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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Clusters & Flying
        
(Message started by: Jerry_M on Aug 4^th, 2007, 8:59pm)

Title: Clusters & Flying
Post by Jerry_M on Aug 4^th, 2007, 8:59pm

Hi,
Does anyone have information on the effects of flying while in cycle. I Think I remember reading that most people reported a change/increase in activity after flying, any truth in this?
Any and all comments welcome
PFDAN to all

Title: Re: Clusters & Flying
Post by GrandPotentate on Aug 4^th, 2007, 9:33pm

Hi, I think you will find comments both ways. Here's mine - it really sucks. When I get a hit, I have a hard time even riding in a car, or sitting still at home. I toughed out several on a plane, and it just plain sucks. But it can be done.

The case I had was probably worsened by several things. It was a Europe trip. Planes, buses, cabs, airports on three hops totaling 25 hours door-to-door for each direction. I was a heavy smoker and was not able to control the nicotine well during travel. I swung the time change okay going over - my hits were usually evening and night and didn't directly affect my work. But the return trip got my internal clock all screwed up. I ended up with multiple hits, overlapping hits, K9-K10, and my only trip to the ER. I did not have good meds, nor the help from the folks on this site.

So I'm kind of negative (maybe scared shitless would be a better description) on the concept. But I am still learning, and would like to find ways to get all this under better control so it doesn't limit me. Some folks here have done so, and will likely add comments. Thanks for opening the topic; I'd like to know more, too.

Title: Re: Clusters & Flying
Post by UN solved on Aug 4^th, 2007, 9:48pm

So far, I've never had a problem while flying (and I've flown dozens of times) .. but I always go prepared (with Imitrex) anyways.

UNsolved

Title: Re: Clusters & Flying
Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on Aug 4^th, 2007, 11:50pm

I get hit each and every time i fly. Dont know what it is, but it sucks.

Title: Re: Clusters & Flying
Post by ClusterChris on Aug 5^th, 2007, 9:42am

No effect whatsoever for me!

Title: Re: Clusters & Flying
Post by spanish on Aug 5^th, 2007, 9:42am

Hi ;;D

Zany and i flew from the UK to Mexico for our honeymoon, back in April.
Leading up to the wedding he had been having a bad time with his head, on the wedding day he had no trouble at all till we got home, then he had a bad night, but the day we flew out nothing at all, not even shadows, then while we were there he has bad with them, getting hit day and night, coming home on the plane nothing at all, till we got back home.
Dont know if it was anything to do with the time difference, flying out there was during the day our time and flying home was during the night our time.

Spanish

Title: Re: Clusters & Flying
Post by Lenny on Aug 5^th, 2007, 12:54pm

I use to do quite a bit of flying for work ...Its like being at a crap table,you just dont know what to expect...Sometimes lucky,other times pure hell.............Lenny

Title: Re: Clusters & Flying
Post by sandie99 on Aug 6^th, 2007, 3:14am

So far, I have not got hit during a flight. Before a flight, yes; afterwards, yes. But not during. No idea why; when I was studying in UK, I flied between UK and Finland about 6 times a year.

Sanna

Title: Re: Clusters & Flying
Post by Bob_Johnson on Aug 6^th, 2007, 8:57am

I'll make a guess: CH when flying may be related to the same mechanism leads to sleep apnea and CH. We have seen research posted here reporting the oxygen desaturation (reduced O2 levels in the blood), which occurs when we sleep, seems to trigger attacks in some people.

High altitude flying reduces the O2 levels somewhat, not enough for us to be conscious of it but--maybe??--sufficient to trigger an attack for some.

Title: Re: Clusters & Flying
Post by Marc on Aug 12^th, 2007, 11:46pm

I'm at 52 flights so far this year - got hit on about 1/3 of them. It's about the worst place for me to be when I get hit.

Bob's O2 idea may be right, but I suspect that it's related to relaxing......

For me, stress is good! Sleep is bad.......

Marc