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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Does Geography Make a Difference for CHs?
        
(Message started by: BC_Battler on Oct 22^nd, 2007, 1:08am)

Title: Does Geography Make a Difference for CHs?
Post by BC_Battler on Oct 22^nd, 2007, 1:08am

Hey gang;

I'm playing with a theory here and would love to hear your opinions.

I am a chronic sufferer and a frequent traveler, and have found that when I travel closer to the equator, the CHs get a lot better. In fact, in one trip to Singapore last year I broke a nasty high cycle just by stepping off the plane! Every time I've been to SE Asia (3 times in the last year) the CHs have really backed off.

I asked my neuro about this and he seemed to think there could be something to this. As most people who suffer from CHs follow some sort of a cycle related to the seasons (some people are worse in the fall and spring, but less so in the summer, etc), the equator could be the great equalizer as the body doesn't feel the change in seasons.

The further you are from the equator, the greater the swings in temperature, light and darkness, etc, thus making it easier for your brain to register the changes in season and triggering CH cycles. I live in Canada, and often notice when I travel far enough south that the CHs let up some.

So my question is this: anyone here suffer from CHs who live along the equator, or at the very least, has anyone else come across this theory? If there's any validity to it, I'm seriously thinking about moving south! It could just be wishful thinking, but I'm willing to try anything at this point.

Thanks gang. PF times to all -
Cheers.

Title: Re: Does Geography Make a Difference for CHs?
Post by Miz_D on Oct 22^nd, 2007, 6:39am

Hi BC_Battler,

Don't know if this helps you at all but I have had chronic ch since 1999 and worked on the cruiselines chasin the sun for a few of those years as well as living in Vancouver, Canada. I did not notice any significant difference in my 'ch' activity due to my locations which were often spent in the mediteranean, asia and carribean...I wish.

However, 7 months ago I moved to Hawaii and 4 months ago I began to see substantial increased activity in my ch...so, who knows? Maybe geography can have an impact of some sort...

The conclusion that I seem to arrive at personally is that some things seem to have some bearing some of the time for some people...and no, I'm not trying to be a smart ass, I'm just saying that this stupid ch is so elusive to me! One year I think I understand my condition, what triggers me, what works for me to keep things under control, what are the signs that things are going to get rough, etc. and then all of a sudden, everything changes! And there I am wondering what the hell to do....it'd be rediculous if it weren't so tragic. So basicly, I'm stumped. I don't mind saying...I don't have a friggin clue...

Geez...got off on a bit of a rant there didn't I? Think its the pred taper, sorry ;;D

Title: Re: Does Geography Make a Difference for CHs?
Post by Jill on Oct 22^nd, 2007, 8:06am

Hi Battler,

I am also a chronic sufferer, sorry that you have joined our club though.

I dont know how CH is impacted when it comes to being close to the equator but I do know that geography can affect, well for me anyways, CH as to weather and climate and all.

I have lived on the west coast, east coast and in the middle and have noticed things in each area that affect me. Now I am in Sweden and am once again learning how that impacts my headaches. It is an endless circle of learning and as Miz_D said, you kind of adapt to them being one way and then something changes and you have to re-learn things. I hate that part most about being chronic, every day is so damn different.

Sorry, rambling some. I wanted to say that the climate in an area like whether the air is dry or moist, how much rain there is or is not can affect people and their CH - each person differently. I know that the heat in Texas was a trigger for me and just going outside would result in a major attack - it was too hot. I also know that the weather shift in Maryland can trigger bad episodes. Some of these things cant be avoided, some can.

I am not sure if this helps at all, just my experience thus far. But, like I said, everyone is different and we all have to learn what affects our clusters and how we are going to deal with them.

The one thing that we all have in common is that we all think that they suck big time.

Jill

Title: Re: Does Geography Make a Difference for CHs?
Post by Saffy on Oct 22^nd, 2007, 8:12am

I honestly think I could do with going out and breaking rocks sometimes. I think it would help. Ggggrrrr!!!!

Whhheeew - However I don't have any rocks to break but chopping wood helps my mood quite considerably - in just 5 minutes it warms me up too, that is the great thing about a log fire - warms you twice!!!! ;)

Don't know about the geography thing though but I do find that sunlight coupled with hardish exercise appears to reduce my CH but it is SO hard to be sure!!!

