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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Nicotine Use and CH Question
        
(Message started by: hhsams on Jan 25^th, 2008, 11:19am)

Title: Nicotine Use and CH Question
Post by hhsams on Jan 25^th, 2008, 11:19am

I am new here, and my husband is a cluster headache sufferer. I was researching your site (it’s GREAT by the way!) and I noticed that smoking my be a trigger for some. My husband does not smoke… he used to, but stopped several years ago and now chews tobacco instead. He has also dipped in the past as well.

Do you think the information I am reading regarding smoking and cluster headaches applies to all nicotine use, or just smoking? Would stopping chewing tobacco help him with the headaches? Unfortunately, he’s really addicted to nicotine so I don’t know if he would even try to stop…. But he might if it thought it would give him relief.

Thanks for any help!
Holly

Title: Re: Nicotine Use and CH Question
Post by starlight on Jan 25^th, 2008, 11:22am

Chewing tobacco is great for cluster headaches!
If he uses a certain kind of spit cup it can ward off the cluster headaches.

Title: Re: Nicotine Use and CH Question
Post by hotprestwich on Jan 25^th, 2008, 11:48am

tobacco is a vasco constrictor, (i think) when i smoke during an attack it actually gives me a little relief, but im not trying to promote smoking or chewing, and i also know for some its a trigger,
the beast works in mysterious ways
02 is great have you read up on that?

Title: Re: Nicotine Use and CH Question
Post by hhsams on Jan 25^th, 2008, 11:52am

Yes, he tried O2 a while back and it didn't seem to help him. We are going to see a specialist on Monday, maybe we should ask him if it would be worth trying again. Thanks

Title: Re: Nicotine Use and CH Question
Post by Ghost on Jan 25^th, 2008, 11:53am

on 01/25/08 at 11:48:23, hotprestwich wrote:

I too get a similar responce and also dont promote smoking. Like all other things everyone will react a little different.

Mike

Title: Re: Nicotine Use and CH Question
Post by Ghost on Jan 25^th, 2008, 11:54am

on 01/25/08 at 11:52:42, hhsams wrote:

Yes, he tried O2 a while back and it didn't seem to help him. We are going to see a specialist on Monday, maybe we should ask him if it would be worth trying again. Thanks

High flow rate 12-15lpm is what most will recomend here also a nonrebreather mask with a large bag.

Mike

Title: Re: Nicotine Use and CH Question
Post by starlight on Jan 25^th, 2008, 11:58am

hhsams,

Wanted to apologize for my response earlier--we have some trolls here but you have a legit question.
My own personal experience is that I have gotten CH while being a smoker and while not being a smoker. A neuro told me that whether you smoke or not, you will still get the CH. As far as chewing tobacco, I am not sure what effect that would have--my guess is if he quits it will be good for his health but may not get rid of CH.

Title: Re: Nicotine Use and CH Question
Post by GrandPotentate on Jan 25^th, 2008, 10:50pm

I'm glad I quit smoking. Did not cure me, but seemed to help. I'll take whatever helps.

I don't know about chewing.

But the worst hits I ever had was after doing some nicorette (perhaps too much?) to get me through a long day of traveling. A memorable day with overlapping hits and a trip to the ER. Life is easier for me on so many levels without tobacco.

Title: Re: Nicotine Use and CH Question
Post by DonnaH_again on Jan 25^th, 2008, 11:09pm

I quit smoking for 15 years and started again during a stressful situation. The ch's didn't care whether I smoked or not.

You will notice from pictures posted here from gatherings that many, many ch'ers smoke. We've also done surverys of our members who have said that it did not effect quantity of headaches.

Check out the archives and the menus at the left........very educational.

Title: Re: Nicotine Use and CH Question
Post by Patrick_A on Jan 26^th, 2008, 1:12pm

I quit smoking in May, 2005. I got my cycle again in November 2007. I was hoping that quitting would have some help for CH, but I guess not.

Pa