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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> more things to try
        
(Message started by: Tojokom on Mar 20^th, 2008, 2:29pm)

Title: more things to try
Post by Tojokom on Mar 20^th, 2008, 2:29pm

ok my CH hits and i get the stuffy / running nose.

OR if i get allergy reaction to pollens / molds it seems to trigger the CH and IMO they feed off each other and make the it seem like they both never go away ( hence the 5+ hours CH's end up with sometimes.

started this in 2007 and found that Claritin or the generic version ( loratadine 10mg is med term for it ) once a day along with a benadryl ( i use generic versions of both )

seem to keep the beast at bay least it did for my oct - dec cycle.

with this cycle just starting ( march - may ) will have a little more trial tests.

my routine goes .....
feel the CH comming i get a benadryl chew it up and then hit the o2. it seems to work for me.

granted i work in a prison so i'm NOT ALLOWED to have my o2 with me while at work so those ch hits get a benydryl and couple asprin and a hope fer the best.

any others tried this ??

tojokom

Title: Re: more things to try
Post by jon019 on Mar 20^th, 2008, 9:10pm

Hi tojokom,

Hey, whatever works. When this "big dance" started for me, and before I (or ANY doc) knew what it was, I used to self treat with anti-histamines. Seemed to work, and later was prescribed very strong anti-histamines as a preventive. Nope. As I learned my cycle, I found out they had no effect (for me, others may have reported differently, I think).

What I do believe is that allergies (of which I have many, most developed after age 40) contribute to the effects of ch. Stuffed head w/pressure and headache, stuffed nose, fatigue, clogged lungs, coughing, sneezing, malaise, et al-combine those with ch (many the same) and you got trouble.

I also use loratadine to deal with the allergies, so I can concentrate on treating the ch. Aspirin, careful, it'll tear up your stomach w/o touching the ch. And surely wish you had access to O2 when you need it.

Regards,

Jon

Title: Re: more things to try
Post by Trooper on Mar 20^th, 2008, 11:10pm

In the early days I lived on Sudafed and it seemed to help. The longer I delt with CH though and the longer my episodes became this just was not helping anymore. I went to see a doc. in 2002 that told me I just need to take Excedrine Migaine. I did so much Sudafed during that cycle I ended up in the ER.

I found this website for the first time in 2003 and learned of Imitrex. I got a new doc (not too much better than the old doc. but atleast I got a script for Imitrex) and boy what a difference it has made. Looking back on it all now, I wonder if all the sinus medicine really helped at all. I don't know what your current medical condition is, but if you have not looked into any abortive meds like Triptans you really should. I still suffer from CH but the Imitrex seems to keep almost all my hits to strictly night time. Even if you can't do the Triptans keep reading this board and I think you will come up with some better options than Benadryl and asprin.

Wishing ya PFDs!
Trooper

Title: Re: more things to try
Post by thebbz on Mar 21^st, 2008, 12:11am

http://www.plainboard.com/ch/chtherapy.pdf
all the best
thebb

Title: Re: more things to try
Post by Mybelle on Mar 25^th, 2008, 1:23am

that was a great article, glad I read it - never thought to take melatonin in the daytime (my husband) - he only takes 3 mg at nite and still has shadows that wake him up - perhaps I'll up the dose to 6 and see what happens....but I wonder about him driving a truck with 3 mg of melatonin in the daytime....any thoughts? [smiley=huh.gif]

Title: Re: more things to try
Post by E-Double on Mar 25^th, 2008, 5:43am

It is not suggested to take during the day.
Take @ bedtime....half hour to 45 minutes prior to attempting to go to sleep.

This should not affect how he drives during "waking hours" unless he drives @ night = then DO NOT

Title: Re: more things to try
Post by Annette on Mar 25^th, 2008, 6:54am

Melatonin is a hormone as well as a neurotransmitter. It has direct effect on the brain and it helps regulate the sleep/wake cycle. It also affect REM sleep.

Please do not take it during the day.

The normal level of melatonin drops during the day and rises at night to help the person sleep. Taking it during the day will mess up your sleep/wake cycle and will in turn mess up your biological clock ie the hypothalamus. This can lead to unpredictable changes in your CH.

Title: Re: more things to try
Post by chewy on Mar 25^th, 2008, 6:59am

http://www.vanderbilt.edu/AnS/psychology/health_psychology/melatonin.htm#Conclusions%20on%20Melatonin

Title: Re: more things to try
Post by Mybelle on Mar 25^th, 2008, 1:07pm

Trooper - how did the excedrin Migraine work - or did it do anything at all? I know they are caused by different physiologies, but are somewhat related........ 8)

Title: Re: more things to try
Post by Trooper on Mar 25^th, 2008, 9:05pm

To be honest, I never tried the Excedrine-M for my clusters, only Sudafed or other antihistamines. I honestly think you would get better reliefe slammin a redbull and putting an icepack on your head.

I used to think I had a deep sinus or inner ear infection a week or two before my cycle hit. I now believe that it is not my sinuses, but my trigaminal nerve that starts becoming agitated, warning me of the impending doom. If you go over to the OUCH link on this board, the first page that comes up on their website is a picture of the trigaminal nerve. Once you see that picture you can have a better understanding why some people mistake their CH for being somehow related to sinus infections or allergies. I can see how the antihistamines provide some relife but they don't even come close to what Sumitriptan can do.

Title: Re: more things to try
Post by Kitty1973 on Mar 27^th, 2008, 2:34pm

I have tried the Excedrin Migraine pills. They don't do anything for my clusters. I have popped so many different pills that I think I will turn into one. [smiley=yikes.gif]