Saffy

Title: Re: Does Geography Make a Difference for CHs?
Post by Karla on Oct 22^nd, 2007, 9:08am

I have done extensive travel throughout the US and know that heat is a trigger for me. Like oven heat or going outside during the summer is bad. But when I was traveling in the SW US in Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada I was just plain misserable and my ch were so intense I ended up making trips to the ER while on vacation because it was so bad and the imitrix wasn't helping as it usually does. I also know that right before a thunderstorm or snow storm I will feel it in my head and they will get much more intense. So I definetly believe that climate and weather make a difference.

Title: Re: Does Geography Make a Difference for CHs?
Post by starlight on Oct 22^nd, 2007, 2:48pm

BC,

I asked one neuro I saw the question "would it help if I moved down South?" He said "no you would have to move all the way to the equator"--he said because there you do not get the fluctuations in amount of light that happened everywhere else during the various seasons.
So I 'm sure you are onto something.

Title: Re: Does Geography Make a Difference for CHs?
Post by seasonalboomer on Oct 22^nd, 2007, 3:07pm

So maybe someone can find me a nice 3,500 sq ft ranch with 3 BR/3BA in nice neighborhood, good schools and a Starbucks with wireless in any of the following countries for me?

Gabon in West Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Indonesian Sumatra, Borneo and Sulawesi, the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, Colombia and Brazil.

Scott

Title: Re: Does Geography Make a Difference for CHs?
Post by Emily on Oct 22^nd, 2007, 3:41pm

I was in Borneo in March. I can highly recommend it!

Em

PS- I was there before ch started, so not sure about the geography thing...

Title: Re: Does Geography Make a Difference for CHs?
Post by BC_Battler on Oct 22^nd, 2007, 8:16pm

Hey gang -

Thanks very much for all of your thoughts, I appreciate it.

Scott, fair enough about the "fantastic" choices to live along the equator. :) Having been to a few of those spots, I know all about the quality of life.

The reason I brought this up was because of my time spent in Singapore, which is less than a stone's throw from the equator, and was amazed at how my CHs were gone. Not just minimized, but gone - I was amazed, as I hadn't been completely pain-free for months at that point.

I had considered the idea that the closer you got to the equator, the less the intensity/frequency of the attacks, but many of the replies here have kind of dispelled that myth (people seem to get them just as much in Texas, Florida, and Arizona as they do here - despite our being thousands of miles farther north here).

Too bad, I was pleading my case to my wife for a move to a warm and sunny destination. :)

Thanks again for all your thoughts. Keep 'em coming if you have more to add to the topic. Cheers!

Title: Re: Does Geography Make a Difference for CHs?
Post by octobermay on Oct 22^nd, 2007, 8:48pm

hi everyone, I dont know how many people are on the "member map" compared to how many people have CH, but it looks like there are a lot more people with CH on the eastern side of the country (USA). i just thought it was interesting to actually see a picture of everyones location.

Title: Re: Does Geography Make a Difference for CHs?
Post by Barry_T_Coles on Oct 22^nd, 2007, 11:10pm

I think location could have something to do with how you’re affected; I live about 1400 miles south of the equator in a zone where the weather is OK or just bloody hot, there appears to be no rhyme or reason to the frequency of my high cycles.

In April this year we went to Melbourne for a week; Melbourne is about 2000 miles south east of here and I had the best week I’ve had since going chronic, no hits, not even a shadow until I got back home again.
I went into a high cycle mid June that lasted 7 weeks (the shortest yet) & have now been PF for 75 days.

This of course doesn’t fit with the theory of moving closer to the equator to get hit less but may indicate that due to the closeness I am to the equator could explain away my erratic non-consistent high cycles & the lengthy periods of only shadowing with nothing above a KIP 5.

That week in April really took me by surprise as I had forgotten what it was like to be totally PF for more than half a day.

If nothing else the beast can certainly keep us guessing.

Cheers
Barry

Title: Re: Does Geography Make a Difference for CHs?
Post by lexi919 on Oct 23^rd, 2007, 1:34am

alright if it is true then we could change the quality of life in one of those countries by having all of us move into the same area. if i knew that i would never have a headache again then i would go.

Title: Re: Does Geography Make a Difference for CHs?
Post by Wayne on Oct 23^rd, 2007, 4:25am

I vote for the Galapagos, start a Cluster Colony where we can set up an oxygen plant, an RC plantation, cultivation zones for various shroom cultivars and spend our lives in the persuit of PFDAN.

Of course if the equator thing works we wouldn't need any of the above.

Title: Re: Does Geography Make a Difference for CHs?
Post by BarbaraD on Oct 23^rd, 2007, 6:46am

Several years back we did a study on this (if you're real energetic go back to the archives and find it) and the conclusion was - no difference (after months of research).

