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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> CH and Womens probs
        
(Message started by: Saffy on Oct 4^th, 2007, 5:28am)

Title: CH and Womens probs
Post by Saffy on Oct 4^th, 2007, 5:28am

I started taking Topamax as well as the Dixarit I was already on about 6 weeks ago and apart from shadows my CHs were pretty much gone.

Until now when I have had a period of hot flushes which I get every so many weeks. My CH were always much worse then when I had the flushes.

Does anyone have any idea why that would be?

Saffy

Title: Re: CH and Womens probs
Post by pattik on Oct 4^th, 2007, 9:41am

Hi Saffy,
I'm just speculating, but if you experience flushes as a result of peri-menopause or even post-menopausal symptoms, that flushing in conjunction with the ususal flushing that occurs with CH could really increase the diameter of the blood vessels envolved in the whole pain process. I've personally experienced this combination, and it happened during one of the most painful cycles in my 25 years of having CH. The fluctuating levels of estrogen during this time of life probably have more influence on CH than we really know for sure at this time. I doubt if it has been studied much by researchers.
Best wishes,
Patti

Title: Re: CH and Womens probs
Post by Saffy on Oct 4^th, 2007, 10:23am

Thank you so much Patti,

You have given the answer I so much suspected but wanted to hear from someone else!

I am apparently peri menopausal or however one is expected to spell that word.

Why we have to have 12 periods a year for 40 years to average 2.4 children each is probably a question for another website somewhere or other don't you think!!! ;)

Saffy

Title: Re: CH and Womens probs
Post by Beastfodder on Oct 4^th, 2007, 10:55am

2.4 children - think I'll stick with just the two.

What do families do with the extra 0.4 of a child?

Title: Re: CH and Womens probs
Post by vietvet2tours on Oct 4^th, 2007, 11:12am

on 10/04/07 at 10:55:13, Beastfodder wrote:

2.4 children - think I'll stick with just the two.

What do families do with the extra 0.4 of a child?

Now that's some funny shit. [smiley=laugh.gif] [smiley=laugh.gif] [smiley=laugh.gif] [smiley=laugh.gif] [smiley=laugh.gif]

Title: Re: CH and Womens probs
Post by Ctech on Oct 6^th, 2007, 2:20am

Womans probs...?

Just when I was getting excited... ::)

Title: Re: CH and Womens probs
Post by Miz_D on Oct 8^th, 2007, 9:09pm

on 10/04/07 at 10:23:05, Saffy wrote:

Why we have to have 12 periods a year for 40 years to average 2.4 children each is probably a question for another website somewhere or other don't you think!!! ;)

Let's see...childbirth and CH...how DID we get to be so damn lucky?!?

Title: Re: CH and Womens probs
Post by rolo65 on Oct 8^th, 2007, 9:26pm

on 10/08/07 at 21:09:20, Miz_D wrote:

Let's see...childbirth and CH...how DID we get to be so damn lucky?!?

Apple anyone? ;)

Title: Re: CH and Womens probs
Post by horsegirl on Oct 10^th, 2007, 4:42pm

:-/ [smiley=laugh.gif]

Title: Re: CH and Womens probs
Post by PollyPocket on Oct 10^th, 2007, 5:40pm

on 10/08/07 at 21:26:27, rolo65 wrote:

Apple anyone? ;)

[smiley=bash.gif] that's what my spouse says!

Title: Re: CH and Womens probs
Post by Miz_D on Oct 12^th, 2007, 6:20am

;;D ;;D ;;D

Hey Ladies,

I wanted to keep this thread going as I think it is an important discussion and I have some questions for you as you are the only women I know who are in some stage of menopause and also dealing with CH.

Sorry, hope I don't bore anyone with the topic, especially the guys ::)

One thing I have noticed is that as my menstrual cycle is changing in frequency and duration (I can just hear the groans now..LOL!), it seems to be effecting my CH breakthroughs.

From the onset of my peri-menopause (almost 3 years), my breakthroughs would come (usually 3-4 attacks over 1 or 2 days) 1 week prior to start of my menstruation cycle. Now that my cycles are changing (drastically this last couple of months) perhaps this has had an effect on this CH craziness I am experiencing now with meds suddenly not working.

Don't know and this is probably WAY too much information for some of ya but hey, I'm curious...anyone else notice anything about how Menopause may or may not be effecting their CH?

Title: Re: CH and Womens probs
Post by Saffy on Oct 14^th, 2007, 3:54pm

Hi Miz D

Something else I have noticed is this before becoming "peri menopausal" my CH was at its worst about a week prior to the onset of my period. When I first became peri menopausal it was at its worst at the onset and now it is about a week after after the onset, so I assume hormones are misbehaving and/or arriving in the wrong order/or late!!!

As if us women didn't have enough to put up with.

Saffy

Title: Re: CH and Womens probs
Post by Miz_D on Oct 14^th, 2007, 11:25pm

Hi Saffy,
Yes, I wonder if anyone else experiences any correlation between their menstrual and CH cycles...kinda funny in a way. Am going to see if I can find any research about this...wish I was Bob! [smiley=laugh.gif]

Title: Re: CH and Womens probs
Post by Smurfysmurff on Oct 15^th, 2007, 8:16am

I definitely believe that quacky (pet name for our monthly friend) and the beast are friends. Whenever quacky visits, the beast appears for a new cycle. Which just makes us girls feel even better. Like right now, I'm fighting the beast and the cramps. And again we ask, what did us women folk ever do?

Title: Re: CH and Womens probs
Post by Miz_D on Oct 16^th, 2007, 4:03am

Argh...Smurfysmurf, my heart goes out to you!

Title: Re: CH and Womens probs
Post by webgopher on Dec 8^th, 2007, 1:33pm

Hi. I've been lurking for a while and finally decided to register and start to post. I turn 55 tomorrow and fully went through menopause with only a few hot flashes (a true Godsend). I was diagnosed with CH a year ago, but think those sinus headaches I had for forever may not have been properly diagnosed. I was put on topamax at too high a dose by a pain doc, but saw a neuro and now am on the right dose for now. I take 50 at night and 25 in the morning. I tried taking it all at night but got the pins and needles thing in my hands so I guess I need a steady supply in my system at all times. I also have my trex pen for shadow attacks. I'm thinking of adding melatonin; not only as a preventative for CH but now it seems that it helps prevent cells from going cancerous (a big worry in my family).
I can thankfully say that the meds I'm taking are working for me right now and my heart goes out to those who haven't found relief and are still suffering like I used to. The beast has tried to sneak in the door only a handful of times in the past year; my trex pen fought him off.