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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Virus
        
(Message started by: michael on Mar 27^th, 2008, 10:54am)

Title: Virus
Post by michael on Mar 27^th, 2008, 10:54am

Just thinking aloud.

A few times in my life (and I mean only a few), a CH seems to have either started a cycle, or aborted, during a dose of a bad cold. Once I remember years ago an unusually long cycle abruptly ending with a dose of flu.

Apparently, I had the flu very bad when I was 4 years old that I nearly died from (just at a time when the brain is developing fast).

I've often wondered if there is a dormant virus lying there that is triggered occasionally by maybe some enviromental effect causing a cycle of CH.

There is no cure yet for CH, likewise - there is no cure for a virus.

Like I said, just thinking aloud (and maybe clutching at straws).

Title: Re: Virus
Post by Mybelle on Mar 27^th, 2008, 8:35pm

This is my husband's first round of CH and it started after he got the flu in February around the second week - he's still getting lots of shadows and a few hits around 6-7 but melatonin helps greatly at night and taurine during the day. Good thoughts to you ;)

Title: Re: Virus
Post by debOUCH on Mar 27^th, 2008, 10:18pm

this is my first bout with CH and i got it on a relaxing vacation in key west, the day after i snorkled, 1/30.............maybe something in that caribbean like water that found its way into my hypothalmus!!!!LOL who knows...............i
PF wishes your way
deb

Title: Snorkling / Diving ?
Post by cluster on Mar 28^th, 2008, 10:14am

My second episode started A.D. 2000 during a relaxing vacation in Greece. We did a lot of snorkling during that vacation. I got an infection in the right hand side ear and since then I have cluster headaches on the right hand side.

Anybody else?

Title: Re: Virus
Post by Qazpur on Mar 28^th, 2008, 12:48pm

i've also experienced more than once that a cycle has started with the onset of a bout of flu.
aborting one with the flu is something i haven't had yet, but if there proves to be a correlation you'll certainly find me spending a lot more time around folks who appear to be coughing and sneezing :)

there has been some study done in this regard it seems, a couple of links to abstracts i've found:

http://www.springerlink.com/content/87475124326820h2/
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1526-4610.1987.hed2703138.x
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bsc/hed/1998/00000038/00000002/art00008

the difficuly i have with these kinds of studies is that they are often seem to be based on pretty small test groups, with results presented in just the right way to seem absolutely conclusive.

it would be really interesting though to see results from informal surveys on these kinds of questions among members of forums such as this one - maybe the surveys on the left here could be revised and extended?

Title: Re: Virus
Post by Paul98 on Mar 28^th, 2008, 2:49pm

I think I would put it down to laws of chance. One has to be careful about connecting two unrelated things. that occur with fairly high frequency.

Many folks go into cycle in spring and fall....when the flu season is high. Perhaps if one was near their cycle and cought the flu than that would just hasten the onset of the cycle.

-P.

Title: Re: Virus
Post by az_r2d1 on Mar 31^st, 2008, 6:09pm

My CH's (3 times so far, all about 1 month long) have always started after a bad cold. This year my nr was up again (after a bad cold) and I am still in it. Was diagnosed with it right away by my Doctor about 13 years ago. Thought I was going to die it hurt so bad. Lasts for about a month then goes away for years. I get the headaches about once or twice a day. Never in my sleep. Always on left side. Nothing seems to help but time. Then again I've never had any meds prescribed for it. Seeing neurologist on Friday and will hopefully get some meds. The other 2 times I had it I just rode it out. Not drinking any alcohol seemed to help.
I never knew what real pain was until this stuff hit me.. ouch

Title: Re: Virus
Post by Kirk on Mar 31^st, 2008, 9:38pm

In 39 years, I've never had one start, or end with a cold or the Flu. Go figure.

[smiley=smokin.gif]

Title: Re: Virus
Post by George_J on Apr 1^st, 2008, 2:00am

on 03/31/08 at 21:38:28, Kirk wrote:

In 39 years, I've never had one start, or end with a cold or the Flu. Go figure.

[smiley=smokin.gif]

Basically--pretty much the same.

Nor have I ever had the flu or a cold during a cycle that I can remember.

Best,

George

Title: Re: Virus
Post by Beastfodder on Apr 4^th, 2008, 11:16am

Flu, man flu or heavy cold - call it what you will, but it always seems to precede the Autumn visit.

Bunged up sinuses get me worried even out of season now!

Title: Re: Virus
Post by wink on Apr 5^th, 2008, 7:31pm

My cycles never start or end on a cold or virus. But if I get a cold or virus, it will reliably interrupt the cycle. Once I get better, the cycle resumes.

It's nice that the Beast tries to let me deal with one thing at a time health wise.

Title: Re: Virus
Post by az_r2d1 on Apr 5^th, 2008, 8:46pm

My doctor told me he thinks there is some effect of your immune system kicking in to fight the flu and also somehow trigger the CH.
He prescribed me steroids (short and heavy dose which is kicking my moods down), some anti mood swing pills and something to keep my stomach under control.
So far no headaches ! (knock knock)