But - I do believe it has something to do with the barometer... When rain or weather change is on the horizion - my head will act up. When it's steady I usually have good days. I've been watching that for years and have come to a hard fast decision that that IS my main trigger. And I live in East Texas where the weather changes hourly so I have a LOT of research for my decision. We went from 89 degrees and sunny Sunday to 47 degrees and rain yesterday... and my head went with it....

BUT, while I was in Austrailia - I got hit frequenly in Syndey, Melbourne and Tasmania (Hobart-msp) and in the tropics I got hit about as bad, and the weather didn't change there. SE Asia was as bad. So far I haven't found a place to move that helps.

Hugs BD

Title: Re: Does Geography Make a Difference for CHs?
Post by Pinkfloyd on Oct 24^th, 2007, 12:07am

on 10/22/07 at 01:08:14, BC_Battler wrote:

So my question is this: anyone here suffer from CHs who live along the equator, or at the very least, has anyone else come across this theory? If there's any validity to it, I'm seriously thinking about moving south! Cheers.

There is some evidence of this and if you're in the Austin Texas area on Saturday, around 11:15 am, you can hear a presentation on the subject. ;;D

Clusterbuster's Conference schedule for:
Saturday October 27th
9AM-10AM Registration & Complimentary Continental Breakfast
10AM Bob Wold ~ Opening
1030 AM John Halpern MD
*Protocol Pending Psilocybin
LSD Study at Harvard McLean
11:15 AM Stuart Miller
* Anomalies of cluster relief found in
different altitudes and geographic
location to the equator
11:45 AM Complimentary Lunch ~ Auction
1:30 PM James Joseph
* Author Psychedelic Perceptions
2:30 PM Douglas Wright DC
*Management and coping
strategies in the pain reduction
of cluster headaches
Complimentary Break
3:45 PM John Halpern MD
* Ongoing International Collaboration, Clinical Trial Project
4:15 PM Panel Discussion
Evening Activities: TBA

Bobw

Title: Re: Does Geography Make a Difference for CHs?
Post by Annette on Oct 24^th, 2007, 1:33am

For those of us who cant attend, will there be a transcript available after the conference to view?

Title: Re: Does Geography Make a Difference for CHs?
Post by Pinkfloyd on Oct 24^th, 2007, 10:02am

on 10/24/07 at 01:33:14, Annette wrote:

For those of us who cant attend, will there be a transcript available after the conference to view?

We're working on it. 8)

Bobw

Title: Re: Does Geography Make a Difference for CHs?
Post by BC_Battler on Oct 24^th, 2007, 11:47am

Wow, awesome info everyone. It sounds like everyone's experience is totally different.

I agree with the point about the barometer having an effect - where I live the summers are really steady as far as weather goes. Weeks of sunshine with very little variability. The other three seasons are pretty erratic, though, and that's when I get hit the most.

Too bad about folks in SE Asia still getting hit - I was amazed at how good I've felt all 3 times I've been there recently, so I really thought there was something to this idea of relativity to the equator playing a role. Interesting.

Thanks for your thoughts!

Title: Re: Does Geography Make a Difference for CHs?
Post by tommyD on Oct 25^th, 2007, 6:24pm

As I recall, Dr. Bighal mentioned this in his talk at the 2003 Ouch Convention in New York. He said the prevalence of CH increases the farther the distance from the equator.

The Wikipedia entry on CH says the same thing, but gives no reference - only the old "citation needed" tag.

A few non-scientific observations:

We get few folks on here from the tropics, but then there are few English-speaking countries with large number of computer users in the tropics - except for India - I can only recall one or two folks from India on this board over the years, but that could just be my ignorance.

And we get a lot of folks from Great Britan on the board, (not to mention our friends from Scandanavia) and the UK is way north - farther from the Equator than all of the US except Alaska.

Any folks here from Alaska? The membership map shows just one in Alaska....but then there aren't that many people in Alaska...

-tommyD

Title: Re: Does Geography Make a Difference for CHs?
Post by CostaRicaKris on Oct 26^th, 2007, 2:03am

Hmm... One more reason to love Costa Rica. My husband really wants us to move there.

Title: Re: Does Geography Make a Difference for CHs?
Post by BC_Battler on Oct 26^th, 2007, 11:38am

on 10/25/07 at 18:24:26, tommyD wrote:

As I recall, Dr. Bighal mentioned this in his talk at the 2003 Ouch Convention in New York. He said the prevalence of CH increases the farther the distance from the equator.

Interesting - thanks, Tommy. Any board members here from Singapore? I would love to hear about your experiences. Singapore is a very connected country with a huge English speaking population and they're less than a half a degree off the equator. I love spending time there - maybe I need to schedule more work there for when I'm in high cycles. :)

You're right about there being tons of folks from the UK and from northern Europe. Lots from Canada, too.

