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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Feeling 90% better
        
(Message started by: 2fast4u on Sep 8^th, 2007, 11:26pm)

Title: Feeling 90% better
Post by 2fast4u on Sep 8^th, 2007, 11:26pm

Having suffering from clusters for about 20 years now, I stumbled upon something has helped me.
My wife and I both have minor allergies, and when she is sneezing, usually I am also. Last week she was, and I wasn't. Kind of curious since I am in my cycle, I took a Benadryl. 45 minutes later, started feeling relief. I have been taking them as the package recommends, and am feeling much better. I still get the clusters, but not near as hard. Less than 5 minutes on O2, and I am back in the swing of things.
The Benadryl does make me a little drowsy, but nothing like some of the other things I've tried. I also didn't take the Benadryl for 1 day just as a test, and sure enough, they were back as hard as ever.
Don't know if this will help anyone, but if you are like me, I was willing to try anything.
Good luck.

LC

Title: Re: Feeling 90% better
Post by MJ on Sep 9^th, 2007, 12:18am

Benadryl is an old standby that has helped a few here over the years. Just dont overdo it.

Glad you found a little relief.

Thanks for the reminder.

Title: Re: Feeling 90% better
Post by sue_g on Sep 9^th, 2007, 9:13am

Hi All,
Just wondered if any one has tried....Not only Benadryl, but Sinutab. Towards the end of a cycle,(guessing of course), I'll take a Sinutab once or twice, just to see if it twiks the HA's and tells them "enough is enough, time to go away!"
I'm really not sure if it does anything, but it makes me feel better trying!
Right now I'm pf, but I'll keep the Benadryl handi

Thanks for the tip! 8)

Title: Re: Feeling 90% better
Post by Redd on Sep 9^th, 2007, 9:45am

Benadryl has been a staple for many to help with overnight attacks, either alone, or in conjunction with Melatonin.

When the sinuses are irritated by allergy issues, I would tend to assume that CH attacks would naturally hit harder than at other times. I mean, if the cavity is already plugged, the add in the swelling etc. of the CH attack? Magnification of the sinus pain would surely occur.

Title: Re: Feeling 90% better
Post by Neil_C on Sep 9^th, 2007, 4:37pm

on 09/09/07 at 09:13:36, sue_g wrote:

Ive already posted something here about Melatonin and remembered that Sinutab contains Pseudoephedrine which is known to lower Melatonin production/levels.
Here's one place I read it on but im pretty sure I read it somewhere else too.

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

Im not saying you shouldnt use Sinutab, I just want to make sure you know theres a connection with Melatonin which as you know is one of the "goodies" for some CH'ers.

As for Benadryl (Which is Diphenhydramine), it is not just an antihistamine but it also acts as a SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhinitor) which are also known to help people with Clusters. Its not the prefered SSRI in use with CH but it works as one.

Hope the info was helpful

N

Title: Re: Feeling 90% better
Post by 2fast4u on Sep 9^th, 2007, 7:57pm

on 09/09/07 at 16:37:27, Neil_C wrote:

Its not the prefered SSRI in use with CH but it works as one.

What is?

Thanks,

LC

Title: Re: Feeling 90% better
Post by Neil_C on Sep 10^th, 2007, 5:01am

on 09/09/07 at 19:57:28, 2fast4u wrote:

What is?

Thanks,

LC

Diphenhydramine - ie Benadryl

N ;)

Title: Re: Feeling 90% better
Post by 2fast4u on Sep 10^th, 2007, 8:05am

Neil, you said it is not the preferred. So I was asking what is the preferred.

Thanks.

Title: Re: Feeling 90% better
Post by George_J on Sep 10^th, 2007, 9:40am

Sinutab is (or was, I don't know which in the US...haven't seen it on the shelves in awhile) a combination of acetaminophen, pseudephedrine, and chlorpheneramine maleate.

About 25 years ago, there was some talk about the use of Sinutab for the prophylactic treatment of cluster headache--the result (as near as I can tell) of a letter to the New England Journal of Medicine in 1980 (see http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7383062&dopt=Abstract ) .

On the advice of a doctor, I took Sinutab during a couple of cluster headache cycles. To the best of my recollection, in my particular case, it did little or nothing, good or bad. I quit using it.

I still take 4 mg. chlorphenamine maleate at night with 9 mg. melatonin when I'm in cycle, as it seems to help me to fall asleep. I suspect that the melatonin in this combination does me as much or more good than the chlorphenaramine maleate to avoid nighttime hits.

Best wishes,

George

Title: Re: Feeling 90% better
Post by UN solved on Sep 10^th, 2007, 11:16pm

There is some kind of connection between Histamine & clusters. What it is, nobody knows for sure. Although anti-histamines never helped me ... Histamine infusions did help a great deal (for awhile).

Glad you're getting some relief ... But be careful

Goodluck !

UNsolved

Title: Re: Feeling 90% better
Post by 2fast4u on Oct 12^th, 2007, 9:05am

Just an update. My cycle is over. I am very thankful for that, and this website. Between the Benadryl and the O2, life was much better.
Question, I am supposed to go back to the nuerologist in a week or so to follow up my initial visit 2 months ago. He didn't help with anything he suppested, although I was able to convince hime over the phone to get me O2. Should I go? $250 for 15 minute visit doesn't make sense.

LC

Title: Re: Feeling 90% better
Post by DennisM1045 on Oct 12^th, 2007, 1:06pm

Do you have health insurance? If so, go. If not, then you make the call. $250.00 is a lot of money out of pocket.

On the other hand, you really should be mapping out your plan of attack for the next cycle. Prednisone taper? Verapamil? The options should at least be explored. You don't want your next cycle to start without a plan of attack.

I'm glad to hear your PF. I hope it lasts forever.

-Dennis-

Title: Re: Feeling 90% better
Post by Katherinecm on Nov 10^th, 2007, 2:29pm

I'm glad your cycle is over and that you found something that helped a bit until it was. ;;D