to need them, and brought them all home unused, along with extra vials.

Any other Midnight Sun CH stories?

Title: Re: Traveling to the Midnight Sun while in cycle
Post by Ray on May 29^th, 2007, 4:39am

Dear Mabus:

Sorry, no stories to share, but 2 items of curiosity.

1) Any tips to get those meds through security/customs....

2) Please let us know how matters shake out, now that things are back to "normal" cycles of daylight/night, and the jetlag wears off...

Thank you,

Ray

Title: Re: Traveling to the Midnight Sun while in cycle
Post by LeeS on May 29^th, 2007, 9:17am

Hi mabus- you may want to check out some Jimmy Buffet music ;) ;;D

Here's Flo's take on it (although not directly related):

http://www.med-owl.com/clusterheadaches/tiki-index.php?page=Latitude

I have a good friend (a fellow sufferer) who recently spent a month or so much closer to the equator. Last I heard, after an initial increase in activity whilst there, he's now doing very well (hope I haven't jinxed him!).

Hope it continues for you.

-Lee

Title: Re: Traveling to the Midnight Sun while in cycle
Post by midwestbeth on May 29^th, 2007, 4:49pm

I traveled international and didn't have a problem at all with bringing trex with me on the plane. I put it with all my other meds in a clear gallon size baggie along with a Rx from the Dr. I wasn't even stopped or questioned.

Beth

Title: Re: Traveling to the Midnight Sun while in cycle
Post by Maffumatt on May 29^th, 2007, 4:50pm

Ask Svenn, he lives there.

Title: Re: Traveling to the Midnight Sun while in cycle
Post by Paul98 on May 29^th, 2007, 7:44pm

I had no problem with international travel bring perscription meds with me. Have them in their origional pharmacy vials with the script label on them and you should have no problem.

Daylight does have an effect on my cycle. In the years I went to the Bahamas in late Jan-Feb. I noticed I would usually skip a cycle that year or the cycle would be mild.

-P.

Title: Re: Traveling to the Midnight Sun while in cycle
Post by mabus on May 29^th, 2007, 10:07pm

on 05/29/07 at 04:39:50, Ray wrote:

Like the others, no problem at all getting it through customs or security at any of the 5 airports I transitted. I had the original box with pharmacy label, and enclosed in a plastic bag like I would have with the 3 oz or less stuff. Sad to report that I did indeed have an attack last night, which was K6 by the time I got the trex emptied. Shadowy this AM, but no repeat at 4AM which would be normal for somethiong like this. A bit of a setback, but of some interest because of the rather coincidental timing of the return to darkness.

Title: Re: Traveling to the Midnight Sun while in cycle
Post by ClusterChuck on May 29^th, 2007, 11:06pm

When I was in Norway during the midnight sun, I had not started clusters yet. That was back in 1971 ... or was it 1871? 1671? Hmmm ... I am too old and senile to remember my first trip there ...

When I was there in 2005, it was in the fall, so the midnight sun season was past. So I could not answer yes or no.

BUT, while I was there, I met MANY clusterheads, and no one mentioned that possibility. I know Svenn is chronic, and never gets a very long break, and if he does, it is not due to the midnight sun, it is due to medical intervention.

BUT, then again, what works for one of us, does not work for ALL of us, so maybe it DID effect your cycle.

I know BarbaraD and I are both triggered by atmospheric pressure drops.

So, it is a definate MAYBE ...

Chuck

Title: Re: Traveling to the Midnight Sun while in cycle
Post by Lapsi_Harmaahapsi on May 31^st, 2007, 4:17am

I live in Finland so lots of midnight sun during summertime. Doesn't affect my clusters a bit, neither did living in a non-midnight-summer place.

Doesn't mean it can affect others in some way though, this is a pretty weird condition.

Title: Re: Traveling to the Midnight Sun while in cycle
Post by BC_Battler on Jun 1^st, 2007, 4:16am

Here's something to throw into the mix.

I haven't been to somewhere where the Midnight Sun effect takes place since I developed CHs, but I do have an awful lot of international travel experience. Here is what I have found:

1/ No trouble bringing Imitrex anywhere from Canada, including Singapore, Japan, the USA, Thailand, and other countries.

2/ Really humid climates seem to help me when I'm in a cycle. Last year I had cycles stop immediately when I landed in Florida in July and in Singapore in November. Same was true when I traveled to Singapore and Thailand last month.

Could humidity have an effect? I don't know, but I come from a semi-desert climate and when I go places with high humidity the CHs don't seem as bad. Maybe I'm dreaming, but I plan on moving to a humid climate in the near future!

Strange, these cluster headaches, but if you are having a positive experience in the land of the Midnight Sun, then I say enjoy your time there! Life is too short to have it impacted by CHs. Cheers -