Thanks again, Tommy. Great info. I'll be interested to hear what comes out of the conference this weekend.

Cheers.

Title: Re: Does Geography Make a Difference for CHs?
Post by JohnM on Oct 27^th, 2007, 2:34am

I recall flying from South Africa to England about 10 yeras ago while in cycle. I took my imigran injections on board and more in my suitcase. Did not have an attack on the plane fortunately, and did not even have a HA for the 4 weeks in England and I was CH free for the next year.

Is it just possible that the high altitude flying at lower air pressure for 12 hours or so (like Canada to Singapore, SA to Uk) could be the "change in conditions" needed to end a cycle?

Travelling by ship (at sea level hopefully ;;D ) slowly to different parts of the globe would not have the same impact.

Some have reported various other dramatic changes in their lives that broke a cycle. Maybe long distance air travel is one of them.

Also of note for me (just realised it) is that I have travelled very frequently in my job (2 hour flights each way on consecutive days) for the past 20 years usually 2 trips a month and have never ever had a CH on the plane even when in cycle and flying during my normal "hit time". I was always concerned about the risk and had my autoinjector in my pocket each time.
I have however had plenty of hits during my away from home time which ruined several business trips for me.

John

Title: Re: Does Geography Make a Difference for CHs?
Post by lorac on Oct 28^th, 2007, 7:33am

When I moved from gloomy buffalo ny down south to sunny tennessee, I didn't have a cycle for at least six years....I also remember upon moving here, that I always felt sort of up....Like us humans are solar powered, and i'd just gotten recharged.

Must be used to it now, because It's back....but not as bad somehow :-/

lorac

Title: Re: Does Geography Make a Difference for CHs?
Post by Not4Hire on Oct 29^th, 2007, 10:45pm

well, I just got home from the ClusterBuster's conference in Austin and it took me about 20 minutes. (I live here, so it didn't involve trans-spatial matter transmitters or the like, I was in a Ford...)

I learned some very interesting things and it seems there is something to this--some folk DO get better when they are closer to the Equator. (they told me so and I believe 'em...)

OTOH... I spent about five years in Peru, (from '96 to '01) about 3 degrees south of the Equator and I lived/worked/partied at various elevations from 13,000' above to sea level at the beach. I had CH hits at ALL of those places and The MOFO just didn't seem to care. He/She kicked my ass regularly no matter where I went or what I did.

I hope there is "something" to this idea, but I have to say: it wasn't so fer me.

FWIW.....

[smiley=huh.gif]

Title: Re: Does Geography Make a Difference for CHs?
Post by sldrswyfe on Nov 1^st, 2007, 3:05pm

I have been dying to ask this question....so glad you did...

I always thought that if I were to move to Hawaii, being that it's not humid there, it would improve my condition.

The information here is invaluable...not just re geography. Many good tid bits...

I'd love a transcript as well if available...unfortunately Im unable to attend... :(

Title: Re: Does Geography Make a Difference for CHs?
Post by horsegirl on Nov 3^rd, 2007, 7:31pm

just wanted to add , when i moved from iowa to california"driving" I went from having spring and fall clusters to no headaches for 2 years. and every two years there after. Even though I'm back in Iowa now they stayed at every two years and acasionaly 3 years.and when I was in california the pain was not as intense. I would love to chat with the person from alaska, just to talk about there cylcles etc.. intersted if theres a difference because of the day and night periodes. 8)

Title: Re: Does Geography Make a Difference for CHs?
Post by vietvet2tours on Nov 4^th, 2007, 10:26am

on 11/01/07 at 15:05:34, sldrswyfe wrote:

Yep just drier than a popcorn fart.

Title: Re: Does Geography Make a Difference for CHs?
Post by sldrswyfe on Nov 6^th, 2007, 10:01am

I think you have you have a crush on me...you highlight my posts...always have a comment...

I think you're cute too. ;)

Title: Re: Does Geography Make a Difference for CHs?
Post by vietvet2tours on Nov 6^th, 2007, 10:05am

on 11/06/07 at 10:01:12, sldrswyfe wrote:

I think you have you have a crush on me...you highlight my posts...always have a comment...

I think you're cute too. ;)

I think you are geographically challenged.

Potter

Title: Re: Does Geography Make a Difference for CHs?
Post by Katherinecm on Nov 10^th, 2007, 1:15pm

I've been considering moving to Alaska just because I feel so much better when it's cold. The heat is a killer.